Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
805 S State St, Chicago, IL, 60605
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria Menu
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Address :
805 S State St
Chicago, IL, 60605 - Phone (312) 786-1000
- Website https://www.loumalnatis.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Yucen L.
I have tasted four different pizzas here And the classic is the best. I like the deep dish and the thick cheese topping, the meat inside makes it even better.
(4)Joshua B.
Always enjoy eating at Lous; never have to wait to long when compared to Unos or Ginos. Good atmosphere and friendly staff.
(5)Leslie W.
I think I just don't get it. I'm new to Chicago and new to deep dish pizza. Everyone I hear from says, I HATE Chicago style pizza, except for Lou Malnati's. How can you hate pizza? I mean, really? It's bread, cheese, meat, cheese. Ummmm, I hate ice cream? Enough pizza rant. This place is GREAT. And I really enjoy Chicago style pizza. I didn't mind the 35 minute wait for the pizzas and they make sure you are well informed of the wait. Our waitress was extremely attentive too. "The Lou" was amazing and I could've eaten more if my stomach wasn't so damn small! Without adding anything it's all vegetables. Our group of 12 ordered 3 large Chicago style pizzas, house salad, a few appetizers and the price came out to $12/person! So I can easily say, I loved Lou Malnati's and pretty much all Chicago (or non Chicago) style pizza.
(4)Dominique S.
A few weeks after posting this review, the manger, Jeremy, contacted me to apologize which was welcomed. He said he'd refund my order and send me a gift certificate for my next visit. I felt great after the call. However, I never received either - the refund or the gift certificate. While I didn't need either, it was a poor experience for him to promise me that and not deliver. Again, the food was good, but the service is questionable.
(2)Evan M.
Great pizza, of course, but the surprising thing that really put this place over the top was the Malnati salad, one of the best I've ever had.
(5)Dennis L.
I see Lou Malnati's as part of the Chicago Deep Dish trifecta... (Gino's East and Giordano's being the other two). I am happy that I was finally able to give it a try! We had the Stuffed Spinach Bread as an appetizer which was excellent! I highly recommend it. For our pizza we had "The Lou" which was delicious! I mean how can you go wrong with fresh spinach, mushrooms, sliced Roma tomatoes, and 3 cheeses! I found that the deep dish pizza at Lou's is not as deep as the other two pizza joints mentioned above, but it was just a filling. This location is a bit small but the decor and ambiance are great. The service was very attentive and friendly. I look forward to my next visit!
(4)Mike N.
Really good Chicago style pizza. I'm a diehard east coast style pizza, and I completely loved the butter crust. The service was mediocre was best, and it seemed that the whole restaurant was suffering from it. Pizzas going to the wrong table, empty water glasses throughout the meal, but the pie was great, and my girlfriend tried the italian beef sandwich and loved it. I would've given it 5 stars, but the poor service, combined with the fact that a Chicago style pizza still can't compare with some of the pizza joints i've been to around Boston loses it a star at the very least. I'll still be going next time I'm in Chicago.
(4)Becky D.
I just ordered from the south loop location for the first time and was very disappointed at the size of the "bowl" of soup. I would hate to see how small the cup is. I also ordered a caesar salad and they forgot to deliver the salad dressing, when I called to tell someone the man that answered the phone said, "sorry we can't bring you your dressing it won't happen again. Would you like to talk to a manager?" What kind of a response is that? Now I am stuck with a bowl of dry lettuce and you were right this won't happen again because I will not be ordering from you again.
(1)Randall O.
Deep dish is where it is at. Had spinach, sausage, tomato pizza. Excellent. Very busy place. Long waits but you can order before seated.
(5)Ak T.
The restaurant has a nice atmosphere to it, but the pizza was OK. not one of chicago's finest...but great service!!!
(3)Delicious B.
Fri night 9:00pm 1/27/12 Was staying at Hilton around corner with wife and teenaged son, was looking for a quick bite, period. Place was full of college kids and locals... usually a promising sign imho. Waiter was friendly, got our drinks quickly. Beer selection not large but good quality. Ordered an italian beef dip sandwich with cheese cut in pieces for appetizer. Kind of a soggy version of a philly cheesesteak with a LOT more beef on the role. Tasty, but I wouldn't make a special trip for it. House salads were cold, crisp, and generously portioned. Homemade dressings high quality. Ordered one of the house specials with ground sausage, extra cheese -- deep dish.....Made one mistake. Forgot to order the "butter crust" style crust with my pizza. Pizza was hot, ingredients tasty, but i the crust was tastless and wet on the inside. Ok for what it was, but there has to be better deep dish in the Windy City.
(2)Gerardo F.
It has been a while since I have been to Lou Malnati's - or to Chicago for that matter - but I will never, EVER forget this pizzeria. I had my fist Deep Dish there, and it has since become one of my favorite foods ever. The pizza here are not only huge, they are mouth watering and succulent. I also remember the waiters to be super friendly and the atmosphere really nice. I'm dying to return to Chicago and to this particular mountain of amazing.
(5)DeShanda P.
Tasty pizza for a first timer in Chicago. My server kept forgetting to bring us our food items so I took away a star.
(3)Stephanie B.
About once a month I have to travel the 4 and a half hours to Chicago from St Louis. I would make the drive just for Lou's pizza! My only tip would be that it is actually better the next day, so be sure to order a larger size. I'm still not sure what the actual difference is between the butter crust (75 cents more) and the regular as they taste about the same to me. I also give credit to the owners for always having cheese bread out when there is a wait for a table.
(5)Tony C.
Great pizza. A true representation of Chicago style pizza. I would highly recommend the butter crust.
(4)Martin H.
Great deepdish! This location is newer and pretty big. The biggest downside is not being able to make a reservation. So I called earlier in day telling I had a big group coming in later that night, they said they can try their best to accommodate but no guarantees if they're busy. And thats exactly what happened. When we got their they told us we had to wait an hour, but luckily they allowed us to order right away. Which was good because it takes 45 minutes to make each pizza, so while waiting to get seated most of our pizza was baking! The pizza was delicous! We ordered 3 deep dish, one pepporoni, one cheese and one veggie (spinach, green peppers and mushrooms) Yum! Great food, good prices, cute hostesses and good location!
(4)Jean S.
1st night (Sat 11:30 pm straight from a flight into Chicago) place had only 3 other tables occupied. Ordered the small Lou and it was good. I really think the cheeses were not that extraordinary but the veggies made up for it. Great waitress and service. 2nd night (Sunday during last half of Lakers vs Celtics game 5) place was packed full with no fans of either team-go figure. 30 min wait we were told. While waiting, we "pre-ordered" a medium Lou with butter crust. The waitress was slow and the order went in wrong (cheese with mushroom). I said we'd accept this pie (to save time) but she went ahead and had the Lou made from "scratch". Pizza finally came out and she threw the slices unto our plates. This time, the crust was overly burnt though the pizza itself was as good as the night before. Didn't really notice the difference with the "butter crust". I accept that service is always going to be spotty especially on busy nights, but I actually prefer Gino's crust. Wish I had tried their thin crust, but I'd probably prefer my NY pizzas.
(3)Ian T.
5-Star Chicago Pizza. What can I say? I love deep dish. This is 5-star pizza. This restaurant is a Chicago classic so don't pass it by. I love the sausage and cheese with the butter crust! If you are on a diet stay far, far, away from here. You will not be able to eat only one piece!
(5)Claire F.
This is the best Chicago pizza that I have had. The crust is amazing! Get the butter crust, it's fabulous. Go for the small or medium pizza for 4 people. It is VERY filling. The salad was great too! This is a place I'll take my parents/friends when they come to Chicago! I am editing this review now. I have eaten here three times now and had digestion problems after all three of them. I think there is too much grease, so it gives me issues. The last time we went, I ordered salad and bread which was very good. The service is great, and everybody else seems to be able to hold the food down. Just be careful eating too much if you aren't used to greasy food. You'll regret it :)!!
(4)Tyler R.
First time in Chicago but we knew Lou Malnatis was a must try. Ordered the Classic which was pretty good..perhaps im just not the biggest fan of deep dish. However it was the cheapest meal we had all trip..and satisfied just as much if not more than Ruth Chris's or Capital Grille.
(3)Felix L.
Best pizza that I've ever tasted...so far :)
(5)Lily F.
I am a New Yorker. This means that a slice of pizza to me is... +HUGE! I want an enormous floppy yet chewy triangle +SAUCY! Don't just throw a bunch of salty cheese on there, there needs to be some zesty sauce action as well +CRUSTY! I want an inch or more of PURE CRUST. I am the girl who will ask you for yours too if it's looking sad & neglected on your plate I had the veggie deep dish at Lou Malnati's and it was A-OK, the vegetables were cooked nicely and had lots of flavor. The cheese was nice as well, but the crust was just too...greasy, soggy, gooey. Our meal for 8 (with some beer and a huge fabulous starter salad) was just under $120, which is not bad! Our service was great too, very attentive and happy to help with any questions. I'd definitely recommend trying deep dish here, but if you're a NY pizza person don't be disappointed if your experience is a bit 'different'.
(3)Megan L.
I've dined in as well as ordered Lou's for delivery. I have never been let down. Let's start with the appetizers: the five-cheese garlic bread is delicious & plenty enough for 3 people to share. The combo appetizer plate is making my mouth water just thinking about it. They have fried cheese balls! Dip those bad boys in ranch & get ready for an epic tastebud orgasm. Never have I tasted something so good & so bad for me. The "Lou" signature deep dish pizza with buttermilk crust was the first pizza I ever had here. And it was amazing. Extra cheese, tomatoes, spinach, & mushrooms. Ugh. So good. The most recent time eating here, I ordered & had it delivered. There's something special about enjoying a deep dish pizza covered with bell peppers, onions, & mushrooms in the privacy of your own home. So worth the 45 minute wait to have it delivered. Hands down my favorite pizza in Chicago. If you disagree with me, show and tell me where I can find something that is better than this. You won't.
(5)Didier N.
So on my first trip to Chicago, I kept on telling my girlfriend that we HAD to try Deep Dish Pizza while in ChiTown. I probably talked about it so much I probably annoyed her at some point. While doing my research on Yelp, there was a piece on the Travel Channel on Lou Malnati's. So we settled for that. While waiting for our table, we munched on thin crust pizza. It was so tasty we probably got full on it. We had the Malnati salad, which was pretty good. I thought the salad dressing was nice,...on the sweet side. I just thought that they put a little bit too much. On to the Deep Dish pizza, we were not disappointed. The crust was so flaky and buttery. I loved the tomato sauce and you could tell the ingredients were fresh and of good quality. We didn't talk that much while eating. We just scarfed our pizza down, sipped on our soda and waddled back to the hotel with a big smile on our face.
(4)Henry Y.
Mmmm chicago style pizza! cheers! It was yummy... the sausage pizza... was FANTASTIC! or FAB----ULOUS! yay! the desert pizza.. (a.k.a. the Real pazookie)... *drools* was amazing as well. The waiter made me feel a little uncomfortable because he was rather... enthusiastic... i couldn't tell half the time if he was taking our order or having an orgasm... yes... delicious...
(5)Monica D.
Even though this place is well known for pizza, I really think their pizza is not that good. Their pasta & salads are very good. I do recommend their pasta and salad, but not the pizza. Many friends of mine agreed with me.
(4)Dave K.
Great addition to the neighborhood. Excellent thin crust pizza and friendly service.
(4)Amy C.
Great deep dish, friendly staff. Fun atmosphere! My husband has tried a few pizza place in Chicago and says Lou's is by far the best. Great gooey cheese just like you see in the movies. I only ordered a personal sized one but will definitely be coming back for more. We had to wait about 15 min but you know when the place is filled with locals and tourists there is something great happening!
(5)Jennifer C.
I was practically raised on Lou Malnatis. I am a little biased, however, living in the city for 12 years has allowed me to try almost every deep dish pizza possible and still hands down Lou is the best place. I mean, come on, they were featured in Bobby Flay's throwdown you know they are good! We usually get the deep dish sausage or pepperoni with mushrooms, but lately we've really taken a liking to the Lou pizza. It's a veggie pizza with a mix of cheese-yum! The one on State is small so on weekends you most likely will have to wait a little bit. The house dressing is a definite must try. And seeing that all of my family from out of town loves Lou they really like stocking up on the Lou pizza's to go when they are in town. Those frozen pizzas are good, they end up being a little drier than the one you eat at the restaurant but they are still pretty darn good. The thin pizza is pretty good but there's other places that have better thin crust pizza.
(5)Matthew R.
I first had Lou Malnati's in a friend's apartment in Washington, DC. Yes, Washington DC. This friend was a die hard Chicagoan and had a couple pies shipped in for a special occasion - the Bulls/Celtics 2009 Playoff series. The frozen deep dish pizzas had very specific instructions on how to return them to their former deliciousness from a frozen state. I was blow away before I even tried a slice. My first thought was, "these must be great if Dan had them shipped in from Chicago!" Second was, "these must be great if Lou takes it so seriously to include complex reheating instructions." The pies did not disappoint. So when I finally made it to Chicago during a 7 week road trip this summer, you better believe it that I planned my day around hitting up Lou's. My girlfriend and I ordered up a medium "Lou," waited the necessary 30 minutes for appropriate preparation and cooking time, and ate our pie relaxing in the trees of Grant Park. Perfect. Absolutely perfect Chicago scenery and perfect Chicago-style, deep dish pizza. The crust was the best I've ever had. Buttery and oily to taste, yet firm enough to hold the massive load of sauce, cheese, and tomatoes above. The tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach blended together with the cheese exactly how they should. We didn't finish the pie. Didn't even come close. It was only a 12" pizza but man was it filling. We ended up packaging it up and storing it in the back of our car for snacking on the long drive up to Traverse City, MI. Honestly, it was even better the next day. I give Lou's on State Street 5 stars because it's the best deep dish pizza in Chicago and in the best possible location. Grab a pie and chill in the shade of Grant Park. A perfect summer day. Oh, and grab a set of plasticwear. You're going to need a fork and knife.
(5)Daniel D.
This is the best pizza I've had in my entire life. Get the house special sausage. It's cooked to perfection and the ingredients are obviously high quality. I've tried Giordano's several times at their Tampa location before they closed and I can say without a doubt that Lou Malnati's is much better. Super affordable and the service was excellent.
(5)Fernando L.
This place has one of the best Chicago Deep dish pizzas and it comes very close to a Giordano's stuffed crust deep dish pizza. So that you have something to compare, Lou's pie crust is a bit more "airy" and it has a lighter texture and at the same time it is crunchier vs. the Giordano's crust which is a bit thicker and has more "body" to it, it crumbles like an apple-pie crust and it is also thicker. Both places are excellent, if you get a chance try both. The staff was friendly and the restaurant is quite popular so be prepared to wait or call ahead for a reservation. They also let you look over the menu and order your pizza while you wait, this will reduce your wait time from when you sit down to when you get your pie. Do yourself a favor and get the "Lou." You won't regret it.
(4)Chocoolate I.
I am not a deep dish pizza fan and I wanted to get thinned sliced New York style pizza in Chicago. This is the place. The service provided by Mary Kate was excellent. The pizza was reasonable, a medium cheese & sausage was $11.65, and it was excellent. I also tried the chicken wings which were "off the hook" and you have to try the minestrone soup. A bowl was only $3.25. Lunch for two was thirty-three buck and we had enough left over for dinner. Chicago is known for pizza and Lou Malnati's does Chicago proud!
(4)Ryan W.
Not sure why, but I was expecting a place with more character. When I found out there were over 40 locations I was a little let down in the charm department, but hoped the pizza was as good as I'd heard. It is. Excellent Chicago-style pie. Great, buttery crust, tangy sauce, lots of cheese. Go for the pizza, not for the atmosphere.
(4)John G.
The pizza was worthy of five stars, the douche bag waiter -3 and the interior design 2. I guess. I'll give then 3.
(3)Mary L.
After reading reviews, I thought this would be the place to get Chicago's deep dish pizza... well... maybe as a Texan I am not sure what "deep dish" is, but Lou's seems like a homestyle "pan pizza" (ya know.. Pizza hut pan pizza.. thick, but not too thick.. a little buttery..) So yes, it was good, but not great. As far as service goes, we went during senior citizen hours (5pm) and we were seated right away. The food was brought out very quick. Oh reminds me, we had the "signature" salad.. I forgot what it was called.. but it had Lou's house dressing.. and it was waaaaaaay too sweet and way over dressed. Needless to say, I wasn't really impressed.
(3)Michelle B.
I had to try the #1 Yelp "Best Deep Dish in Chicago" and I don't know if it's the best... but it was pretty g-darn good. We got a classic deep dish pepperoni with a side of fried zucchinis.
(5)Ms Martini H.
Great fresh thin crust pizza...their sauce is so tomatoey...delivery in south loop was on time and food was HOT
(4)Karen G.
My first Chicago deep dish pizza not from Uno's! I got the individual classic pizza (with the buttered crust--yum) and it was a huge step up from Uno's. The sausage was delicious and not too salty and they pack it on there! It was pretty much a layer of dough, cheese, sausage, and then chunky tomato sauce.
(4)Kirsten A.
We ordered thin crust delivery from here and it was pretty good. The cheese was really good but the crust was a little soggy (which could just be because it was delivery). Their calamari was great, and even better at the restaurant, I'm sure. Heads up though, they don't have the peanut butter pizza cookie anymore. Sad day, but the chocolate chip one was a good substitute.
(3)Lindsay S.
Maybe it's because I only have eyes for Epic Burger right here or their advertising and signage just sucks, but I've walked by here so many times without seeing it! First off, if you're going to be remotely near the Loop and have something on the menu called 'Lunch Express Meal' then please have more than one waitress in the whole restaurant - she was sweet but we had to hussle back. It took forever for her to take our order and then forever for it to come out. The salad, eh. It was salad with a decent vinaigrette dressing and a TON of small, tiny tomatoes. The pizza I was not enthused about. I think the big chunks of tomatoes in the sauce kinda threw me off. I thought it was pepperoni at one point and got quite the surprise biting into it. The girl looked so strangely at us when we're throwing our credit card at her to ring us up pronto. Really though, Loop lunch place this is not. Unless you like scarfing down your food and literally running back to your office...then by all means. If I go again, I'll make sure I have more time and will not get the "express" lunch, that they so loosely termed.
(3)Ryan N.
Went here in May 2009 when visiting Chicago and looking for the Chicago deep dish pizza experience after a long day of sightseeing at Museum Campus. The location, the reviews, and the availability of modest-sized pizzas at a good price were the clinchers for us. The small (9 inch) deluxe pizza was a good size for two, and we enjoyed it. It didn't have a lot of cheese, which was okay with me. The crust was crispy, and not too doughy. The bowl of minestrone soup was good, with very tiny pieces of pasta and lots of vegetables. Our server recommended we pre-order our pizza while we waited for a table, and this turned out to be a good idea, since we were able to eat our pizza shortly after finishing our soup. I also ordered a beef sandwich, but it wasn't very good, with tough, chewy beef and not a lot of flavor; I'd recommend Portillo's or Al's Italian Beef instead.
(4)Cornelius V.
I don't know. This place was on the food network, everyone talks about the place, so I thought I would check this place out when in Chi town. We go in, grab a seat, and are helped by a very friendly server. I don't remember the costs but it wasn't cheap nor was it over priced. We decide to go with a deep dish peperoni. The pie was good but definitely not living up to the reputation, including the disclaimer that it would take 30 minutes to prepare due to their high regard for quality. We got our pie within 20 minutes. They were cheap on the cheese and ingredients although the crust, sauce, and dough were awesome. When I think Chicago deep dish, I'm thinking of a pie loaded with ingredients and cheese. I don't know.. I wasn't unimpressed but I wasn't as impressed as I would imagine I would be eating at a place that was on food network. Maybe I got it at a bad night? It was good, but I have had better pizza.
(3)Jason Vuong D.
So this is it. The Chicago deep dish pizza experience. I was pumped and ready! We had the Sausage Pizza, w/ Spinach and Mushrooms. I devoured the meal like it was my last supper but towards the end, I got why they labeled it "deep;" deep and stuck down your throat that is. Outstanding but whoa, way too much flavor for one individual. Then again, maybe I should just control myself, lol.
(4)Michael R.
If you are going to eat at one place in Chicago!! It must be this!!! Enough said!!!
(5)Michael G.
This is the first Chicago style deep dish pizza I've ever tried....and I loved it. We had the sausage deep dish, and although I like New York Pizza too, this pizza was outstanding. Service was friendly, prices were ok. The only down-side was that we went on a Friday night, and there was a long wait (hour +). But otherwise, I would recommend this to anyone. Check their website, because they also ship their pizzas to anywhere in the US. Letter grade: A
(5)Vanessa P.
This is the review primarily for delivery, as I've never been to this location. My company has ordered from here on several occasions, usually ordering at least 6 stuffed pizzas. It is hard to get a delivery time, even calling the day before we need the pizzas. I understand they're busy, but do I really need to call 2 days in advance? Sometimes, they can be late too. I understand traffic and all, but I hate having to call Lou Malnati's to figure out where the driver is. Having said all that, the pizza is very good. Their butter crust is top notch and the ingredients for the most part are spread pretty evenly. The Lou special is one of my favorites, as well as the standard spinach.
(3)Miike G.
Good but not as good as Giordano's! Crust is thicker and drier than I am used to. Nuf said.
(3)Matt S.
Hands down best deep dish pizza in Chicago (I don't need to try any other places - THIS PLACE IS IT). Best service too. We had the Lou's and I added pepperoni & sausage (I'm a real man) LOL and it was amazing. My wife loved it too. I can't wait to go back to Lou's and the only thing I am sad about is that there is not one in Phoenix. If you are brand new to Chicago - GO HERE FOR DEEP DISH PIZZA!!!! THE BEST!
(5)Rick H.
Seriously, one of the best pizza's I have ever had the privileged to eat! Both Lou Malnati's and Gino's East have great Chicago style pizza, however, I liked Lou Malnati's better. The Malnati's world famous buttercrust was amazing with a crisp flavorful buttery taste and almost a 1/2" thick sausage layer. Stack on the pepperoni, and cheese and you have one delicious Malnati Chicago Classic. The staff wasn't all that friendly and service kinda sucked but, who cares the food was really good. There is parking across the street in the self-parking garage on 8th Street. I look forward to my next visit. Lou Malnati's web site: loumalnatis.com
(5)Chris H.
My favorite please for deep dish pizza (thick crust, cheese, then sauce on top). Other places are good, but this place is where I would recommend for out of towners. They have more than one location, but I imagine all the locations are the same. I think they may also have a thin crust, but that would be a fool's errand.
(5)Roy H.
We have had this catered here at work quite a few times now. Its really nothing special IMO compared to other chicago-style places. Gino's comes to mind, among others.
(3)magdalena a.
For the first time in my life i wanted my stomach to be bigger so I could eat more pizza! Chicago deep dish..i think I love you
(5)jenbug l.
If you like deep dish chicago style pizza, this is the place to go.....i personally dont like it too much only because I dont like all that excess carb plus the extra wait time for the deep dish is kind of a downer. This place is usually always busy....and i dont believe they take reservations so a party of 6 on a weekend led us to wait about an hour or so and then another 30 min for food. EEK but it was still really yummy....fresh ingredients, tasty and filling. Get the Lou pizza or the plain-ol pepperoni. They also have a delcious salad ...the malnati's salad (mushrooms, olives, tomatos, salami and gorgonzola cheese) with their special dressing (which you can purchase!!) oohh..how i miss chicago!
(4)David C.
Pizza was excelent. Price was very affordable and the sports theme was fun.
(4)Darrin L.
Personal-sized deep dish didn't live up to the reputation or seem worth the extensive wait. Sausage was great, crust was hard. Might have been better with larger size (I was starving and should have!). Salad OK, only beer and wine, which is kind of a turn off but the chianti was decent. Service good; many of Chicago's finest stop in.
(3)John H.
Decided to try Lou's on two occasions in the last couple weeks since I was in Chicago on business. Service both times was very good. Had the deep dish the first time which was good then tried the thin crust the second time which was also good. I preferred the think crust. Sauce on both was a little bland. I'm going to have to admit that the next time I'm in Chicago and craving deep dish pizza I'll probably go back to Gino's East.
(3)Susan C.
Being from California where there's just about every type of imaginable food available, I wasn't quite sure what to expect with a Chicago Deep-dish Pizza like this pizzeria offers. I envisioned a deep dish pizza as one with thick, thick, doughy crust with a pool of tomato sauce and cheese and other ingredients floating on top. Not so. Ordered a small cheese pizza, waited the 30 minutes the menu suggested, and was treated to a sweet, crispy, buttery and flaky crust loaded with gooey, stringy, outrageously delicious cheese with a perfectly seasoned and just-the-right-amount of tomato-ish sauce -- yum, yum. Almost makes me want to move to Chicago ... NOT! Stranger than fiction, the menu offers this: "The Malnatis travel to California each year to hand select vine-ripened tomatoes at their peak. The tomatoes are chosen based on their rich color, plumpness, and full flavor." So the Malnatis come to California to buy their tomatoes to make sauce for their pizza that I have to travel to Chicago to enjoy! Life is crazy, eh?
(4)Carlos T.
Hands down Carlos Sr. and I favorite pizza of all time. Folks it don't get better than this. Had the veggie pizza. Amazing. I have tried to emulate this my entire life at home. Can't even come close.
(5)Sarah T.
We heart-ed this restaurant so much while we were in Chicago that we even order pizza from them to be shipped to San Diego- thank goodness they ship nationwide! Their pizza is seriously THAT GOOD! My favorite pizza is the Lou A pizza. So no matter where you are in the U.S., and you're looking for an excellent deep dish pizza, try Lou Malnati's! I promise you won't be disappointed.
(5)Paddy K.
Malnati salad is amazing, pizza is delish. What a meal. Beer selection is poor.
(5)Sixto M.
I've never heard of this place before, but I was with my bf's family in the south loop and they wanted to order pizza. Well, someone mentioned Lou Malnati's and how they just opened up this spot. Suddenly, everyone was really excited, and were telling me how great their pizza is. So, we ordered a sausage deep dish pizza for pick-up. That's all I can say, really. It was nothing special. The sauce tasted a little weird, and the crust was not quite right. I'm no pizza snob by any means, so yes, the food was edible, and I'm sure there are other things on the menu besides pizza. Maybe it was all the anticipation that had built up in my head, but just to be safe, 'll stick to Pizza Capri/Edwardos/Giordanos when ordering a deep dish pizza.
(2)Kimberly K.
I've reviewed many other Lou locations. I got very excited when this new location opened 50 feet from my back door. The cooks in the South Loop didn't disappoint me! This is by far the best Chicago Deep Dish pizza. It is very refreshing and not overly stuffed with cheese. This is the main problem I have with some other people's favorites like Gino's, Uno, and Giordano's. TOO MUCH CHEESE. Lou's pizza's are stuffed with fresh veggies and great tomatoey sauce. DEFINITELY get the Malnati Salad to start with. GREAT! My favorite pizza is "The Lou" with sausage, deep dish. We've also gone for the low-fat cheese lately, which I think cuts down on the liquid content of the pizza. The thin crust is also very good. I can never resist partaking of a crisp Barq's root beer. The flavor compliments the pizza amazingly. If you don't stuff yourself, get the cookie and ice cream at the end. WOW. They have a great deal on weekdays. You get a pitcher of soda, a salad, a large pizza, and dessert for $30.00. This is amazing and too tempting! They also have a nice lunch special as well! Go there. This new location is a GODSEND to the South Loop!
(5)Jeff W.
The best pizza I've ever had at a chain.
(3)Brad L.
I've always loved this chain's food! Chicken club salad and cheddar cubes rock my world! I however did not like my experience at this location, the wait was 40 mins after being told it would take 20. This was probably due to the fact that the number of seats in the place was very small. The service was also a reflection of this stores size: slow and barely present! Bottom line eat Lou's food just not here!
(2)Sabrina M.
I've always differed with my fellow Chicago pizza fanatics about the best place for deep dish. You'll always hear folks saying how much they love Giordano's, Pizzeria Uno and Due, Geno's East... But my top vote has ALWAYS been for Lou Malnati's. And, hello, now there's one right around the block from my house! The restaurant is fairly small but the quality is just as great as every other Malnati's in the city. I've always appreciated that you can get the individual-sized deep dish throughout the day and not just at lunch. This is another great addition to the South Loop and also quite dangerous to my waistline, as I'm not sure I'll be able to resist my buttercrust sausage pizza on a regular basis. Welcome to the South Loop, Lou!
(4)Minah L.
meh.. my friend and i got the personal size deep dish pizzas (the lunch special) and it comes with a side salad (or soup-- i think) and coke. maybe i didn't like it because it was the personal size. it came out dripping with liquid from the sauce. like actual.. watery liquid. i mean sauce was intact but you know that residual watery liquid mess?? and it soaked the crust.. if it wasn't for that i would have liked it much more!! i had the cheese and pepperoni and added jalapenos. i'm so glad i added the jalapenos because it added that spicy kick i need in my food. i finally didn't need Tabasco with my pizza!! for once! the side salad was good too. and plentiful indeed. i had the Gorgonzola and Malnati's sweet vinaigrette. oh i LOVED it. i normally don't eat salad with dressing cuz nothing ever satisfies my taste buds (yes i'd rather have plane lettuce.......) but that vinaigrette was goooood!!
(3)Laura S.
No trip to Chicago would be complete without some deep dish, so we headed to Lou Malnati's after a trip up the Sears Tower (see! I told you I was a tourist!). We arrived at 8:30 on a Sunday evening to a surprisingly long wait - it took over an hour to be seated. We were able to order our pizza when we put our names on the list so it was ready shortly after our table, which was nice. We tried a classic cheese deep dish pizza. I enjoyed it, although I think I have a slight preference for Giordano's - which I tried on my last visit. Service was fine although a little slow, which I cannot fault them for because they were incredibly busy. The pizza also was delicious as breakfast the next day. Thumbs-up to Lou Malnati's version of this Chicago classic. I am still a bit hesitant to call it "pizza," but whatever you want to name this concoction of dough, sauce, and cheese, I'll eat it happily.
(4)Jovy N.
Let's start with two words that can make your mouth melt, BUTTER CRUST. I know that you're either a Gino's or Giordano's fan when it comes to your deep dish pizza but I think Lou Malnati's is underrated. Do I think the other aforementioned two was great,? Yes but I think Lou Malnati's can roll with the big boys of deep dish pizza too. If you've never had deep dish pizza before and are going to Chicago, give your self some time allowance because it takes about 30 minutes at least to cook a nice deep dish pizza and also the lines that can wrap around the place. We got smart. My husband has never eaten deep dish pizza in his life so I took him at lunch time where he can experience better time to eat deep dish pizza. We both had to share the personal deep dish pizza because it was huge enough for two people and it gives you ample room for some salad and beer. We had the Malnati "Chicago Classic" which is with lean sausage and extra cheese. This was the first time we also drank the 312 Beer from Goose Island brewery which is an Illinois beer. I like it that Lou Malnati's was simple and easy. When we visit Chicago again, I know that we'll do a small stop at Lou's.
(4)Billy C.
This is one of the newer locations. Lou's deep dish is a must try if ur in chicago. The sausage on the pizza is like a thick meat patty in a layer of its own. Long lines tend to form here. So arrive early. U can always order ur pizza while u wait, so when ur table is available, ur pizza would be served pronto. Pizza takes maybe 30 mins to make, so be patient.
(4)Kristen A.
Minestrone soup good (but it was also eaten on a rainy day). Caesar salad not special; dressing a little too creamy for my taste. Pizza alright. Was not a fan of the crust... but other than that it was OK. Overall, a little disappointed when visiting Chicago for some deep dish pizza :( Service note: I like that you can order your pizza before you sit to save some time, and the staff was great at checking in throughout the meal.
(3)Lambert P.
This is the second time I've had Lou Malnati's in Chicago. The first time was at the location in River North on Wells. This time was a little different. We didn't eat outside and I was able to pre-order what I wanted while we waited for our table. Pre-ordering cuts down on the time for your pie substantially since it takes a good 45 minutes to make by the time they get your order to the kitchen. Not pre-ordering would mean sitting down, waiting for a server and then telling him/her what you want and then waiting another good 45 minutes or so. Deep dish takes time no matter where you go and they are made to order. We came in on a Sunday afternoon and it was a bit of a wait for a table. Straight ahead from the entrance is the pickup and pre-order counter. You an order drinks at this counter as well and drink them before you get your table if you wanted a drink beforehand. The check in for a table is the hostess just to the left of the pre-order table. The waiting area is basically when you come right in and there's 2 dining rooms to either side of the entrance. The entrance and waiting area basically divide the dining areas from one another. There are fridges beside the entrance/exit doors as well for take out etc. We waited about 20 minutes for a table and another 20 minutes for our pie. I had went ahead and ordered the medium sized Malnati Chicago Classic. The classic is as on their menu, "Made with Lou's lean sausage, some extra cheese and vine-ripened tomato sauce on Buttercrust.â„¢ It's authentic Chicago!" The buttercrust is trademarked! Funny but seriously good. Lou's buttercrust is like a pizza lover's pastry as it's more like a pie crust but with the right amount of crunch and density and it doesn't get soggy even with all the tomato sauce and cheese. Basically it keeps its structural integrity with the toppings just layered on thick. The sausage is in fact lean and not spicy at all. On the table they have pepper flake and cheese shakers so you can dress it up even more if you wanted. Our server who was quite friendly and helpful was more than happy to cut our slices and plate them for us. I didn't really need help but it's almost as if she had insisted. She did however forget that we had ordered a calamari appetizer which actually worked out because the medium pie was large and there were left overs. I went with a 312 pale ale, local brew of course and it was nice. I figured we'd go to this location in the South Loop because I wanted to avoid the entire River North/Magnificent Mile tourist/busy areas. This location was still busy but the wait wasn't very long considering we were able to pre-order our pie while waiting for the table and this area of the city is far less busier than north of the river. Still, Lou's is my favorite among all the others we've had before (Uno/Due and Gino's East).
(4)Chris O.
Lou Malnati's was recommended to me as the go to deep dish pizza spot inside the Loop. It didn't disappoint. I was in Chicago for half a day with a friend and wanted to eat legitimate deep dish pizza, which I had never had before. My roommate recommended Lou Malnati's, which I pronounce Illuminati. My friend and I ordered the spinach salad and the medium cheese deep dish pizza. The spinach salad was very average: the goat cheese was nice, as were the strawberries, but the rest of the salad isn't worth mentioning. The deep dish pizza was incredible. The sauce actually tastes like tomatoes, which is something pizzas across America can't seem to get right. The crust has this great crispiness contrasted with the softer inside. My only gripe was that the surface between the crust and sauce/cheese was a bit too soft, which may have been by design, but made me think it needed just one more minute in the oven. Sometimes I lay in bed awake thinking about why deep dish pizza is regional, and not more widespread. Why is this delicious ratio of bread, cheese, and sauce not more popular elsewhere? I would definitely return if I were in the Chicago area looking for pizza.
(4)Andrew H.
This was the second Chicago style deep dish pizza I have tried. Both famous, north touting the best pizza around. One again, I was thoroughly disappointed. First of all, it's not pizza, it's a casserole or pie. It's heavy and the flavors don't compliment. My entire group felt the disgusting kind of full you feel when you've eaten too much bad quality food, instead of the satisfied contented full that congress from eating too much of a good meal. We got the specials assuming they would be the best but it just tasted like tomato sauce and crappy sausage. I've tried Chicago pizza twice now and no one will ever convince me that they are superior our even comparable to new York pizza. Disappointed
(2)Nikki L.
First bite of a real Chicago deep dish pizza, in Chicago! Quite delicious! The wait from ordering the pizza to having it arrive at the table was about 35 mins. I tried the Classic and the Lou, personal pan size. I liked the Classic alot - the buttery crust, layer of sausage, stretchy soft, warm mozzarella cheese, and chunky tomato-y sauce on top. The buttery crust was much crisper and had subtly more taste than regular crust. The Lou was good, but not as good. It consisted of cheese, spinach, white button mushrooms, and a layer of tomato sauce on top. The regular crust used for the Lou was more bland. The cookie pizza was a chocolate chip cookie warmed in a hot little ramkin, topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and a cherry. It was sweet and tasty. The whipped cream was too much for me and I had to scrape it off. This is a casual, comfortable, warm-lighted pizza restaurant. I would love to come back for another deep dish, and to get a larger size! (One more thing, the deep dish here wasn't as deep as I thought it would be. I like many layers of toppings in my deep dish.)
(4)Sonia S.
Yum yum yum!! Evidently there is a debate over which place has the best Chicago deep dish, and while I have no reference point whatsoever, I'm pretty glad that my friends think it's this place because there were no disappointment! They said it would be a 45 min wait, but it only took about 20 mins. Their pre-ordering thing is a little weird, bc evidently they just write down what you will order, but they don't actually put it in early or anything for you, so I don't really think it saves any time. Anyway their service was quick enough so it wasn't a huge deal. We got the Malnati salad to begin, which is really delicious, and then the pizza of course is great. We just stuck to the classics and did half pepperoni, half cheese. Plus it's so reasonably priced! And I took a frozen pizza to go for my boyfriend back in San Diego, and it kept just fine! I didn't check my bag, but just transferred from freezer to freezer with no issues.
(5)Chris N.
Been to this location a few times and I've never been disappointed. Obviously you're there to get pizza... and the best part is they let you pre-order it so while you're waiting for your seat, your order already is in the que (it takes about 30 minutes to make the pizza). If there are more than one of you that want salad - get the family size. It's the same price as 2 side salads but is enough to feed about 5. Garlic bread is perfect - that golden lightly toasted type. The pizza speaks for itself. I'm an original guy, but there are plenty of choices to venture outside of the box.
(4)Natalie M.
Yum yum yum! One of the best deep dish pizzas I've had. Ordered just the small Lou which had spinach mix, mushrooms and tomatoes and we also ordered it with sausage ($18.20). It takes 45 minutes to make and the wait can vary from 20-40 minutes so be sure to order in advance. The sauce was flavorful and there was sausage in every bite! It was very filling and a perfect proportion of sauce/bread/toppings.
