When you think of Chicago, you think of its towering skyline, the stunning lakefront, and the iconic deep-dish pizza. But what makes this pizza so beloved? Why do people obsess over this almost as much as they obsess over the pizza you would get on the most authentic streets of Italy? To get the real scoop, News USA TV took to the streets, chatting with locals from all walks of life. From longtime residents to pizza newcomers, their stories reflect the city's deep-rooted love for this cheesy, saucy, and incredibly filling dish.
At the corner of North Avenue and Wells Street, a couple of young professionals, Amanda and Jason, sit down at a crowded, buzzing Lou Malnati’s, one of the city’s most famous pizzerias. They’ve just ordered a deep dish with sausage, mushrooms, and plenty of cheese.
Amanda, a 34-year-old graphic designer, shares, “We have pizza night every Friday. It's not just about eating; it’s about the experience. You sit down, you order, and you wait. There's this excitement when the pizza finally comes, and everyone just digs in.”
Jason, her husband, nods. “It's like a ritual. You can feel the anticipation in the air. You get the salad, the breadsticks, and you know you're in for something special. It’s a weekly tradition for us and for many Chicagoans.”
For Amanda and Jason, deep dish isn’t just a meal it’s a beloved part of their routine, a comforting slice of home they look forward to every week. And that’s a theme we hear again and again from locals: deep dish pizza isn’t fast food. It’s a sit-down event, a communal experience that people savor, from first bite to the last crumbs.
Across town at Pequod’s Pizza, known for its signature caramelized crust, another group of locals is enjoying their deep dish pizza. Among them is Luis, a 58-year-old teacher who’s lived in Chicago his entire life. His large family of six gathers around the table, digging into a pizza stuffed with cheese and loaded with pepperoni.
“My family and I, we’ve been coming here for years,” Luis says, smiling as his two teenage daughters argue over who gets the last slice. “It's more than just the pizza it's a tradition that connects us. It’s where we gather, where we celebrate birthdays, promotions, or even just surviving the week. My dad brought me here when I was a kid, and now I’m bringing my kids.”
Luis points to the warmth of the restaurant, the chatter, and laughter filling the air. “This is Chicago. It’s not just about food it’s about community. The deep dish is what brings us together.”
Across from him, his daughter Mia, 16, adds, “I know when I come home from school or after a long day, we’re probably going to have deep dish for dinner. It’s like... comfort, you know? Like it brings peace to the whole day.”
For many locals, deep dish pizza represents a sense of continuity, of family bonds passed down through generations. It’s about more than the cheesy goodness; it’s about the memories tied to the meal and the connection to those around the table.
But not all love for deep dish pizza comes from tradition. Take Arjun Patel, a 28-year-old tech entrepreneur who moved to Chicago three years ago. Originally from Mumbai, Arjun admits he was skeptical at first. “I was raised on thin crust and, honestly, I thought deep dish was just... too much. The crust is thick, the cheese is thick it seemed like overkill.”
But after trying deep dish for the first time, Arjun had an epiphany. “I had it at Giordano’s. And you know what? I got it. It’s not just pizza; it’s like a whole meal. The layers, the textures, the flavors it’s the perfect combination of crispy, gooey, and savory.”
Arjun now considers deep dish an essential part of his Chicago experience. “It’s Chicago. It's the same as New York having bagels or Philly having cheesesteaks. It’s something that defines the city. The flavor is so rich and complex it’s not just fast food. It’s something to be savored.”
When asked about the debates between Chicagoans over which place makes the best deep dish pizza, Arjun laughs. “I’m still trying to figure that out. But I’ll definitely be trying more places until I have my favorite.”
Arjun's perspective is a familiar one for newcomers to Chicago—many initially find the pizza daunting but fall in love with the layers of flavor that only deep dish can deliver.
While many visitors to Chicago are drawn in by the promise of deep dish pizza, some locals like Theresa Grant, a 62-year-old retired nurse take pride in the fact that Chicagoans are just as passionate about the pizza as any tourist. She’s been a lifelong resident of the city, and for her, deep dish is a marker of local pride.
“I’ve seen the pizza places change, some come and go, but deep dish is timeless,” Theresa says, as she sips on a glass of wine at a quiet neighborhood pizzeria in Lincoln Park. “It’s a part of our city’s history. It’s not just something for tourists. We love our pizza here it’s our version of homegrown.”
Theresa recalls taking her children to Pizzeria Uno when they were little. “I remember my son asking, ‘Mom, why is it called deep dish?’ And I said, ‘Because it’s more than just pizza. It’s a part of who we are.’ And they’ve loved it ever since.”
For Theresa, deep dish represents something uniquely Chicagoan no frills, just good, hearty, and unapologetically bold food. It’s something she and her family take pride in, a tradition that's just as important as the neighborhood block parties or the city’s legendary jazz scene.
Of course, no conversation about deep dish pizza would be complete without touching on the heated debate about the best pizza spot in Chicago. Locals have strong opinions, and often, the rivalry between pizza places is almost as fierce as that between the Cubs and the White Sox.
Tommy, a 41-year-old construction worker from the South Side, is quick to declare his allegiance. “Lou Malnati’s. No contest. It’s the crust. That buttery, flaky crust it’s perfect. I’ve tried them all. Pequod’s? Good, but it’s not Lou’s.”
But not everyone agrees. Maria, a 38-year-old librarian from Hyde Park, shakes her head. “I’ll always pick Giordano’s. They’re the OG. The stuffed crust is what sets it apart. It’s a work of art. If you don’t fold that slice in half, you’re missing out.”
Despite the differing opinions, one thing is clear: Chicagoans are passionate about their pizza. And while the debate may never be fully resolved, it only adds to the fun and culture surrounding deep dish pizza.
As we wrap up our interviews, it’s clear that deep dish pizza is more than just food for Chicagoans. It’s an experience. It’s tradition. It’s comfort. It’s community. Whether it's shared with family, friends, or even new neighbors, deep dish is woven into the fabric of Chicago life. For locals, it reflects who we are bold, layered, and full of character.
As Arjun Patel aptly puts it, “Deep dish is Chicago. You don’t just eat it. You experience it.”
So, if you ever find yourself in the Windy City, don’t just stop at a tourist spot for deep dish. Talk to the locals. Hear their stories. Taste the passion behind the pizza. After all, it’s more than just a slice it’s a taste of Chicago itself.