(5)Adrianna M.
BTW The manager never called. I'm convinced they respond on the front end in an effort to seem like they care to other Yelpers. They never actually reach out in the end.
(2)Rebecca K.
Ugh. I'm not a huge fan of deep dish pizza and was hoping Lou Malnati's would be the one place to change my mind (FYI - Pequod's is the closest to changing my mind). We came here on a Monday around 130pm - so we were seated immediately. We had a free appetizer or dessert coupon from our hotel around the corner. We wanted the lunch special (personal deep dish pizza - either cheese, cheese and sausage, or cheese and pepperoni for the express 15 min pizza; drink, and side salad). On the menu, it says: 90 cents for each additional topping. I wanted to add some vegetables, and the waitress tells us that this negates the lunch special and we can no longer get the side salad & drink if we add toppings. Okaaaay....whatever....so I get the specialty Spinach Mix pizza and add a side house salad and a drink. We also ordered a spinach bread appetizer and the cookie dessert. Service was slooooooooooow. I'm talking slow. I know the deep dish pizzas take 30 minutes, which is fine, but the salad took forever to come out. We never even got our spinach bread (which the manager kindly gave it to us for free AFTER we got our pizzas). The cookie took forever to come out. We were there for a total of 2 hours! Pizza was also just okay. Crust was good but that's it.
(2)Ana C.
I've had deep-dish pizza a few times in Chicago before and found it to be okay. It just wasn't as good as New York pizza. However, thanks to tips from Chicago locals, I found Lou Malnati and it changed my mind! This is the real deal, and though I haven't given up NY-style pizza, I would love to eat this all the time. Food: 5/5 We had the Malnati Chicago classic, which has sausage, extra cheese, tomato sauce and Lou Malnati's signature "Buttercrust". I think that the crust is what made it stand out. Most deep dish pizza that I've had ended up with crunchy sides and a soggy bottom, but this was perfectly crispy all around. The butter also made it amazingly delicious. This was a great pizza and it is very filling. A small was enough to fill the 2 of us and we had no extra room for anything else. Of note, it does take 20 minutes to make the pizza so you will be waiting quite a while. If you are hungry, get a salad or something while you wait. Recommend: The Malnati Chicago Classic Service: 3/5 We were here around 5pm so we missed the crowds and the place was almost empty. No waiting at all! Staff were friendly and nice, they also warned us that the pizza would take 20 minutes. Atmosphere: 3/5 Feels like a sports bar/diner. You come here for the food, not the ambiance. They have WiFi, which is nice! Value: 5/5 A small pizza is around $15 and it was enough for the 2 of us.
(5)Jessica Y.
I'd been craving Chicago style pizza for a LOOOOONG time. Fly into Chicago for work and went straight here for my pizza. I loved how I could order online and pick it up. I ordered myself a personal pizza. It was AMAAAZING! Fresh and delicious! I thought I'd have to eat half and save the rest for later, but I was so hungry and it didn't help that it was just so darn good! Overall... eat here!
(5)Angela W.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. So, while we were in Chicago, we had to try deep dish pizza, specifically the famous Lou Malnati's. Our party of three went with a medium Chicago Classic and added garlic and mushrooms. The pizza was well balanced with a buttery crust, plenty of gooey cheese, chunks of tomatoes in a savory, tangy sauce, and a sprinkle of toppings embedded into the monstrous deep dish. Every part of the pizza worked together harmoniously to create an amazing deep dish experience. We also ordered the fried cheese balls paired with marinara sauce and ranch. It was a solid choice for an appetizer and satisfied the craving for a salty, fried starter. Try to come during off hours. We arrived for an early dinner around 5pm and when 7pm rolled around, there were groups of people waiting for a table. Service was impeccable- our waitress checked up on us regularly, refilled our waters, and delivered our check in a timely manner.
(4)Niran A.
Ok so, being an east coast resident I have always heard about deep dish pizza and of course the ever popular Lou Malnati's. I had reservations about deep dish pizza, especially because I like thinner crust. So for us, coming here was just an obligatory stop during our trip to Chi. And then we actually ate the pizza (the Malnati Chicago Classic and "The Lou")......and wow. I was pleasantly blown away by how tasty the pizza was, and how each component of the pie shined on its own. The sauce, for example, isn't that pre-made tomato puree smothered with garlic and dried oregano. Instead, the sauce tastes homemade and has a lighter color and less aggressive flavor than most other pizza sauces I have had - it actually tasted like vine ripened tomato. I would even venture to say that this was some of the best pizza sauce I have had, period. The crust was buttery and crunchy. Although it was thick, it didn't taste dough-y - the perfect foundation for the pie. The Malnati Chicago classic was my favorite of the night, with a complete layer of sausage (not bits and pieces) and of course that vine ripened sauce - just excellent. The "Lou"was a vegetarian pizza with mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes. Also very delicious and was very pretty as it came to our table. Lou Malnati's also clearly has the formula right, they coordinate your pizza order with your wait time so that guests don't have to wait 45-60 minutes upon getting a table to enjoy the pie. Furthermore, we also tried the Malnati salad (romaine, tomato, mushrooms, olives, and salami in a their sweet vinaigrette), which I would also recommend to break up the carb overload from the ensuing pizza. It's also worth noting that I also tried another deep dish place on my trip, which isn't a tourist trap, and is supposed to be known for their crispy deep dish crust. That place was good too, but Lou Malnati got the nod from myself, and the three others in my party hands down. The Malnati deep dish crust might not have that caramelized cheese edge, but its still better. Also, service was good and if your sharing (which I cant imagine you wouldn't do considering the size of the pizzas) the prices are very very reasonable. I'm a fan of deep dish now, big fan - who would have thought.
(5)Nisha S.
Chicago is known for its deep dish pizza, and this is known for being one of the best deep dish pizza spots in Chicago. Overall, my experience was just okay. I had just arrived in Chicago, and a group of us were pretty hungry, so we decided to try Lou's (a friend had recommended it and it was nearby). When we got there, it was around 2:30pm on a Thursday so the wait for a table was relatively short, only 10 minutes, probably because it was such an off time. The staff took about 10 minutes before they took our drink orders, an additional 5 for the appetizers, and didn't show up for another 10 minutes to take our pizza orders. Once you put in the order, it takes an additional 30 minutes for the deep dish to fully cook. By the time the food arrived at our table, we were all starved, at that point anything would've tasted good. And yes, the deep dish was pretty good. I split a small "Lou's" pizza with a friend, as this was the only vegetarian option (besides plain cheese). Although I was extremely hungry, I didn't enjoy the food as much as I would've hoped. By the second slice, the pizza was almost unappetizing. It was my first time having deep dish pizza and I just don't think I'm a fan of the type. Don't get me wrong, Lou's is probably one of the best places to get deep dish, but deep dish pizza itself is just too much bread for me. I'm more of a thin-crust with lots of toppings pizza person. Would I come here again? Maybe if I was in Chicago again, give it another try. But will I try deep dish outside of Chicago? Probably not.
(3)Jessica M.
This is my second time here and it will not be my last! The pizza is amazing, true Chicago deep dish. Both times we have gotten the Lou's pizza and added pepperoni and sausage. The sausage is very thick and they put huge chunks of it throughout. They also put fresh tomato slices on top which makes this pizza even more amazing. The pizza is extremely filling (especially if you add the sausage). 2 slices and you should be full. I split a medium with one other person and I was in a food coma and couldn't move after. Definitely recommend this place to anyone visiting Chicago!!
(5)Victoria X.
Ah the deep dish pizza, a Chicago's classic! After reading any reviews for the best place in town, my friends and I settled for Lou's. They don't take reservations but they do allow you to step out and wait as they call or text you when your table is ready. We ordered the classic deep dish pizza, the Lou's special. Tons and tons of cheese and tomato sauce as you dive into this true deep pizza. However we found that the crust could have been crispier and filling less salty. Overall a good experience, need to try it once kinda thing, but I personally didn't become a fan of the deep dish after visiting Lou's.
(3)Bart D.
All my friends suggested Lou's when they heard I was visiting Chicago. Not hard to find. Got there a little after 9 and there was still a 30 minute wait. Order your pizza when you arrive and your wait will be cut in half. Alberto was our wait person and he was great. Drinks were quickly at the table. My son passed out the plates that were stacked on the table but Alberto smiled, restacked the plates and proceeded to cut the pizza and serve us our little slice of heaven. A large pizza was too much for two young men and their dad, even after a long day of walking and looking at the sites.
(5)Scott J.
On a recent visit to Chicago I went here a couple of times. We had their signature pizza and it was amazing. We also tried the wings(very good). I tied there chocolate chip cookie pizza and oh my was that good too. There was always a wait but it didn't take long once you got sat to get your pizza if you preorder at the counter once you put your name on the wait list. It is some of the best pizza I have ever had. This will be my first stop every time I am in Chicago.
(5)Irma M.
Ordered a pepperoni and meats lover deep dish pizza and it was sooo good!! Definitely recommend this place..
(4)Kim O.
On recent visit to Chicago, my bf and I met up with a friend for some true deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnalti's! Since I am an avid thin-crust-lovin' gal, I went in with the lowest possible expectations. But y'all? This pizza was the 'ish. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed "The Lou," a pizza containing a spinach mix, mushrooms, roma tomatoes, and cheese atop a garlic butter crust. Equally as impressive was the Malnati Salad, which was tossed in the most amazing sweet vinaigrette dressing I've ever had. Lucky for me, I can order the luscious dressing online, even out of state! For travelers who might be hesitant about trying deep dish pizza, I cannot recommend Lou Malnati's enough!
(4)Shalizeh D.
I am a little bit confused to be honest with you, this place has so much buzz and such a long wait but the food was ok at best. Everyone told us to try Lou Malnati's when we go to chicago. So we got there bright and early and avoided the line and ordered our meal. For being their early you would expect a short wait for the food but we waited and waited, once the pizza arrived it was just OK. I have had shipped Giardano's pizza to LA that was better than this. Our pizza was dry and not very flavorfull. It was an underwhelming experience. As we were leaving around the appropriate lunchtime the main sitting room was packed and there was a line outside the door.
(2)Liz C.
When people think Chicago, deep dish pizza comes to mind. You can't visit Chicago without having a slice of deep dish pizza! I was thrilled to try Lou Malnati's during my visit. On a Monday afternoon there was still a bit of a line. The wait was about 30 minutes but I was really happy that they allowed you to order your pizza while you wait so that when you get to your table, the pizza doesn't take long. Deep dish pizza typically takes quite a bit of time in the oven so it really cut our time in staying at the restaurant. They offer a personal size that feeds one, and then small, medium, large, etc. The small is supposed to feed two, so my friend and I decided to share the Classic Malnati deep dish pizza. We also shared a stuffed spinach bread because carbs are so delicious, so why not? The bread came first and it looked like a small little loaf. We were surprised when we cut it open. The bread was piping hot and inside there was ooey, gooey cheese and spinach! It came with a marinara sauce to dip. The bread was fabulous! The outside was perfectly crisp and the small amounts of bread on the inside were nice and fluffy. The cheese was melted and I enjoyed the spinach pieces. Perfect pair with the marinara sauce! Our pizza came shortly after (yay for not waiting too long!). The server cuts the pizza for you and serves each person a slice. The Classic comes with a layer of cheese and then a huge layer of sausage. We are not talking little bits and pieces of sausage, we're talking a whole circle of pure meat. They take their meat seriously and don't skimp here! On top is the lovely tomato sauce. I really enjoyed the pizza overall. I thought that they put the right amount of tomato sauce (I've experienced places that put way too much sauce) and the meat was quite lean. The only thing I didn't like was that there was just a bit too much cheese. I felt like it was becoming a giant stringy mess that I probably could have choked on if I didn't chew an incredible amount of times. The best thing was the crust. It tastes like perfectly toasted dough with a light spread of butter. I love how crisp it is and the crunch it makes. The small pizza serves two and gives four large slices. My friend and I each had a slice and we couldn't finish the other two slices. The portion sizes are generous and we probably could have just shared a personal size pizza. Service was pretty good. The ladies who took care of us were so lively and cheerful (it was infectious!). We were checked up on a lot in the beginning, but then my water was never refilled. Other than that, the ladies were really great despite it being so busy. For the pizza for two (plus leftovers) and the appetizer + a beer, the total was about $30. I found this to be really reasonable for the amount of food we got. Plus, it's not Chicago without going to a deep dish pizza place!
(4)Kexin L.
Did they add any salt in the pizza? And maybe the deep dish pizza is not for me.
(3)Cicely A.
It was my first time in Chicago and I had to have their infamous Chicago deep dish pizza. There was no way I was going to pass this up! This location is walking distance from Willis Tower, so it was a perfect stop for a late lunch in between sightseeing. When we walked in, we were immediately greeted by the friendly staff. The pizza takes upwards of 20-30 minutes to make so they take your order when you walk in. Essentially, while you are waiting for a table, they are making your pizza. If there is one deep dish pizza you have to try (echoing a multitude of Yelpers' sentiments), it has to be The Malnati Chicago Classic. Everything about it is perfection. The sausage, extra cheese, vine-ripened tomato sauce and the Buttercrust are like dope. Once I demolished it, I was addicted! I found myself eating every last tomato morsel off my plate, and had to exercise some self-control not to lick my plate! Do not leave Chicago without giving deep dish pizza a try!
(5)Ayushe M.
First meal in Chicago was slightly disappointing. After reading the stellar reviews, I was expecting a deep dish pizza to blow me away. It was okay. What I ordered: Anti-hero IPA (locally brewed in Chicago) and a personal deep dish with green peppers, onion, and mushrooms. Pros: fast service, friendly staff, tasty beers, AMAZING customer service Cons: pizza with no flavor, overflowing with cheese, had to put a lot of red pepper to add flavor Although I didn't particularly enjoy the pizza, the customer service here was fantastic. We were seated very quickly, everything was brought out in a timely manner, and the staff was absolutely wonderful. I would definitely be willing to give this joint another shot!
(3)Colleen M.
Absolute favorite deep dish pizza in Chicago proper. Portions are huge, and the pizza is AMAZING! There's quite the wait (around 45 minutes), so try to order ahead by phone if you can. The Chicago classic is spot on, and I like how the sausage (just enough seasoning!) is kind of a giant piece spread throughout the pizza. The buttercrust is well worth it - if it's your first Chicago pizza, you'll know the difference once you've had a slice without buttercrust. Staff were friendly even though the crowd and the people were a bit overwhelming. Big plus! Have yet to eat in because of the wait, but entirely enjoyed it to-go (stayed piping hot in the box!). If you have a healthy appetite, you may want more than a small to share with someone else. I easily shared a small with a friend, and we both left content, although I definitely could have gone for another bite...
(5)Olivia T.
Sad thing is, if the review was based solely on the food, this review probably would have been scored a 4-5. But unfortunately poor service and a lack of attentiveness made for a very annoying dinner. The poor girl who was our server looked like she didn't want to be anywhere near this restaurant. EVERY THING took 5-10 minutes including the initial greeting and bringing out our soft drinks. Service was a 1 out of 5. Awful. Now, their saving grace.....this amazing food!!! Wow that is some great pizza. The tomato sauce they use on their pizzas and serve as a dipping sauce for appetizers is next to none. So much flavor! Between 4 people we started with the combination platter appetizer, and split a small vegetarian pizza and a medium pepperoni and sausage. Incredible! We finished all of the food but we were stuffed. Just the right amount of food for 4 big eaters. Came out to roughly $13.00 per person.
(3)Lynsey H.
I had the deep dish here recommended by a Chicago-ian, so thought it was a safe bet, as you know what it's like with the ongoing battle of the best deep dish in Chicago! The pizza was good! We opted for a small classic to share between 2 of us, with a house salad. This left us feeling sufficiently full for a lunchtime. The pizza takes 30mins to cook, so we ate our salad and then indulged in the pizza. The restaurant was light & bright, unlike other pizza places, which I appreciated. The pizza for me, didn't seem that 'deep', but it was still tasty. Good amount of cheese & their classic has sausage on it, which was a good addition. The crust was a bit tough, difficult to cut with a knife. I was expecting more of a pasty/flaky crust, which I would have preferred. Overall it was a good experience. I probably wouldn't rush back, as I'd like to try the other famous ones in order to compare.
(4)Jennifer B.
Pizza done right! My first taste of Chicago deep dish, and I was not disappointed! Crust? Perfect! Loads of cheese, sausage perfectly spiced, super fresh tomato sauce...and you'll be satisfied with 2 pieces, for sure. I'm only here 5 days, and already hoping I can come back before I go. :)
(5)Dennis L.
We got here around 1pm on a Friday. Wasn't busy and we had the best service. Seriously our server was a 10/10. Best service ever. I ordered the lunch special which was $8.75 for a personal pizza. It also came with clam chowder. They gave me another free bowl of clam chowder (since it was a party of 2 and we shared the personal pizza). we got the pepperoni pizza. It's meant to be eaten with a fork and knife... None of that crappy pizza junk from Pizza Hut or dominos. Yum. I'll be back again tomorrow. Loved the pizza. The pepperoni was just mouth watering. Mouthgasm folks!
(4)Nancy C.
Good stuff, but not really special. I'm not too much of a deep dish fan so I had the lunch special with a soup and half pasta. It's a great deal at $10. The service was great! Our server was very patient. Our table was 20 people and we each got our own split check.
(4)Matthew J.
Excellent food! The "Lou" veggie deep dish is a must try - even if you're not a vegetarian! Server was very attentive. Only docked a star because we put in our order before being seated to get them started on cooking the pizzas, and the lady that put in our order seemed annoyed by a few simple questions we had.
(4)Quoc N.
Best pizza in Chicago, hands down. Don't let anyone tell you about Giordanos or Ginos because they both don't compare. Admittedly, I had just arrived and was hungry as a beast but the pizza here did live up to the hype. I tried the classic sausage pizza and was completely satisfied with my selection. The crust was crispy on the outside but soft where the cheese and tomato sauce met. Their sausage was what made the pizza though. Lots and lots of sausage on our pizza and it was seasoned well. I always add some extra red chili flakes in for added spice and had the best two pizza slices of my life.
(4)Vy T.
I came her not expecting too much, but was blown away. Hands down, the best deep dish pizza I've had. I got the small Malnati's classic pizza to share between me and the bf. It took a long time for the pizza to come out, despite ordering when we signed our name on the wait list. So be prepared to wait, around 45 min to 1 hr. Once it came out, I was starving. The pizza had a thick buttery crust, with a layer of sausage and topped with chunks of fresh tomatoes. I really like how the sausage was a layer, and not chunks because each bite got an even piece of sausage. The tomatoes tasted fresh. It was delicious and now, I can only daydream about it. Please open one in California!
(5)Beth M.
I'm from out of town and everyone said to try this place. It was a busy Sunday night and the wait was about 45 minutes. You can order your pizza when you sign in, which is nice because once you're seated, it's a short wait for your pizza. I tried a couple of things: medium classic (cheese and sausage patty), Cesar salad with no chicken, and also their spinach cheese bread appetizer. It was about $50 bucks. Not bad!! :) The pizza was awesome for being deep dish, but you kinda gotta eat it fast. Once deep dish pizza gets cold, the cheese hardens and it's not as delicious to eat. Salad was expected and pretty basic, but too much dressing for me. The spinach cheese bread was yummy but so much food! We ordered way too much for 2 but it was nothing that I regret! I would totally visit again!
(4)Cristina G.
For the second time we came here , we order half deep dish pizza with cheese another half with pepperoni . Again delicious
(5)Patrick W.
I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this place. We went on a Sunday night and the place was packed so the wait was about 30 minutes. No worries - my group just went and sat at the bar where they have several draft brew selections and a good amount of seats. I love the open atmosphere. We ended up sitting on the edge of the restaurant where the patio meets the inside seating but everything was opened up since the weather was so nice. The waiter was very friendly and attentive. We ordered a regular deep dish pizza and a gluten free pizza for myself. My wife absolutely loved the deep dish and I ate my gluten free pizza up. The calamari is also an excellent appetizer choice. This is definitely a place I will be visiting again on my next trip to Chicago.
(5)Rita S.
My first Deep Dish Pizza ever and I already love it! Had a problem with my pizza coming with green peppers (which I'm allergic...) by mistake, but they were so nice fixing up the situation that, even with that incident, I could not give them less than 5 stars!
(5)Hieu V.
The wait was supposed to be 30 minutes but somehow we got in after 15 minutes. The server was very friendly and helpful. The pizza was great, though I could only finish 1 slide because it was big for me :D Everyone! If you're ever here, and even though you're full after all the pizza, please try their dessert! I had the tiramisu and my boyfriend had the chocolate chip pizza and he loveddddd it. It was not too hot, not too cold, just lukewarm and especially not too sweet! It was just right! The warm, wet cookie is at the bottom, mixed with the vanilla ice cream being melted with the heat from the cookie, it tastes like heaven!
(4)Lucy W.
Came here with 3 other friends. The line was long and we waited for an hour for a seat. The pizza was good but not worth the hype. It was very cheesy, tomatoy, and carb heavy. Tip: you can add additional toppings to the deep dish pizza. We added pepper, spinach and garlic. Oh! How can I forget - we ordered the pizza chips as appetizer and that was delicious. I really liked the garlic and white dippings. It was my first time eating pizza chips and it won't be my last time!
(3)Elliot H.
The reception is very warm hearted. Our first meal in the U.S. We ordered a thick plate with toppings of mushrooms and spinach & tomato mix. It's delicious. The price is reasonable and the service is just great. We would like to come back when we visit Chicago again.
(4)Jennifer O.
First time trying Chicago style deep-dish pizza & I'm glad I went here! Likes: -The salad & pizza were delicious! -Even though we had to wait a long time to get seated, I must admit this restaurant is organized. Basically while you are waiting, you can also order your food, which allows your food to be ready once you get seated. Dislikes: -Long wait. If you are in a big party, like I was, I waited about 1.5 hours. Recommend: -Yes!
(5)James G.
This was my first "Chicago" deep-dish pizza experience. We ordered a large Malnati Chicago Classic, and it was very good. It's really heavy on the tomato sauce, and the sausage was interesting since it seemed they were more like breakfast sausage patties on it since you got sausage with every bite. The crust was really good too. Ordered a famiy-sized Malnati salad with it and it's swimming in vinaigrette, but I like it that way. So why the A-okay? I went on a Saturday night at about 6. Told the wait was 45 minutes when checking in, and then told to stand in another line to pre-order the deep dish pizza since that takes 45 minutes according to the host. The entire scene was conducted in a mad crowded area, and for this noob it was all a bit frustrating. Waited outside with the seemingly hundred other people, and then I noticed that some folks had buzzers and I did not. Went in to talk to the host about that and he said not to worry since they didn't have buzzers for all, and for those that didn't you would be called. So at 45 minutes I went in and asked where I was in the queue - still 5 tables ahead of me. Total wait time was one hour - and although the food was good, certainly not worth the wait. I would give it a 4 if I knew when the "seated immediately" time was.
(3)Roxanne O.
Our second experience with deep dish pizza in Chicago, the first being at Gio's. This place restored my faith in deep dish. We got the half chicago, half lou signature. The crust for this pizza is much better, less like a bread dough and more like a pizza. I would definitely recommend over the more well known Giordano's.
(4)Janet M.
This place is classic for a reason - I recommend you go with their classic pie! It is delicious, filling, and an experience, just like you would expect from Chicago deep dish. For a place like this though, I do think the drink selection is severely lacking - just a couple wines and a few beers by the bottle. When I think chicago pizza, my mind goes to beer. Especially with such a craft giant as Goose Island being big in the area, I think a full bar would do well to elevate Lou Malnati's.
(4)Michelle K.
The perfect spot for traditional deep dish pizza. The waitress warned us it would take 30 minutes to get our pizza but it was worth the wait. When I mentioned our rush to catch a train she brought to-go cups for drinks, a box for our pizza and the check asap. For being a downtown pizza shop with a high rating and a line to the door I was surprised how quickly we got a table and how clean the place was.
(5)Tyler Z.
They had some good reviews online, but we found the pizza to be a bit lacking in flavor. We had two pizzas between our big group and it was just not as flavorful as the pizza we are used too. I suggest going early as the line was very long.
(4)Jason J.
All I can say is that if I actually lived in Chicago I'd gain 50 pounds the first year just from coming here every day. It is no lie, this is the best Chicago style deep dish I've ever had. Make sure you get the crust buttered, too. It was heavenly. We got the pepperoni and unlike most deep dish pepperoni's you could actually taste the ingredients. Usually the cheese and sauce is so overwhelming that you can't taste anything, but not here. I loved every bite of it.
(5)Lynn N.
A great place to try some amazing deep dish pizza! I got the Lous special which had some pepperoni, sausage, and cheese! It was delicious. The wait was about 30 minutes so while you're waiting, grab a beer at the counter. Time will fly and you'll be seated in no time!!!
(5)Jessica J.
To date, this is the best deep dish I have experienced and I think it is now my go to place for the delectable pie. Buttery, crisp crust. Just the right amount of cheesiness. Lots of toppings so you can actually taste them! And a really wonderfully sweet and savory chunky tomato sauce. The pizza hit on all cylinders! Service was fine and the beer was a decent selection. I would highly recommend.
(5)Claudio C.
Must stop if you're a first timer in Chicago. You will get the Chicago pizza experience. Food came out quickly and service was fantastic. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Kelvin P.
30 minute wait for the personal size deep dish pizza. I don't have much comparison for chicago pizza but it sure was tasty. Comes out piping hot. I suspect the wait for a table would have been about as long (plus wait for the pizza). I got a slurpee at the convenience store next door and wandered around while I waited.
(4)Amy M.
There is so much hype about this place and it was just okay. The servers were really good and organized plus the venue is nice. However, the pizza is just okay. We got The "Lou" and it was basically a dish of cheese. I like cheese so it was good but it wasn't anything special (and I mean in terms of flavor profiles like special sauce, cheese mix, crust, etc). One really good feature about this place is if they do not have any open tables, you can still order your pizza. It takes about 30 minutes to cook the pizza so by the time you get a table your pizza is already cooking.
(3)TT H.
You have to call ahead if you want deep dish pizza and give the time you will be here. BUT that doesn't guarantee seating. Then you have to wait another 15 to 20 minutes after you are seated before your pizza is served. What's all the hype about?
(3)Steve N.
This being my first visit to Chicago, I've not had deep dish pizza except at the Pizzeria Uno chain. When I asked a friend who used to live 30 miles south of Chicago, where I should go, he said he likes Lou Malnati's best, so Lou Malnati's it was. I was impressed, (but disappointed), at how modern the restaurant is. For some reason I was under the impression is was an old school, divey place. But it's nothing like that at all. I was really hoping for someplace more local and dumpy feeling. But that's fine, whatever. Our group shared the Chicago Classic. Damn those slices are filling. I could hardly finish two. The bottom crust is thinner than I expected and the edge crust is good. It's very thin and crispy. The sausage is too mild, it lacked flavor, which is too bad, because you get sausage in every single bite. The tomato topping though is good, it's slightly sweet, and has good tomato flavor with just the right amount of salt. A visit to Chicago just would not be complete without a deep dish pizza, and Lou Malnati's is good, and much better than your local Pizzeria Uno.
(4)Nabila I.
Never having had Chicago's famous deep dish, I don't have anything to compare to. The restaurant was super busy. There were a few frazzled servers. But in general everyone was fairly nice and efficient. We ordered the calamari. It was pretty good but the sauce it came with was seafood cocktail sauce. Which was a bit unappetizing. I think I expected deep dish to have a thick doughy bottom, as well as the crust. But the bottom was thin and the toppings were falling off. Not quite what I expected and not to my taste. The pizza tastes pretty good though. It was a pretty average experience.
(3)Coral C.
This was my first time trying Chicago style pizza and I absolutely loved it! Small is good for two people and we made that half pepperoni and half classic Lou. I personally like pepperoni more than sausage but this time I couldn't decide which side was better. I would definitely go back again before I leave Chicago.
(5)Reginice C.
I've had Lou Malnati's many times before, but am just writing a review. Great deep dish. I had "The Lou" which has spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes. In my top 3 for deep dish.
(5)Matthew D.
I had a pizza at this exact Lou Malnatis about 2 years ago and it was the best pizza I've ever had. So I was disappointed that it didn't really live up to my memory this time. Service was excellent, no problems there. I had the BBQ wings (nice sauce, VERY fatty though - although I guess it is wings) and a personal classic pizza with sausage. It just...wasn't the same. Sauce was pretty bland. Cheese wasn't very cheesy. The sausage felt like it was about 50% meat content. I'll be honest the best bit about the meal was that Gorgonzola dipping sauce.
(2)Ty C.
Hmm, I liked this place more than Pequods. All the locals including a guy we ran into doing a pizza tour recommended Lou's as one of the best. Considering the other places that were visited, this was probably the best, but I wasn't wowed by it. Like I stated in my other reviews on Chicago pizza, I still prefer my hometown Chicago style pizza options, but that probably isn't very helpful for anyone that is reading this. One helpful thing I can add is that the butter crust and extra cheese didn't seem to bring much extra to the pizza. I would order it without it if I got it again. I preferred the bbq in chicago over the pizza and this is coming from a guy who LOVES pizza. It is one of my favorite foods.
(4)Nadia M.
Walked in to ask for no tomatoe pizza. The guy i asked told me to ask the cash register. The lady at the register recommended i try the Lou without tomatoes. Since im vegetarian. I asked her if it would be good and she said she wasnt sure. Another gentleman in a shirt-tie was able to answer my question. She rang me up but then said i couldnt dine in. She would have to regund me and id have to pay the waiter. You must say you want to dine in. They wont transfer your bill to a table. Ended up sitting in a back corner stool facing a wall. The pizza turned out excellent- deep dish yummy.
(3)Jon L.
I was wandering around on my first day in Chicago looking for an authentic first meal. I found Lou Malnati's and figured hey, what better way to experience Chicago than to eat deep-dish pizza? I ordered the personal deep-dish pie which took just over 30 minutes to make. Having waited longer for food in the past, I didn't make much of this and was excited to try it out. To my dismay, the pizza was very greasy and the deep-dish crust just didn't work for me. The rest of the pie was okay but overall it was a bit underwhelming. While I respect Lou Malnati's and the concept of deep-dish pizza, I felt that the dish could have been better in many ways.
(3)Lin Z.
Absolutely glorious pizza. Worth the long wait.
(5)Jullie C.
Another tourist favorite. Good pizza and great salad! (my friend referred to it as crack salad, which it might as well have been, too good). We got the deep dish like every good tourist should and the wait was crazy but for obvious reasons. The service is great and once you sit down everything is pretty fast. Just wear sweats or stretchy pants if you decide to eat here, no one will judge.
(4)Huan C.
Visiting Chicago. The pizza is a must on my travel list. I was told that this is the place to go to. I tried the lou and the classic deep dish. I also got the calamari. Important tip: You can do halves on a pie so you get to try different type of pizza. Very good tip because I was going to order a pie of each. I love pizza, but I don't think I can eat two pies. So the calamari was....who cares about the calamari. its all about the pizza. (btw- calamari is a solid appetizer. There were good large pieces of squid and it wasn't overcooked). The classic deep dish was okay- it's what you imagine it to be. It embodies the essence of all the deep dish that I tried in the past. It was good but nothing mind blowing. The Lou deep dish is way better- it has tomato, spinach and mushroom. It was just simply delicious. Usually, I'm a meat lover w/ my pizza, but the vegetables in the Lou were spot on in balancing the contrasting texture and flavor. The Lou is definitely a must try if you are going to eat here.
(4)Anthony S.
It almost seems redundant for me to write a review of Lou's given the vast quantity of people who have already sung its praises. Despite that though, like the faithful Yelp'er I am, I will not let that discourage me from offering my own, NY-Born &Raised opinion. Food: I have had Chicago-style pizza before, and have always thoroughly enjoyed the completely different pizza experience it offers compared to that of a traditional NY-style pizza. Personally, both types of pizza (NY and Chicago) do not even belong in the same conversation because they are two wildly different interpretations of my favorite food. This, of course, is ironic because they utilize the exact same ingredients. Though, it is in the execution of these ingredients, and the compilation of these ingredients that creates an entirely different pizza eating experience. Lou's is probably the standard for Chicago-style pizza; compiling sauce, and cheese on top of an incredibly well-nuanced butter-crust. Starting with the crust, it amazed me how that crust hit on several different flavor-notes in my mouth. It started of slightly flaky and buttery, then had a pleasant undertone of olive oil, and finished with a clean and pleasant sweetness that significantly added to the overall flavor of the pie. The crust was incredible, and IMO, as good as it gets for Chicago-style pizza. Crust: 5 / 5 The cheese left a little bit to be desired for me. I like a little bit more of a salty-bite to my cheese to contrast the inherent sweetness of the tomato sauce, and the flavors of the dough. Despite that, the cheese had a great texture, was appropriately compiled on the pizza (not too much, not too little), and added to the overall flavor of the pie. Cheese: 4 / 5 Sauce: This is certainly where it is at for Lou's! Excellent sauce, bursting with fresh tomato flavor with an inherent sweetness and a smooth underlying acidity that really elevates the entire pie! I was a big fan of the sauce because of how nice and clean of a tomato flavor it had. It did not taste like the inside of a can, was not overly acidic, and was not overdressed with sugar to try and mask the acidity. This sauce may the definition of 'balance'. Sauce: 5 / 5 Overall Pizza Score: 5 / 5 Service: The service at Lou's was less inviting than I had hoped for. It wasn't rude, and I am sure that the mass volume of people that frequent the restaurant could play a role in the general lackluster performance of the staff (because serving a lot of customers is EXHAUSTING); but I was hoping for an authentic, Italian feel to the hospitality. Unfortunately, it was staffed with a lot of younger people who seemed disillusioned with the hordes of people constantly inside the restaurant. Despite that, the experience was still positive. Service: 3 / 5 Atmosphere: I really enjoyed the atmosphere at Lou's in terms of the aesthetics, the seating options, the furnishings, and the overall cleanliness. What I wasn't a big fan of was how crazy-busy it was both times we went. Of course, this is of no fault to Lou's, as they have an excellent product. For me though, I like my dining experiences to be a little more personal and a little more intimate. Because of how many people are here, the overall volume of the restaurant is high, and the environment seems like controlled-chaos. Again, good for Lou's; but just know this when you go! Atmosphere: 4 / 5 Price: For the quality of the product I received, and for the personal pizza which (if I remember correctly) was about $8.00, I think that I paid an appropriate price. The quality of the ingredients were of the highest variety, and the entire experience was very positive. Price: 4 / 5 Final Thoughts: if you are coming to Chicago for the first time and have not delved into the world of Chicago-style pizza, or even if you have limited experiences with it, this is an excellent starting point. I have a feeling that even if I were a Chicago-native, though I would definitely want to try Lou's competition, I would bet that i would find myself coming back to Lou's time-and-time-again for what I believe to be, one of the best Chicago-style pizzas in the world. Yes, that is a lofty claim given my relatively novice palette for Chicago-style pizza; but until I have another that rivals it, I dub this the standard for Chicago-style pizza.
(4)Michael C.
go DEEP. As a first time visitor to Chicago, I was ready to experience the sights and sounds of one of America's largest cities. And of course, the food. Enter Lou Malnati's. Thanks to fellow yelper, Rod U., we ended up at this location after a busy morning sight seeing at the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum. Needless to say, we both worked up a tremendous appetite and we ready to sit down and enjoy a hearty lunch. For someone that's never had deep dish pizza ever before, my experience at Lou Malnati's was very memorable and filling. We arrived at this location shortly after 2pm and were seated immediately as the restaurant wasn't crowded at all. Having already made dinner plans, we both knew we didn't want to stuff ourselves too much. In the end, we decided to share a small Chicago Classic pizza, while Rod ordered two local beers to go along with his meal. Not being too adventurous, I settled for a mere soda. NOTE: Our deep dish pizza required a 30 minute cooking time. We passed the half hour talking story, sharing our likes and critiques of the Chicago sites we visited, and waited eagerly in anticipation. Or at least I did. I was terribly excited when the pizza was finally ready. Served piping hot, our server happily put a slice on both of our plates and told us to "enjoy." FOOD: The small pizza allowed us two slices each. Firstly, I'll tackle the crust. It was very crisp and surprisingly not very oily. A medley of cheese, sausage, and tomatoes covered the crust completely. All the said ingredients were a heavenly combination that my taste buds thoroughly enjoyed. Of course, every last morsel of the pizza was devoured and we left very FULL and satisfied. SERVICE: Simply outstanding. Our server was a very friendly and patient young lady. She answered all our questions about the menu and local beers, and checked on us in a timely manner throughout the meal. BOTTOM LINE: A deep impression. I'll be back on a future trip to the Windy City!
(4)Katie L.
MMM, this is my favorite deep dish pizza chain in Chicago, and that's saying something! There are others, but Lou's is just such a standby. Buttercrust, yum. This place fills up fast, so arrive early. I've lived in Chicago for four years and still come back. My favorite pizza here is the Lou, with spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms. The great thing about deep dish pizza is that there is so much cheese that you can hide things that are healthy like spinach in it, and feel better about yourself even though you don't really deserve to. The veggies also add some great texture to the cheese-crust combo. The sausage pizza is also pretty great -- it's like a layer of sausage on the pizza. It's downright impressive. They do gluten free pizza, but I can't speak to how good it is. I'm sure their other food is good too, but stop kidding yourself. This is a pizza joint and a pretty great one. Don't go off the rails.
(4)Allison W.
My husband and I stopped in for lunch on Friday. We were seated promptly and the staff was friendly. We ordered two lunch specials which consisted of a personal pan deep dish, soup, and a drink. I started with the minestrone soup and it was delicious. Full of vegetables and flavor. We both had the sausage and cheese deep dish pizza. Now maybe my husband overhyped this place and my expectations were set too high, but I thought the pizza was definitely lacking flavor. It was good, don't get me wrong, but the sausage needed some serious work. He did tell me the first time he tried it was at a different location, so maybe that is part of the difference. Anyway, the pizza was good but nothing to write home about. I'll try another location and go from there.
(3)Philip V.
I traveled to Chicago for one reason: To find the best deep dish pizza in America. After visiting 7 different places which included big names such as Giordano's, Gino's, Uno's and Pequods, Lou Malnati's takes first prize by a hair. This famous pizza establishment rises a smidge over the pack with their remarkably sweet, thick mozzarella cheese and buttery, flaky, golden crust. Nothing in Chicago was more impressionable than these two combined as each bite made my eyes widen. The cheese, which is brought in from Wisconsin, stretched an impossible length that would make you believe you could mini-jumprope with it. It's like Lou's took string cheese and laid a blanket of it across the pie. Fantastic. Pizza enthusiasts have formed a cult following for Pequod's caramalized crust, but I still feel Lou's tastes better. Although Pequod's may be caramelized, in the process of doing just that, they burn parts of their crusts, eliciting a charred taste that isn't enjoyable throughout. To achieve my orgasmic pizza experience, order the "Malnati Chicago Classic". (A small can easily serve two people, giving each two big slices and costs $14.65.) This pie comes with large, lean, sausage, and vipe-ripened tomato sauce. I also added pepperoni to have complementing meat tastes which cost an extra $1.90. I personally wouldn't recommend "The Lou" as the spinach and mushroom mix seems to make the pizza more watery and monotone in taste--a totally contrasting experience compared to the Malnati Chicago Classic. You may have noticed that I didn't mention much about the sauce, toppings, or the depth of the pizza. This is because the sauce at Lou's lacked the erumpent layering of flavors that Giordano's possessed in their pies. Lou's compensates for this flaw with their delicious, sweet cheese and flavorful toppings. In regards to the deepness of the pizza, Giordano's wins there too since their pies are at least 2.5 inches deep, whereas Lou's is about 1.5inches. The toppings at Lou's are impressively large, but in regards to taste, Pequod's wins there. ----- Conclusion: 4.5 Stars. In a perfect world, I'd take Giordano's sauce, Pequod's generous/gargantuan toppings, and Lou's cheese and buttered crust. If pressed to choose only one pizza place in Chicago, I'd urge you to come here to satiate your deep dish cravings, and I wouldn't feel bad about it. Just be patient as the deep dish pies take close to an hour. Extra Notes: -Accepts credit card -Lunch Specials: (From 11AM-2PM Daily) One topping personal deep dish pizza for only $8.75! Comes with salad and drink too -Decor has a classic, woody, feel, but has terrible lighting. Not the most optimal place for food pictures -Servers are kind and will even serve you the pizza as it comes out. You can request to do it yourself for photo ops. -I waited 45 minutes to be seated and another 50 minutes for the pizza to be ready. Patience is key--don't come completely famished or else, bring a snack while you wait. -Restrooms are clean
(5)Gaby P.
I'm a tourist, just had to get that out there lol. I absolutely loved the Lou Deep dish, it was perfect, the crust isn't too thick and just the right about of crunchy, the fresh tomatoes, spinach and mushrooms soo good We also tried the Pepperoni again delicious. The portions are decent, a small can feed 3 not so hungry girls. In comparison to Giardanos I'm definitely a Lou girl.
(5)Ani Nina O.
Some locals mentioned that this was one of the more famous deep dish spots, so we had to try it! We got one deep dish and one flat bread(see photos). Deep dish typically takes a long time which we weren't prepared for...we went in starving and not the happiest when we found out we had to wait more than 30 minutes. When the pizza finally came, it was good, not warm and not one I would rave about... I enjoyed the flat bread one more. The restaurant is cute with an upstairs, tons of seating.
(3)Leslie W.
This is some of the best deep dish pizza that I've ever had! Serious deliciousness going on here! The crust -cheese-sauce ratio is just right in my opinion. Perfection! If you are visiting the Chi and want to try some awesome pizza do not hesitate to come here! The salads here are also huge and delicious as well. My fave is the Malnati salad. They have this sweet vinaigrette that tastes amazing! That reminds me, I need to go pick up a bottle. But I digress. Parking isn't too much of a hassle either. Mostly paid street parking. Bottom line... GO. HERE. NOW.
(5)Stephanie L.
The BEST deep dish I've had so far! Since we were visiting Chicago, it was a must to try their deep dish pizza. Lou Malnati's was highly recommended. We arrived around 12 pm on a Saturday. For a party of 5, we waited about 20 mins for a table. Not too bad. We noticed shortly after it got really crowded. We ordered the Malnati Salad (family size for $13.25) and two small deep dish pizzas: the Malnati Chicago Classic plus pepperoni ($14.25 + $1.85) and the Lou ($15.95). The Malnati Salad was delicious! I highly recommend getting their salad with their special vinaigrette that's very tasty. The salami bits were amazing in the salad. They added a nice salty flavor and a great little crispy texture with eat bite. Plus they're generous with all their toppings. The Malnati Classic was delicious. The sausage, pepperoni, and tomato sauce were an excellent combination. Adding the pepperonis are a must. They layered everything perfectly with the perfect amount of toppings with each bite. The Lou is their vegetable pizza with spinach and mushrooms. It was pretty good but I preferred the Malnati Classic over the Lou. The Lou had too much cheese and not enough tomato sauce. But what made the pizzas outstanding was their famous Butter Crust. The crust was thin, not doughy at all, buttery, and crispy. I always hate crust and I never eat it. EXCEPT for Lou's crust. Service was quick, efficient, and our server was friendly. Our waters were never left half empty. They also came by quickly to clear our salad plates when it was time for our pizza. Their pizzas take about 30 mins to make. Our server also cut our first pizza and served it to each of us. The price is average and very reasonable. A small pizza came with 6 slices. 2 small pizzas and the salad left all 5 of us full and happy. I'll definitely be back for some of that famous Chicago deep dish pizza.
(5)Ken W.
Great salad and minestrone soup. Very busy. Nice staff. I just learned that thick crust Chicago style pizza is not for me.
(3)Dave K.
Deliciousness! If I could only use one word, that would suffice. I went on a Saturday afternoon, walked right in off the Red line, and had my appetizer about immediately after arriving, and my deep dish pizza arrived about 20 minutes after. I couldn't eat everything it was that rich and yet oh so deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-lishis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was so good, an intentional misspelling of delicious is required. I HIGHLY recommend to anyone looking for some great Italian food, great price, and in the South Loop.
(4)Pamela S.
My second deep dish experience! Came on Sunday during Labor Day weekend, so we expected a long wait. As suggested, we placed our pizza order while we were waiting, so that there would be less of a wait after we are seated. That is a great option! We ordered The Malnati Chicago Classic and added olives. Mm extra cheese! The crust was crispy and golden, though I am not sure what buttercrust is supposed to taste like. My Chicagoan cousins think deep dish here is strangely watery. Honestly I like most pizzas, and I enjoyed my slice here. However compared to my first deep dish experience elsewhere, I would say that there wasn't as much substance here and the sauce did seem runny. We also shared the calamari and BuffaLou wings. The calamari was a good starter. It is very breaded. I do not eat wings, so can't comment on the latter. VERY friendly and outgoing server. Trying to make my way around to all the deep dish places, but I would eat at Lou's again!
(4)Emily J.
I was very underwhelmed by this pizza especially based on the reviews. Maybe the reviews hyped it up too much for me? I mean, it was delicious for what it was. And we ate here twice but pizza only once. I'm not saying this place isn't great FOR CHICAGO. But overall, if you've eaten around the US, or traveled to cities w/ great food, this is just okay. It's been my experience in Chicago just in general that there are lots of lines and lots of waiting for food that's maybe 3 star quality. The customer service was phenomenal. Super friendly & professional. Super informative. I felt like they were trying their best to make us, as customers, happy. Especially during huge rushes and tons of people standing around confused and agitated. Because there was a 45 minute wait JUST to be seated, we got it to go. The food came earlier than expected. We walked a few minutes to the hotel. Dug into the still hot pizza. One personal size. One the next size up for my husband. We were starving so I ate the whole thing. My husband tried but he couldn't even get close to finishing his. Even as someone who was starving, I couldn't say that I loved it. The crust was great, very buttery. The pizza itself was fine, with basic marinara and chewy cheap mozz cheese. The main source of flavor in Chicago seems to be salt. Everything is seasoned with salt. EVERYTHING. The tiny personal size is super deceiving . I thought, I can EASILY eat two of these if I can eat a whole medium pizza from Papa Johns. But after I finished it I was so full I couldn't move for an hour or two. I was full and I was SO THIRSTY. I'll be honest. I think this place makes a super delicious 5 star pizza compared to places that are ONLY in Chicago and with judges who don't eat pizza except at Dominos, Papa Johns & Pizza Hut and think Olive Garden has good pasta. But if you pit them up against the best pizza in NYC or California, they would be at most a 3 star pizza. I probably would not eat it again unless we were in Chicago staying at that same hotel or nearby that hotel. However, bonus points, my husband LOVED their chicken wings sans sauce. They were great. Super crispy. Not too oily. Nice size wings.
(3)Adam S.
They say if you want a philly cheesesteak, then go to Philadelphia. For Cuban food, go to Miami. Mexican? Anywhere within an hour of the border. The same is true for Chicago deep dish pizza. Now I'll be honest and say that in terms of quality, I have had similar deep dish pizzas that match Lou Malnati's. But there is a distinct taste in these pizzas, from the crust to the heart of the ingredients, you just will not find the same kind in a deep dish pizza outside of Chicago and for that, I must say, I am glad I came here! This location is within walking distance of most of downtown Chicago's tourist attractions, so it was a no brainer to come here. The place is very nice and the staff was friendly and courteous. It's a neat twist for a place to encourage you to order before you dine in so that when you are seated, you are not waiting longer than needed for your pizza (usually takes 30 minutes to make a deep dish pizza). The atmosphere was great and the prices were good. The best part I like about Lou's is that I can order it to get shipped to me! Overall, I was very impressed with Lou's and I would suggest to anyone to eat here or even order it online if you do not live near Chicago because if you like deep dish pizza, then you need to try Lou's!
(5)Chris W.
One of my favorite pizza places in Chicago. Got in around 1pm and had no issues getting a table. They have no draft beers which is kind of a bummer and their overall bottle selection was fairly limited. They have a few standard deep dish pizzas that are ready in about 10 mins if you are in a hurry. If you deviate from the 3 standards and want to add more ingredients they have to cook it from scratch but then it will take 30 mins to prepare. Good Location, nice dinning room, and nice atmosphere with great service level and the pizza as delicious.
(4)Greg S.
Perfect deep dish. Great food (we had the pepperoni), fun atmosphere, awesome staff. We were on our way to the airport when we stopped in, and we were so glad we did. By far the best deep dish pizza we have ever had. The calamari was really good too while we waited for our food. Be aware on game days, you will have a long wait as they do a robust delivery business as well.
(5)Giovanni O.
I thought I was partial to New York Pizza but I am not. Lou Malnatti's is my favorite Pizza in Chicago and possibly my favorite period. I came across Lou Malnatti's on my first trip to Chicago for a business trip, they ordered out from Lou's and I thought it was great. On my second trip, my girlfriend and I returned to Lou's and it was better than the first time. I wish there were a Lou Malnatti's in NYC!
(5)Jessica C.
Deep dish at it's best. I cannot get enough of Lou Malnati's sauce.
(5)Jocelyn W.
Always great to enjoy a good Chicago deep dish pan pizza. Wish parking was included, but hey, good eats don't come cheap.
(4)Kat T.
The pizza was fantastic as was the salad. The ingredients were so fresh! There were whole tomatoes on my pizza and the cheese was amazingly flavorful. I can't justify giving them less than a five, but I did not receive my salad dressing or a fork in my delivery. I should have checked when I got it. I called them and the driver came right back with it and he was so apologetic. I highly recommend it! The house dressing was fantastic! The customer service was very good.
(5)Mike J.
Wow. Really good. Had Giardana's 2 nights ago an this is the real deal. No slam miming Giardana's as it is decent but this is the BOM. Salisbury is a 5 too-Really good but the Pizza is top notch. I had Gino's East last time in town, now tried this. As good a quite possibly better- I'll need to try each again but you cannot go wrong with Lou's.
(5)Matthew T.
I left Chicago 13 years ago. The only Lou's I ever ate at was the Lincolnwood local and it always ruled. Was in town with fam and wanted to take the kids out for some Chicago pie. Sadly, the service here was terrible. It's Sunday night, not exactly prime time, but I understand the Loop is always bustling. Unfortunately, this service was bad from the time they texted us our table was ready "accidentally", with hardly an apology, to our server not coming back to cut more pie (which was never placed on our table), refill drinks, or even take our check. Boo on you Lou's.
(3)Kay B.
I will definitely be back to this location or another. Enjoyed the traditional "Lou" pizza and the Malnati Chicago Classic deep dish pizzas. The "Lou" pizza has spinach and mushrooms on it. I found that it had too much cheese. The classic had a perfect proportion of sauce, sausage and dough. I would recommend the "Lou" only if you're in the mood for a cheese-y pizza that tastes more like traditional-crust pizza vs. deep dish. Also had a bowl of their minestrone soup. The server told us they take a couple days to prepare it as they allow the broth to fully immerse in flavor. It really had a balanced, rich flavor, even for a broth. Great balance of ingredients to liquid. They serve "big-name" beer here and not many craft brews. If you aren't too picky, you can still find something you like.
(4)Shawn H.
Alright, today was THE day...to really put Chicago Pizza to the TEST, and see if it's just hype/mindset, or if the pizza really is just THAT good! No offense to anyone that disagrees, but the pizza was great....just not MIND BLOWING awesome. I've had similar pizza at home, where everyone compares it to the real deal and they come up short. I don't see or taste the big difference honestly. We started off with the Trio of Housemade Dips and Crispy Pizza Dough Chips : Roasted Garlic, Artichoke and Giardiniera-Topped Hummus. This was sooo good! The garlic was super strong, so the favorite of the day was the Artichoke dip, and the Hummus was a close second! Ordered the Malnati Chicago Classic : 9in, Sausage, Extra Cheese, and Vine-ripened Tomato Sauce on Buttercrust. Delicious! Crust is perfect, slightly crunchy and crispy with a somewhat thin crust on the bottom. The sauce is very hearty and rich, with a slightly sweet taste. A bit on the watery side but still yummy! Really wish the sausage had a bit more flavor, but they label it as a "lean sausage," so that probably explains it. We showed up a little after 11am, so we beat the rush and the food came out quickly. Because I wasn't blown away, I will definitely try one of the other notable deep dish spots in town next time I visit, to see if there really is something in the AIR...or the WATER....or if it's just all MINDSET. Pics! :
(4)Aime H.
The pizza is to die for!!!! I could eat 2-3 huge deep dish slices. The taste! The cheese! The sauce! Alright enough. The waiters were all extremely helpful, fast, and sweet.The house wine moscato is sweet but all the girls at my party loved it. They brought a cake with a candle out for me since it was my going aways party. The place is small and busy but they managed to sit a party of about 10 of us after a short 12 min wait. The waiter split the checks perfectly also. Love this place!
(4)Aashish J.
Not a big fan of deep-dish but it is nice to introduce them to visiting friends and family :) But the pizza tasted good and servers were friendly. Definitely recommend if you are into cheesy-pizzas though.
(3)Steph G.
[Out-of-towner-review] Chicago, you let me down big time... I'm sure I'll be ridiculed, but everything around my experience was no bueno. Staying at the Hyatt for a tradeshow, left me with minimal food options close by. When a few employees suggested Lou Malnati's I decided I'd invest in the taxi ride and go try the myth, the legend...Chicago Deep Dish Pizza! Everyone failed to mention that there really isn't seating for one. So, with over an hour wait for a table, I wasn't going to take up an entire table for just myself. I decided to order it to go, already as waste of my taxi, I could have had it delivered. First fail. Keeping it simple, I ordered an "Individual" Cheese Deep Dish and their Chicken Cesar Salad to go. After paying for my meal, not cheap either, I was told it'd be about a 30min+ wait. So with no one to hang out, in a city I've never been, I saunter over to their neighbor 7-11. Grab some snacks and stuff for work, and head back to chill in their patio. Looking bum-esque with multiple 7-11 bags, I played on my phone while I waited. 45 minutes later, I have my order in hand and hailing a taxi back to my home for the week to devour this highly touted pizza! I went to open the box and somehow in transit everything has slid off the pizza. Weird thing is, I never tipped the box the wrong way, so I'm not sure how this even happened. Everything was cold, because I ordered it to go. All of the crust, the bottom and the sides were hard as rocks. Not just a little hard, like break your teeth hard. I was over after the 2nd piece. The cold flavor was okay, but it wasn't near the comparison that people rave about Chicago pizza! The salad was the only saving grace, it was huge - because it's meant to be shared or family style, not for a party of one. The dressing was good, which can make or break a salad. I ended up wasting about 75% of it, but at least it tasted well. I know my experience can be attributed to situational factors, which is why I'm willing to try it again. Their service was far from good, but I can see how stressful working here could be. Every seat was taken, the patio was packed, and there were two lines the entire time. I was just over it, but the food didn't help anything out either. I no longer believe the hype...
(2)Liz M.
The purpose of our visit to Lou Malnati's was to try the Chicago style deep dish pizza and it did not disappoint. It was really busy but they expedited turning tables by letting you pre-order your pizza, which I thought was really helpful. Typical pizzeria ambiance with some great family photos on the walls. It was very hot at the front where you wait but fine once we were seated. Ordered the Lou with spinach and tomato and it was delicious! The crust was exactly what Chicago style crust should be, substantial and crisp enough to hold up all that goodness without getting soggy. Also had the classic that has basically a whole sheet if sausage on top. Good but too much sausage for me. The trio of dips appetizer had great dips but didn't love the pizza chips. Service was great. Warm, inviting atmosphere. Definitely bring your appetite.
(4)Leighton P.
We had the "Lou," essentially a vegetarian (spinach, mushrooms, romas, and 4 cheeses) on regular crust. It was really divine for a Chicago deep dish. Not fatty, perfect cruncy/chewy/melt in your mouth crust. Zippy sauce, fresh ingredients. I know pizza is very personal, dependent upon region, taste, and various other factors. My dining companion and spent time in Chicago for college and grad school (NU and U of C). So not new to the deep dish thing, and we've eaten more than a few in our lives. I love me a deep dish. I also love other kinds of pizza, and am not involved in the NYC vs. Chicago style (or deep vs. thin) wars that go on. But for this kind of pizza, it was awesome. I don't like the aesthetic (laminates, bright lights, blinking beepers) that permeate so many deep dish spots in the area. Nor do I like the "factory assembly line" feeling of the customers in, customers wait, customers leave (hence the 3 stars). But the pizza was worth it (4 stars). I'd go back for the same pie. Again.
(3)Neema P.
I love Lou's and haven't had it in so long. The Lou - hold the mushrooms in my favorite in deep dish. I love this location since it is a couple blocks from my apartment. Service is friendly and food was delicious. Will be back when I have a pizza craving again!
(4)John H.
Good if you like a lot of sausage on your pissa. I like the cheese my self, but the sausage is also good,
(4)Tammy S.
While in Chicago for business I was told I needed to try this place because it had the best pizza ever. AND THEY DO!!!! It was amazing!! They delivered to our event at the trade show it was incredible! Now I'm obsessed with deep dish pizza!!!
(5)Geraldine R.
Loved this Chicago style pizza. Ive only had it in one other location and both were great!
(5)latrice j.
Better than that other deep dish pizza place because the dough is cooked. Thoroughly, and delicious. The sauce is boss for real! I like any of these restaurants in this chain.
(4)Kimberley J.
Best Deep dish in Chicago, who can question that?
(4)K P.
My first Chicago deep dish (in Chicago). I had been recommended this place and there happened to be one near my hotel. I tried the sausage and cheese deep dish with Buttercrust®. It was pretty good. Most places use a part skim mozzarella but this place uses whole milk mozzarella. The melt on the cheese was amazing. The sausage was mild and a little sweet. The sauce was great. I'm not a heavy sauce fan but this sauce, which looked heavy, was actually thick, rich and full of flavor. The buttercrust was very different than I am used to. It was good and was a cross between pizza dough and a pie crust. The only complaint I had was the service. There seemed to be plenty of servers but mine looked frazzled and kept forgetting to bring me the check.
(4)Chrissy I.
Honestly, it was only ok. We had really high hopes when people recommended it over Giordano's, and we were disappointed. The crust kind of tastes like enriched white flour and it just wasn't amazing. We would definitely recommend Giordano's over here. The Caesar salad was great though and the service was very good.
(3)Mariel L.
Hmmm, I remember having had such a great first time at a Lou Malnati's, the one in closer to the touristy spots. This time around, it was still a very good meal, the pizza was still delicious and gut-busting, but it wasn't as phenomenal as I remembered. The wait wasn't too bad for a table of 6 on a Saturday afternoon. We waited maybe 45 minutes, which is reasonable in downtown Chicago on a Memorial Day weekend. The hostess was super friendly and attentive, and we got to sit comfortably inside. We got a caesar salad and two pizzas, one Lou and one classic. We pre-ordered it, so it came out pretty soon after we sat down, which was lovely because we were starved at this point. As I've mentioned, the pizza was very yummy, and we were left with a lot of leftovers because were just at the point of exploding. This is a good spot away from the crazy crowds on Michigan or State; not too many tourists like us, so the wait is more manageable, and the pizza is consistent throughout the different Lou Malnati's.
(3)Sharon E.
Best deep dish pizza I have ever had! Worth the trip and the wait! Must have if you are ever in Chicago!
(5)Lynn B.
I enjoyed my first Chicago deep dish experience at Lou's. It's just a couple of blocks from the S Michigan Avenue Hilton conference center. We had no wait to get in at 6:30 on Wednesday night. The atmosphere was fun and the service was great; you could tell the employees liked being there and they liked each other. Our waiter, Jason, was helpful with ordering suggestions, taking care of us, as well as really nice. We had a big lunch earlier, so Jason recommended a small pie and a salad to share. He warned us that the pies take 30 minutes to cook, and we were drinking beer, so we wanted a light appetizer while we waited. it was all very fresh. The salad was very good with housemade dressing, mixed greens and nice toppings. The pie had delicious fresh tasting,chunky tomato sauce. The sausage was lean, I prefer a spicy sausage, but this was good and not greasy. There was a plentiful layer of mozzarella~also not greasy. My favorite toppings were the spinach mix with basil and garlic, and we added extra garlic~ yummy. The crust was a slightly hard cookie like texture~ you had to pierce it with your fork to break pieces away, but with a light buttery taste. They had a good bottle beer selection, we had 2 different Goose islands, and there were several wines~ I think you just chose a type of wine~ not brand. Fun casual dining~ good food, good service, nice atmosphere~ happy customers.
(5)Paula M.
The Lou, of course. So good. Was looking forward to this for a month. Booked my sisters return flight out of Chicago, just to be able to come here for lunch. Just a 5 hour drive from St Louis, haha.
(4)Troy C.
Came here for the Chicago Deep Dish Pizza experience. They were very busy but they have a great system to turn the tables quick, including a pre-order option while you wait for a seat, those deep dishes take time to cook ya know. We really enjoyed the experience, the food was very good, the service the same. I have not had a lot of deep dish but this rank as well as I can remember. I did find that I may not be a dip dish fan but if I chose to eat it again Lou's would be on my list of places to go.
(4)Ciara G.
Pizza, meh. If I'm eating deep dish I want it deep. My pie wasn't deep dish enough for me. The meatballs and their tomato sauce on the other hand, wowzers. Delicious. Service, Corrine, was fantastic. Try it for the sake of trying it.
(3)Melanie L.
This place was awesome! My boyfriend and I came to Chicago and went for an early(ish) dinner around 5:30 (Saturday Feb 28, very cold outside); they said 15 to 30 min max wait and to go ahead and order at the counter (pizzas take about 30 mins). We were seated in about 10 mins and had great services. We had been to Piece the night before and we were so incredibly disappointed, so we were blown away by this place! Friendly, not too busy in the actual dining areas so you didn't feel rushed (though it was very busy in the lobby by the time we left around 6:30-7). We also had the chocolate chip cookie pizza, which was also ahh-mazing! I'm so sorry that I didn't get to come here for my first deep-dish Chicago pizza experience!!
(5)Ali Y.
There aren't many times lately that I get good service, almost never great service... Let me tell you, me and my wife came to Lou's tonight for some deep dish. Pizza was out of this world! Super duper delicious and on par for our appetites! Enough about that, you know about pizza, that's not why you're here...right? Anyway, huge applause to our server, Nicole. She saw the future before it happened, that's how fast she was. Unbelievable, especially for how busy the place was. Of course we pre-ordered the deep dish, but service was lightning fast and very friendly. Nicole made our night! She is an asset to Lou's and should be carried around on a parade float in celebration of her stellar service. If everyone was like her, this world would be the most efficient machine ever! Ok enough, now order your pizza!
(5)Denise J.
I ordered the chicken alfredo dish, and my husband ordered pizza. My dish was cheesy, but bland. As for the pizza, the butter crust is very tasty. However, out of the three deep dish pizzas places we tried while in Chicago, this one came in second. There just wasn't anything memorable about it other than the crust. We went on a Monday afternoon, and waited less than five minutes before being seated.
(2)Derrick V.
First stop during our trip to Chicago was for deep dish pizza. This place felt like a chain, which it is essentially. The Malnati classic, with added spinach, was just okay. It comes with "extra" cheese, but we asked for just regular cheese; still too cheesy for us. The cheese also hardened up after my first slice. Crust was fine but I wanted more tomato sauce. I think the bay area has decent enough deep dish with Zachary's and Little Star. Maybe we should have tried Peqoud's.
(3)L Y.
Lou's is my absolute favorite pizza in Chicago! The think, flaky, buttery crust is so delicious. My only complaint is that their Wicker Park location doesn't deliver to me in Humboldt Park, even though I'm so close!
(5)Nitin R.
I came here looking to try the best deep dish Chicago has to offer. I was told this place is the one. But if that is truly the case I am utterly embarrassed for this city. I'm sorry to say that thjs pizza is only marginally better than Pizza Hut. Why? Because it's the INGREDIENTS, stupid. Why does Italy make the best pasta/pizza? Part of it is expertise but most of it comes from top tier mozzarella, tomato sauce and fresh toppings. I ordered the 'Lou' with spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and mix of mozzarella, Romano and cheddar cheese. All these ingredients could have been bought from Trader Joes down the street. The mushrooms were likely baby Bella - run of the mill. Thank god the spinach was fresh, not frozen. The tomatoes were mediocre in quality certainly not San Marzano quality. The mozzarella supposedly comes from a dairy farm in Wisconsin but it had very little taste and no creaminess whatsoever. Adding cheddar cheese to pizza is also highly suspect. The crust was comically terrible. Flaky without any real chewiness or flavor or airiness. And this is 2014 - put olive oil on pizza not butter for god sake. To be clear, every pizza place does not have to use the best ingredients. But to call this the best pizza in your city? I'm stunned.
(2)David W.
Pretty tasty pizza. Had it for the first time today, and ordered a personal pizza with sausage, mushrooms, sliced Roma tomatoes, and their butter crust. It was very flavorful and a good portion for lunch. A hungrier person might need a bigger pie. The only problem I had was that there seemed to be some water/liquid on top of the pizza - but I think that's the juice from the tomatoes. I'm sure it would've been perfect without the tomato juice. Definitely check it out if you're in town
(4)My D.
Tried both the Lou & the Classic. The Classic is bomb (best lean sausage I have tried & oh so cheesy!) while the Lou is a more healthy option. The cookie with ice cream is the delish (not too sweet, just right & the perfect balance between warm cookie dough & ice cream topped with whipped cream -- to die for!). Will try Uno or Duo next time.
(4)LaTasha A.
I love their lunch special's and the pizza is great!!!
(4)Mike F.
We had the Chicago Classic and the small was perfect for two people. Pies take about 30-40 minutes once ordered but they let you put the order in before you are seated. Butter crust is a must have. I would recommend this over Giordano's but haven't yet tried Geno's East.
(4)Dana F.
Best Chicago pizza hands-down!
(5)Roxanna D.
Best deep dish ever, fun informed and friendly staff, great beer. What more is needed?
(5)Sarah S.
Amazingly delicious pizza. Their thin crust and deep dish is soooooo good. Order early as it takes about 30 minutes to cook. Their lunch special is a good value (mini deep dish pizza, salad and dessert). Yum!
(5)Dom G.
Love this joint! Seriously, when I can eat carbs...this is on a very short list!
(5)Terri A.
The pizza was amazing and I don't even like deep dish pizza typically! We had the classic Malnati. The sausage tasted fresh (not like it came from a freezer) and the sauce had real tomato pieces. Plenty of cheese too! We also had the bruschetta as an appetizer and it was some of the freshest tasting bruschetta I've ever had - this was in February!!!
(4)Vicki V.
Pizza was excellent. Love Chicago style deep dish. Can't give 5 stars as I ordered the "Lou " with sausage and they forgot the sausage. Delivery was faster than they estimated. Very happy, will visit or order for delivery again.
(4)M P.
AWESOME!!!Like it better than Genos east. Had personal pizza. great sausage. Sauce was excellent- lite not too heavy. Tried the cheese curd app as was recommended. Very good!
(5)Jim P.
My absolute favorite pizza. Best crust, sausage, and sauce I've ever had....
(5)Jennifer S.
We ordered the classic deep dish pizza and finished it all. It wasn't the best but very tasty. This restaurant was exactly what you expect it to be. The service was good and a great place to enjoy with family and friends for pizza. Close to millenium park and so you can walk off your dinner afterwards.
(4)Justin H.
This is the second time I've been here and I will say that everyone is very very nice there and attentive. But the place for dinner time is way to packed, but again they have a good way of dealing with it allowing you to order ahead of time while you wait. But we ordered Lou's Classic pizza and there was just way way too much sausage. Like it covered the entire pizza as big slab of sausage. But just like the first time I came here, I left thinking I'm missing something about this place. Pizza sauce and crust is not bad if you're looking for a regular pizza, I'd try that first.
(3)Stephen S.
I went here with a group of four at about 9pm on a Friday night. We had a 15 minute wait and were then seated. The service was ok, nothing special. Our group split a large chicago style pizza. The pizza was excellent and while I will have to give Giordano's the title of best pizza in Chicago I will call this the best non-stuffed pizza in Chicago. The cheese blend is fantastic though I couldn't quite put my finger on what they were using. The sauce is great and though we just got a pepperoni pizza the pepperonis came out nice and crisy.
(4)Susan M.
Great deep dish pizza. The spinach stuffed bread was filled with with lots of fresh spinach and gooey cheese! At 9:00 on a Friday the atmosphere was lively and bordering on a bit too loud. I would definitely go back again!
(4)Nyla K.
Much better than Gino's East. I was glad I tried a different deep dish pizza and glad Lou's changed my opinion on it. Will definitely make this a stop every time I visit Chicago.
(5)Elvin W.
Food: We ordered the Lou classis and the Manlnati. Both pizza came out water on top of the pizza. I love the crust but other than that, it was very underwhelming. I had high expectations to flavor. Service: decent, no complaints here Overall: Just disappointed considering I was really looking forward to try a Chicago style pizza.
(2)David S.
There is no better deep dish pizza than Lou's, not even Uno's or Due although Due comes awfully close.
(5)Ani G.
One of the best pizzas I have had! I got the deep dish pepperoni pizza topped with jalapeños. Yummy. It gets packed quick so just enjoy a beer while you wait :)
(5)Lucy C.
Friday night wait for 40 minutes to be seated... We ordered our pizza and waited by the front door. I was so hungry that I was getting really cranky. However once we were seated, the service was exceptional and the beers and pizza was served within 10 minutes. Loved the Lou deep dish pizza. It was hot, cheesy and so tasty. The crust crisp, buttery and not doughy at. The medium was plenty for the two of us. Except for the wait, everything else was great.
(4)Danny B.
Definitely a must go to! First time having a Chicago style pizza and we were Wowed! Our sever Bobby was busy and he took care of all of his tables with a smile. He is very personable and made a first great experience for us at Lou's.
(4)Susan D.
I am embarrassed to admit that I am a native who has never had Lou Malnati's pizza. I did live on the west coast for many years and I always seemed to find that every time I'd have deep dish - whomever I was with would decide where we would go, which usually meant Giordano's. While I always felt the food was awesome, I realized there were many other places to have deep dish or pan pizza -- so I set about to do so. I finally got to try Lou Malnati's pizza at the Taste. I realize maybe it's better in the restaurant, but that's where I had it. And it was SUPERB. Even better than I expected and the best I've ever had. I've tried just about all of them up until this point ... but this was really the best ever! I'll be a fan for life. And next time I'm with folks who want deep dish -- I'm gonna assert myself and say it needs to be Lou's - especially if they've never had it!
(5)Mika O.
First Chicago pizza I had. Cheese was tasty. Ingredients were fresh but still love ny style better. Def should try when visiting though
(4)Bridget B.
With all the reviews on deep dish I opted for thin crust. Good, not great. Sausage and Pepperoni excellent. Order with extra sauce and cheese kinda dry
(4)Ilana B.
A true staple when it comes to "Chicago cuisine" - and my FAVORITE of the deep dish pizza's! That corn meal crust = incredible. Plus the "LOU" is a vegetarians dream! Everything I like!
(5)Scott T.
"Lou Malnati" sounds like "illuminati" and that's exactly what this is: a secret society of otherworldly deep dish pizza with the people of Chicago as its members. Having recently visited Chicago, I was lucky enough to be inducted for the day. The butter crust is crispy brown on the outside and soft inside, "not too thin and not too thick" just as the menu proudly announces. The spinach, mushroom and pepperoni are great topping choices, our hosts claimed, because you still get plenty of tomato sauce. The pizza actually felt like it had an afterglow. That's how good it was.
(5)Kirby M.
There are a lot people who argue about the best deep dish pizza in Chicago. Lou Malnati's ends that argument with a big fat period (and a "crustless" pizza where the dough is made entirely out of sausage). It's been my favorite since childhood and will continue to be my favorite forevermore. I love you, Lou's.
(5)Don H.
Don't go here on week-ends or holidays!!! WHY? You get a mini ingredient deep dish pizza. Deep dish is suppose to be DEEP or THICK with lots of cheese, spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes. 5 Sept. 2010- Labor Day @ 7:30 pm- we ordered a medium deep dish pizza: the "Lou". What we got was a medium size pizza that was 5/8 inch thick and 1/2 inches of that was crust! There was enough Roma tomatoes to cover about 1/2 the medium pizza, but they were spread out over the entire pie. Mozzarella, romano, and chedder cheese was on the pizza but in scant amounts, and I do mean small, small tiny quantities of cheese which barely covered the top of the pizza. Mushrooms??? Oh, there were some in the pizza, again maybe just enough to say the pizza had mushrooms. Like wise with the spinach-it was there if you looked through the entire pizza. What do I know??? Well I'm a "Dough Card" carrying customer with a 2 pizza a month purchase at different Lou Malnati's in Chicago. I have to say I know my Lou's pizzas. Out of towners may think they are getting a deep dish pizza; but little do they know just what they would have received if they went to another Lou's in town. Even when super busy, other Lou Malnati places still serve the same super thick deep dish pizzas on a less crowed Wed. night, as they do when they are extremely busy. It's a shame that the South Loop place puts out super minimalistic ingredient deep dish pies when they get busy. What's up with that???
(2)Alice P.
I really really wish I would've liked this pizza, especially since I was so hungry. Deep dish? not really. Flavor? nah. Inexpensive? Yeah, but that's about the only plus. And I'm not a big cheese fan but the cheese tasted weird, especially since it was put on so thickly, and I ended up ripping most of it off which made me realize that there was barely any tomato sauce or pepperoni on it. It was like cheese bread basically, and the pizza here is one of those foods where you have to eat something else to get rid of the flavor in your mouth. I chose peanut m&m's.
(1)Genie H.
First of all this review is not for the physical restaurant, I tried their pizza at the food stand while attending Lollapolooza. Their crust was ok. I wanted more of a buttery taste considering it's a thick crust. Their sauce is a little tangy compared to other pizza joints. Decent pie.
(3)Katie T.
For a first time trip to Chicago I had to try deep dish pizza. My hotel concierge suggested I try Lou Malnati's. My roommate and I ventured to this place, and ordered the Lou, which is a deep dish piled with veggies. It was pretty tasty, and we also ordered a few locally brewed beers. Overall it was a great experience.
(4)Andrew A.
Not bad overall...great tasting pizza, bruschetta was fresh...I would recommend Giordano's over Malnati's, but not by much!
(4)Daniel G.
Order some food from this location not that long ago for delivery. Was super impressed with the speed of the delivery, the quality of the food and quantity of the sizes ordered. No longer living in the loop but will be back sometime in the near future!
(4)T S.
Lou's is one of the big 4 (Lou, Uno, Giordano, Gino) pizza places that you got to visit in Chicago. Perhaps, it is the best of the 4? The crust and ingredients are great and the atmosphere is a little (barely) less touristy than the others. When I ask Chicago friends where they take people who visit town for the 'real' deep dish, Lou's is the place.
(4)Dalis N.
Was recommended to go to this place by three of my native friends while in town on vacation. Now I can see why! Their deep dish butter crust is amazing and I have a sinking suspicion I'll have to get this stuff shipped to me sometime in the future. Also tried their spinach loaf appetizer and it was fantastic too (but made me too full to eat more of the delicious pizza once it finally came out).
(4)Lencho F.
Better than Giordano I can tell you that. Had a slice of heaven at the taste of chicago and out of all the pizzas I had that day this was my favorite. Definitely want to go back.
(5)Christine L.
I don't remember if this was the Lou Malnati's I ate at or if it was some other one. All I remember is that it was awesome! Being from California, I didn't really know what deep-dish pizza really was til I ate here. The sausage is SO GOOD, and the cheese is just so cheesy and yummy! I really wish I could eat it again but alas, here in California, I'll probably have to settle for BJ's pizza or something :(
(5)Darryl J.
Well, my favorite pizza place in Chicago, Delicis near Lincoln Square, closed, however there are many pizza places in Chicago. Of the big chains, Lou Malnati is my favorite. Maybe now is a good time for a three bears analogy. Pizzeria Uno usually leaves me feeling way to stuffed and heavy. Gino's East (I like Gino's btw) - can have it too many times and get tired of it + the stuffed feeling, but not as bad as Uno, Lou Malnaltis is just right, not too thick and not too thin + I like the cheese they use; and I don't have the sick stuffed feeling at the end.
(4)Mary R.
Not the real Lou's, go to Lincolnwood and get the right stuff. This place serves up cheap ingredients and gives the franchise a bad name.
(2)Tiny T.
Love this place. I order it nearly every Friday. Best pizza in Chicago
(5)Doug ..
it was good. im not a big fan of pizza but it has a really good crust. we got the combo and it was covered with toppings. sausage was good.
(4)Gary B.
Having been in Chicago since last July I have only had deep dish maybe 3/4 times. My wife certainly prefers NY style pies but when we had family in town this weekend we decided to take them to Lou Malnati's. I have to say that this was some of the best pizza I have ever eaten. The size was just right, the service was swift and the family went home sated. We split a family house salad that easily feeds 5-6 people as a side and I shared a small Pepperoni and spinach deep dish pie. All of which was wonderful. Definitely a family favorite. Would have liked to have seen some beers on tap but nonetheless this was a treat.
(4)Andrew G.
I was in Chicago for a family wedding. I was only in town for a weekend, so time was limited, but one thing on the definite to do list was experience a real Chicago deep dish pizza. My aunt and uncle talked this place up relentlessly, so the Saturday afternoon of the wedding, I agreed I'd pick up pizzas from Lou for lunch, my treat for those lucky enough to be hanging around at lunchtime. After everything I had heard about this place, I was expecting greatness. Picked up a cheese and a pepperoni, with the butter crust, and brought them back to the suite at the hotel with high hopes. High hopes that were met. It only took one bite and I had to turn to my uncle and tell him that this was legit. Rich, exploding with flavors and texture. It was everything I hoped it would be. I suppose it's a good thing I don't live in Chicago, as I am sure that making a regular habit of these is taking steps towards an early grave with how much cholesterol, fat, and calories I'm sure these babies pack. But what a way to go! This was a good enough experience that I've found myself thinking of it several times since. Who knows when I'll be back in Chicago again, but whenever that is, I'll be back at Lou's while I'm there.
(5)Jennifer B.
When in Chicago, you must at least have the deep dish once. We can now check that off our bucket list. We thankfully ordered the small Malnati's Special, which we couldn't even finish. Think butter crust, tons of cheese, sausage and a layer of sauce on top. Although delicious, it was a very copious meal. We prefer naples style thin crust. But if you're looking for delicious deep dish and you're hungry, definitely come here.
(4)Chelsea C.
Well worth the wait! We took a day trip from Indianapolis to Chicago on a Monday in December and after spending the day at the Field Museum, we were all hungry. Wanting to eat somewhere close by (due to the expensive parking we had already paid for), a native suggested Lou's. We took an Uber from the museum and put our name and the order for our pizzas in when we got there. The pizzas, being deep dish, do take nearly an hour. Between our wait to be seated and then getting the drinks, appetizers, and salads for our table, the pizzas came out at the perfect time. The service was also amazing! We had a party of 12 and I remember our server, Josh, being so attentive and personable the whole time even though the restaurant was beyond full. The entire experience was amazing and Lou's will definitely be on our list of must-dos each time we're in Chicago! Thank you so much, Josh and Lou's!
(5)Steph S.
YUM, YUM, YUM! My husband and I visited Chicago for the weekend, and knew we had to try Lou Malnati's Pizza. We ordered the classic sausage deep dish pizza, and the lou malnati's salad. We started off with the salad and were both extremely impressed by how amazing this simple salad tasted. We ate every single bite and enjoyed the fresh, crunchy vegetables with the perfect dressing. We were so glad we started with a salad! We both split the small classic deep dish pizza, and still only at 3/4 of it. We were full after the meal, but didn't feel gross full. The part of this pizza that made it out of this world was the butter crust. I've never tasted crust that flaky and amazing! We thought deep dish pizza just had thick crust, but this was definitely not the case! The crust was not too thick, and there was the perfect amount of sausage, cheese and sauce. We can't wait to visit Chicago again and come back to Lou Malnati's!
(5)Natasha O.
A good Chicago deep dish pizza experience!! The pizza from the lunch special was tasty and the service was excellent! About $9 for a personal 6" deep-dish pizza, choice of soup or salad, and a drink. It was a great deal! My partner and I each got this for a total of $25 with 20% tip.
(4)Dale A.
The food was excellent! Perfect representation of what I look for in a chicago style pizza. But the service was terrible! Once we were sat and our drink order placed, we waited 5 minutes for water and coke, in a seemingly empty restaurant. Along with this our server gave out our food to another table, again we had to wait for a replacement. After we ordered our food, we realized we had made a mistake and attempted to correct it, so we spoke with the server, she assured us she had changed it to what we wanted. Well it came out incorrect, so they fixed it, but what made the situation unbareable was the manager came over and basically told us we were wrong and didn't read their menu. I was disgusted! Will most likely not dine in when I'm back in Chicago.
(2)Joe P.
Had salad, pizza and calamari. All excellent. Service was good despite the pizza taking over an hour to be served. I'd give 4.5 stars if I could due to the uncomfortable size of the place. Smaller than I thought it would be.
(4)Stephen B.
Let me preface this by saying I grew up in the NJ/NY area, raised on the thin crusts of local pizzerias, yet I am in no way biased to the deep-dish offerings of the midwest. I understand it's a fundamentally different dish. I don't care for the east-coast "you can't call this pizza" argument. Call it whatever you want as long as it's delicious. The problem with the pizza at Lou Malnati's is that it's not delicious. Let's start with our appetizer. We had garlic bread -- or rather, pieces of a dry, half-burnt baguette with only a faint hint of garlic. The bread was stale, in desperate need of some olive oil or melted butter to resurrect it. Sadly, there was none to be found. On to the pizzas. We split two personal pizzas, the only two on the menu that carry the restaurant founder's name: The Malnati Chicago Classic & The Lou. The former was blanketed with an absurd amount of sauce, and the crust and sausage were bland. The latter was watery (from the spinach and tomatoes), bland (lack of seasoning), and had an odd three-cheese blend (cheddar... really?). Neither calorie bomb was worth finishing. The only redeeming part of the experience was the friendly service. The host and hostess were accommodating, and our server was really wonderful. That counts for something.
(2)Vincent N.
Tried this place for the first time when visiting Chicago and it was delicious! We ordered the BBQ wings which came with 9 pieces and celery sticks. The wings were very flavorful! Also ordered a small Lou malnatis signature deep dish pizza. Which came with fresh tomatoes on top stuffed inside with cheese and sausages. Really liked the fresh tomatoes instead of tomato sauce that pizza places here in Orange County use! Definitely a great place to grab beer, wings, and pizza and for a great price!
(5)Lisa M.
Our First Ever Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza! Several locals suggested Lu Malnati's Pizzeria for a deep dish, Chicao Style pizza. We decided on the Lou's special which was a fairly thin crust in a deep pan which was loaded with cheese, sausage and a yummy / spicy tomato sauce. We shared a medium and it was plenty for the two of us, we also shared their small garden salad which was very yummy as well. Prices are good, service was great and they also serve some of the locally brewed beers. All in all it was a very good experience and would go there again if we return to Chi Town!
(4)Zach B.
This IS original Chicago deep dish at it's finest. My previous favorite was Giordano's. It is now Lou Malnati's. Service was great as well. Trust me, I have eaten deep dish everywhere. This pie is IT!
(5)Catherine W.
The short: Great place for deep dish! This was my first time having a deep dish, and wow! I'm impressed! You Chicagoans are so lucky! We got a size small, half was the Lou (vegetarian), the other half was the Malnati Chicago classic. I didn't like how long it took to make, but man, it was so delicious! I'm happy we ordered the chicken bbq club salad while we waited. Not only was it a filler, but it was a delicious filler! Great flavors. The waitress was friendly, helping us out by cutting up the pizza and answering my friend's question. It turns out that the sausage that Lou's has both pork and beef (for religious reasons, my friend doesn't eat beef). That was a bummer, but she still enjoyed the vegetarian slices. The lighting was dark, which was a bummer. I really wanted to take a quality picture with ample lighting to show friends what it looked like, but alas, it turned out dark and hazy. Oh well!
(4)Brinlie C.
They had the most delicious soup (cream of chicken!) that I've ever had. However, I was super excited for the deep dish and it was not that great. There were no spices in the sausage and the pepperoni's were bland. Additionally I could eat my pizza with my hands... Therefore it was not deep dish.
(3)Mel H.
We wanted authentic Chicago style pizza and we were not disappointed! We had the classic and the butter crust was something I will not soon forget. This is the place to go for pizza down town
(5)Justin O.
Visiting Chicago and figured I try a different deep dish pizza place than the standard Gino's or Giordano's. The atmosphere was decent (typical pizza joint with more local crowd than tourist crowd). Service was great and waitress very friendly. Now onto the pizza... Got Lou Malnati's deep dish. It was good, but not phenomenal. I could taste the butter crust (which was good by the way), but not thick enough. The sausage was great quality and plenty of cheese (for all you cheese lovers out there). While this place is definitely good, I would prefer Gino's or Giordano's. This place tastes more like Pizza Hut deep dish (like other reviews indicated).
(4)Greg O.
While in Chicago for work, we knew we had to try this place, based on word of mouth and from the food shows. I'm a NY style pizza fan, but this was good for being deep dish style, kinda like a casserole. I'm not a fan of the crust, too much butter and you can't fold it (fork and knife are for steaks). But the sauce was good and the spinach bread was very good, although the bruschetta was meh. Everyone I was with did enjoy it and we went twice so it did hold up well.
(4)Guess W.
Wanting Chicago deep dish pizza came to Lou ordered a personal size boy was I disappointed with the crust. Thin pizza crust baked in a deep dish pan and hard as a cracker crust. Manatis pizzeria only had bottle beers not on draft.
(1)Jeanne K.
Lou Malnati's was my first deep dish experience in Chicago, and it did not disappoint. I had heard so much about this place, so I made it my first food stop when I went to Chicago last month. We only waited 15-20 minutes after arriving around noon on a Saturday, which wasn't too bad, but we had to wait another 30 minutes after being seated. They take your order while waiting since the pizza takes a while to cook. It's such a smart idea. In hindsight, I'd rather wait 30 minutes seated than an hour. We got the regular cheese and the sausage. Both were great and I couldn't stop eating. When I became full after I started my second slice, I lamented that I could not fit more in my stomach. It was cheese-y and not oily, with a great crunch from the crust. Next time I go to Chicago, I'll definitely be back.
(4)Rebecca W.
Sevice was terrible especially when there were so many open tables. The server was a jerk and ruined our entire experience. Food on the other hand was wonderful.
(1)Aaron K.
Got the classic Lou pizza deep dish with extra cheese and sausage. Possibly the best pizza I've ever had in my life. I loved it. The gooey cheese and rich buttery crust. The small was 14$ and definitely enough for 2 people. One minor gripe was that the pizza took 40 minutes to come out and we almost were late for an event we were planning to go to. Leave enough time to wait and enjoy it! I think this place is a must visti in Chicago.If I came back to Chicago, Lou's would be on the very top of my list to visit again!
(5)Ayla R.
Being in Chicago naturally means time for pizza! My fiancée and I dedicated every meal today to pizza and decided to end it at Lou Malnati's. We had already eaten pizza that day so we had a fresh comparison. Unfortunately, LM fell short. Our server (a mid to late 20's blonde man whose name I wish I remembered!) was very nice and I had many questions and dietary restraints (as always :) ) He was very patient and helpful! We decided to go big! We each ordered a personal sized deep dish pizza. My Fiancée, C got sausage and I got a Malnati's veggie, sans cheese! I think we made poor selections because the pizza were small (which is expected) hard and dry. I know a cheeseless pan pizza is a stretch, but it seemed rushed and poorly made. C agreed and said his was lacking flavor, moisture or appeal. We both concluded that a larger sized deep dish may have been better quality and a thin crust may have been better. However, our choices were poor. Maybe it would be 5 star if the food was better! Maybe worth a try :) Just don't order personal pan!!
(3)Jocelyn W.
I love lou's the best overall because I love the lou pizza with the butter crust but mostly the Delicious salad dressing that is slightly sweet! But also the fried appetizer combo with the very delicious ranch! My sister also loves the tiramisu! This restaurant also seems to have more space than the other Lou.
(5)Susanna C.
I wanted my boyfriend to try some good deep dish Pizza so we headed to Lou Malnati's. Since I never tried the deep dish there I was really curious about it. I have to say that the pizza we ordered was too small (we had a 'small' deep dish for two) and we should have taken a bigger one but - it was so delicious though! We had the one with pepperoni which was a good decision. The pizza wasn't too big as I knew it from other restaurants so I really enjoyed it. As a dessert we decided to have the deep dish cookie which was the best dessert I ever had in my life! You really have to tried it! It comes in a small deep dish plate and is topped with vanilla ice and whipped cream. The two of us hardly finished it because it was a really huge dessert but it was sooooooo good. The service was really friendly too.
(5)C C.
3.5 for deep dish pizza
(3)Kim P.
Ordered 2 Personal pan pizzas for delivery. The classic was amazing and got the other 1/2 baked go take home!
(4)H M.
I'd been dying to try deep dish in Chicago and after asking many locals, ended up ordering delivery from Lou Malnati's. I'm not sure if it's because I'd been expecting something along the lines of NYC's Prince Street Pizza's thick crust pizza or a better version of Artichoke Pizza but this was bar far the most disappointing meal of my entire trip. The sauce and oil sog up the crust on the bottom, which isn't even a great texture/consistency to begin with (reminiscent of pie crust consistency), the layers of meat and cheese separated quickly instead of staying together, and it just overall looked really sad and disappointing when I got it. It was so bad I couldn't even imagine it being good right out of the oven. Ughs.
(2)Krista K.
This review is based SOLELY on their sausage pizza. If that does not interest you or apply to your situation, read someone else's review. The sausage patty that they use on their pizza is awful. It's not good. I would prefer the dog-food pellets from Pizza Hut over their sausage patty. That is all.
(1)Season L.
I come here with friends for their DEEP PIZZA. A lot of people recommend their pizza on Yelp, so we decide to come here. This pizza is totally different with New York's pizza, but I like it. My friends and I think their pizza is really delicious. I think next time when I visit Chicago I will come here again.
(4)Jeshua J.
Tart style, pretty good but not the best. Definitely worth a try if you wanna try more than 1 type of deep dish, service was good.
(3)Ashley S.
We ordered the spinach salad, malnatis pizza and finished with tiramisu! Everything was extremely delicious.
(5)Angie C.
We ordered the deep dish and a Cesar salad and both were delicious! I'm not a huge pizza fan but that pizza was so good. My entire family downed the Cesar! It could be one of the best ever. It was magic. Yes, a salad was magic. If you don't believe me try it yourself.
(5)Melody W.
This is the BEST Deep dish pizza until you prove otherwise.
(5)Brian W.
Waitress is awesome. Food is perfect. What is not to like. Thanks for treating a country boy right!!
(5)Annie L.
Big locations and close to the hotel. Tried from recommendations & great reviews here. Tried the Spinach salad. It was simple but good. It had spinach, goat cheese, purple onion & pears w/balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It was good appetizer for waiting 30 mins for deep dish pizza to finish. Tried "The Lou" that serves 2. Fills you up fast since it's deep dish. The cheese is very stringy b/c plenty of cheese and the crust was buttery- the best part! This place is one place I strongly suggest for deep dish in Chicago.
(4)Doni G.
This pizza is the best deep dish in Chicago.... Hands down!!! And I'm a local :) it's a great place for locals and tourists!! There's something for everyone!! I usually have The Lou because I don't eat meat, but my family and friends who do eat meat love the sausage!! WIN-WIN lol (best of both worlds). I would suggest not getting an appetizer (they're basic) and just saving room for 2 slices of deep dish verses 1!! Lol but every time I go I end up getting an appetizer and only having room for a half slice of pizza :(
(5)Michael W.
So the first thing that came to mind once I landed in Chicago and settled into my hotel was that it was time to get some legitamate deep dish pizza. Luckily, I was only a quick 5 minute walk from Lou Malnati's. I will say that flat out, this was the best deep dish pizza that I've had. Then again, that's not saying too much considering the fact that I've been to only about 5 deep dish spots, but nonetheless, this takes the cake in my book. Right when I got here, I was blown away with how long the wait was. Being that I was by myself, I just figured that it'd be much faster if I just got my pizza to go and eat it at the park. Looking at the menu, I finally settled on ordering a small Malnati Chicago Classic ($15). This pizza comes loaded with a thick layer of cheese, fresh tomatoes, and a pretty hefty layer of sausage. The icing on the cake is the buttery crust. By myself, I could only eat 3 of 4 slices and portion-wise, this pizza will get you full, almost too full. With their sausage, it is literally a layer of sausage. Unlike other pizza joints where the sausages come in chunks, it looks like they just placed a sausage frizbee on top of the cheese. The thing that I love best about deep dish pizzas are their crusts, and boy does Lou Malnati's do them right. It wasn't burned, nor with the undercooked doughy taste. In the end, I really wish that I had some more space in my stomach because it seemed such a waste to end up tossing half fo my last slice. There are tons of places on my bucket list that I need to try out here in Chicago, but I definitely was not dissapointed with Lou Malnati's. They serve up some mean deep dish pizza. Just be prepared for a 30 minute wait to get seated.
(4)Heather C.
I sorta feel like 3 stars is generous, but this is my first deep dish experience in Chicago so... What's with the stewed tomatoes for a topping? It wasn't like a good tomato sauce, more like tomatoes from a can. Not that great. Crust was nice and crisp though, so it saved the experience. I'm sorry to say that the oysters crackers for my soup were my favorite part of the meal.
(3)Saul T.
Wow, the food quality was amazing. You obviously need to try the deep dish pizza (the butter crust is awesome). The service was incredible. Our server dished up our pizza onto the plates for us - awesome experience
(5)James D.
My lady and I come here every time we're in town. It's our favorite pizza joint. The food: It's obvious that they use high quality ingredients. Can't go wrong with the classic deep dish. It has a unique round sausage (with no fennel seeds!), and a generous amount of fresh mozzarella. Also, the Tiramisu is fantastic. Not so much coffee liqueur that it's bitter. Best I've had anywhere. (5/5) The waitstaff is super nice, though understandably slow with the drinks. They don't make a fuss if you show up 30min to close. (4/5) The atmosphere is relaxed. The music is decent, and you can wear pretty much whatever. Seating is a little tight, so you can hear everyone around you, which can be annoying. There isn't enough ambient noise to drown out obnoxious guests. (4/5)
(4)Ngo S.
Went here for late afternoon meal before Christmas Eve. The pizza were great, with a lot of cheese and well-cooked ingredients. It's a little bit watery on the pizza but it's not too bad. The desserts were not phenomenal, but it was good. The tiramisu could be better with more cake in it, the pan-fried cookies are delicious. Good experience in general!
(4)Joanna C.
More Chicago pizza! Such a guilty pleasure. Lou's had been on my bucket list since the first time I went to Chicago so I was excited to finally check it out. After a long walk from the tip of Magnificent Mile, my brother and I arrived, ravenous and ready for some delicious pizza. Unfortunately for us, there was also a typical long wait, but good thing we could preorder our pizza at the register. And they even had samples of their thin crust, which was exciting, but definitely cannot compare to New Haven pizza. We got the Chicken BBQ Club Salad and the Malnati Chicago Classic. The salad was filling and probably as many calories as the pizza, especially with all of the dressing dumped on it. But it was delicious and at least we were eating vegetables. The pizza for 2 looked small, but was very filling. I wasn't a fan of the butter crust and could've used a little more cheese on the pizza, but it was still good. Service was okay and there were a couple of times where I was thirsty and water was nowhere to be found, but it was also pretty busy. For all of the hype that people make about Lou's and Gino's, I have to say I'm definitely a Giordano's fan and that stuffed pizza is the way to go.
(3)Melissa M.
I'm from Miami so we don't get to see a lot of deep dish Pizza unless we drive up to Orlando. Even then, it isn't this good. This was definitely a great place to stop at. We ordered wayyy too much food. We could have just gone with a small deep dish and the appetizer but we decided to eat with our eyes and pick out like 4 different things. The food was nice and hot, it was delicious, and it didn't take long at all. If we go back to Chicago I will definitely be visiting.
(4)Melissa G.
Got a beef sandwich because I'm lactose intolerant and it was really yummy. I know it's a pizza place and there are great beef places, but I left satisfied and happy. I added the sweet and hot peppers, SOOO GOOD. the mixed drinks sucked but were cheap for Chicago.
(4)Michael B.
Can't go wrong with Lou! The deep dish was very good. I like that they tell you it takes 30 minutes to cook. You must also try the brownie sundae. This place stays busy too. Be prepared to wait. It would be nice if you could place your pizza order while waiting for a table.
(5)Darren F.
every time when people talk about pizza here in chicago.. the name lou malnati's will be brought up.. ive never been here before and my cousins was coming to town from the west coast... so i took them here so we can all experience it together. we came here on a sunday night and there was like a 40 min wait... but that was expected already because i pass by there often and always see a lot of ppl there.. our waiter was really friendly and very attentive too.. we ordered the.. The Malnati Chicago Classic (deep dish)- Made with Lou's lean sausage, some extra cheese and vine-ripened tomato sauce on Buttercrust.. i thought it was just eh.. it was kind of watery.. i taste mostly tomatoes in this pizza..i would say it is lacking a little on flavor.. Calamari Fritti - it was pretty good besides that some of it tends to break apart every time someone pick it up.. i like the breading on it tho.. BuffaLou Wings - love the wings! yea it may tickle/burn your nose a little from the vinegar when it just come out.. but it was delicious! wasnt too spicy and it just have the right amount of kick to it.. definitely order it if you never tried it.. overall i just thought it was alright... probably give a different topping pizza a try and see if it changes my mind on it.. but for sure ill be back for the hot wings tho!
(3)Adam L.
Ohhhh Lou Malnati's. The crust of their deep dish pizza is to die for. Correction, it's to kill for, that way, you can continue to have their deep dish pizza.
(5)Keycee D.
Okay, so I'm not a deep dish pizza kind of person, nor am I really a pizza kind of gal. Knowing that Chicago is known for some good pizza, I was willing to try it. I asked my coworker who is from Chicago to tell me a good place and she told me Lou Malnati's. My friends and I went right before we head off to the airport. We came in, got seated right away. The waitress told us it takes 30 minutes for it to cook. We finally got our pizza (the classic) and my was it DELISH! The cheese is at the bottom, sausage in the middle topped with tomato sauce. The crust was also so yummy.... My friends ordered a few large boxes to go to take back to Cali. TIP: If you do the Go Chicago Card, don't forget you get $5 off on a large pizza. The only thing negative about it, is that if multiple people had the card, and you're all sitting at the same table, even if you had separate bills, only ONE person can get the $5 off for the large pizza...
(5)Kevin V.
I can't say enough good things about this place. The pizza is by far better then Numero Uno. I didn't have a chance to try any other places but I was satisfied. The marinara sauce was amazing. I was eating it by the spoonfuls. The price was surprisingly low for 3 of us, including appetizers and drinks.
(5)Hillary S.
Excellent service and food. Love the buttery crust on their pizza. We also had the buffalo wings w Gorgonzola cheese. Yum.
(5)Brian L.
This is the best deep dish pizza in Chicago. I have had others and none compares! It is hard to describe how perfect this pizza is...
(5)K W.
I went during the Taste of Chicago weekend this year. Wonderful and Excellent service.... Delicious food...The wings were sooooo good
(5)Stefphanie H.
I've tried the best....Gino's East, Giordanos...and NY pizza...this is the best pizza around. Will be visiting again.
(5)Recia M.
Best deep dish pizza I ever eaten. Also, salads and dressings amazing with super fresh ingredients. I had no complaints about thin crust pizza either. Had food delivered to the Palmer House where I was staying and the service was excellent.
(5)Gary W.
Good pizza Terrible service. Expect an hour and a half to get a pizza on a Friday night.
(1)Vaishali B.
Awesome deep dish pizza!! Loved it. Takes about 30 to 35 minutes' time. So, order in advance!
(4)Anna B.
It was my first time in Chicago. I simply could not pass up the chance to have authentic Chicago deep dish pizza! (Forget eating healthy! I was on vacation!) Lou Malnati's is right around the corner from the Hilton Chicago. YAAY! It was a short walk away~ We called ahead to order takeout. We ordered the Malnati Chicago Classic and added garlic and mushroom. We were super hungry that night, so we also got the Chicken Louie. It's a mix of chicken, fettuccine, and cream sauce. Errm... Learn from our terrible mistake: stick with the pizza and forget the pasta. Our pizza was ready when we got there. However, they forgot to make our pasta. We had to wait an extra 10-15 minutes for that. Make sure they give you everything when you pick up your order. The Malnati Chicago Classic was amazing! The buttercrust is definitely worth a try! The pizza was loaded with sausage, cheese, and tomato chunks in the sauce. The extra garlic and mushrooms added an extra burst of flavor. (Garlic always makes everything 1000x better!) The pizza was truly delicious. We were a bit overwhelmed with the deep dish style, but it was worth it! Don't overestimate your appetite. The pizza is super filling. A sad note about the pasta: it was tasteless and horrible. (But it DID come with garlic bread! That wasn't too good, either...) We had a bite of the pasta, looked at each other, and slowly pushed it away, in a silent agreement that it really, really wasn't the best. The cream sauce and fettuccine was an absolute miserable fail. The chicken was stale and really, did not contribute much to the dish. There were only a few slices tossed into the dish, anyways! It was just .. sad. We could have added more extra ingredients to our delicious pizza, instead of wasting it on the terrible pasta. Cries. If I were to base this review solely on the pizza, Lou Malnati's would get four stars. Heck, it deserves it! However, they serve other foods, too. The pasta must be considered in the overall rating of the restaurant -- one star. The average is a 2.5, but I'll be generous and round up to three stars AVOID THE PASTA. PLEEEASE!
(3)Fishstick Y.
Ok...we just had the wings and a couple beers followed by tiramisu cause we just had pizza a couple hrs earlier at another restaurant. The wings are AMAZING. We got half bbq and half buffalo, and they were the best I've had in my life. Crispy...well seasoned, well sauced and served with celery and ranch. We got in before the Bears game ended but this place got packed fast. Lots of people were waiting in line. Pizza looked and smelled great. Service was top notch. I already can't wait to come back and have the wings again. If you go here...and like wings. Do not skip.
(5)Heriberto L.
Excellent pizza. I love it. It's my second most loved Chicago pizza. Anyone visiting the city must try this one. Ingredients and dough are very flavorful. I have always found the wait staff to be very professional--like they really enjoy working there. You don't get that feeling a many other eating establishments.
(5)Leo S.
I don't like their pizza....The end. Purely subjective....
(2)Marla C.
We had a great seat on the patio and a fab deep dish pepperoni and sausage pizza. Totally great. One piece was MORE than enough! Service was great and restaurant was hoping even at 10pm when we got there for a late dinner!
(4)Celine U.
Very good deep dish pizza. I like the dough crispy and light. I recommend this place.
(4)Jessica V.
I waited over an gory and a half to finally sit down on a week day. I was about to give up and not try the pizza at all but I'm so glad I decided to stay because deep dish pizza is a must in Chicago and it's amazing here. Worth every hungry minute I waited. Rhe pizzas are very filling I recommend 2-3 people per pizza.
(4)Alexa H.
This place has the best deep dish pizza in Chicago! We love it so much, we are shipping some to our family in California!
(5)Charlene L.
I had to.. it's the tourist thing to do! Chicago style pizza.. I'm just not a fan. It's too doughy, and way too heavy. I admit, this place did have a flavorful sauce, but overall, I'm just not a fan. Also, their service sucked. Given, i understand it's busy. However, when the entire table's plates were dirty, we were stuck waiting about 15 mins to get clean plates, while our piping hot pizza gazed at us saying, "EAT ME!" I also had their chop salad. It was odd.. the dressing was sweet! I'm not a fan. Lou Malnati's, I bid you adieu!
(2)James N.
2nd time. Did not disappoint. Locals sometimes say it's for the tourists and it's just "ok" but if that's a dig then so be it. You cant go wrong. Clean, good service, and delicious.
(5)Brittanie M.
Amazing deep dish pizza with excellent prices and customer service. The dinning area is a little crowded but that just tells you it's a popular place for a reason. The waiter was jovial and doing his best despite the high customer number. I definitely chose the right place for my Chicago deep dish pizza experience.
(5)Dan C.
Great service and equally great deep dish pizza. Prices are very reasonable. No reservations, so you would do well to arrive early for dinner and have a drink at the bar if there is a long line. You can also call in your pizza order to reduce the wait time when seated.
(4)Ben C.
I had a personal deep dish with spinach and anchovies. It took 30 minutes. It was very good! I ordered a second personal (yes only one actual person here) it was premise so it came out in 12 minutes and was good but not as good as the first. All in all I felt like i got exactly what I was looking for!
(4)Gabe F.
Lou Malnati's - what can I say about this place, seriously! This is my second time to Chicago, and my second time hitting up Lou's. I cannot get enough of this place. It is located off of S State street, only a few blocks off of Michigan Ave and Millennium Park. Their pizza is classic Deep Dish Chicago style pizza with enough dough to make the doughboy actually laugh instead of giggle. There are several TVs in the dinning area to enjoy some sports. If there is a wait, they are more than happy to take your order early so when you are seated, your pizza is almost ready (be aware that pizza take about 30 - 45 minutes to bake due to the enormous amount of awesomeness put into every pizza). If there is a longer than usual wait, they will make a pizza, cut it into small squares and set it atop the counter for customers can enjoy while they wait - customer service at its finest! I highly recommend the deep dish pepperoni pizza. Also, please note that this pizza is extremely filling. You may not actually need a large, but I say go big and take home!! Cold Pizza = Breakfast of Champions!
(5)Michelle G.
This place is of course one the all time Chicago Pizzeria's that everyone should visit at list sometime in their life when they are in Chicago.
(4)Francine C.
If you are only having pizza in Chicago once, this should be it We started with some wings which were average. We progressed to the main course which was the signature Malnatis deep dish pizza This was a satisfying buttery crust filled with mozzarella, tomatoes and sausage using a generous dose of garlic. Hearty and wonderful. Desert was a cookie Sunday that was better than average, but not spectacular. Definitely the pizza is the star!
(4)Rachel S.
Ordered the small pepperoni deep dish while waiting for a table. Shared it with a date and it was enough to fill me up. Restaurant serves beer and wine but no cocktails. Sort of a busy place. Crust on the pizza was crispy and buttery. Yum!!
(4)Anando S.
Typical chicago pizza place. A nice change from the usual giordinnos. A small pizza is perfect for 2 people. Be prepared to wait though. A good thing is they take your order while you are waiting.
(4)Elizabeth L.
The food was alright but the service was terrible. We ordered fries with the pizza and did not get them (despite reminding our waitress) until after we had finished our pizza. We had to request water for the table and then only got 2 for a group of four until we asked for more. Our waitress Alicia did not apologize for anything and was rude and hardly seen. Not worth the wait.
(2)Xuesong B.
Best pizza ever! I love the Chicago Classic deep dish the best! Also I recommend their BBQ chicken wings as well . I am so lucky to live quite near from it!
(5)Alima H.
Best deep dish pizza in Chicago, no question. Everything is over-sized and unapologetic. Pizza is sooo delicious and gooey. Be warned, it's a looong wait for a table and a looong wait for the pizza to come out, but such is the price to pay for the best heart attack-on-a-plate in this city. For the one time every two years I feel like deep dish pizza, I wouldn't even consider going anywhere else.
(5)Jonathan R.
My opinion is that Lou's is the best thin crust pizza in the city (but they lose on deep dish). This is a Chicago staple so you need to take out-of-towners here (esp. New Yorkers) and let them form their own conclusion. I personally think there are better places for sauce, toppings, cheese, crust, etc. if you want to focus on one aspect of pizza but like I said, Lou's is the best all around for thin crust.
(4)Tash K.
Limited toppings for pizza. Actually poor choice.
(1)John O.
Chicago tourist pizza. This pizza is flavorless in my opinion. I grew up in the city, and this pizza is horrible! Please don't base Chi-town pizza on this.
(1)Curtis B.
My self-proclaimed pizza aficionado colleague and I stopped in here and we were knocked out by this stunningly good pizza. Savory, tasty in every way. We both loved it and proclaim it to be not only among the very best deep dish pizzas we've enjoyed, but among the best overall pizza experiences. You will love this pie!
(5)Ryan V.
I usually eat on the healthy side, but I am always down to try the unhealthy stuff when I travel if the place has good reviews. This place did not disappoint. I had the "Lou", which is a veggie option with tons of cheese. I was very impressed with everything from the crust, to the sauce, to the cheese, to the toppings! Even the service when I picked up my food was great. Docked one star for the prices, but I guess you have to pay for quality.
(4)Karen C.
I came here with my family years ago and when my friend and I decided to come to Chicago recently I knew we had to come here! I generally am not a fan of chain restaurants but I will make an exception if it is one we don't have back east or if it really is that good (looking at you Capital Grille!) Lou Malnatis qualifies under both. Came around 12 on a Friday and got a table no problem. We shared a Malnati salad and their signature pizza with sausage and extra sauce. Oh and some Goose Island 312's. (its 5 oclock somewhere!) Salad was delicious - loved the dressing, it had a hint of sweetness that worked really well with everything. Pizza was as good as I remembered, there was not a crumb left on the plate. I love the sauce and the layers of cheese/sauce on top of the buttery crust. We went to Pequods later in the week and both thought Lou Malnatis was far better!
(5)James D.
This Lou Malnati's needs to think about its customer service. I get it that the marathon had them swamped, but telling us 15 minutes and waiting almost an hour to be seated, and then our server not coming to the table until 10 minutes after we're seated was not good. Lou's is always good eating, but decent service and thinking about your customers should be pretty important I would think.
(2)George V.
My first introduction to a real Chicago deep dish pizza was here at Lou Malnati's, and it was better than I expected. I've been a lover of thin crust pizza my entire life, but I'm beginning to question a lot of things after eating here. They make it real easy for newbies by offering the Malnati Chicago Classic where they throw some of their famous lean sausage, cheese and tomato sauce onto a beautiful Buttercrust that captivates hearts and minds. Count me in. We also added some spinach in there. It was gorgeous. The crust was probably my favorite part of the pizza, along with everything else. Loved using a knife and fork to eat the pizza, and made sure that I included a piece of the crust with each bite. The sausage was ridiculously good. It's not pieces of sausage, but rather a sausage patty that covers the entire pizza. So freakin delicious. We also tried Pizzeria Uno and Gino's East to complete the trifecta of most popular deep dish establishments while we were visiting Chicago, and Malnati's ended up being our favorite. So good that we came here twice for pizza, once on the day we arrived and again on our last day before heading back to California. We also stopped by in between to try their version of the pizookie which was incredible.
(5)Tiffany L.
On our Chicago visit, we knew we had to get some deep dish pizza. I'm really more of a thin crust girl myself but I had to try it at least! We opted for Lou Malnati's based on the positive reviews. The wait was a bit long for a group of ~6 people. We pre-ordered our pizza, so they could bring it to us more quickly after we sat down. Otherwise it takes 30 minutes. But I think we still waited a good amount of time after sitting down. We chose the Lou and the Chicago classic. My group is full of meat eaters. We're from Texas. But I think the majority of us actually liked the Lou better - no meat on this one. I thought the pizza could've used a little more sauce and a little less cheese, but not bad.
(4)Kaimana C.
I have been anticipating my first slice of Chicago Style "Deep Dish" Pizza for most of my adult life. While keeping a calm outer exterior, I was giddy like a 8 year old on Christmas morning, as I walked into the doors of Lou Malnati's Pizzeria on the famous State Street a bit south of downtown Chicago. I've always despised thin crust pizza because I can eat crackers at home, the whole point of a pizza is the voluptuous crust, well, in my opinion. I ordered a couple starters, the calamari and Caesar salad. They did not disappoint The batter on the calamari was light and crispy and seasoned perfectly which allowed the flavor of the squid to shine through. It was served with a chunky marinara-like sauce that had never seen the bottom of an aluminum can or the felt the quivers of a freezer. The Caesar salad included diced tomatoes and shavings as opposed to "shredded" parmesan cheese. The dressing was fresh, flavorful and sharp as a good Caesar dressing should be, I filled my mouth forkful after forkful to hide my child-like excitement for what was to come next. The waitress set a medium sized "butter-crust" deep dish pizza topped with homemade sausage, anchovies, black olives and onions. Yes, I said anchovies and I meant it! While my first reaction was a sliver of disappointment on how "runny" the sauce looked atop this masterpiece, this all dissipated as I took my first bite into my inaugural Chicago pizza. And for a moment I was speechless. I couldn't find the hyperbole to capture what I was feeling, tasting and soon devouring. Strings of mozzarella cheese were hanging from the corners of my mouth, sauce slightly dripping from my lips, and I wasn't ready to really stop. I took a few more bites and fell madly in love with, yes, pizza. While the toppings were fresh, bountiful and cooked perfectly, the star of the show was the crust. Every bite had layers of texture. A nice crisp buttery outside and then a wonderful soft yeasty middle. Mr. Malnati could have have put pickled pigs feet on that crust and I would've enjoyed it nonetheless. Thank you Chicago and Mr. Malnati for this surreal, out-of-body, culinary experience. I'm adding a star next to his bucket-list item of mine, a star because I will have to return and do it all over again.
(5)Jenni J.
We stopped here after a Blackhawks game. At 11 PM this place was hopping! The server was very friendly, and kept us updated on how our pizza was coming along. This was our best meal in Chicago, I'm sure we will be back.
(5)Stephanie K.
mmmmm the cheese. the sausage. the buttery crust. definitely lives up to the hype!
(4)Jing Z.
Great soup, i forget the name. Pizza is also good, but it may not be so exceptional as I expected. Others are good. A lot of customers are waiting
(3)Asuka N.
I'm extremely partial to NY-style thin-crust pizza, but given that Chicago deep dish is also very popular, we decided to make stopping at a famous local shop one of our first orders of business in Chicago. Arriving shortly before noon on a Friday at Lou Malnati's, the dining room was almost empty - but it quickly filled up as we were there, speaking to the popularity of the pizza. The servers were very nice, kindly apprising us that the pizzas here take around 30 minutes to cook...so if you are looking to grab 'n go, you're going to be disappointed...but if you are hungry, definitely get an appetizer while you wait. I will say that I was a fan of the Chicago classic, which I got in the 6" personal size. The crust is deeper, for sure, but it wasn't overly thick, which I appreciated - one of the things I don't like about thicker-crust pizzas is that they just take up a lot of real estate in the stomach, but the crust didn't come off as such, and I really like the buttercrust that was used. The combination of the sausage, tomatoes, and extra cheese (which I would definitely recommend, as it seems like the standard Chicago pizza here doesn't come with much cheese) really work well together to come together as a full meal. My fiancee was less impressed with her pizza, mainly because the regular crust isn't as good as the buttercrust, but also because there's a lot more tomato than cheese on the pizza, which ends up making it a bit soggy. We got the bruschetta while waiting; while the flavor was good overall, I did feel like the tomatoes overall are a bit on the watery side, which dilutes the flavor and freshness of the tomatoes overall. In short, Lou Malnati's is a nice introduction to deep-dish Chicago pizza. It's definitely a very solid choice if you're looking for standard deep dish pizza. I'd come back again if I was in town, although I'd also like to check out some other places (just to get a sense of how it compares).
(3)Julie T.
In search of the best pizza in Chicago, I didn't find it here. I had an individual slice and sat at the bar. It was good, but nothing distinct or memorable from the other pizza places I've eaten at in Chicago. I like Gino's East and Pizano's better.
(3)Eric K.
Lou's is a staple of Chicago and this locations doesn't disappoint. Food is amazing, service is good, and you always take home leftovers
(5)LeDub Z.
Dude. It was so good. We has the deep dish Lou (spinach/mushrooms/tomatoes/3 cheese) and it was definitely the best deep dish I've had in the city. I've lived in the Chicago-land area for 10+ years and for some reason never tried Lou Malnati's. I'm not really a fan of the "stuffed" pizza that's supposedly super Chicago-ey with the sauce on top (Giordano's and Gino's East come to mind). This deep dish was perfect; lots of good toppings - nothing was over or under done and I left a very happy camper. Will definitely come here again.
(5)Jeremy C.
Ok ok ok... so Lou's is the best of the Chicago pizza chains but why not 5-stars..??? I'll tell you why.. Possibly I'm just a hater but this location is just too new and fancy. I like my old school lou's joints. But.... I live so close to this Lou's it's absolutely dangerous... If you ever read an article that says Chicago is one of the fattest cities in chicago... It's thanks to Lou Malnatti's.. If you've eaten here... you know that is nothing to be ashamed of!!!
(4)Suzie K.
By far the best deep dish I have had. We had it well done. The crust we perfect extra crispy. Took the advice to try the Malnatis salad and it was definitely worth it. We even bought the dressing to take home.
(5)Sophie Y.
I was a bit underwhelmed by the pizza here, I guess I am spoiled and lucky to have good deep dish pizza in the Bay Area and had much higher expectations for deep dish in Chicago. We came here for lunch on a Thursday, got here right about when it opened and it was not crowded for the entire time that we were there. We ordered the "Lou" (spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes - no tomato sauce, just tomatoes!), the small was plenty for the two of us. The crust had a bit of cornmeal on the bottom and was pretty flaky, but the pizza was a bit on the cheesy side, maybe because of the lack of tomato sauce? Definitely decent pizza though, just didn't quite live up to my expectations.
(3)David A.
Excellent pizza. Excellent salad. The salad could be a meal by itself. If you get there and there is a wait never fear just pre-order your food and it will be ready when your table is too. Wonderful concept!!
(5)Angelica T.
On my first trip to Chicago it was a definite must to try the infamous deep dish pizza. I've had deep dish before in Mom and Pop shops in SD (which have been good), but I wanted the cream of the crop! Fried Calamari. Chicago Classic Deep Dish. Deep dish cook (aka Pizookie at BJ's). It was a winner. My carb filled stomach agreed with satisfaction and happily took all the cheesyness with no complaint (since I'm semi lactose intolerant). Topped that meal with a glass of Pinot Grigio. Service was on point as well. Forever spoiled by Lou Malnati's.
(5)Sejal P.
Brings me back to my childhood days, love their pizza! I agree with other reviews, coming from local Chicagoan for 25+ years Lou Malnati's is the best deep dish in Chicago. I would take Lou Malnati's over Gino's east or Giordano's .... Their pizza is not overloaded with cheese but just enough to enjoy the deep dish Chicago style - baked to perfection never burned or undercooked. I usually get spinach and mushrooms topping, and ask for garlic powder on the side. Service is excellent, however expect to wait 30-40 minutes. They allow pre-ordering so while you're waiting for a table your pizza is baking.
(5)Josh K.
So, I finally visited Chicago for the first time completely randomly. I was trying to go to Austin to visit a friend. But New York weather conspired to make me miss my connection from DC. Knowing that that would be the case we tried to rebook while still on the ground at LaGuardia. The service agent said that the way I could be in Austin at the earliest would be to overnight in Chicago and fly out in the morning. So we dialed up our friend in Chicago, got his OK to let us crash with him, and flew out to the bitter cold of Chicago, for which we had NOT dressed or packed for properly -- the weather in NYC had been great. Besides being able to see our friend, we decided to make the jaunt to Chicago worthwhile by getting some deep dish pizza. After wrestling with my data connection on the plane and on the subway, we finally decided that the best place to go to that was on the way to our friend's apartment in Hyde Park was the Lou Malnati's in the South Loop. Exiting into the biting, below-freezing cold from the subway we frantically Google Mapped to get our bearings (as quickly as possible to prevent our fingers from falling off) and finally found our way to State St, hauling our overnight bags. So picture the scene when our frozen asses stumble into Lou Malnati's -- obviously underdressed, cheeks flush with cold, and carrying baggage. The first thing the host says to us is "Man, you guys look cold." Luckily, as it's around 9:30pm by now, we are seated promptly in a booth. We decided to order up the medium-sized Malnati Chicago Classic so we'd have leftovers for our ass o' clock flight the next morning. And... when we bit into the pie almost 20-25 minutes later (they do take a long time to bake), the whole experience had been worth it. Gooey mozzarella cheese that stayed gooey long after most pizzas congeal. The delicious butter crust. And the Italian sausage, best I have had in a very long time. I started characterizing my bites as crust bites, cheese bites, herby sauce bites, and sausage bites -- the individual flavors were so well defined. Now, the sauce was a tad bit watery for my taste, but I think that is a trademark of traditional Chicago style pizza. It was A-OK since it was so flavorful. The gift kept on giving. After roughly 4 hours of sleep after some late night events with our Chicago-based friend, we got up to go back to the airport and grabbed the takeout box from the fridge. When we finally got back on the subway we opened it up -- still good. The crust, still respectably crispy. The cheese finally congealed but what do you expect? Lou Malnati's pizza. Good hot. Good cold. Good in the cold. You know, most people try to do normal tourist stuff if they've got a couple hours: see a museum, take some pictures of the skyline. We just went straight for the food while freezing our butts off... Are we crazy people? Probably. But if I'm wrong, I don't wanna be right.
(4)Dannica D.
Good food, absolutely awful service. This incident happened a while back. Prior to this, I really enjoyed the loop location of Lou Malnati's--the chocolate chip cookie dessert pizza was a favorite. However, after this incident, I have not (and will not) return. A friend and I went in for lunch one day. We went in at 1 PM. My boyfriend was going to be joining us, but gave me his order to place along with ours so that he'd get his food at the same time as we did. He wanted a small pizza. We placed the order (I was having garlic bread, and my other friend was having wings). The waitress told us it would be a 15-20 minute wait for the pizza, and asked if that was alright. Of course, it was. My boyfriend had an hour for lunch, if he arrived in about 15 minutes as was expected, he'd have more than enough time to eat. Well, he arrived 15 minutes after we ordered, but his food did not. The pizza took over an hour to get to the table. It arrived as he was getting up to leave. Not only did the pizza take that long to arrive, but the garlic bread and wings did as well. They were cold upon arrival, but the waitress wanted to bring everything out at the same time. The server was quite rude about this mishap, but not as rude as the manager--who was absolutely horrendous. The server explained that "she had warned us that there would be a wait" and "we shouldn't have ordered it if we were on a time frame." She then called the manager over, who very harshly and loudly explained that "the waitress said there would be a wait, the pizza only took 50 minutes to get to the table--not slightly over an hour, and that it was my boyfriend's fault that he didn't get his lunch because he ordered something that would take a long time to cook." Even though I did not ask for a comp, she told us that she would not be comping his meal because "I could take it home for him and he could eat it later." I'm a soft-spoken person and was polite as possible, but the way she spoke drew attention from other customers surrounding us. It was humiliating, and put a damper on our day. I understand there being a wait on certain items during lunchtime, but saying something will be 15-20 minutes and it taking over an hour is unacceptable. If it's going to be that long of a wait, just say it will be that long of a wait. The situation could have been handled much more gracefully on the managerial side. This is no longer a location that I recommend to friends and family. I have gone to another location once, and did not have an issue there.
(1)Steve H.
I lived in Elk Grove until 5th grade, so I have been eating Lou's for most of my life. Whenever we went to the Chi when I was a kid, we always had Lou's. When I was in grad school, my family mailed me the frozen pies. Long story short, Im a fan. I am in town at a conference and staying at the Hilton, so I picked up a deep dish cheese pie and took it back to the room. I opened the box and it looked perfect. With the sauce on top of the cheese, though, it is hard to tell. I always look at a take out pizza to make sure it isnt burned, has the toppings we ordered, etc. Maybe I need to up my inspection game. There was too much cheese, and it almost seemed like the pie was a but undercooked. The sauce was a bit runny. Really disappointing. The last time I was in Chicago, I stayed further north and so ended up getting Giordonno's. Same routine (take out to the hotel) and IT WAS THE BOMB. Im not saying this to try to persuade you to go to G's. Rather, just that I dont think my bad pie was a result of the walk back to the room. Im guessing this might be a location thing. Or maybe a take out problem. The next time Im in the Hilton, though, I will likely hike it up to G's. Bummer.
(2)Shana H.
This is another review I lost when I deleted my old page. Just the name of the place makes me feel like I am waiting to have a 'business' meeting with the South Loop Godfather about how to handle Vinny, ovaheahhh. :) ha! I really love this place. The pizza and pasta dishes are wonderful AND I can eat on a dish for at least two days. The atmosphere is more upscale than a traditional pizzeria but casual enough to not feel under dressed or too low on the sophistication scale.
(4)Emmy K.
Had my first Deep Dish experience here. I absolutely enjoyed it! Super cheesey in a good, chewey way. Buffalo Wings are tastey too. Summer Shandy (Desperado-alike) sweet beer is great. For joint deep dish experience, I'd come back here again.
(4)Rick B.
Honestly, just okay! Had a personal pan with sausage. It was a little watery, a little light on the sauce, and somewhat bland overall. But no wait and good service on a weekday at lunchtime.
(3)Vanessa F.
Solid deep dish pizza. If you're in Chicago you HAVE to try deep dish pizza. If you don't you haven't experienced everything this town has to offer. I had the Malnati Chicago classic. This really hit the spot. Buttery crust, bold sausage flavor and fresh tomatoes. Everything was great. Was it a mind blowing experience? No. But it was darn tasty!! The next time I'm back in Chi-town I'm getting myself a slice..there's not doubt about that. Great place. Great pizza. Friendly staff.
(4)Mario D.
Coming from New York, I had to decide for myself which city has the better pizza. First off - yes - Chicago deep dish is more like a casserole; I have a problem with pizza that can't be folded and requires a knife and fork but none the less, I ate it the best I could without utensils. Now on to the pizza casserole - it was awesome. I would put it on par with some of NYC's best shops. The sauce was wonderful and so were the toppings. There was an adequate cheese/sauce/meat ratio and the crust was crunchy without being rock hard.
(4)Jamie H.
My family (Dad & my Step Mom) & I celebrate my Dad's birthday on 4/18/14 @ the South Loop location and it was an amazing experience!! Even from the moment we walked into this packed restaurant & was told it would be an hour wait (which ordinarily would have made me walk right back out!) but we decided to stay and I'm so glad we did for I really wanted my family (especially my Dad for we're both die-hard fans of Chicago-style deep dish pizza!! Our favorite being Pizzeria Uno & Due but that has changed now!) to enjoy the Lou Malnati's experience!! While we waited, starvin' like Marvin, watching & smelling the awesome pizzas going past us, I thought I was going to faint from hunger then like manna from Heaven, the staff brought out a complimentary thin crust half cheese & half spinach pizza to keep our growling stomachs quiet; We were so grateful for their generosity! Then all of a sudden our table was ready: 45 minutes wait, not bad! That's because the waitstaff, managers, bussers, & hosts and hostesses were moving at lightening speed to clean off tables, reset them & get them filled with hungry customers! It was a pleasant sight to watch. As we sat down, the server already knew our order b/c when you first arrive, after giving the hostess your name & getting one of those buzzers flashing lights thingy that let's you know when your table is ready, you enter your pizza order to the cashier for it takes 30 minutes to make. We order the combo plate appetizer of mozzarella cheese sticks, breaded mushrooms, & cheese curds...which were all amaze-balls! Then the main event came to the table: a large Chicago Classic double sausage, mushrooms, & onions pizza! As we looked at the huge slice in front of us (I love how the servers cut the first slice for you!), we said our grace & dove right in...using a knife & fork of course! It was so good as I knew it would & my family loved it...they are now converted followers of Lou's just like I am for I haven't been back to Pizzeria Uno & Due since I tried my first slice of Lou's! But wait it gets better, after all this great food (we all had one slice only, that's all we could handle b/c they were so big!) the staff brought out their signature dessert which is a chocolate chip cookie baked into one of their small personal pizza size pan with French vanilla ice cream & whipped cream topping to wish my Dad a Happy Birthday!! It was a perfect ending to a perfect night!
(5)DAVID T.
A very busy pizza joint with average ambiance. The toppings were great but I am not a fan of the thin butter crust pizza crust. There are only 2 simple combo specials and everything else was extra. The cookie dessert was good and I liked the fact that they loaded it with lots of good ice cream. Update: After trying Lou Malnati's Pizzeria again I am now a fan of the thin butter pizza crust. You just have to go with the expectation that you are going to get a signature thin butter crust with a deep dish pizza. Delicious pizza place.
(5)Kim N.
Since neither of my friends have had their pizza, we walked over here as it was close to the hotel. We got a medium Malnati's classuc with sausage, extra cheese. Good stuff. This locale seems pretty new and clean. For some reason most of the people didnt show up until after 1pm and it was packed by the time we finished. I know the deep dish religions run deep and even though Malnati's isnt my fave, it's still a solid go to.
(4)Stephanie L.
Visiting Chicago for the first time, I hounded my date about pizza so graciously, he brought me here and we ordered the spinach salad, and the Chicago classic. Both were great--to no surprise, felt really fat and heavy after but foresight would not have stopped me. We ordered a small pizza to share and were so full. It was just really pleasant food and no fuss drinks.
(5)Rafid A.
This is my first Chicago style Pizza :) if you did not try one before, defiantly you need to try it before you die :P It is fully loaded with cheese and sauce and any thing else that you want to add. I like my pizza with extra cheese and fully loaded he he. That is one of the reason that I will try another Chicago Pizza before I leave Chicago. The waitress was super nice and helpful. DO NOT EAT IT LIKE NORMAL PIZZA ah ah.YOU need to cut it to small pieces with fork and knife. It is more convenient to eat this way ;) enjoy
(4)Ali H.
Delish! Great service and Chicago deep dish pizza! Definitely stop there if you're in Chicago
(4)Maria J.
Really good pizza. Wow!! Best deep dish that I have ever eaten. Mine was delivered piping hot. The crust was buttery. The ingredients were proportioned just right for every bite!!
(5)Audrey C.
I can't compare to the other pizzaria's, but as I was planning my trip to Chicago, I asked several friends for recommendations for a traditional Chicago style pizza joint. Several of them recommended Lou Malnati's, which is where I went. There was about a 30-45 min wait for a table for 2 on a Saturday night, but my girl friend and I just walked down the street to a bar to pass the time. A drink later, our table was ready. We ordered the Malnati Chicago Classic and the small was perfect for 2 to share. We had a delicious, filling meal that was relatively quick before we continued our evening exploring the town. This location was great as it was within walking distance from the Hilton Chicago, where we stayed.
(4)R E.
We enjoyed the "Chicago Classic" deep dish pizza. It was hearty and delicious. For dessert we ordered the Chocolate Chip Pizza Cookie and that was fantastic. Elizabeth was our server and she was outstanding. We got there on a Thursday night before 5 p.m. but still had about 1/2 hour wait. The place was packed.
(4)Krishna P.
I got the Lou, and it was pretty good. This was my second time at the place, and it did not dissapoint. The deep dish crust was good, and the sauce was good as well, but it could have used more sauce. I would definitely return, but I think I prefer Giordanos.
(3)Anthony C.
I love pizza ... and Lou's has some great deep dish! Had about a 10 minute wait when we arrived and they suggested we put in our order then as the butter crust deep dish took 45 minutes to make. So we did and by the time we sat down, we only had about a 20 minute more wait. It was worth the wait! We didn't eat anything else but the butter crust deep dish pizza with pepperoni and it was so good and deep. So much cheese and it was gone fast. It was more than enough too and wish I had it again before leaving the windy city. My favorite pizza is the Pizza Hut stuffed crust ... that crust is like pure cheesy heaven but this Lou's pizza with the butter crust is like having a whole pizza of that crust!! PER SLICE even. Favorite Dish: Deep dish butter crust with pepperoni. Go out and EAT!
(5)Rachel Y.
Before Lou Malnati's: Thin crust pizza rules! Deep dish is gross! So oily. But I guess we have to try deep dish while we are in Chicago. After Lou Malnati's: OMG now I know why Chicagoans love deep dish!! Got the Malnati Chicago Classic with buttercrust. Sooo crispy... I didn't know deep dish could be crispy! I've only had soggy deep dishes on the West Coast. 3 medium-sized girls shared a 9" small and it was just right. Good service. My coffee cup had lipstick stains on it and I didn't notice until I already took a sip, but I didn't even care because the pizza was so good. I was with a girl whose only other Chicago pizza experience was Giordano's and she prefers Lou's hands down. She wouldn't even recommend Giordano's. Glad we made the right choice for our first and only Chicago pizza :). My pizza ranking: #1 Thin crust #2 Lou Malnati's #3 Regular pizza Tourist tip: The Art Institute is only a short walk from this location!
(5)Dean P.
I have to start by saying that I have never been a fan of "Chicago Style Pizza". Being from the south side of Chicagoland, I have always been way more of a thin crust guy. I am also a pizza snob, so much that my friends and family will not bring up the topic of pizza in conversation when I am around :(. I currently live in Cincinnati, home of the worlds worst pizza. The only standards by which a Cincinnatian grades his (her) pizza experience is by price and how fast they can get it. So, having said all of that, I was traveling through Chicago last month, with a group from Cincinnati. They begged me to take them to an "authentic" Chicago style pizza place. I reluctantly agreed, but didn't know where to begin to find the best. I remembered Gino's and Uno's from many years ago (don't get me wrong, I like those places, but definitely NOT as much as, say a Dags thin crust). I called my brother and asked what he thought. Without hesitation, he recommended Lou Malnati's on State. So that is where we went. Atmosphere was good. Pizza took a while, which irritated a few of my Cincinnati travelers. Beer selection was nice and service was top notch, which kept most of our group occupied... and then the pizzas arrived. There were works of art. Really, they were beautiful. I was still a bit skeptical. These aren't pizzas, these are lasagnas or casseroles... My pie, which I was splitting with another traveler, was mushroom, sausage and green pepper. I would not allow any suggestions of foreign substances on my pizza, such as bacon, pineapple or sun dried tomato. I was convinced after bite one. The taste was as good as the presentation. This is one of the top five pizzas I have EVER eaten. I have craved Lou Malnatis ever since. Next time I am in Chicago, it will be my first stop! That is, after I pick up my appetizer on the way in. My Al's beef sandwich! Last thing. I saw a youtube video on Chicago pizza. I think it was John Stewart, or some other fool like him. The video rips on Chicago pizza. Calls it a casserole and not a pizza. Before Lous, I may have agreed with him. Not anymore. I am now on board with the whole deep dish idea! Hey John, try a Malnati's. I can't imagine anyone having anything bad to say about this pie!!! Dean P Greater Cincinnati area
(5)Theresa C.
yum!
(4)Dora M.
Yammy!!
(4)Irie b.
solid
(3)Morgan G.
This is beyond a doubt the best pizza I've ever experienced! My knowledge of pizza is a quick 10 minute turnaround, but I now understand why the 45 minutes is an absolute must to get the great flavor a that this place offers. Excellent dining!
(4)Ling K.
I was told to get the pepperoni pizza at Lou Malnati's by several of the locals. I did and it was tasty! I liked it so much I ate it again on my last day in Chicago. They delivered it to my hotel! The sauce wasn't too acidic, it wasn't greasy, the crust was nice and crispy on the edges.
(5)Leo H.
I've always heard of the greatness that is Lou Malnati's Pizza, but always remained skeptical because I have been deceived by false promises on other pizza places. I visited this South Loop location on a busy Sunday evening. My 2 friends and I order Mozzarella sticks and the Calamari as apps. Very basic, nothing great about them. We also order a Medium Pan "Chicago Classic" and it was really good. All the food came out in a timely manner. My only minor complaint would be that our server (Emily) never once checked on us between taking our order and at the end our meal when she asked if we were ready for the check. I had to ask the food runner for plates when the apps came out and one silverware since there was only two on the table and there was three of us seated.
(4)Jason L.
tried the chicago style deep dish. quite good, but the small wasn't quite enough food for me.
(4)Marc P.
The best deep dish pizza in Chicago. 1. Lous 2. Uno/Due 3. Pequods 4. Eduardos 5. Ginos Haven't tried Bacinos yet, but I hear that's good. Lou's is the best because there's an appropriate ratio of cheese to crust to sauce, the butter crust is far better than regular crust, and the ingredients are all fresh and delicious. It's also fairly consistent from restaurant to restaurant, although the one in the north burbs (evanston?) seems to be the best. Can't wait for the new one on rush to open!
(5)Brian V.
I should preface my review by stating that as much as I've tried and theoretically based on my general culinary tastes, should like, I can't get with the deep dish. I've tried it several times from several different places and though I have had one or two I enjoyed, 2 out of 12 isn't too hot. I've had Lou's carry-out as well had dined in the restaurant. No problems with the service on either. I first ordered a pepperoni and sausage deep dish, which I suppose had all the makings of a good pizza, lots of topping, crisp crust, not too much sauce. Somehow upon taste it didn't come together. With deep dish being 90% bread, appears as though I didn't like the bread too much. I did enjoy, the same offering with the butter crust, but honestly, how much of that can you eat, I for one, felt my chest constricting after only the third bite. I've also tried one of their thin crusts, margarita style. While it was considerably better than any of the deep dishes, it didn't impress me enough to want to consistently pay the difference of ordering from a smaller local or corporate place.
(2)Ian M.
This was my first time at this particular location. I was in the area because a friend had recently finished the Chicago Marathon (Yay Jenny!) and it was a great choice that a party of 10+ would enjoy. Lou's in my Top 2 of Chicago deep dish pizza restaurants so I knew I'd be pleasantly satisfied with what I was eating. Every other table had a runner from the marathon, so the buzz that day was extremely positive given the recent accomplishments. The servers fed off of it which made the experience more enjoyable. Even one of the managers had completed the race and he was back to work, as publicly announced by his staff. Now that's commitment.
(4)Agnes A.
What's the sitch? Our delivery order took about 2 hours. We probably have to dine-in to get the full experience but both the sausage and pepperoni deep dish weren't memorable. Out of the two, I liked the sausage pizza better. The house salad was great; it's enough to serve four people.
(2)Holden W.
Came here because a friend of mine recommend "Illuminati Pizza." Holy crap. Portions are huge. Pizza was amazing and I knew that once I tried their salad. I'm from Los Angeles, a city where hippies, vegans, and people of other poor life decisions reside. I don't know pizza too well, and normally shy away from deep dish because I'm too familiar with thin crusts. The wait for the pizza was a grueling 45 minutes, but I will say it's worth it. You can order the house salad and eat it while you wait because holy Chinese reindeer, the dressing for the salad is amazing. It might as well be the main dish because it's so damn good. But the main event was the sausage pizza. It was nothing short of breathtaking. So much cheese it makes you thirsty for more cheese... and the buttery crust... flaky, rich, crispy, with just enough salt on the crust... I'll be booking my flight to Chicago next month and I know where I'm gonna go for pizza.
(5)Erin O.
Listen, I'm an at-heart New Yorker who deeply loves her thin crust pizza more than most things in this world. But this does not mean that I can't appreciate good pizza in general. And Lou Malnati's makes good pizza. I trekked by myself to their South Loop location based on the Yelp reviews, ordered a Malnati Chicago Classic, personal size, and a small house salad with red wine vinaigrette. As far as salads go, this one was the same iceberg lettuce salad you will find at any diner, or Denny's, or wherever you go that serves a cheap salad. It was fine - not offensive, but nothing special. As deep dish tends to do, it took quite a while to come out. Honestly, the service was pretty slow overall, but I wasn't in a hurry so it didn't matter. You may make note of this though if you ARE in a hurry. As a fan of greasy pizza, I found the slight oil buildup from the cheese and the butter crust a welcome side effect of baking. I understand there are people who tend to dab the grease off the top of their pizzas with a napkin, and if you fit this description maybe real pizza isn't for you in general, but know that if you order what I ordered there will be grease and it will be plentiful. The ingredients were simple and tasty, and the ratio of cheese to sausage to sauce was perfect - the right amount of each in every bite. Great way to wrap up my Chicago trip and if I'm in the area and craving deep dish again I am sure I will be back.
(4)John L.
In town for business and I had Giordano's the night before. I wasn't in the mood for anymore deep dish pizza but my coworkers wanted to eat here so I obliged. Yea, I'm a nice guy. The place was packed and there is a 45 min wait so they let us put in the order first. We were seated in about 30 min and we got buffalo wings and the house salad with red wine vinaigrette. The medium Classico deep dish pizza came within 15 min. Food - so the buffalo (buffa-Lou) wings were spectacular. I've eaten quite a few wings in my life but these may be some of the best I've had. Only complaint on the wings is that there were a few that were puny. The salad was plain and there were barely any vinaigrette that I could taste. The pizza was outstanding! Wow, blew me away. Much much better than Giordano's. Giordano's salad was better though. The crust was flaky and the amount of marinara and cheese was much more proportionate for my taste. The sausage on the Classico was the biggest factor. Great flavoring and the each flavor balanced real well. Price - for 3 people, family salad, drinks, wings, and a medium pizza, $50. Giordano's cost me $33 for a small pizza with an individual salad just only me the night before. If you can try both, I'd recommend you try both for yourself but if you only want one, Lou is far better.
(4)Gary O.
Hands down the best pizza ever. That butter crust is enough said. I was visiting Chicago for two nights. Went to Lou's twice and brought a pie home with me too!
(5)Abe M.
They say that the reason Chicago Deep dish is soo good is because of the water used from lake Michigan. Now, i don't know the truth of that statement, but I do know one thing-- Lou makes a damn good pizza pie. I am a bigger fan of deep dish than NY style, so I may be biased, but I think Lou's was home to one of the best slices I have had in a loooong time. The tomatoes were nice and acidic while the cheese was soft and stringy. Oh and dat butter crust doe.... A small pizza will readily fill 2 people up. Oh I almost forgot-- Get the Malnati's salad!!! Sooo good! The homemade sweet italian dressing was perfect! Not too sweet, but mild enough to bring out the natural flavors of the salad. Service was friendly and the place had plenty of TVs. What more can be said that hasnt been said already? If you are a tourist like me, Come to Malnati's!
(5)Luis M.
This is the best deep dish pizza ever. The buttery crust is surprisingly light and crispy on the bottom. Great balance of cheese, meat, and sauce. The fresh tomatoes on the pizza cut the richness of the pizza too. It takes about 30 minutes to make. So order an appetizer and a beer and take in downtown Chicago.
(5)Joseph W.
Lou's is good-to-the-core Chicago style pizza. No doubt. Enjoyed every inch (or pound!) of the pie that was served, although it took a few days to finish the whole thing! I was not a fan of the deep fried cheddar cheese tho... Just too much, well, cheddar cheese. But, hey -- that's the point for those interested in that appy, right? :) Next time, I'll stick with he mozzarella deep fried bites, thank you.
(4)Nicole B.
Had "the lou" and as a former New Yorker and hyper-critic of deep dish this place exceeded my expectations. I expected soggy thick crust but what I got was a crispy crunch on the bottom, met with a thick spongy crust, and topped with the perfect ratio of sauce, cheesy goodness and fresh spinach, mushrooms and thick slabs of tomato. So damn good.
(4)Krista H.
You gotta love Lou's! Don't skip the butter crust, it's a must. You can't go wrong with classic Chicago style pizza.
(4)Dawn T.
Our first of two pizza meals in Chicago was at Lou Malnati's. Lou's was number one on my list to try and I hate to say that I was disappointed. We came in for an early Saturday lunch (a little past 11am) so there was no wait-- hooray!. Our server was awesome. She was super friendly and attentive throughout the meal. Spinach salad: The housemade balsamic vinaigrette and goat cheese make this salad oh so good. The Malnati Chicago Classic: - Cheese is stringy, melty goodness! - Sauce is too watery - Buttercrust actually wasn't that buttery to me. It's super hard, not crispy - My biggest gripe is how bland everything is! From the sausage to the sauce to the crust. Even the parmesan cheese on the table wasn't salty! Overall, I'd say Lou's is okay but it definitely wouldn't make me a fan of Chicago deep dish.
(3)Lia E.
Being from the nyc area we are used to certain type of pizza! At first I was warned it chicago style was a pile of sauce and no cheese. There's nothing worse than your pizza not being cheesy! We were recommended by a friend to try this place. So we took a chance and ordered a pepperoni cheese deep dish. It was deliscious! Lots of cheese not touch sauce the crust was just right! This place is a must try! P.s. be patient bc it takes about 30min to cook these bad boys!
(5)Stanley C.
Out of all the deep dish pizza places I have had in Chicago and California (where I live) Lou Malnati's is my favorite by far!!!!! Reasons why this is the best: 1. The butter crust gives a deliciously flakey and flavorful addition to the pizza. When you get down to the crust at the end, you just want to eat it instead of throwing it away and regarding it as extra carbs. 2. The sausage was evenly disbursed around the pizza and came in sausage patties instead of normal balls at normal pizza places. This made for a full bite of delicious sausage flavor. 3. The tomato sauce and cheese were balanced just right. At other deep dish places I have been to, there is too much tomato sauce, and I am not a huge fan of tomato sauce (it's too tangy). The ratio between the two were perfect, neither overpowering the other and complementing the pie as a whole. I definitely recommend eating here! I can't wait to go back to Chicago and feast at this restaurant again!
(5)Olivia S.
Whoa Lou Malnati's, you really surprised me! This was a lot better than expected. I never really liked deep dish based on previous experiences but this was different in a good way. This crust on their pizzas is really buttery & crunchy on the outside yet soft & not crazily breaded at the bottom. The sausage in the Malnati Classic is juicy & has a slight kick in terms of spicy. It's nicely complimented by the thick tomato sauce. And the crunch of the buttercrust does a good balance for your taste buds. If you're planning on sharing a salad, get the regular size. It's enough to feed about 4 people. Plus you save money! Try to beat the dinner rush. It does get really busy. And try to order your food before you get seated to save some time. Salads are ordered at the table though.
(4)Diana T.
My cousins and I came here Saturday night hoping to get dinner but by the time we got there around 7:00pm it was packed!! It was a 1.5 hour wait so we decided to get it the next day for lunch right when it opened! We got there at 11:05am and there were already people dining!! They set up a table for 6 and we were seated right away. Since the pizzas take usually 35-45 minutes to bake, we decided to order an appetizer for everyone to share. We got the Combination Platter ($8.95), and it was enough to get started. This platter comes with fried zucchini, fried sharp cheddar block cheese, fried mushrooms, and fried mozzarella sticks. Everything was delicious especially the fried zucchini. The cheese was very interesting but it worked! The mozzarella sticks could have been a little bit more melted and the mushrooms were a little watery. But overall, good dish to share amongst everyone. Our pizza then came out!! I was so excited! We got half pepperoni and have of "The Lou" which consisted of fresh spinach, mushrooms and sliced tomatoes covered with a blend of mozzarella, roman and cheddar cheese on garlic buttercrust. This LARGE pizza was $28.45. We ordered the deep dish pan pizza. This thing was huge that they serve it for you. So if you are a foodie and like taking pictures, be on the look out for your pizza because they serve it for you. I thought the pepperoni pizza was delicious but I wasn't to fond of "The Lou". The spinach tasted a little bitter to me and it seemed kind of bland. Maybe next time, I shall stick to just pepperoni and sausage. Good experience though! My first deep dish pizza and I was somewhat satisfied. Great service though! When we left around 12:45pm, there was a line out the door so my suggestion is to come right when it opens for lunch time because there are no reservations! NOTE: -Bathroom available (no toilet seat covers) -no reservations can be made -kids menu available
(3)Jason M.
I'm really neutral about Chicago-style deep dish. It's not that good y'all. But, if friends are in town and I need to show 'em the works, I'll probably take them here. Tip #1: the best pizza on the menu doesn't have meat. It's called the "Lou" -- and you can always add meat. Tip #2: get the Calamari. It comes with the best cocktail-salsa out there. My complaints about Lou's comes down to consistency. I went to a Lou's out in the 'burbs, and the Calamari was terrible. Another time I ordered the "Lou" and it was really watery. But even so, I'd choose Lou's over Gino's East and Giordanos 'cause I like the crust and Calamari.
(3)Frank K.
Visiting from Florida we had heard so much about pizza in Chicago, so we visited Lou Malnati's. We had to wait 30 minutes to get in as there were a lot of peeps in town for the grateful dead concert. It was a very nice touch to give us the pagers in advance as well a menu and told us to go ahead and place our order for pizza while we waited. They would put the pizzas in and cook them halfway and when our pager was called, they would put the pizza back in and cook the final few minutes. However when we got in and finally got a pizza it seemed that the crust was overcooked slightly. I ordered the sausage deep dish with several extras. The sausage was very good large pieces and the pizza all together was pretty good, however it did not live up to my expectation. The service was not good as our server was not very attentive to our drinks as we ran out of water and refillable pops and she never noticed. She brought our checks but never came back so that we could pay her, so we walked up to the counter and paid. Overall, I was not impressed with the pizza it was good but not memorable, nor the service.
(2)Andrew J.
Amazing.. Im from California and I dropped by here at 9:30pm after eating sushi 2 hours prior to this. How could I not eat a deep dish pizza after all I am in Chicago! I got the Lou's Classic with garlic and crumbled sausage because I asked the waiter to make it the way he would eat it and he told me this was his favorite way of eating it. The pizza was one of the best pizzas I have ever tried and it was my first deep dish. Whenever im in the Chi im coming back to Lou Malnati's, man the pizza is just straight up bomb and the atmosphere is laid back and just my type of place. They have some local Chicago beers as well and it really hit the spot!
(5)Nikkie N.
Great beer selection & good pizza. When in Chicago, a deep dish is a must. The crust was buttery and the tomato sauce was flavorful. We opted for one of the more popular deep dish but I wish we added additional toppings! The one thing I must say, eat it while it's hot! When the pizza cool downs the cheese gets thick! Wasn't a fan of that. Definitely a must try if you're a pizza lover!
(3)Anna B.
Deep dish pizza in all its glory- perfectly saucy and cheesy. Malnati's salad is definitely worth starting on-- full of olives, cheese, tomatoes, salami, lettuce, and all sorts of other greatness. Topped with Lou's sweet vinaigrette. Easy to fill up on salad with one that good! A size medium pizza has 6 huge slices-- after eating the amount of salad I did, one slice was plenty. Cookie pizza to share for the table was a nice was to settle the sweet. Lou's is a fun place to hit up when I'm in the Windy City. Just a block walk from the Hilton Chicago made it a no brainer after a long day at a work conference.
(4)Austin Y.
As a native New Jerseyan, I am generally not a fan of deep dish, but on a gloomy, freezing day in December when you're not sure whether to say it's snowing or slushing outside, Lou Malnati's really hits the spot. Deep dish is one of those things I crave once or twice a year, and this time it was excellent - I ate a hefty four and a half slices. Someday I will be used to eating pizza with a knife and fork. The buttercrust is still great, and the vegetarian "The Lou" is still my favorite. Waits on a Saturday night were long as expected, but we ordered in advance of being seated. I'm sure I'll be back.
(4)Patrick F.
Still looking for that "best" pizza place. Lou's is one of my old favorites. During long wait times they allow you to place your order so that when you are get seated, your pizza arrives shortly after. We waited for about 20 minutes to be sat then roughly another 20 minutes for our pizza. Total duration of 40 minutes, which is actually fast for the deep dish. I like to break the pizza down by its primary components when reviewing. The sauce is savory with a subtle sweetness, overall it is well balanced and taste great. The toppings were delicious. Pepperoni was crispy but not overcooked. The mushrooms, onions, and olives were fresh and added a nice sweet and salty balance to the pizza. Finally the crust. The crust to me is buttery and not ridiculously thick. The crust to me is the biggest difference between Lou's and Gino's. Both are good in their own right but for me Lou's just has a little more something. Overall good food, good service, and consistency is why I continue to come back. I would definitely recommend Lou's for your deep dish pizza cravings.
(4)Mohan K.
This place is frustrating. It's got a lot of hype, but my pizza and experience didn't live up to it. I got the malnati's special, waited a half hour as advertised, and then got a pie that was basically all cheese. The sauce had whole tomato chunks, which was nice, but had very little flavor. The crust too was basically flavorless, even though they advertise it as "buttercrust." I didn't notice any flavor of butter or anything else. Not even a little salt. The whole thing was underseasoned and only tasted of cheese. The service is weird too. The waitress took my order, and because the pizza takes a half hour to come, I didn't see anyone for another half hour. No check-up on water or anything. then when my pizza came, she cut a slice and disappeared until it was time for the bill. The worst part though is that they screwed me with their menu. I saved this for last bc I had already written the food details into Yelp before my bill came. Basically, they inexplicably name their pizza sizes different for deep dish and other crusts. The other crusts have S M L and XL sizes. The deep dish pizzas have personal, S, M, and L. You guessed it ... Personal on one is Small on the other. So when I ordered my pizza after looking at the whole menu, I asked for the "small personal" malnati's special ( a deep dish) not realizing there were conflicting size labels. And again, you guessed it, I got a small deep dish instead of the Personal, and was charged $15 instead of $9. So ridiculous. Completely screwed up my per diem. I told the waitress and she didn't care. It apparently never occurred to her to ask me if I really meant to order a 2 person pizza for myself, or to properly parse "small personal" pizza. Never going back to a place with lackluster pizza and nonsensical food labeling. They got two meals of money out of me so it's probably no difference to them anyway.
(2)Janki P.
First time in Chicago & first time trying deep dish pizza, was not disappointed! There was a 20-30 minute wait and the hostess advised I should order my pizza will I wait since it takes 30-45mins for the pizza to be made. I selected the Lou's, which is their special. Spinach, mushrooms and sliced roma tomatoes covered with blend of mozzarella, romano and cheddar cheese on garlic Buttercrust. I was super happy that their special was vegetarian friendly (this rarely happens). Sure enough I was seated after 30mins and my pizza came out by 40 minutes. The portion was perfect and the pizza was delicious. I found it to be light (for a deep dish) and savory! I have already recommended Lou's to my friends who are traveling to Chicago.
(5)Joyce Y.
I was introduced to #loumalnatis in the winter and had to wait outside (a long line despite the cold Chicago weather), but the wait was worth it. I tried real classic Chicago deep dish for the first time and I enjoyed a few slices. The mozzarella is gooey perfection, and the pizza is very rich, balanced by tangy tomatoes and finished off with a flaky crust. The crust is delicious but is a tad crunchy.
(3)Rhianon P.
When in Chicago...you have to eat deep dish, right? So we did, and we regret nothing. :) Service was fast, food was tasty, and there are plenty of leftovers for breakfast. I think my veggie pizza was a bit short on veg, and all of our items needed salt added, but I really appreciated that part: you can add salt, but damned if you can take it out!
(3)Chris E.
Visited Chicago for the 1st time ever and based on a local's recommendation, I put Lou Malnati's on my "to go eat" places ... and boy was I happy with that decision! Right after I landed, my first stop was Lou Malnati's for lunch and what a great way to start my vacation. I got here on a Saturday at about 1pm, apparently just before the heart of lunchtime here because a huge line formed after I was finished at 2:30pm. I was well aware that there were many locations for Lou Malnati's, but as for this location it was quite a big restaurant, well-decorated and very clean. We got seated right away when we arrived and was greeted by a very friendly waiter. Since it was our first time here, we asked him for deep dish pizza recommendations and also the portion sizes. He told us the most popular toppings were sausage and pepperoni and that the small could probably feed 2 people, while the medium would be pushing it. Ultimately, we ordered the medium deep dish pizza with half sausage and half pepperoni (not realizing what we had gotten ourselves into). He also informed us that the wait for the pizza would be about 30 minutes, which is standard for deep dish pizzas. When the pizza finally arrived, it was an (Angel's singing) moment. Cheese was oozing on the top of it and it absolutely smelled out of this world! The waiter scooped one piece for me and one piece for my friend to start us off. The pizza was some of the best I've ever had! I'm a New Yorker and love NY style pizza, but it now has some serious competition! The cheese on the deep dish pizza was so thick and bubbly, smothered in a sea of red tangy marinara sauce. The toppings were plentiful and the breading on the pizza was crunchy. I'm usually not a fan of the breading and crust on NY style pizza, but I devoured the entire deep dish slices with no issue. The breading was so moist with flavor, yet crispy, kind of like a piece of garlic bread. It really held together well, considering all the cheese, sauce and toppings on it. The only regret we had was ordering a medium pizza because as we were completing our 2nd slices, it became obvious that a small could feed 2 people (considering how thick the pizza is). Basically a small pizza is 4 slices, while a medium is 6. In addition, we had ordered a combination platter appetizer so we wet our appetites a little too much. My recommendation is, if there's just 2 people at the table, don't order an appetizer if you plan on ordering a medium pizza, else do order an appetizer if you're ordering just a small pizza. Either way, it will hit the spot!
(4)Chad R.
Hands down, best deep dish pizza in Chicago! My wife and I frequent the city and this is a must stop while in town. Their salad and dressing is great and the pizza cannot be beat in the city. Don't bother yourself with the "other" pizza places, this is the one to eat at!
(5)Angela H.
Lou, you will forever always have a place in my heart. I went with some coworkers for dinner here and ordered the Classic sausage pizza. Please note, it takes about 30 minutes for the pizza to come out. So if you are really hungry, order a side or appetizer to snack on, otherwise, get ready to chat up your group or play some games to kill the time. This was my first time having a Chicago deep dish pizza. I have to say, it wasn't exactly what I expected, but it was still good. The pizza looks (and is probably heavy), but it didn't taste heavy. Their sauce tastes pretty fresh and even with a layer of sausage across the top of the pizza, I didn't feel like it was oozing too much grease and fat. I just expected deep dish pizza to be a lot thicker and with more cheese, but this was a good first dip into deep dish pizza! It was about $30 (including tax and tip) for a medium pizza that fed all of us and had 2 slices leftover.
(4)Zubia S.
After reading many reviews about Giordano's and Lou Malnati's, I chose Lou's. First time in Chicago so I had to try a deep dish pizza! We had "The Lou" and it was very tasty, maybe a bit too tomatoey for my liking but still fantastic. I can't compare it to Giordano's because I've never been but maybe next time! Pizzas here take around 30-45 min so you might as well order a house salad while waiting which are pretty decently sized to my surprise. Service is great. I recommend it!
(4)Craig D.
Lou Malnati's is known for their Chicago style deep dish pizza. The location on State Street seems to have a constant line out the door waiting to be seated, but I haven't had to wait longer than 15-20 minutes to be seated. They have a few bottled and canned local beer options which pair well with pizza. The service staff was pleasant, and the meal was reasonably priced (except for the beer, which was expensive at $5.75/can). The Classic Chicago deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's will satisfy most people in just one or two slices. It's good food, but it feels like it may have been parbaked and then finished in the 30 minutes it took for the pizza to come out. The crust, especially, was too hard/crunchy for my tastes. If you're looking for a deep dish pizza at a reasonable price with a relatively short wait, give Lou Malnati's a try.
(3)Travis T.
Lou Malnati's, Gino's East, Giordano's, Pizzeria Uno - I don't which serves the best deep dish, but I try a different restaurant chain each time I come to Chicago. Personally I think they are all great. I ordered the sausage deep dish and a glass of merlot here at Lou's. It was delicious and the service was great. The crust was nice and flaky. Deep Dish doesn't get any better than having it in Chicago. Fun atmosphere at this location.
(4)Venkat R.
Damn yummy pizza! The personal size serves two , we still had so much left over. We got the margarita pizza
(5)Mimi N.
We came after visiting the Willis Tower (oh lawd, please just get the fast pass because we didn't and spend hours waiting in a depressing line). So it was about 9-10pm and we were hungry! We were so excited to try this place. We got two personal pan pizzas (a good size to try out different toppings) but you might still be hungry afterwards unless you're a small child. We just got the Lou and pepperoni. Very fresh and tasted authentic. And pizza in Italy is very moist and fresh to the point where there's no added salt.. Which can leave it to be slightly bland. Instead of sauce it tasted like tomato purée on the to of the pizza. As the cheese and tomatoes are switched in this style of deep dish. Don't expect a thick crust even though it's deep dish. All in all it was a nice experience but we were looking for something a lil more salty and thick.
(3)Charlie O.
Great. Chicago Pizza at its best....sure you can find comparable, but this is hands down great pizza.
(5)Suzy R.
My friend found what looked like a pubic hair in her pizza as she took a bite. We ordered buffalo wings they were not good. The pizza did not look appealing. This is our first time in Chicago and several people recommended this place when we asked locals for places to eat pizza. I also tried Giordano's which was also recommended and I would recommend Giordano's over this place!!!
(1)Jeannie T.
After looking through all the reviews for the best deep dish pizza in Chicago, I decided to go with this place. Placed an order for a individual size Lou Malnati's special and the tiramisu cake and had it delivered. Delivery was fairly fast (considering that we were staying at the Congress Plaza hotel). The buttery crust on the pizza was delish and the tiramisu, although presentation-wise was not all-that, was good too! Note: Eat it while it's hot! I'm glad I chose this place to pop my Chicago deep-dish cherry. ;) Oh! and I passed this place one evening and it was packed, so consider that when dining in! :)
(4)Tay H.
The experience did not start out well. The entrance was packed with people as I expected at dinner time. But they had no clear organization. Immediately on front of the door are two lines and after waiting in one of them I found out neither was correct. I was actually supposed to be in a third hidden line around the corner to check in them wait in the other line to put in a pre order. However after the initial horrid wait, the food and service was good. I love me some butter crust! Next time I'll just order delivery to avoid actually having to enter this place...
(3)Jamie Y.
My first deep dish pizza experience and it was amazing! It was the perfect amount of cheese and sauce. Not overwhelmingly tomato which I was worried about.
(5)Yonelay M.
We ordered chicken Lou , chicken meant deep dish pizza and thin crust poultry sausage pizza made w mixed chicken and turkey. Pasta is pretty good. You can order your pizza while waiting for seats to save time. It is around 3 pm, so wait is about 10 mins. Even so we have to wait kind of 30 mins for pizza after seating. Other tables that come in later than us got pizza ahead of us and when we talked to waitress ,we got lied to our face that they phoned in to order. Most of ppl are crowds who just come in after walking around millenium/ Brandt park. So 2* for service. I prefer the thin crust poultry sausage one over deep dish one.
(3)Rod U.
If you've never had it, you don't understand. Keeping it real, the "crap" that gets passed off as Chicago deep dish pizza at your local college town "pizzaria" or worse, the membership warehouse store starting with "C" and ending with "ostco" is, well, "crap". The crust, crisp on the bottom, chewy and bready on the inside tasting of yeast with the back flavor of rich butter. The crust is NOT oily or flaky. Atop, a layer of lean, sweet, course ground sausage that exudes pork flavor complimented by a layer of acidic, ripe, canned tomatoes and a good layer of natural cheese for good measure. No grease oozing on the plate when the slice is served from oil stabilized, processed cheese or the sausage. Tight and flavorful. Toppings are generous but not overdone. It's about balance. And that's just the "Malnati Chicago Classic". Very friendly, Midwest service. Decent selection of beer including some Chicago regional craft brews. Notes: 1. Follow the suggested serving sizes. These are weighty slices. 2. 30+ minute cooking time. 3. They ship anywhere in the US including Hawaii. Frozen pies bake up almost as well as in store IF using one of their pans and IF using a convection oven. Oh who am I kidding, there's nothing like having it made and baked fresh in the restaurant. In the lyrical stylin of Marvin Gaye; "Ain't nothing like the real thing..."
(4)Mike M.
Place is bomb. There was a 30 min wait when we got here, but these holy angels let us drink beers while we waited and we got to place our order while waiting. Didn't even get to finish my soda and the table was ready (10 mins). Food was exceptional, the bruschetta was FRESH and the pepperoni deep dish gave me a new perspective on life.
(5)Ernie T.
I was in town for a business trip alone a few months ago when it was brutally cold, and I was staying at Palmer House. I hate going out to sit-down places when I'm alone, so I ended up ordering delivery online from Lou's based on a recommendation from the concierge. I've been to Chicago a few times before, and Giordano's is my only reference point for Chicago pizza, so I decided to go with something different. I'm really glad that I gave them a try! I got a Personal Pan size sausage & mushroom with the butter crust (amazingly only $10.95), and an order of BBQ wings ($8.95). I'm pretty critical about anything bbq since I make a lot of my own, but these were good. The butter crust was really good, and I was surprised because it wasn't "bready" at all like many other pizza crusts. It was a pan pizza, but thin and crispy and very tasty. The only negative comments I have about the pizza is that it really lacked seasoning, in my opinion, and the center of the pizza was a little soggy. I expected it to have a lot more flavor than it did. Kudos for allowing paper plates/napkins/utensils kits to be ordered on the online ordering page! I hate ordering delivery at a hotel and not having any utensils available. With tax, delivery charge, and tip, the bill was about $30. It was worth a little extra to not have to walk all the way down there in the cold after work. I will definitely try Lou's again (but maybe ask for extra seasoning or something).
(4)John W.
Really good pie. I don't know why I have never been here. It holds up to the hype. Whatever you get, order a Matilda. It's strong(7%), but a great local take on a Belgian beer.
(4)I D.
When you think of Chicago you think of baseball and pizza. I'm from Texas and had high standards for what I expected the pizza to be....let me tell you I was not disappointed! Pizza was delicious. Service was good. And the prices are just right! Parking sucks but that's not a deal breaker! Check them out
(5)Padma A.
ordered pizza for dinner on Thursday night(10/23/14) and my husband had a coupon for free entree which we used. The person who took our order said we can get bruschetta but we asked if we can get something else instead. He checked with his boss and said yes, we ordered the assorted platter which was huge.Dont miss out this deal!
(5)Brooke B.
Come here for the amazing pizza, don't expect good service. It almost seemed like they wanted to give less than par service to increase turnover since the wait time is so long for a table. (We were out of beers and waters and never offered refills). But real Chicago pizza is here and it was amazing. Buttercrust pizza is the way to go!! I recommend ordering your pizza ahead of time while you wait on a table, because it still took a while once we were seated even though we preordered. Worth the wait - best pizza in Chicago.
(4)Tiff L.
This would be my first time trying the infamous "Deep Dish Pizza" and it was like eating four pizzas in one slice except there was barely any dough - I would describe it like a cheese and tomato sauce lasagna. It was certainly nice to try this Chicago delicacy - but I can't see myself eating this on a regular. It's great when you want something greasy and trust me, a small is big enough for two people to share! Our server was very knowledgeable about the pizza's history and was extremely helpful in giving us tips on getting around the city! We had absolutely no complaints about the service here! After stuffing our faces and on our way out the restaurant, I see that they sell pre-packaged pizza that you can just make at home. My gut is telling me that I will most likely fail as a chef, so until next time I come back to this beautiful city will I get to eat delicious deep dish pizza!
(4)Jason J.
I come to this place every time I visit Chicago. Their pizza is absolutely amazing and the service is impeccable!!! Note: If you decide to visit on a Friday or Saturday night, there will be a VERY LONG wait. The servers are very pleasant, the atmosphere is very upbeat, and it's not too expensive for a Chicago style pizza. I ordered the Deep Dish Sausage and Pepperoni pizza. The crust is very crisp and buttery, just the way I like it. I will continue to visit Lou Malnatti's whenever I happen to visit Chicago!! It's definitely worth it! Oh, how I wish that they would sell their pizza's nationwide in grocery stores!!!! (*hint, hint*)
(5)Sherrie S.
Tourists in Chicago; we had to try the deep-dish pizza, of course. Lou Malnati's was both highly recommended and close to our hotel(there are several locations). We got a small Chicago special- sausage and extra cheese; perfect for 2 people. Delicious with a crispy crust, very cheesy. We got it to go, and it was ready in 25 minutes (earlier than promised). They included everything we needed- plates, forks & knives, napkins and extra Parmesan cheese. Cost was about $16. I'll go again when in Chicago!
(5)Kristy L.
Pretty good. Must get deep dish with meat only and butter crust. Gotta try it if you are visiting Chicago.
(3)Sennett L.
Of course, visiting Chicago, we HAD to get deep dish pizza. We came here on a Sunday night and there was some confusion at first regarding there being a wait or not on the phone. We ended up waiting about 50 minutes for a party of 11 but we had already ordered our pizzas so that helped a little. But everyone was super hungry and getting cranky. When we finally got sat, we got 2 large house salads which came out quickly. Nothing too special but the sweet vinagrette was pretty good. Finally, 2 large deep dish pizzas with cheese and sausage (signature i think?), and 1 large deep dish with spinach. Not sure of the actual names as my friend did the ordering. Both pizzas were really good. The crust was really good as well. The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because it didn't blow me away. The reason it didn't blow me away is because I've had deep dish pizza at Masa of Echo Park (in Los Angeles) and it was just as good, if not better. I'm not sure whether to be disappointed that it wasn't way better than Masa, or if I should be extremely happy that I have an awesome deep dish pizza place 15 minutes from where I live. Anyways, it was still really good. 4 stars, maybe trending down towards 3.5 stars. Service wasn't bad, but it could have been better.
(4)Linet O.
We were on a recent trip to Chicago, we kept getting recommendations to try out Lou Malnati's from locals - as they have the "best deep dish pizza" in the city. After walking out of our way to try this place I cannot express how disappointed I was with our experience. We started out with hot wings, which were alright. I ordered their cheese deep dish (personal size) and added black olives and mushrooms to the order. Once the food was brought out it looked so dry and unappealing, I didn't make a big of it and just started eating. I took half a bite and found what looked to be a pubic hair on top of the pizza! GROSS! I quickly told the waitresses and they just comped the whole meal (by whole meal I mean the 5 chicken wings we had for our appetizer and the 3 sips off my iced tea). I am thankful they were understanding and nice about the situation, but finding hair, scratch that PUBIC HAIR on your food is unacceptable. I am still traumatized from the experience. ew.
(2)Bojan P.
I never thought I would like deep dish pizza (In Canada Deep Dish usually just means a really really thick crust and lots of toppings put on top of it). There were 3 of us, we ordered 2 medium sizes pizza, and 2 beers each, the cost was 100$ with tax and top. The two pizza's were too much for us eat, so we all took 1 large slice home. The first pizza was perfect (The Classic deep dish), I do not remember when I had pizza with such a good cheese. Cutting each slice left the cheese stretch from one to the other, just as in the commercials. The second pizza the Lou, was very delicious but a bit soggy. I would recommend the Classic for anyone going and the portion sizes are correct, a medium pizza is really enough for 3 people.
(5)Andréa W.
I'm here in Chicago visiting family and my cousin said I had to eat here while I was in town. I had the Malnati Chicago Classic and saying it is amazing is an understatement! It was the best crust I have ever had and I would not change a single thing about it. Everything about it was perfect. Service was fast too which added to an already wonderful dining experience.
(5)Maurice E.
Always been a favorite place to order from but the last three times I've been hung up on while ordering (comped a dessert), pizza not ready when getting there at correct time, and just overall not good service. I'm here now 10-15 plus minutes after I was told to be here. I understand you're in a popular downtown area so tourist come first. I wonder if it's because I always order a pizza that's not on the menu anymore which is good but is it worth this type of treatment. Lou three strikes and you're out and my money stays in my pocket as well as referring people to you. It's been real it's been fun but not real fun lately!!
(1)Patricia M.
Flying solo into Chicago for the Grateful Dead's last performance minus Jerry I decided to try the famous deep dish pizza in the Windy City (which yes was windy indeed) on my way to the air flight back home. The lunchtime wait was 45 min but they'll get you a small pizza to go in 5! Friggin' unbelievable I dreamed live with each bite why can't they make pizza like this in Los Angeles?
(5)Darlene L.
Great ingredients makes this place an excellent choice for pizza. It's deep dish style made for an interesting meal with layer upon layer of ingredients. Very delish.
(4)Michelle L.
We had heard this is one of the best pizza places in the country--and they were right! We ordered a thin crust, a deep dish, and bruschetta, and we were not disappointed. Adding to the great taste was that they delivered, timely, to our hotel. The price was very affordable and the portions generous!
(5)Jeff L.
I traveled to Chicago for the MS Ignite conference. While here, I wanted to have a great Chicago style pizza. I had one at Giordano's. The Pizza at Lou's is disappointing. The crust is overcooked, the cheese isn't very flavorful and there's so much grease! I don't understand why this place is so highly rated. The two young ladies at the front desk weren't very friendly, but not rude either. No smiles, no greetings... At Giordano's, they were happy and outgoibg, which made for a nice experience. Lou's had all the excitement of fast food with pizza that is only slightly better than Pizza Hut.
(2)Liza P.
We were passing through Chicago and decided to taste some deep dish goodness. And we were not disappointed! We ordered a large classic while waiting for our table... the hostess suggested we order now as the pizzas take at least 30 mins to cook. After driving for 8 hours, it was a great place to relax: calm atmosphere and super friendly staff so the wait wasn't tedious. Once the pizza arrived and got my first bite, I almost fell off my seat on how awesome the pizza was! We were so surprised how light the crust was and how it was not so greasy. It almost made me switch pizza teams (from the NY thin crust)! Definitely would go back to Lou's next time I'm in the neighbourhood.
(5)Justine A.
I actually tried this for the first time at Taste of Chicago and it was wonderful. I had the sausage and cheese. I already miss it and wish I had more than one slice when I was in Chicago. I also tried Giordanos and it was quite salty and didn't really do anything for me. I also tried Pequod and it was gross. Lou Malnatis is amazing. I can't wait to have more when I come back to Chicago.
(5)Kim B.
We were in Chicago, we needed some of the famous deep dish pizza. Chris tried bringing us to some weird place with only takeout. Instant veto. I found Lou's and made it our mission to get there. We were seated within a few minutes, and had a great corner table in the back, so we could be rowdy. We ordered one deep dish, but Chris thought he would be too full so he got a normal thin crust. We are in Chicago, you have to go big or go home! I got a little nervous. i saw the table next to ours get their DD and was intimidated. It's a lot of cheese and a lot of sauce. I'm a simple eater. Less is more. I was worried I wouldn't like it. I had dragged this hard to please group all the way around Chicago, and what if I never even liked the food!? They would STH. We took a vote, everyone except Patch was convinced I wouldn't like it. We got the dip appetizer, which was fantastic. I highly reccomend it and I want to steal the idea for an appetizer. The pizza bites were fabulous! After a few more Chicago crafts, I saw our waitress coming over (a DD takes over 30 min to make... it's part of the "experience"). My heart started to flutter, nervous but excited. I have anticipated trying DD since the last time I came to Chicago. To everyone's surprise, I liked it! I did take off about a pound of the cheese to make it more eatable, but I liked it! The crust was phenomenal. I even had seconds. Patch wanted seconds but I accidentally dropped the pizza on him (eek !) . Lou's was the perfect place for me to try my first DD. I will always remember this experience.
(5)Saif A.
Wanted to treat my brother and his friends to some authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Lou didn't disappoint. Best pizza I've ever had in my life! I'd recommend the Lou over the Classic though :D
(5)Dave G.
A long time Chicagoan friend of mine guided us here one night for a taste of real deep dish pizza. While I fall on the New York style pizza side of the argument, I've had a couple of delicious meals at Lou Malnati's. You will have to think of your food as sort of pizza-like casserole, but all of it is freshly made and satisfying. The beer is cold. The food is hot and delicious.
(3)Thomas F.
Best freaking pizza I have ever eaten!! I walked two blocks in the rain and I'd do it again in a tornado just to get this tasty pie. The wait was long but it was definitely worth every bite. I have dreams of this pizza sleeping with my wife and I catch them making love and my wife looks at me and winks then I join in and have an amazing foodgazim.
(5)Tia T.
I visited here August of 2014 for my first visit/ flight. I remember walking in the door to line of people. I ordering to go. The wait is 30-50min long and a small pizza was well over $15. Everyone recommended the deep dish pizza from the location. I was slightly disappointed because it was verrrry greasy and tasted average.
(2)Sarah G.
Let me preface this review and say, I think I am more a Giordano's girl... They say you are either one or the other when it comes to deep dish here in Chicago, and I just moved here and tried Giordanos and then tried Lou Malnati's and the crust just wasn't up to par at Lou Manaltis and it wasn't as stuffed and packed with cheese and meat like Giordanos either. If I am going to eat deep dish pizza and take in all of those calories, then I want to take in as many as I possibly can! Now, had I not ever had Giordanos, this place is still pretty good. We were able to get seated right away coming at 6pm on a weekday, but by the time we left, the usual long long long line and wait was here. So beware of that fact about this location in particular. It is a big restaurant, but obviously the demand is higher than the space they have, and it always takes a little while for the pizzas to cook since they are deep dish style. We didn't get any other food here at all other than pizza, so I can't speak to anything else, and the service also was fine, but really just not as exciting of a deep dish experience for me. But if you are in the area, a decent option.
(3)Masumi T.
I tried the Lou deep dish with spinach, shrooms, and tomatoes with the butter crust. It took 30+ minutes for it to come but it was very cheesy, filling and tasty. I'm not a crust person but I enjoyed it. We felt abandoned by our server but I think she was overwhelmed. I was talked into getting the small but don't get duped. Stick with the personal size. It's extremely filling!
(4)Taylor M.
pizza was great!
(4)Erika K.
When visiting Chicago, you have to get deep dish pizza. When you live in Chicago, and have friends/family come visit, you're forced out to get that deep dish pizza... make the experience everything you'd like and more at Lou's. If you're going to eat that many carbs/calories, make it count with Lou's. You really won't regret it (as much!) The service is great, the atmosphere is what you make of it (dress it up, or walk off the street in your jeans and t-shirt), and enjoy your Chicago-style deep dish. Much better than any other alternative in the city - and that's coming from a "local!"
(4)Ann C.
We ordered the Malnati special and spaghetti. Well, to be honest with you, we've experienced better. The pizza was ehhh *shrugging shoulders*. The dough tasted like plain bread and the sausage tasted like it was sitting in boiling water for a while, sliced, then put on the pizza to cook. It seemed like it was missing something. Perhaps, orange zest in the dough or fennel in the sausage... I don't know. This place seems very sentimental to those that recommend it.
(2)Mike C.
Best Pizza I ever ate!! I'm from out of town. Guy at the hotel front desk said hands down this place had the best pizza in Chicago. Don't know if that's true but best I ever had.
(5)James M.
Horrible horrible service from NICOLE. The server neglected us completely. Took her a while to get the wine we ordered. And then she left us and only returned to drop off the bill. Never received water. Won't be back to this location. The hostess and girls we ordered our pizza with up at the front (as we were encouraged to do so bc of the wait) were much friendlier then the server. I would have loved to have been able to tip those ladies. Won't be back.
(1)Christine O.
Get the pizza with the butter crust, it is great!! You can definitely eat three pieces, just do it. You will be sad if you don't.
(4)Nanditha G.
Ok, so I'm not a deep dish fan in any way. I like tasting my toppings and prefer less bread. Having said that, I can't not have deep dish when I'm in Chicago. So, I tried it out without any prejudice. We came on a Saturday night and man it was busy. A table for two took 45 minutes to get, and we got the personal pizzas (the Lou and Malnati). They were tiny but took 30 minutes to come to us. In the mean time, we got some garlic bread but it wasn't garlicky enough. Mind you, I'm from the Bay and being near Gilroy I know my garlic! The bread on the pizza was good and buttery, as described. Maybe I had super expectations for deep dish pizza or something, but it was average.. I still prefer my thin crust NY and Napoletan style pizza.
(3)Dorim L.
I had their house salad with ranch dressing and was surprised by the portion. It was huge for a side salad. And I had their traditional deep dish with sausage and cheese. I knew it'd taste good - I mean, pizza is pizza but the tomato sauce had a nice savory taste with a bit of sourness that awakens your taste buds. And I thought it was supposed to be think but the dough wasn't too much. I really enjoyed it and plan on going again before I leave Chicago.
(5)Greg J.
Very lively authentic Chicago deep-dish pizzeria in the west loop area. When we arrived around 8pm on a Sunday there was a crowd outside waiting to be seated. They offer a pre-order option at the front counter so when your table is ready your food is delivered (I think?) which we did not realize until after we were seated. Our server seemed very rushed - she had at least 4 large party tables at once - and forgot half our drinks once we ordered. I believe this is because she tried to bring two tables large orders at the same time. The salad was delicious and bottomless and once rolling it was a great experience. The pizza took a while to arrive (45 minutes) as expected and was tasty although rather lukewarm in temperature.
(4)Jenn T.
Honestly, not that great. It's fine. The crust was definitely the best part. The sauce was a little boring in my opinion. The whole pizza seemed kind of just seemed generic.
(3)Kathy H.
Little bit if a wait around 5pm on Sunday-20 to 30 mins. When we got seated started off with caprese. Was too bad tomato slices were huge about 1/2 sz larger than mozzarella. Was drizzled with thick vinegar sauce that tasted weirdly sweet. Wish they just used basic balsamic vinegar and good quality olive oil. Followed with a personal sized "Lou" and small Malnati's classic. Pretty good. Even though it's deep dish crust wasn't super thick. Good balance of toppings and crust. They have a small selection of beer and wine to have too.
(4)Allie S.
Being a first time visitor to Chicago having an authentic deep dish pizza was a must. The hotel i was staying at not only suggested Lou Malnati's but they gave me a coupon for a free dessert. Pizza and dessert...of course I had to check it out! I ordered a cheese deep dish pizza and told them to go easy on the sauce. Not only did they accommodate my request, but I had excellent service considering this is a popular place for both locals and tourists. For my first authentic deep dish pizza I have to say this was an amazing pizza. Then my pizookie dessert made things even better! Delicious pizza and yummy dessert, wish I could go back again!
(5)Ivonne S.
My friend has raved about Lou Malnati's pizza for the longest and we finally had the chance to go so I could try it. Let me tell you I was not disappointed, the workers are polite, they help you, guide you and assist you as soon as you walk in. We waited about 40 minutes to be seated but we ordered our food as soon as we put down a name for a table like others have said you're waiting for a table and your food at the same time! The staff was kind enough to pass around ice cold water drinks for those waiting and even provide chairs to wait in. The pizza itself is what dreams are made of, the cheese was the star! And I finally understood why my friend had been obsessed with Lou's all along, I used to think that another deep dish restaurant dynasty was my favorite but Lou's has made me a believer! Try this place, you will thank me for it!
(5)Sade J.
Giordano's Who? Lol Yummy deep dish pizza, if you don't want Chicago's fav pizza, I'd definitely say try Lou's. This pizza is THE BOMB! Juicy, flavorful, and fresh! Plus the price is right. Cheaper than Giordanos but just as tasty!
(4)Alex F.
I'm from California, visited Chi-town on business trip back in April '14, and this was one our must stop places, heard about this place "Food Paradise" We were seated, huge bulb traced "MANGA!" hung on the brick wall. We ordered 2 small deep dish cheese and veggie and maaan!! was that pizza delish, crispy outer crust and soft, moist almost creamy inner crust, savory marinara, thick and stretchy cheese. The best pizza I've had til this day. Its so much food, we had to take the rest back to hotel. Anyone visiting, definitely try out Lou's, you will not be disappointed. I'm actually going back this April, will check in, see you soon Lou Malnati's
(5)ingrid s.
The best pizza I have EVER had!!! you must try :) The service was a little slow because the place was so packed, we waited 40 min fir the pizza but it was totally worth it. The y have a nice selection of locally brewed beers, really good ones. I will definitely be back here when in Chicago
(4)Danielle O.
Ok, I am visiting from out of town so take my comments as a visitor. Huge event this weekend and they were packed! We decided to order to go. A large Chicago deep dish and salad. Pizza was messy by the time we walked 2 blocks back to our hotel and the box started to rip from the juices coming out of it. Tasts great but very messy. Had to use a fork cause you can't fold a deep dish. Got the manatie salad and it was so yum! Lots of flavor tons of toppings on it and fantastic dressing. All in all it was a good dinner!
(4)Scott G.
Originally from NY, I admit my pizza bias off the bat. Unfortunately the pizza wasn't the only disapointment I experienced visiting good ole Lou's in Chicago. The service was awful, in fact the waitress gave my girlfriend a dirty look because she ordered a Shirley Temple. Additionally, the wait was tremendously long and after eating a Lou's special which tasted like a Pizza on a pie crust, we had to wait about a half hour for the check because the waitress didn't like us. I say this with all sincerity-- go somewhere else in Chicago. This is a horrible representation of Pizza and I have to assume there is much better in Chicago. Next time it will be Pequods for me.
(2)Mark V.
This is on the top 5 best pizza places I've ever been to. Talk about amazing pizza! I went with their sausage deep dish, extra cheese, mushrooms, light tomato, and gooey. The flavor was great. The crust texture was just the way I like it. The service was friendly. The wait can be long, though. We came in on a Friday evening. But what you do is pre-order your pizza so it's made around the time you are seated. It worked out great. Worth the wait. Matter of fact, I came back two days later for another pie.
(5)Jin K.
The great debate was settled here, I think? I haven't tried Giodano's but this place lived up to the hype!! My friend who is a Chicago native said this is his favorite. I personally like traditional pizza but I figured when in Rome? We had the classic, man the sauce, sausage were tasty! I also liked the buttery crust! Also had the Malnati's house salad, the regular was plenty big. Dressing was a bit sweet but good. Overall, I will come back again, it really was awesome! You do have to wait awhile but you can grab a beer while you wait. They also let you pre order, so the pizza will be ready by the time they seat you! They have figured it all out!
(5)Sara L.
Oh Lou's you always draw me in but my waistline ain't liking it. Lou's is probably one of the best deep dishes in Chicago! Their giant saugsage patty on their pizza and that buttercrust can make any vegan go to the darkside. The sauce isn't watery nor is it too acidic....just about right. One or two slices will put you right into food and carb coma. Oh yes, it is that good. As for this location, it is a small spot that is normally pretty busy. If there is a wait, you can always preorder your pizza so it is almost done when you get seated. The service here can be a bit on the bad side sometimes.Went here earlier this week and our waiter made an effort not to make eye contact with anybody and kept hiding. Not the best service, but hey the pizza is great!
(4)Haitham B.
Lou Malnati's pizza, thank you. I am from San Diego and after eating Giordano's the previous day on my trip to Chicago, I was ready to write off Chicago style pizza altogether. I thought that it was ridiculous to compare New York style pizza to Chicago because Giordano's was disgusting! However, we decided to give another place a shot. Now, after having Lou Malnati's, I now believe Chicago style pizza is the better pizza. We had "the Lou" which was absolutely fantastic in every way. I just ordered 6 pizzas to be shipped to me in San Diego. Keep up the good work!
(5)Jody M.
Pizza had a good taste, but we were very disappointed. How can this place be #1 in Chicago???? Giordanos is better for sure!
(2)Jonnathan J.
Let me start this review with: "wow"... I've eaten in both, Giordano's and Malnati's, and let me tell you that there is no competition. Malnati's is by far better than Giordano's, the quality of the ingredients is the best... The taste, the attention, the ambient, everything. If you want to try the real authentic Chicago's deep dish pizza you have to eat Malnati's, trust me you won't regret it. The prices are average, we were 4, ordered a large deep dish Lou's and 4 beverages and we spend $50 - $55 (with tip). While you are waiting you can try the samples they offer. Tip: while you are waiting you can also order in advance because the pizza takes like 30min.
(5)Paul J.
When you're in Chicago, you have to check out deep dish pizza! Malnati's did not disappoint. Tasty pizza and so cheesy. We would normally order a medium or large pizza for the two of us and maybe walk away with a few pieces to take with us. You only need a small pizza for two people here. It is that filling...and that good! Server was attentive and our pizza came in the promised 30 minutes.
(5)Charona W.
What really motivates me to give them 4 stars is the quality for the price. Good food! Not saying it's the BEST Chicago - style pizza I've had (actually the winner of that award would hail from outside of Chicago) but it was good. We got the spinach salad (goat cheese and strawberries, yum!) and the classic with spinach mix added. The spinach mix was a great addition, but I think the amount of cheese on that pizza is excessive. Our server was really friendly. The beer selection isn't awesome (especially if you're at all into local or craft brews). They recommended that we order the pizza while we waited to be sat, since it takes awhile to bake. That was a great call, I'd recommend it. Definitely hectic inside the door right by the ordering counter and hostess station.
(4)Katleiah R.
My sister and I were first time Chicago visitors for the weekend and of course, we could not leave without trying deep dish pizza. After finishing some touristy ventures at the Wilis Tower, we were close to the south loop location. When we got there it seemed pretty busy, but luckily for 2 on a Sunday night it was only about a 25 minute wait. Tips: - They don't take reservations so if you're with a bigger group I'd say try and hit this place not during a rush hour - You pre-order pizzas at the front before you're seated (It saves about 15 minutes of wait time at the table). You can also order drinks here while you wait, but do so at the same time that you pre-order the pizza. They just put it on the tab of your table which is pretty cool! Appetizers, salads, ect. are ordered at the table. - Pizza's come in personal, small, medium, and large sizes. We got an appetizer and a small and we were stuffed! (For 2 people , a small was a about 2 large pieces - so we ended up taking home the extra two and eating them for breakfast...not the healthiest but whatever haha) We got some hard ciders while we sat and waited. They had a couple of stools, which was nice since we had been standing in line at the Wilis for what seemed like forever (not to mention my sister was breaking in her new heeled boots... ). The quoted wait time was pretty accurate and when we finally got to our table our server promptly arrived and took our appetizer order. We decided to get the calamari on top of our pre-ordered small Malnati's Sausage Classic. It was pretty busy so it took a little bit for our app and pizza to come out, which is why they stress pre-ordering I guess. All in all, the calamari was surprisingly delicious (I mean, I never hold high expectations of seafood at a pizza place...but I was pleasantly surprised). The Pizza was pretty good, but not amazing. The crust was pretty unique - followed all the hype about crispy, buttery crust, but the flavor of the pizza itself wasn't that unique. I mean, you know what they always say about pizza - when it's good it's good, and when it's bad...it's still pretty good. I mean it wasn't bad, but it wasn't bad but.. you get what I'm saying...it was pizza. All in all , it was pretty good. It wasn't so amazing that I wouldn't be willing to try another place over it though. I'll probably update this review once I am more knowledgable on how one truly rates a good Chicago deep dish pizza. TL;DR// I Second all other reviews about buttery, crispy crust. All in all, the flavors didn't amaze me and I'm still interested in trying other deep dish pizza spots in Chicago.
(3)K L.
I ordered the bruschetta and that was lacking in flavor and taste. The tomato wasn't entirely ripe and the parmesan cheese didn't add much to the overall dish. The minestrone soup was a little bit better but a little bit salty even for my taste. The star of the show is definitely with the pizza, so I would avoid ordering anything else but that. Maybe I'm just not a big Chicago pizza fan but I've had better pizza at mom-and-pop places. Overall, it is worth trying at least once.
(4)Lor A.
just how I like my pizza's... DEEP. Lou's I want you in and around my mouth.
(5)Michael B.
My favorite deep dish The Lou Special. It is veggie with 4 cheeses. It has a buttery crust. This perfection takes 30 minutes from the time of ordering. To pass the time, we enjoyed a tasty spinach salad dressed lightly with sweet and savory balsamic dressing. We added chicken that was diced and still warm. Then came the stuffed spinach cheese bread. Cheesy goodness with a rich tomato based pizza sauce for dipping. We enjoyed the 'bread' - really a euphemism for a buttery, crisp crust to contain the cheesy goodness. The best surprise was that since the kitchen was a bit backed up, our wonder of ooey, chewy, cheese wonder was free. Nice service! The pizza came out sizzling hot. A sprinkle of red pepper flake and Parmesan made the perfect enhancement to the spinach, mushroom, tomato, and garlic deep dish delight. We left wonderfully full. Looking forward to our next visit - all for $32 plus tip. What's not to love about Malnati's
(4)Jareli C.
I came to this place twice in my trip here to Chicago and tried two different deep dish pizzas and they were both so dammmmm good!!! I tried the Malnati special and the Lou and I wasn't disappointed. It's a long wait for a deep dish pizZa so give yourself about 35-40 minutes! But it's all worth it
(5)Carlos M.
Great pizza... Not so great with the service. Waiter told my son that he looked like a deer with headlights. Will not be going back to this particular one again!
(2)Ryan F.
I got a personal take-out. it was solid. Didn't blow my mind or anything but really good. They had a long line (on a Monday) so be prepared to wait a bit. Their ordering system works well.
(4)Mike H.
Went for the deepdish. Good pizza, the sauce needed a little more flavor though. Pizza was cooked perfect. We got the spinich stuffed garlic bread and it was very good. The staff was very friendly and the place was very clean.
(3)Amy R.
I expected it to be pretty busy on a Friday night and with everything going on this weekend. This place was jammed packed. We waited about 50 minutes for a table. Our server was great. For this place being an absolute mad house he did a great job. I should have stuck with the pizza even though I am not a big fan of the deep dish dough fest and was too impatient to wait for one or a thin crust. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich. Ick. One of the most boring and flavorless sandwiches I have ever eaten. Really bland as were the fries. Others ordered pizza, spaghetti and another pasta dish. It was fine for what it was. Just a note to self to avoid the chicken sandwich.
(3)Katie B.
This is my absolute favorite Chicago deep dish! I think their crust is the best! And it's delicious for delivery too!
(5)Jenn H.
Lou's is one of my all-time favorite deep dish pizza spots. I always get the deep dish with butter crust, and I either get pepperoni or the Lou's for toppings. The huge sausage patties aren't really my thing, and I wish they had a different option for those that want to split the sausage patties with something else (it makes it impossible to do a 1/2 and 1/2). Definitely a crowd pleaser if you have friends visiting in town as they're sure to love Lou's pizza! Not really a place to go for ambiance, but I will say the Gold Coast location is pretty nice compared to the other locations. Also, the think crust is pretty good, too, and I always love getting the three cheese garlic bread as a starter.
(5)Jennifer C.
One of the best pizzas I've ever had. It was incredibly packed here even though it was an "off hour". We ordered takeout and it was ready to go 30 minutes later. The pricing is a bit higher than I would have liked but one slice was more than filling. The cheese was thick and the crust was surprisingly good. The waitress taking our order was attentive and efficient. 4 stars because I didn't love the Wisconsin cheese used but I haven't got any other complaints!
(4)Brittany G.
Love this pizza! Best in Chicago I've had. First tried it at the taste of Chicago and my husband and I have been in love with it ever since. I highly recommend the sausage but just come with an appetite because it's filling!
(5)Steven V.
Pizzas here take 30 min+ to cook so be aware of that before you order! I was at my hotel and ordered a small sausage pizza and then ate it right at the restaurant. This is solid, delicious pizza. The crust is buttery and nice and firm, and holds the perfectly oozing mozzarella and savory sausage. The tomato sauce was good and overall the pizza wasn't too salty or too rich. The flavors were perfectly balanced. I recommend giving a little time for the pizza to cool though, I ate it as soon as it came out in less than five minutes and probably burned my tongue. Does not disappoint for a first Chi-town deep dish experience!
(4)Diana Z.
First time to Lou Manalti but my second time eating deep dish pizza in Chicago. We ordered the small classic pizza with extra mushrooms. A small size was still a lot of food for two people. I have to agree with other reviews about the crust. It's nice and buttery with a crunch too it. For appetizer, we ordered the Lou Manalti salad. It was a great choice because the salad was packed with flavours. The bacon bits was a great addition because it gives the over-dressed salad a nice crunch. Otherwise everything would have tasted the same. I don't mind deep dish pizza but I feel like all pizza should be thin crust like the ones you find in Italy. That's just my personal preference and it's the only reason I gave it a three-star
(3)Mike P.
A Chicago staple to take your out-of-town guests to for deep-dish. Go to the OG spot in Lincolnwood if you can.
(3)Jennifer D.
Our first time having deep dish pizza and we were not disappointed. The cheese was so good! The sausage was a sweet sausage that I enjoyed very much. My husband would have preferred a spicy sausage, but this one was perfect, I thought. Also started with a salad-the one with salami- and it was fantastic. Loved the sweet vinaigrette that dressed the salad. This place didn't seem touristy and was just a few blocks from Michigan Ave.
(4)Mike G.
The Chicago classic is great. One side salad is enough for two to share. One must get their singnature sausage on a pie. The sauce is well balanced between the tomatoes and spices. Not too sweet either.
(5)David B.
My experience just okay. I will start off with the food. We started off with the Calamari appetizer. It was really good. Not too salty or greasy. Also came with a good portion. I would order it again. After that we got the small size Lou pizza. It was very cheesy and kind of tasted healthy due to the minimal grease and tomato's and spinach. Not bad. After that, we saw an amazing looking desert and ordered the cookie sundae. It as amazing. I feel next time I would order the bigger portion since we got the one that was single serving. All in all, I liked the food. Now for the service, We came around 5:45 before the dinner rush arrived but spent an hour and half there. Our server Robert kept forgetting about us. I can understand if he had many tables to attend to, but the first hour we were only 1 of his 2 tables. I also realize that the pizza does take time to cook, however I was very observant of how fast his other tables were getting food. He forgot about our waters which remained empty for 10-15 minutes. Also note that their glasses are pretty large so he should have noticed this prior to both cups becoming completely empty. It still was not busy yet because he had plenty of time to socialize in front of us with his coworkers. 45 minutes into the sitting our pizza finally came. Shortly after that, the table next to us whom arrived 30 minutes after us got their pizza as well. We just ordered 1 small pizza. Once the pizza was finished we still gave him another chance and tried to order drinks and desert so we asked for a couple menus. He forgot to give us the drink menu or ask about it later on, so the next time we saw him we just pointed at the tables desert next to us and told him we wanted that. After that, he went and refilled another tables drinks and socialized for a good few minutes and afterwards made eye contact with me and flagged down a fellow co-worker to put in our order. I will stop at that because the experience makes me angry because of the fact I can tell he has much experience working at the restaurant. He knew the menu very well and gave good descriptions, but lacked in the ability to simply give us attention. We were not a cheap table either. We ordered a appetizer, pizza, and desert. In conclusion, the food was decent but the service was terrible. Make sure you get someone other than Robert unless you don't drink much or plan to stay for a couple hours. I normally feel hurtful for using names of the employees in reviews, but I feel it should be said.
(3)Tena C.
The famous deep dish pizza place. We each got the personal size pizza and I ended up eating the whole thing. My eyes are always bigger than my stomach. We also got an appetizer of garlic bread so that didn't help with the overeating either. I would not say this was the best pizza I've ever had, but it was good and you have to say you tried it right?
(4)Johnnie A.
I would put 0 stars I have been to more then four locations this is the worst experience I had I communicated with the hostess that I will have 14 people at my party she continued to tell me that if I had looked at the menu and order the wait would not be as long started arrived at 1:36 starting order in around 2 o'clock food did not get to the table and tell four I asked to speak to the manager about why the food was taken so long the hostess came and said she was the manager and proceeded to tell my mom that I told her I had 20 people in my party damn when I asked her why she say that she said she sent the wrong amount worst customer service ever I waited over 2 1/2 hours for four pizzas I don't think I would ever eat at illuminati's again just from this experience alone!!!!!!! Never again Was contacted by the company but still nothing was done to solve the issue!! This is sad
(1)Karl M.
Place was freezing, we asked several times to be moved or for air to be tuned down. Requests denied! The pizza was served cold even. To top it all off we only had one napkin to share and and the appetizer came after the pizza was finished. Too bad, I'll never come back.
(1)LeeAnne Q.
OMG I cannot believe I have never reviewed this establishment! First of all I have been going to LouMalnati's before I moved to Chicago 3 years ago. Everytime I would visit the city I would make sure to stop here before I left. Now that I live here AND they deliver to my house I get this pizza at least once a month! I have tried other deep dish pizza's and am never satisfied so I don't even try any other establishment's deep dish anymore. Other than Beggar's (just being honest)..I will not even eat anyone else's deep dish. The sauce is perfect and the buttercrust will have you eating an entire small deep dish pizza before you know it. It is deelish and worth EVERY SINGLE CALORIE!!!!!!!
(5)Veronica B.
I can't believe so many people love this place! Really annoyed that this was my first chicago pizza experience. Maybe I got unlucky and came on a bad day but the only good things I can say about this place are it's cheap and my waitress was nice. My main issue is the pizza itself. I got a personal cheese deep dish pizza and it was so bland and disappointing, I actually got bored while I was eating. It tasted of nothing, the cheese was stringy rather than oozey, it was barely luke warm. In England we have a frozen pizza brand called Chicago Town and it tastes about 5 times better than the pizza I had here. Also the atmosphere - it just feels like a cheap chain restaurant where people take their kids for cheap bland food. I went alone and was seated in the middle of the restaurant which was kind of awkward. If this is one of the best places in Chicago to get Chicago style pizza then standards must be pretty low.
(1)Evan D.
Place was swamped on this Saturday night, but the wait wasn't too bad and they suggested we pre order our pizza at the counter so it would be ready soon after we were seated. We got the original pie and the family size Malnati salad, both were delicious. Our server Robert was awesome. Text message system for reservations was super. Great experience.
(4)Tiger E.
Loved it! Definitely get the butter crust. We had one reg. deep dish & one butter crust. And we both agreed butter crust was better of the two. Great service.
(4)Patrick M.
Hype. 30 minutes for a personal pizza that should be on kids menu. Don't get me wrong the pizza was just fine when it finally arrived but the "Lou's" that I ordered was not worth the wait. And if there's a wait for a table? Fogettaboutit!!!!!
(2)Chanel S.
Pretty good! Got the personal sized pepperoni!!! Will return next time I'm in the Chi
(3)Kristin M.
I was really excited when this place opened up because it seemed so many people were obsessed with it. Since then I've been there twice. The first time I ordered thin crust but was disappointed. It was good but I don't think it lived up to the hype or the price. I decided to try again because they are better known for their deep dish. I ordered their Chicago pizza with the buttermilk crust. Again, I found myself disappointed. It was good, but just that. Not legendary. Not amazing. Not following worthy. And definitely not worth $25!
(2)Sheri F.
This is by far my favorite pizza place! I have never had a bad dish there and I have had many things on the menu. Appetizers, salads, desserts, thin crust, and my favorite the deep dish. The service is also always pleasant. I wish this was in my hometown.
(5)Ryan P.
Lou's is my favorite goto if I am in a pinch for Chicago style pizza. I still gravitate towards Pequod's, but Lou's is excellent as well. Most locals love Lou's. giardiniera and Sausage is totally the way to go with the butter crust.
(4)Jessica M.
We have been waiting here for our pizza for almost an hour. Service is no good. Once we got our pizza, it was good, but definitely not a place for a quick lunch.
(2)Lyndsey M.
Being in Chicago for only a few days, we knew we needed to try some Chicago pizza. Lou Malnati's had been featured on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, which pretty much sealed the deal for my other half. It wasn't very crowded at around 11:30 am on a Saturday and we were seated right away. Our waitress, Lindsay*, was very personable and attentive. I ordered a small salad to start and was surprised how big it was! After I finished that, I barely had room for a slice of pizza. I was also pleasantly surprised that their ranch dressing was tasty, as most of my Northern friends are not fans of it/didn't eat it much. They told us the pizza would take a while, but the wait wasn't bad. Our waitress served us up, so we didn't have to fumble with getting it out of the pan. I have no gauge for how good it is compared to others, as that was the first time I've ever had Chicago style pizza. It was tasty on the whole, though. Warm, crispy crust, tons of pepperoni and stringy cheese. I say forgo the fork though and pick that sucker up. ;) It was a good introduction to the days that we spent in Chicago. *We Lyndseys always remember each other. We also always comment on how our names are spelled. Thanks "Lindsay with an A." :)
(4)Katy S.
Holy yum. Got the Lou and the first salad. Everything was perfect. Service was excellent.
(5)DrVilain S.
This food here was so AMAZING!! Must have the deep dish pizza, it was delicious. Also had their salad to start, it was amazing. They added a little too much dressing for my own taste, so if you like light dressing ask for the dressing on the side. Other than that it was perfect. The restaurant itself was a good atmosphere. The overall service was good.
(5)Mark C.
Horrible for groups. We went here following a wedding rehearsal and the Pizza's were supposed to be pre-ordered. So we got there at 8pm - reservation time.. and no one at first even knew about us. Then after 20 minutes we got a table and then it was a few minutes before we even got a server. The first guy we asked if he was our server, it wasn't "no but let me find them" it was "no"... and walked away. So next we finally got our server and even though the Pizza's were pre-ordered, didn't seem to mean much as after 20 minutes when the Pizza's were no where to be seen, we asked how long our pre-ordered pizza's would be and he said it would be a minimum of 20 minutes. When the pizzas finally arrived, we couldn't help but notice how the deep dish we had weren't as deep as the table next to us... hmmmm. So over all, pizzas were OK but given the horrible inattentive service, I won't be returning anytime soon...
(2)Monique B.
I'm not a huge pizza lover, but a good Lou Malnati's pizza hits the spot on occassion. However, I went for lunch with the ladies after a workout and was disappointed in the food and pleasantly surprised by the service. The lunch specials are a deal: $8.95 for soup or salad and personal pizza or 1/2 sandwich or 1/2 pasta! The service was great, we had a party of 8 that trickled in, and our waitress CJ went above and beyond to make sure we were all taken care of and that the table had everything we needed. They had a few tvs around the restaurant, so keeping track of the World Cup game was easy, without it being a sports bar. Sadly, the food was only ok. The cream of chicken soup was creamy, but lacked chicken and flavor. The lasagna was the smallest portion of all the lunch options and didn't have enough seasoning as well. Granted, they are noted for their pizza, and none of my friends got pizza, so that may have been the problem. I'll be back, but for the pizza next time.
(3)Leticia M.
Not the best deep dish i've had. Best one I've had was in Detroit. C'mon Chicago!!! Cheese always delicious but nothing too impressive in my opinion. It's my first time in Chicago and expected more :(
(3)Cathy C.
With only one day in Chicago, I had to pick one pizza place. P*** is out of the way, G***E*** is meh and G***o is good but Lou Malnati's is good and close to where we want to be. A mile away from Millennium Park, a mile away from Field Museum. We got here as soon as they opened on a weekend so we got seated right away and avoided the crowd. Service was good and our server was friendly. We started off with the trio of dips and pizza chips then, shared a Chicago classic pizza. Trio of Dips and Pizza Chips: Pizza dough chips with 3 dipping sauces: hummus with giardiniera, roasted garlic, and artichoke. The dips were excellent and it was nice to get a variety. The roasted garlic dip and artichoke dip made hummus seem tame. 4.5/5 The Malnati Chicago Classic: We got the 9" deep-dish pizza which was perfect for two people It has extra cheese, lean sausage, tomato sauce on a buttercrust. Good crust, extra cheese was yummy but the top was watery from the tomatoes. 3.75/5 We wanted to try their Italian ice but they didn't have any. Aaaawww...they carry Eli's cheesecake.
(4)Mimi T.
I went with a group of friends and we got seated right away. We preordered our pizzas first too, which is a plus. Some of us got the thin crust and others the deep dish. I liked both. One of our friends recommended that we order the deep dish well done and we did. I loved it! We also ordered a basket of fries, wings, and bread bruschetta everything was amazing. However, the waiter was not great. She basically just slammed and tossed our food onto the table. So minus one star for service.
(4)Kat Y.
This place was delicious! I split a large sausage and spinach deep dish with 2 other people. The sausage tasted fresh and was hearty/chunky (not the little crumbs seen at the chain pizza shops--no names need be shared). My only complaint was that the crust wasn't too tasty. It was kind of like eating overtoasted and stale bread. It would have been nice to have a bit of softness to it. This place doesn't take reservations, but you can order while waiting so that when you get a seat, you won't have to wait as long for pizza heaven.
(4)Marie C.
Great deep dish. Definitely need to try the sausage pizza. We also tried The Lou which is great if you want a veggie style deep dish pizza.
(5)Chi L.
This really hit the spot. We ordered delivery to our hotel room because we were so exhausted from the day. We got a large The Malnati Chicago Classic and a Malnati Salad. We tried getting a tiramisu for dessert but they don't deliver that I guess. It was plenty of food for 5 people, we had 2 slices of pizza left over. I'm really glad we got the salad, it really balanced the pizza. I think it would have been too overwhelming with meat without it. The deep dish takes time so based on advice from a local earlier in the day we ordered way in advanced while we were out and it arrived shortly after we came back to the room. This was our cheapest meal in Chicago and it was very satisfying.
(4)Jaime S.
Great for carryout, I would never sit and eat pizza here because the wait is never shorter than an hour. Butter crust, tasty sauce...I don't eat Chicago Style Thick pizza but their thin crust and gluten-free options are both tasty.
(4)Trana L.
First time to Chicago we definitely had to try deep dish pizza! My friend is from the area so she said this was the place to go. The place was a 15 minute walk from our hostel we were staying at so that was a plus. Place was busy for a Sunday night. If you can get reservations definitely do it. Our wait time was going to be 1.5 hours. We asked to sit at the bar just to have a chance to look at the menus but we weren't able to. After 15 minutes we decided to sit at the bar vs waiting for a table. We ordered two large pizzas, one was" the Lou" and the other was a pepperoni pizza. We pre-ordered these as we were waiting for our table so it only took them another 20 minutes to get it out to us. They serve it for you and it was pretty good. I'm honestly not a big fan of deep dish but it was a must and I'm glad my friend recommended this place. If you go try the lou, even though it's vegetarian it's so freaking good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Anyways pictures to follow have fun eating!
(4)Kyle F.
Hands down my favorite pizza in Chicago. I moved from Illinois to Colorado and while the beer is better there, I can't find a good deep dish! I get to return once a year for a conference. I stay at the Hilton on Michigan and this place is an easy walk. Get the butter crust on a deep dish with the toppings of your choice. Salads and appetizers hit the spot too. You won't be hungry. Service is great. Usually the place is hopping. The interior is clean, warm, inviting.
(5)Maja M.
So I live literally 10 minutes walking distance and it takes them 2 hours to deliver something SMH ! That is just absolutely ridiculous!
(1)Jeff C.
classic chicago style pizza. I like this one the best if I am going to get thick crust, or pan pizza.
(4)Melissa C.
Foodwas good. We ordered the lunch special. The food itself was good, great deep dish pizzas, the spinach stuffed bread was really good - emphasis on the stuffed. Our hotel in the area gave us a coupon for a free dessert so ask your hotel if staying in the area. My only complaint, and why I'm only giving 3 stars, this place is SLOW. It took 20 min to get drinks and salad, our appetizer never came. When we complained they brought it out after our pizzas and it was on the house. At that point the appetizer was useless. We came in STARVING so that's why we ordered it. Don't come here if you have only an hour for lunch. Plan on 1.5-2 hours!!! Came here on a Monday at ~1pm.
(3)Nat L.
Solid meal but not knock-your-socks-off good. I split a small pizza with a colleague and we both enjoyed it but thought it was nothing to write home about. Our other colleague, on the other hand, ordered the lasagna with meat sauce. IT WAS FANTASTIC. I don't get how that's now what this place is popular for. It had this amazing stewed tomato flavor to it that I haven't really gotten out of my head since then. I wasn't in love with their beer selection. I felt they could have used a little more variety. We had a coupon for a free pizza-cookie. It was better than I could have hoped for. It was warm and gooey, though I think it could have used a little more cookie and a little less whipped cream. Overall I'd be happy to go back here, but I don't think I'd ever crave it. I would definitely order the lasagna with meat sauce.
(3)Jim F.
Thin crust pizza is phenomenal -- The crust, the sauce, the cheese, the quality of toppings. The crust has flavor and is not too thick, not too thin (this isn't NYC cracker crust, no slight, just trying to be descriptive). The sauce has flavor, real spice/seasonings and the toppings are fresh and quality, e.g. not the cheapest things that can be picked up a bargain basement prices. The real magic, because you can still have all of the above and still not have a good pie, is the mixture, the combination, the ratio that they are used creates a wonderful mouthful (many mouthfuls) whether you prefer pepperoni or veggie (my wife) or a Chicago trinity (sausage, pepperoni & bacon) or some other variation.
(5)Jennifer X.
Not sure if it's particularly authentic Chicago-y to order deep dish pizza (guessing it's not), but I had a really good experience with the food here. We called ahead by 45 minutes and our Lou Malnati Classic Deep Dish Sausage was ready for us piping hot in a brown container. Let me tell you it was pretty rad. Sausage hugs the crust in a such a way that every flavor melds into a cheesy, oily slice of wonder. The tomato sauce sinks into your mouth.
(4)Kishia B.
One of the main objectives during my trip to Chicago was to eat as much pizza as I possibly could. This was the 2nd pizza place I went to while there. And I have to be brutally honest....Chicagoans, don't kill me, but I'm NOT a fan of the sausage disk that you put on deep dish pizzas...BLECH! For those who are like, what is she talking about....Sausage disk?....It's basically a huge, thick slice of sausage that covers the entire surface of the pizza. It's overkill and the flavor of this particular sausage wasn't that great. The Husband and I ordered the Malnati Chicago Classic in a medium, which is described as "lean sausage, some extra cheese and vine-ripened tomato sauce on Buttercrust"...Sounds delicious I know! But I forgot to ask if it was the crumbled sausage or the disk....And to my disappointment it was the disk...I still ate 2 slices, but I kinda fought my way through the second piece. And there's no picking around it either, as it's glued down by the cheese. Outside of the sausage disk, the sauce is tasty and the crust is really quite good. We had 2 slices left over which I told my Husband to eat, because I wasn't going to and he said the sausage almost made them inedible....Bummer... The waitress was super friendly and the restaurant atmosphere was really nice and chill so I'll give them that...I'm just not a fan of the sausage disk. Sorry Lou.
(2)Soraya D.
Had the Lou classic deep dish. Really good pizza but being from New Jersey I wasn't used to a thick layer of sausage on top of the entire pizza. Definitely a ton of cheese as well, which isn't a bad thing. Definitely would recommend getting here before noon or after 1 as lunch gets swamped.
(4)Tim O.
It just didn't do it for me. Crust didn't taste great, and that's critical for deep dish. I think they soak their tomatoes for their sauce in red wine which is interesting and tasty but not my thing, I like pizza sauce, not red wine pizza sauce. Pizza sauce is half sauce half plum tomato, I prefer sauce. There's better in Chicago.
(2)Naz G.
My first ever Chicago Style Pizza! Delicious!! I have nothing to compare it to since it's my first time having it but WOW! Great atmosphere...friendly staff...and that PIZZA! Accidently ended up here but Apparently I picked the best spot in town!
(4)Heather S.
As one foodie to another, this is a one-time-only kind of experience. Service was good but the ambiance feels very corporate like a Hard Rock Cafe. Definitely order veggies on your pizza as the cheese and pepperoni only was kind of borrowing and very cheesy. No beers on tap. Caesar salad was good but heavy on the dressing. A LOT of tourists unfortunately. Probably better options out there. We thought it would be a classier old school Chicago kind of place... Nope. Wish I could give this place a 3.5 stars.
(3)Lamar S.
I don't know why this is the first time I've checked in or written a review, but I love this place. This particular location is awesome! Every time I come here (I've been here about 20 times since moving to Chicago 3 years ago), there service is always impeccable. ***Warning: If you come on a Friday or Saturday night, there will be a LENGTHY wait. You have been warned*** The servers are always pleasant (at least from the ones I have had the pleasure of dealing with), the establishment is clean and it's not that hard on your pockets if you are going out on a date or with the family. I love the Malnati Classic (For deep dish sausage lovers). However, my fiancé does not eat pork so we usually get The Lou which offers a variety of veggies on top and I just add sausage and pepperoni (What can I say, I need to have my pork on my Pizza). Overall, this establishment is awesome. Although I have been to several other deep dish pizza places in Chicago that are "well known" and respected, Lou Malnati's has my heart and I'm loyal to them!
(5)Kyle M.
As a usual rule of thumb, if 50+ yelpers rate a place 4 stars or higher, I'm thinking I should go give it a try. When 500+ yelpers rank a place 4 stars or better it's no longer a question of if but when will I check it out. Last night I checked into downtown Chicago, so that means it's time to look for some deep dish Chicago style pizza. And right around the corner from my hotel is a place with 500+ reviews and 4 stars. So there was no question that I was getting pizza from Lou Malnati's. Since my stomach was still on eastern time, I walked in about 4:00 pm. There was a steady flow of people, but there were open tables and to go orders being taken. My server was friendly and I quickly offered that this was my first time and I'd like to know what she recommended. She said that "The Lou" was the way to go, so I went for the personal size. It was very tasty. I wasn't sure that I'd like a bed of spinach on the pizza, but it was good- juicy roma tomatoes on top, and plenty of cheese on the buttery crust. I probably should have exercised some discretion and taken some of it back to the fridge in my room, but I finished the whole thing. Yummo! That said, I am not usually a heavy eater, so I felt a bit stuffed for the rest of the night, not too uncomfortable, but I knew I'd eaten too much. I'll count myself among the many others who recommend Lou Malnati's and who come here for the deep-dish Chicago pizza fix. There are a lot more good looking choices to try. See you soon!
(4)Alexandra H.
Totally lived up to the hype! Best deep dish I have ever had - absolutely delicious and the service was fantastic.
(5)Trent P.
Was in Chicago for a day and had to get a pie at the best Chicago deep dish pizzeria after checking out the aquarium. This may have been the best pizza I have ever had. Amazing crust. Awesome cheese. Great sauce. And the sausage was primo. If I lived in Chicago I would be broke and fat from eating here every night. Eat Here!
(5)Ed H.
I can fiiiinally say I've had awesome Chicago deep dish pizza thanks to this place. I've tried it in the past (really in Los Angeles...uhhh..maybe not the best place to try it) and it just never hit the mark. After waiting what felt like an eternity, the pizza came out and it just looked delicious. Crunchy thin crust, tomato juices just sitting on top of the cheese. Cut into it, took a bite, and I was in heaven. Definitely going to have to get the frozen pizza shipped to me in LA now!
(5)Adam C.
Really good pizza but not so good service. Very much family oriented and tourist oriented.
(3)Jamie M.
Great pizza. I do enjoy Gino's east crust more however I think lou's provided a better cheese/sausage combo for their topping. This is another authentic pizza expierence I would recommend to tourists.
(4)Kathleen F.
First of all, I love Lou's pizza in everyway. I think it is by far the best Chicago-style pizza. It has the best crust of all the Chicago-style pizzas. I also love their Lou Malnati salad. We used to live down the street from the Lou on Wrightwood and would eat there all the time. The problem with the South Loop location is the lack of parking for pick up( I hate paying high delivery fees, especially when all I want is a salad). Also, this has been the only restaurant we have encountered so far that doesn't allow you to use a stroller at the table (they make you fold it up and put it up front). This won't be a big deal once our daughter can use a highchair, but was a bit surprising since we have brought a stroller into restaurants all over Bucktown and West Loop area. The staff is really friendly, and we of course still order from here because of the pizza (although I think a West Loop location is opening up!)
(4)Michael G.
Lou Malnati's is a fantastic place to order a pizza from. Great deep dish, very good thin crust, and standard pizzeria sides. If you want to go out to eat, I would choose a different restaurant. It takes forever to get a table here and after you do, it takes forever for your order to be taken and your food to be delivered.
(4)Daniel N.
One of the best Chicago style pizzas. The butter crust and sausage are exceptional. Not a fan of eating in during peak hours though as there's always a long wait, a cluster of people, super loud and chaotic. Thankfully you can start your pizza order while waiting or just order and pick up. Service can be hit and miss. Bathroom's are tiny and all the apps I've had are nothing to write home about. Pizza amazing.
(4)Brian M.
First time ordering from this highly-promoted business. Ordered a thin crust pizza with sausage, green pepper, and mushrooms. Pizza arrived but sadly wasn't completely cooked. Cheese not browned and the crust was soggy and not crispy as it should be. Tried one piece but warmed up the oven and finished cooking it. While waiting I called the restaurant and told them what the problem was. The promised return call from a manager never came. Toppings were of minimal quantity except for the cheese. Meh. Coulda done better with a Home Run Inn frozen.
(2)Luis M.
We ordered a medium cheese deep dish, and it was $16 - not worth it for such subpar pizza. The pizza came out burnt on the crust. The crust was really thick but super bland. The cheese and tomatoes were the most redeeming part. Near the end I just ate the top of the pizza to avoid the crust. I hope I never have to do that with pizza ever again. I feel like I need to eat some Uno's to wash that memory out of my mind.
(2)Bo Y.
Came here twice last week. good experience. and I love their dessert!
(4)Sean m.
So we had to try some deep dish pizza while we were in Chicago. Our server at Ditka's recommended this place. He told us it was rated #1 pizza place several years running. The pizza was delicious. We also had a small salad (split between two of us). The salad portions were huge and the small pizza was plenty of food for two. It is a must try!
(4)Binh N.
Good pizza but not great. Deserving of a four star though. One of the best pizza I've ever had.
(4)B L.
Pizza was good, though I did not quite enjoy the butter crust as much as I would have expected. We ordered the small classic chicago pizza and it was good portion for two. We did have a problem getting seated since it was a long wait and they gave us a broken buzzer. Luckily we checked on our position in line and we had preordered the pizza so it wasn't too bad, but the waiter did not offer any explanation or seemed to care when we complained. I just was not overly impressed with either the taste or the service.
(4)Claire K.
I ordered from Lou Malnati's my last night in Chicago, and I was really pleased! I got a small deep dish cheese with buttercrust and extra tomato sauce (based on review recommendations). The pizza was delicious (maybe not the best I've ever had, but really good!) and the salad (medium house salad) was superb. It was super large and full of delicious veggies (tomato, onion, cucumber, etc.) and croutons. The ranch dressing was great as well. I'll order from them again when I'm back in Chicago in a couple months! Also: the delivery came SUPER FAST!
(4)Desiree S.
This is my favorite Lou's location. The food is fresh and delicious. The customer service is always amazing. I always look forward to going here.
(4)PizzaPaparazzi C.
I go past this place everyday and it smells delicious. Finally stopped one day to try it and order the "Lou." The Lou comes with spinach, mushrooms and sliced Roma tomatoes. I felt this pizza and sauce were very bland. I would like to try it another time and get there homemade sausage on it, in the hope that it adds the wonderful flavor everyone else talks about.
(2)Deepan M.
This is a Chicago institution. There are only a few places that make the perfect deep dish pizza and out I those few, Lou Malnati's is the best. Always great service and has a pizza you will crave again.
(5)Mario B.
can't go bad there
(4)Deb L.
Came here with my future hubby! Love every pieces of our pizza! Love the fact they have a small size, so we didn't feel super stuff after the dinner! Service was awesome! We ordered the classics? just cheese and sausage.. we really liked the tomato sauce! juicy and fresh!
(4)Carissa P.
Lucky for our party of 7 we showed up at the perfect time, just as another large party left and we only had to wait for them to clean the table. The food was epic. The hot wings were just the right amount of spicy and still crispy. We also tried the bbq wings and those were awesome too. I like that they had gorgonzola dressing instead of blue cheese. Yummy. The stuffed spinach bread was amazing, crispy on the outside and full off gooey cheese and fresh spinach on the inside. Their marinara/ pizza sauce is drool worthy, so tastey with chunks of tomato and the distinct wonderfulness of garlic, onions, and basil. Their deep dish is DEEP. I'm not from around here, but I've never seen anything like it before. We ordered The "Lou" and the Milnati Chicago Classic. Not greasy at all, simply wonderful. The food is so fresh. The mozzarella is high quality. Superb. They were busy but the service was still great and with a smile. Thank you to Meghan, our gracious server. The restaurant is like being in someone's home, very comfortable with family pictures on the walls. I really enjoyed this place. I would definitely go back, in fact I'm thinking I should try one of their salads as it looked like they had some pretty interesting combinations I'd like to try.
(5)Heidi P.
Oh man.. some of you are gonna be maaaad at me.. This Chicago deep-dish pizza was my first. It was made with very fresh-tasting ingredients: lots of mozzarella, tomatoes in sauce, pepperoni.. and it was tasty enough for "food" ..but as far as *pizza*, it lacks something.. probably grease! You know how much flavor grease adds? Plus, the pepperoni was just so.. "cooked enough" and not burnt - I want crunchy pepperoni.. ..And it was just so doughy. This crust is more like pie crust. I love dough and carbs and "pie" as much as the next gal but you can't even fold this thing! I'm a Jersey girl. This is not my type of pizza. We also had the garlic bread which was good but nothing special. It was kind of like getting french bread and making your own garlic butter spread at home. The service was fine. No AC on in the place. Chicago was like 90 degrees that day. I could not have been the only person sweating over a deep dish, could I? I feel a little bad not rating these guys higher, because it was A-OK, but I just wasn't a fan!
(3)Jen Y.
We came early on a Saturday (around 5:00) and place was packed so we decided to place orders to go. My husband went with sausage and I went with the veggie one (spinach, mushrooms). We loved our cute little deep dish pies, they were great! We ended up eating them about an hour and a half after picking them up so they were room temperature and stayed together pretty well. But overall the seasonings, cheese and crust combo was top notch!
(5)Amy L.
Definitely a great place to visit when you're in Chicago! Don't come starving because there will be a long line! The cool thing is that you can place your order before sitting down and the staff will gauge when you're going to be seated and the pizzas will come in 10-15 min!
(4)Marilyn C.
Came here for lunch while visiting Chicago. Pizza and service were good. Nothing stands out as far as exceeding my expectations so I went with the 3 stars.
(3)Loretta P.
Ok. We've made it into my June forays. June is my birthday month, and I tend to celebrate its entirety. So, I'd gone to the Trader Joe's on Roosevelt for a few items, and worked up an appetite. It was 10pm (just missed Five Guys), I'm walking hungrily down State St. in search of a decent dining establishment, that was still open. I just so happened to stumble across Lou Malnati's, and the door gave when I pulled. Yaaayyy! Now, I was a regular patron of the LM in River North, when I worked near Merchandise Mart, but that's been a few years, so it's been a few years. I said all of that to say that the menu has increased significantly, and for the better. I only recall varying sizes of pizza, few toppings, maybe salad, and that chocolate chip cookie thing I'd from my LM's-twice-a-week days... Imagine my surprise when there were myriad menu items--including fish! Also, I didn't want the commitment of a whole pizza, but there was a Stuffed Spinach Pizza Bread Option--whoo hooo! I ordered that, the House Salad (which my server obligingly had chopped for me), and the Tilapia Piccata w/Sauteed Spinach and Mushrooms. Everything was hot, fresh, and tasty! The pizza bread hit the spot, with some left over, the salad seemed to multiply as I ate it (those croutons must be house-made!), and the lemony/caper-y goodness of the tilapia was still evident two days later! Lou, I'm a fan, again!
(4)Mit B.
My dauther and I were wating for 45 min for cheese pizza (thin) Dry bland crust Bland sauce, Blah!
(1)Adam T.
Rock hard crust. "It's toasted," they'll say. Back east we call that stale. Garbage
(1)Susan S.
We had a wonderful meal at Lou Malnati's. We asked for a recommendation from the Drake Hotel and this was where they sent us. We were told they didn't take reservations but we arrived at 6 pm on a Saturday and were seated immediately. We ordered both deep dish and thin crust and were very happy with all choices. I would recommend this pizza.
(4)Rick A.
Good pizza and quick delivery. Great Chicago deep dish w the sauce on top of thick cheese. Medium 2 topping w 6 drinks was $29.
(4)Terry F.
Wow! THIS is Chicago-style deep dish pizza! Great service, too! The deluxe deep-dish (with extra garlic) was fantastic. A small was big enough for two people. Especially if you have wings or a salad beforehand. Definitely try one of the Goose Island beers while you wait, because good deep-dish takes time!
(5)Nikki G.
Pizza!!! Their deep dish pizza is pretty good! The chicago style pizza is a MUST!
(4)Andre W.
Our server had on a bracelet that says boobies...I just had to get that out of the way Not much to say here as I will always be first a foremost a Giordanos guy! I came here because my friends wanted to do dinner and I hadn't been to a Lou's in quite sometime. We walked into a 35 minute wait which actually wound up being 20 mins. We ordered a large pepperoni and green pepper him crust pizza which was better than I expected. I also ordered a Matilda and the boobie bracelet guy didn't even offer me a glass. I've never had Matilda out of the bottle and I will say its much better in a glass. I ordered another and the same thing didn't happen...no glass offering Did I mention this guy had on a bracelet that said boobies?
(3)Mel L.
Great Fresh Pizza. the restaurant is always crowded and sometimes there is a wait, but its worth it.
(4)Philip C.
Absolutely delicious pizza and the service was outstanding. We had the special with the buttery crust and every bite was scrumptious. Its a deep pizza and was gooey with the perfect amount of sauce, cheese and meat.
(4)Michael S.
My first real deep dish experience. I was worried that I'd be enjoying a pizza that was extremely heavy and greasy but this was everything but! The pizza was light, flavorful and just amazing! Found this place by word of mouth by locals on the flight to Chicago and boy am I glad I came here. Don't make the mistake of going to Uno's!
(4)Kien M.
I am not a deep dish fan but it's a MUST if you are in Chicago. After yelping all the Chicago pizza joints in downtown, Lou Malnati's was the highest rated. The wife and I both ended up with the $7 lunch special, pesonal 6" pizza, salad or soup, and a drink. Not bad at all considering most fast food combo deals are around this range. I tried the sausage and cheese and the pepperoni and cheese. All the ingredients were fresh, the crust was not soggy, marinara was perfect, and cheese was heavily piled.
(4)Diana G.
Was a bit disappointed with our visit. We pre-ordered our pizzas and when we got seated we waited for quite awhile before our waiter acknowledged us. We ended up ordering Calamari - These were fine and the sauce had a bit of kick to it, but had a consistency like a salsa. Small The "Malnati Chicago Classic" (deep dish) - This was ok as I felt it was a bit bland. Small The "Lou" with black olives (thin crust) - I was so looking forward to this as I had it on the Wells location a few years back adn raved about it to my sister. Toppings were fine, but it was cooked a bit too long as the crust was too hard. For pre-ordering our pizzas.....it still took awhile for it to come out even after our appetizers. Waiter started off slow, but was attentive afterwards. He was nice enough to give my niece a small chocolate chip pizza on the house. Overall, wasn't wowed by this locations pizza. Hope it was just a bad night.
(2)Jenny Y.
Recommendations: -- Starters: Stuffed Spinach Bread, Chicken BBQ Club Salad -- Pizza: Malnati Chicago Classic Tips: -- Really crowded during peak lunchtime, but you can place your order ahead of time so the pizza will be ready once you're seated -- Family style restaurant, good for kids and families Review: I was in Chicago for the week with a couple of my friends, so we knew we had to try the the city's famous deep-dish pizza. A couple of places recommended Lou Malnati's for authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza, so we decided to give it a try. I'm assuming that it's usually pretty busy during weekends and peak lunch and dinner times, but we came at an especially unfortunate time (the day of the Chicago Marathon), so our wait time around lunchtime was almost an hour. Luckily, they let you place your pizza order ahead of time so it's ready within minutes once you're seated. The restaurant has a very vintage, home-y feel, with lots of pictures of the owner and his family on the walls. I thought the amount of tables and seating was somewhat limited, especially given the popularity of the restaurant. But it's a nice, casual, laid-back atmosphere and would be good for families with children and large groups. Thankfully, the deep-dish pizza did not disappoint! We tried the Malnati Chicago Classic, which comes with sausage, extra cheese, and tomatoes served on Buttercrust. We got the 12" Medium, which serves 3, and comes with 6 pretty large slices. The pizza was mouth-wateringly good - super soft crust, lots of cheese, flavorful and extremely delicious! As their menu says though, this is definitely the type of pizza you need to eat with a fork and a knife - it will get messy! Our waiter also recommended that we start out with the Stuffed Spinach Bread, which is stuffed with cheese, spinach, garlic, onion, and tomato and served with marinara sauce. The spinach bread was SO GOOD that I got it again the second time we went to Lou Malnati's a couple of days later. We also got the Chicken BBQ Club Salad to share, which comes with grilled chicken, tomatoes, mozzarella, cheddar and salami. The salad was REALLY good and they definitely didn't skimp on the BBQ chicken like some other salads do. To be honest, there were so many other ingredients in the salad besides lettuce that I didn't even feel like I was eating a salad. Despite the place being really busy that day, we still received really good service and we didn't feel rushed at all. Our waiter checked on us, brought our food out in a timely manner, and boxed up our leftovers for us quickly and easily. If you're in Chicago and looking for some authentic deep-dish pizza, I would highly recommend Lou Malnati's. They seem to have several locations throughout downtown Chicago, so it shouldn't be too hard to find one!
(4)Annette A.
If you're looking for spectacular deep dish pizza, Lou has an okay pie. For normal pizza dinners, it's great and the menu has a lot to offer. The staff at this location are sweet and location is kept clean. I suppose I was surprised that I got a deep dish pizza that WASN'T greasy and heavy. Most of the photos of traditional Chicago deep dish depicted that. The pizza at Lou's was more like an average pizza. So I guess it depends on what you're looking for, right?
(3)Derek S.
This restaurant came as a recommendation from a local. Upon arrival at ~6 pm on Saturday, the wait was ~65 minutes for a table with the option to pre-order a pizza while waiting. ...the best part of the meal was probably the zesty hot thin-crust cheese pizza that was offered at the counter. By the time the personal sized pizza arrived at our table, it was cold and didn't do a thing for me...The sausage was good and the cheese was okay... ...also ordered the spinach cheese bread and that was also merely okay. ...definitely not worth the 2 hour experience although the damage was less than $15...
(3)Christopher W.
Best deep dish pizza in the world but the Malnati salad is even better than the pizza. Get the small because the large can feed an army.
(5)Alex J.
This was by far the best pizza I've had in the city reasonably priced and delicious. I ate two slices of the Lou Malnati's classic and was full ALL DAY. AMAZING will return next time im in the city. Ive eaten at both the downtown and northside locations
(5)LeBarron E.
You can order your pizza while you wait on your table. Good Idea!
(4)Mike B.
Let me start off by saying this was my first time in the great city of Chicago, so I was excited for the chance to eat Deep Dish Pizza. My Girlfriend and I walked from the hotel area around 11 pm and the staff was very accommodating. They changed one of the TVs in the bar area to the game i wanted to watch which was really cool. As for the pizza, the buttery crust was amazing and it was layered with meat, more meat, cheese, more cheese, with a solid red sauce. All in all is was a great pizza and i was happy that Lou Malnati's was my first taste at Deep Dish Pizza.
(4)Sany N.
More like a 3.5 but their spinach bread and salad bumped them up to 4 stars! I'm a huge fan of CARBBBSS and lots of it, so I am not the biggest fan of their crust. I know it says its a butter crust but I really cant taste it?. I like Giordanos crust more.. (ekkkk did i say that?!) But I do however LOOOOVEE their spinach bread which I scraffed down in 1.2 minutes.. and their Lou salad... yum! I have eaten here bout 4 times and each time my experience is still eh-ok.. I do always recommend this spot to tourist and friends visiting because they get the Chicago experience and some of my friends who I have taken here like it more than other Chicago deep dish pizza joints.. its just a matter of taste. I will most likely go here again and I cant wait to dive into another deep dish!
(4)Lorin S.
first time in Chicago I was at first disappointed that it is a chain restaurant but got over it with the pizza. Very good. The salad in the other hand was soggy. I would eat the pizza again and again
(4)Teresa T.
For most of my life, I have never been a fan of deep dish pizza. It was heavy and just seemed like too much dish for my liking. Give me a thin, crackly slice of New York style pizza and I'm much happier. However, a trip to Chicago could not be complete without trying the iconic food. And Lou Malnati's made me realize that I'd eaten "deep dish pizza" before but I had never truly had deep dish pizza. First, I really appreciate Lou Malnati's system of waiting for your table. Since the pizzas take so long to cook, while you're waiting for your table you can pre-order your pizza (put your order in and give them your wait time) which is ingenious. We ordered the Small Sausage, Well Done and got the Malnati Salad. The salad was great..it had everything right up my alley (salami, cheese, and a sweet tangy dressing) and was generously portioned. The pizza was delicious. My favorite part is that the sausage doesn't play a supporting role to the pizza with occasional appearances but makes its presence known with a entire layer. Ordering well done seemed to be a good balance between that crispy crust I like while also eating a deep dish. A small was plenty for 2 people. I don't think I would like deep dishes at other places because from what i've heard they're much thicker crusted and have much, much more cheese in their pies. Two aspects of deep dish I'm not generally found of. And so Lou Malnati's was the perfect choice for me. This place seems to get pretty busy during dinner hour so if you come after 5 or so expect to wait for awhile.
(4)Erin D.
Upon arrival, the process for ordering can be confusing and chaotic as heck, especially when the U. of Iowa Hawkeyes are swarming after a winning game. =P When you enter, you need to go to the tiny host/hostess stand on the left, NOT to the counter in front of you, to put your name on the list. The wait time was 45 minutes, not bad considering there were probably at least 50 people ahead of us waiting for the tables. This place really needs a bar/sitting area for those who wait (none available). The host will give you a menu and a buzzing device. You can place your order with the people at the counter so that you don't have to wait another 45 minutes for your pizza to arrive. I thought this was neat because it definitely cuts down on the amount of waiting time. Once we sat down, we probably waited about 15 minutes for the pizzas to arrive. We did order two large pizzas for the four of us, and it was WAY too much food. We probably should've ordered a large and a medium. So why the three stars? It just wasn't Gino's East where we've eaten before and also ate the next day. The sauce wasn't flavorful; I've no other words for this. The butter crust that people rave about really wasn't anything spectacular or different from what I can get in Houston. I also wasn't a fan of the sausage patty inside the pizza; Gino's East gives you a choice of crumbled sausage versus a sausage patty. The patty to me made it slightly more difficult to eat the pizza. I also think a patty doesn't emit as much grease compared to the crumbled sausage, and you need as much fat as possible for flavor. Although the system seemed to be more efficient than Gino's East or Giordano's, I prefer to wait longer for a tasty pizza. Of course pizza is an individualized preference, so I highly recommend you also try the other two Chicago style pizza chains for comparison. Good luck!
(3)Fritz G.
Best pizza in the WORLD! (Take that Jon Stewart!) Got the cheese and sausage to go. Keep in mind that it's a Frisbee of sausage that's unlike anything else. And you've got to love their sauce ... its so fresh and tomatoey. I can't say much more because you can't really improve upon perfection..
(5)Dale C.
This was a friendly little snack bar sort of place, and the Chicago Classic pizza was fine...but not as special as the reviews had me expecting. I was mostly disappointed that there was no beer to go with my pizza...what are they thinking?
(2)Justin B.
I love Lou Malnati's pizza, but this location continually screws up my order. At least half the time they either screw up something as simple as the toppings, or more often than not they forget to include all the drinks or sides that are ordered. The last time this happened I called them to ask they credit my order since they didn't deliver the drinks I had ordered. I let them know this was not an isolated incident and that I wasn't going to order from them anymore. With no apology they offered me a six pack of coke (I'm guessing this happens a lot) to make up for the multiple items/times they screwed up my order. I told them I wasn't going to be ordering from them again and to just credit my order for the items I didn't receive, that a six pack of coke hardly makes up for all the times they've screwed up. That was well over a week ago. No credit. They obviously don't care. So if you like Malnati's pizza, but hate places that deliver what you ask and pay for, look no further. Otherwise be prepared to get whatever they give you with little apology and total apathy.
(1)Christina M.
Why is it a nightmare just to do a pick up order? 7/2 4:15pm I call in ask if they have any individual pizzas ready...they girl pauses and says "I don't know....the lunch special is over." So I respond with " I'm ok with not having the lunch special I just want an individual pizza do you guys have any ready?" Then she replies with "If they are there they've been sitting for hours." :pause: so I respond with "Can I speak to someone who might know if you guys have individual pizzas?" and I get placed on the longest hold ever. Ok thanks...for the service.
(2)Gaurav R.
Good deep dish veggie pizza.. Marinera sauce was awesome with spinach and garlic bread..
(4)Jenn N.
I've had people recommend this place to me, but when I tried their Chicago Classic... it was below mediocre. Sausage pieces were gigantic, not cut appropriately (unless it's suppose to be 3-4 inches long/1-2inches wide?). Greasy. Not that flavorful. I had the stuffed spinach bread for the appetizer... it was rock hard and small. However, I'm going to say I might have gone on an off day. A friend who ate with us has eaten at Lou Malnati's (not at this location, but another) before and said this was not as good as she had it last time.
(3)Tom P.
Ingredients were fresh, pizza came out in reasonable time, service was excellent. The crust was not spectacular, though. Good pizza joint.
(4)Victor P.
When you look up tasty deep dish pizza in the dictionary, they show pictures of Lou's pizza. Always busy and always worth the wait. The salads are great too. Lou's sauce is always tasty as is the garlic bread. Eat in or take away. I'll go back soon.
(5)Nell N.
My first deep dish experience when I arrived in Chicago. I ordered the sausage deep dish personal size, garlic bread and the Malnati salad. That pizza sauce was tangy and went well with the crust and cheese. I loved the garlic bread (the order is a lot! you'll want to share) but the salad. OMG...the salad was sooo good! The dressing was a bit too much. I should have asked for the dressing on the side. But it's the bacon bits that made the salad. Even two days later that salad (although a bit soggy was good. Those bacon bits were still crunchy and delicious!) Malnati's offers a cookie pizza. So of course, I had to stop eating my delicious pie to make sure I had enough room for the cookie pizza. Good choice. So good! You should try it if it's going to be the only pizza you'll try, but there are better pizza places in Chicago.
(4)Khalada A.
Tried the deep dish pizza with mushrooms spinach and roma tomatoes and it was delicious.
(4)Agnes L.
Let me just clarify that I was already a Lou fan before I came to this location. I have always LOVED this specific Chicago style deep dish pizza more than any other chain in the area because of the balanced ratio between cheese, crust, sauce and toppings in the recipe and preparation. Not to mention the fact that the toppings are always evenly distributed and in hefty proportions. For this visit, we ordered sausage, tomato, garlic and onion with the special butter crust. OMG, I could live on this. On the side, we ordered the Malnati salad, which was the perfect complement with a slightly sweeter taste from the house dressing. The combo of Gorgonzola cheese, salami, tomatoes, mushrooms and olives in romaine was a different twist to the typical Italian antipasto salad too. As far as this location (and most in the city) goes, be prepared to wait for a table. (No reservations allowed!) We had about 45 minutes for a table of five on a Saturday night, but I have had close to no wait at the other locations in the 'burbs. I definitely appreciated the fact that once we could put in our pizza order at the same time we put our name down on the list for a table so that it was mostly ready by the time we sat. But, trust me, the wait is well worth the quality of food and the friendly service.
(5)Sara R.
For those of us who aren't from Chicago and think that "deep dish pizza" means a thick crust and lots of bready-ness... WRONG. Deep dish pizza is basically a pizza pie. The crust is like a pie crust... on the thin side, buttery, crispy actually, and then it's pressed into a dish with high sides (dough pressed up the sides too) and then filled to the brim with sauce, cheese, and the toppings you opt for. It's very heavy and greasy because of the massive amounts of cheese (and in our case, sausage... yum), not the crust. We ordered the suggested one (I forget the name now, but I guess it's their signature one), and it was amazing! I'm a thin-crust girl (and I mean crispy, tortilla thin), but I really enjoyed this. It's still not my favorite pizza, but I'd never ever turn this away. The amount of grease pooling above the grooves in the cheese, amongst all the sausage, was quite a sight. Don't let that hinder you though. It's a good grease to indulge in every now and then! Make your tastebuds and belly nod in approval. The grease sits in all the right spots. It isn't the type of grease that is there for no good reason, y'know? We ordered the one that feeds 2, and frankly, both of us would've been able to go for the one that feeds 1. And I can put a lot of food down. Managed to eat 3/4 of this pizza (most of it was me... oops), and barely had room for the complimentary chocolate chip cookie pizza (hotel coupon, thanks!). It is awesomely good, but very sweet. And the amount of ice cream they pile on it, is enough to feed an entire Kindergarten class birthday party. The prices are decent... the ambiance is cozy and clean, and the service is extremely friendly. Oh, if you get there and there's a wait list to be seated, they let you order your pizza before you're seated... so you don't have to wait too long once you do get a table. Supposedly, deep dish pizzas take around 20+ minutes to bake. I guess they don't want to leave their customers hungry, or, they just want you to leave earlier and free up a table. Haha. Nonetheless, nice of them to offer it.
(4)Lora H.
Right off the plane, checked into the hotel at 10pm, then went straight to get Chicago deep dish pizza at Lou's. Heard the hype about Gino's on Food Network, but Lou's was right near our hotel so we opted to try this place. HOLY BATMAN!!! You have never experienced Chicago deep dish pizza unless you've had one in Chicago! And this place rocks! We ordered a salad to start because the pizza takes about 45 minutes to prepare! The salad was amazing... I know, it's a salad but seriously, we asked for the dressing on the side, and you didn't even need dressing - it had that much flavor! But then the dressing itself that it came with was something else too! Sooooo good! Then came the pizza. WOW! I was speechless. The sausage - it wasn't just sausage. And then their buttery crust, almost made it feel like you were having a pastry of some sort. It was sooooooooooooooo GOOD! Went to Gino's the next day, and while Gino's wasn't bad, it wasn't Lou's!! But I guess it's a matter of preference because some folks don't care for the buttery crust! But for me... Lou's is my favorite! Can't wait to go back to Chicago!!
(5)Eric S.
I would have given it a 3.5 if possible. The service is great, the trio of dips appetizer is not the greatest. The pizza is good but I have had better. The ambiance is nice though. Overall not a bad place to eat.
(4)Doug P.
So I need to start by saying that when you want to have true deep dish pizza in Chicago, you need to be in an indulgent mood to eat them. I am a fan of un-oily thin crust myself, but good food is good food, so I had to give it a try. No matter what you have had for deep dish in the past, Chicago is pizza on steroids. I tried several places for deep dish while visiting Chicago and I have to say I think Lou's was the best. It was a little less indulgent than the rest and the ingredients tasted, well, better. More of a quality pie than a fast food pie is a better way to describe it. I would never do more than share a personal pan though (the days of food challenge eating were left behind in my college dorm). Glad I tried it though
(4)Julia S.
We had some great pizza and even better service here! The stuffed spinach bread appetizer was an excellent choice, and made me wonder why I've never seen a similar dish before. I thought the deep dish was a bit pricey, but I'm told deep dish usually is more expensive, so I guess it was fairly well priced. And again, we had a wonderful waitress. It was cool that the staff keeps serving you the pizza from the pan. Delightful experience!
(4)San Mateo P.
I just came back from Chicago and this place is a must if you go there. The Pizza was perfect; quality cheese, great sauce with chunky tomatoes and the crust was just right not too crispy or soft. Well done.
(5)Vina O.
Favorite deep dish pizza in Chicago! I always get half The "Lou" (vegetarian friendly) and half The Malnati Chicago Classic (carnivore favorite) to get the best of both worlds. :)
(4)R T.
I saw these guys win a "best taste challenge" on the Steve Harvey show. All I gotta say is, "don't believe the hype." I love a good deep dish pizza, but I'm choosing Giordano's over Lou Malnati's. The deep dish didn't seem all that deep to me. The sauce was too tart for my taste. And there wasn't enough cheese in the pizza. It wasn't awful, but I'm staying loyal to #team Giordano's. (are hash tags functional on yelp? we'll see.)
(3)Kevin H.
Lou Malnati's Pizza with the butter crust, fresh out the oven is AS GOOD AS IT GETS! How is it that UNO's make it's way to the west coast and the butter crust at lou malnati's does not?!?
(5)Brianna M.
I've never had anything but salad and pizza here! Deep dish cheese pizza with a butter crust.... To die for! Could seriously eat it every night. Service has always been good, food comes out in a timely manner and you leave there one happy and full person! Keep up the great work! I.l be back during my next visit to Chi!
(5)Alan S.
This place has a tasty deep dish pizza and pizza and friendly staff. There was three of us and the Cesar salad and large Chicago Classic would have been enough for four people. I actually had ordered the deep-dish cookie pizza thing, but the waitress forgot it. Not a problem since we were so stuffed we couldn't have ate it anyways. Now I have something to look forward to trying next time!
(4)Frank O.
Came here for lunch with a large group of friends. Friendly casual atmosphere. Definitely a place to come hang out with friends and be loud! Lol. Service was very good and waitress was very attentive to our table. Got the good ol sausage deep dish. Where else to get a deep dish than chi town, right?!?! Unfortunately my appetite had to wait about an hour before getting satisfied. Once the food arrived, though, I was in tummy heaven. The sausage deep dish definitely has the flavor and is very fulfilling. I would try this place over and over. Definitely recommend bringing friends because you will need help finishing that pizza.
(4)Vicky N.
Why not go for pizza right after walking around the art institute not too far away? That's exactly what I did! Had the Malnati's Chicago Classic which came with sausage, tomato sauce, cheese, cheese, and extra cheese along with their butter crust. I had pepperoni added which was superb. I sabotaged the whole dish within minutes like a mad savage. Yeah, you heard right. It was freaking good!! That buttery crust was delicious and pretty crispy. I've only tried deep dish pizza twice with this place being the second and it did not disappoint! 4.5*
(4)Katherine L.
I don't usually like deep dish, but when you're in Chicago... you must have it! I came in and tried the personal pizza with sausage and the butter crust. The sausage was so good... not any sausage I've had because it's almost like a large piece on the bottom of the pizza instead of crumbled or sliced on top. The butter crust was so yummy! The crust was crunchy and tasted oh-so good. I guess it's hard to make butter taste bad. I like that nothing was soggy and everything tasted great. Even my server was great!
(4)Zach Z.
There is no better pizza place in my opinion. I am originally from the Chicagoland area so I jump at the chance to go to Lous whenever I can. This particular location I went to twice in as many days & bought 4 frozen pizzas to take back to Indy with me. Thats right, they sell frozen pizzas. Get a pizza stone & go to town, its almost as good as the real thing. This location is nice, plenty of seating and open pretty late so if you are in the area visiting museums or Buckingham, it can give you a nice place to go afterwards. This location, like all Lous, is also very family friendly. Lastly they have a decent number of TVs in case you would like to catch some game action.
(5)Golda R.
First and foremost, I would like to thank all those fellow Yelpers for steering my husband and I in the right direction as far as authentic Chicago style deep dish pizza! Thank you for letting us know about Lou Malnati's. We tried the Malnati Chicago Classic and it was great! I love how the crust is a cornmeal crust because often times with thick deep dish pizzas, it can get too doughy (for example, Giordano's) for my liking. And as simple as the pizza is, it had great flavor for it only having sausage, cheese, and tomatoes. The crust was awesome. I love bread, and I loved how the crust had crunch and didn't feel too heavy or doughy. Our bill came out to be almost $20. We ordered a 10" pan of pizza and a spinach stuffed bread for an appetizer. This place does not break the bank.
(5)Denise L.
What a waste of time. 30 minutes to make me a pizza? This "Deep Dish" thing is such a gimmick. (Tourist trap, but hey, you do it once and you live & learn.) I came in and sat at the bar at around 3 in the afternoon on a Friday. There were more workers in the place then patrons. I ordered a beer & the bartender poured it from a pitcher he kept in the fridge. Really? I can't even get anything fresh from the tap? Then when your pizza comes out, they have to cut it for you and I have to try and get your attention from the only other person sitting at the bar for you to cut this for me since you offered to cut it for me because you didn't want me to "break a nail"? It was cold by the time I got barely half way through it. (For a pizza that allegedly has to cook for 30 minutes, that seems highly suspect to me.) This New Yawker will stick to a good ol' regular pie back home, thanks!
(1)Carina M.
Try the buttery crust deep dish. Its the best! Customer service is exceptional as well.
(5)Peeyoosha H.
Lou malnati, our favorite place for deep dish pizza, at so many locations. We customized our pizza by adding vegetables and it was absolutely delicious. Ambiance was romantic, quiet, outdoor seating was great and Waiting time was around half an hour.
(4)Alex T.
Seeing many excellent reviews and tasting my first deep dish ever at Pequod's made me want more deep dish pie. On our last day in the windy city, we chose to go here. The reviews looked promising and all I could think about was more deep dish before I leave this city. Well sad to say, I was terribly disappointed in this place. The pizza crust was THICK as it was double layered. The crust was too doughy and all I could think of was the layers upon layers of cheese that began to solidify over time and eventually became a chore to devour. The server offered to place it in the over for me but when it came back, it seemed warmer but nothing else had changed. I just stuck to our fried appetizer (zucchini, mushrooms, cheddar cheese and mozzarella sticks) which also became very overwhelming because the order came with a mount of fried morsels to be dipped in either marinara or ranch. The appetizer is great for 3-4 to share. The restaurant booth was not comfortable and the seating area felt cramped. There is also no view from inside the restaurant. The service was quick and our server was very pleasant, however I came for food. So unless the food's fantastic and satisfying, I will not be back based on service alone. Sorry Lou Malnati's. You are just not meant for me. I will leave you for another Yelper's enjoyment!
(2)Lucy T.
Extremely impressed with the food and service here. Last time I was in Chicago, I had Giordanos pizza which I thought was great at the time. But Malnahtis beats it hands down. The Lou special with sausage is so flavorful, and you can still tell it's pizza. On our visit I'd rate the service 10 stats if I could. Everyone was welcoming. Our server was extremely friendly
(5)Christopher R.
The food is amazing. Big portions, fresh ingredients, fast service. Check it out if you are in the area.
(5)Elisa W.
This is some of the best pizza in Chicago! If you're from out of town, this is a great place to sample some real Chicago deep dish pizza. It's a lot of food. They put a lot of sausage on the pizza. It's not as good reheated, so try to eat it all. The calamari was good too, and I don't even like seafood!
(5)Janet O.
The best part of this deep dish is that the crust was perfect-- not greasy or soggy, as some seem to get. Just be sure to put plenty of money in your meter if you drive...The perfection of this pizza takes time.
(5)Priscilla B.
Excellent pizza! The cheese is amazing... from the same Wisconsin dairy farm for 40 years... We are picky, coming from Brazil and knowing Italian style pizza very well. The Chicago style (deep dish) resembles more of a pie to me, and we loved the spinach one, called Lou. Don't think twice, you must try this place!
(5)Miriam N.
Really lovely waiters, amazing deep-dish pizza. We really enjoy the chicago pizza style plus a deliciouss starter: the fried calamari. Totally recomendable place. If you are greedy go for the cookie desert...it is amazing but dont forget to share it is big! Good price. (15$ per person)
(5)Janet E.
This was my first time at the Lou Malnati's restaurant on south State street. I brought four visitors from California here and they loved it! We were all especially blown away by their Malnati salad. We had never had it before and now that I have had it, I'm going to order it every time! Here's whats in it: Romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, black olives, sliced mushrooms, crumbled Volpi salami and gorgonzola cheese. Tossed with Lou's famous dressing with a touch of romano cheese. Reading the ingredients is making my mouth water again! So yummie! The deep dish took a while to make. Be sure to order that before anything else because it will take about 30-45 minutes. But if you start with an appetizer, the wait isnt as long. We had the Malnati Chicago Classic deep dish. It was delicious! The large 14" says it serves only 4 people, but we had 5 people and still had left overs! I think it could serve 6 people in my opinion (with an appetizer to start). Service was top notch despite having only a few waitresses. The clean up staff was right on point though! Our waitress kept us updated on our pizza and how much longer it would take before we could eat it. She was funny too! Her slicing pizza hands are famous on facebook! So glad this opened up in my neighborhood. Cant wait to come back! (especially for that salad!)
(4)Kathy D.
I am not a big fan of Deep Dish Pizza to be honest with you but Lou's was probably the best deep dish pizza I have ever had.. (which is small selection that I have had) We were already on the south side so we stopped by here before waiting in line for Willis Tower. We went straight to the real stuff. Ordered the Malnati Chicago Classic deep dish. It was delicious! Buttery crust indeed and it was more cheesy than tomato-ey, which is what I expected the whole time! You can't forget to have a local 312 beer with this native deep dish pizza! Perfect! On the side, we also ordered a chicken sandwich but this ended up being paid for by the restaurant since it took longer than the pizza to get to our table. Score! Our waitress was more than friendly and very understanding.. She even helped us out route the rest of our day since we were going to take all these CTA routes. Chicago must since they are all about deep dish!
(4)Jennie C.
Not a huge fan of deep dish pizzas in general, but if I had to eat it, I'd eat Lou's.
(4)Robert J.
Believe the hype. Was with a group of friends who were pretty firm on their choice for lunch....Deep Dish Pizza. I had Gino's in the past and really never had a great experience. The location is great near Rush/State in downtown with an expanisve interior that provides more than enough seating and space. We started off with a Malnati Salad, which was absolutely incredible. Fresh vegetables, crumbled Volpi salami and gorgonzola cheese with a sweet vinaigrette dressing. Unbelievable flavor! We ordered a deep dish Sausage Pizza. We were told by our server that it would take 30 minutes, it came to our table in 25. Pizza came steaming hot and smelled wonderful. Everything about this pizza was amazing...the cheese, crust, sausage. I am confident that this is the best pizza i have had in my entire life.
(5)Patrick K.
The BEST...I repeat, the BEST Chicago style pizza. Make sure to get the butter crust. I could eat Lou's everyday when I'm in Chicago. Wish I had one right now....it's that good.
(5)Kim H.
Terrible!!!! First off I have to caveat this review with the fact that could care less for Chicago style pizza. Too me, it's simply "too much". I prefer my thin crust NY pizza. That being said I still gave it a shot. I did not care for the pizza here mainly because it was soooooo bland! The crust has no flavor at all. Like another Yelper mentioned, it tastes exactly like cafeteria pizza from middle school. They seem to emphasize tomato sauce over cheese here.
(1)Kate D.
Awesome deep-dish Chicago-style pizza. The Buttercrust is amazing. Super-delicate, not doughy. My only criticism is that, in my humble opinion, there is TOO MUCH Italian sausage on the Chicago Classic pizza. It's as if there's one giant patty of sausage, not just pieces. It gets a bit much. But the pizza overall is great! The Lou is terrific with lots of mushrooms and spinach. Great salad, too, with excellent home-made dressings Excellent beer choices and great service, too.
(4)Donald M.
Had a good dinner here with my wife and two sons. Loved the crust's crisp. It was quite a wait, even though we pre-ordered while waiting for a table. On a Sunday night, waited 45 minutes for a table, then another 30 minutes after being seating. Not sure of the benefit of the pre-order on that night!
(4)Dulce C.
The Best Pizza In Chicago I love The Chicago Classic with the Butter Crust ...Soooo Delliisshhh!!! you must try it!! Great Prices too!
(5)Steve N.
Authentic Chicago style pizza, it is excellent. We also had the chicken wings and pizza chips for appetizers, everything was tasty. We will be back.
(5)Lisa Marie R.
My FAVORITE pizza in Chicago. I'm not sure if we came during an "off peak" time...but we had absolutely no wait. 5 stars for that. I tried the "Lou" and the "Malnati Chicago Classic" and both were equally amazing...I can't put my finger on what was better. So if you haven't been there, I suggest getting both :) The crust is seriously unlike anything I have ever tried. It's crispy yet doughy and buttery...all at the same time. I normally skip the crust but I ate it all...and when I was done, I was wishing I still had more. It's been 24 hours since I've had this...and only 1 hour since I tried Gino's East....but why am I still craving Lou's?? I can't wait to go back and pick up a frozen pizza before I head back to California.
(5)Thompson L.
If you're looking for the best Chicago Deep Dish... Lou Malnati's is it. Giordano, Pizzeria Uno's, etc etc etc-- they're all worth a try but if you have to have just ONE... Lou Malnati it is! With that said. DiFara's in Brooklyn, NY still trumps them all.
(5)Jessica M.
So, when you're in Chicago, you basically HAVE to get deep dish pizza. It's Illinois law. My boyfriend has visited and dined in Chicago numerous times and he's had Geno's East and Giordano's, but he insists that Lou Malnati's wins the Chicago pizza chain war. I personally prefer the fold of a New York style pizza, so I deferred to his expertise on this one. We ended up ordering calamari as an appetizer and a small deep dish sausage with butter crust. I've never had calamari before and was a little apprehensive about ordering it from a (what I considered) random pizza place, but it was crispy, light, and utterly delectable. It came with this marinara-type cocktail sauce which I also loved (and I hate HATE cocktail sauce). As I said above, if I was given a choice between styles of pizza to eat, Chicago deep dish would probably be near the bottom of that list. HOWEVER, Lou Malnati's might have changed my mind. It's not super saucy and the sauce itself does not taste like sugar, which are things that automatically kill a pizza for me. The cheese was thick but not unappetizingly so. And the thing that NAILS it is the treatment of the sausage. The sausage is not clumped on the pizza...IT IS ITS OWN LAYER! GENIUS! Every.single.bite.has.sausage. I'm a fan. I know there are probably endless places in Chicago for deep dish, but I would not feel sad if I never got to try any of these places. Just get me some darn Lou Malnati's!
(4)George C.
Had to wait 50 minutes for a table. Food was worth the wait. Pizza was excellent, spinach salad was great, desserts (tira misu and cookie pizza) were delicious. Didn't give 5 stars only because server forgot to bring the minestrone soup that we ordered. But then they remembered, brought it out anyways and took it off the bill. Am visiting Chicago for a convention, will come back again.
(4)Dat D.
I love this place. Dine-in or Take-out, it doesn't matter. If you don't like sausage, sucks for you. But after going here a gajillon times nothing can beat my go-to pizza: Sausage & Spinach Deep Dish Pizza (ask for "Buttercrust, well-done") The sausage is not like your Pizza Hut or Domino's sausage. It's a bit hard to explain, but it's different and very delicious. The spinach is sauteed with garlic. Having spinach on your pizza is essential. Otherwise, it's just not as great. The buffalo wings are the best I've had yet. Ask for buffalo sauce on the side, though.
(4)Erin W.
This was some of the best pizza I've ever had. Granted, I'm from an area that really doesn't understand superbly delicious pizza. However, I was left asking myself if it can really get much better than this? So that must count for something, right? The ingredients tasted soooo fresh. I'm drooling now just remembering the experience. :) Overall, there wasn't anything to complain about. The service was excellent and the prices were reasonable.
(4)E C.
Lou's is literally around the corner from where I live (I can smell their kitchen whenever I pass through the garage), it's amazing I haven't developed a heart condition by now. I've been there more times than I can remember and I've never been disappointed. All variations of deep dish, thin crust, and appetizers. I'm particularly fond of the bruschetta. I can't speak for the desserts since I've never finished an entree and felt I could fit any thing else down. Comparing Lou's deep dish to other notable Chicago places, there is a definite difference. It's not necessarily good or bad, but all deep dish pizzas are not the same. The pies at Giordano's feel more substantial while the ones at Gino's East taste more earthy, if those descriptions mean anything to anyone else. Pricing is fair and comparable. Service is great: I've experienced mix-ups, especially during peak dining hours, but the management team were fantastically accommodating in bringing over apps on the house or upgrading our order. Which brings me to the downside: be prepared for long lines, out the door and down the block, if you dine during peak hours.They expanded into the unit next door (last year? two years ago? can't remember), but people keep filling up the place. Just tonight, a Monday night, I saw that the line outside had reached the 7 Eleven on the corner. At least you can put in your order before you're seated so that you won't need to wait another half hour for your pie to cook when a table finally clears. Definitely a place to check out on your Chicago food tour.
(4)Veronica C.
First stop on my food tour of Chicago. What a great way to start! I think we arrived somewhere between 5:30 and 6pm on a Friday evening, and we were seated right away. Score!! Because we were so hungry, we hadn't eaten anything since 7am breakfast before flying to Chicago, we ordered the stuffed spinach bread app, and 2 small pizzas, the Classic and the Lou. Our waiter suggested adding pepperoni to the Classic... perfect! Since I didn't do the ordering, I didn't realize we actually had gotten the smalls that feeds 2 people each instead of the mini sizes. I loved the spinach bread... it wasn't what I was expecting, but still delicious, like a hollowed out loaf of toasted bread stuffed with cheese and spinach. I liked the Classic more than the Lou (Lou was too cheesy for me). We overordered for the 3 of us, but we ended up giving our pizza to a homeless guy afterwards. A solid, affordable meal, with great service.
(4)Jim N.
Awesome pizza, and great wait staff.
(5)Peter K.
Amazing Chicago style deep dish pizza, maybe best in Chicago! Takes a bit of time to make and maybe a line, but worth it! There are a few locations, but I have only been to this one so far and it is always a great experience, especially with a group - fun atmosphere. A Chicago MUST!
(5)Warren C.
Some good deep dish, I tell you what. I'd recommend the signature items if you were to come here. The Lou is one, I think The Chicago was the other. Either way, the deep dish pizza is very well made. Coming from California, I was easily impressed. Make sure you make a reservation or at least put your name on the list if you decide to come here on a busy weekend night. And that's only half the battle, because you should also call in 15-20 min ahead of your reservation and put your orders in as well. It'll be ready when you arrive hopefully. That's the quickest way to get in and old of this place.
(4)Ava M.
I don't know why everyone is all about this place... We ordered the Lou's Special (vegetarian pizza that is, apparently one of their most popular) and the girl warns us it takes 30 minutes to make. We get a small pizza, and don't change the recipe. We wanted a chicago-style pizza... to the truest form... We get the pizza and its melting... with GLOBS of cheese.... I pick most of it off, and have the rest... and it was mundane. It was lacking flavor and the crust tasted stale. I was waiting for the "mmm" feeling inside my brain as I was placing the doughy pizza in my mouth, and it wasn't coming. I ended up eating half my slice and we gave the rest to a homeless guy on the street. 2 stars, because it wasn't disgusting. But there is waaaayyy too much hype for this place. We didn't try any other pizza either, with the risk of feeling super fat and super disappointed.
(2)James H.
I will not begin to say its the best in Chicago, because its the only we tried for the weekend (and that is apparently a futile argument in this town). It was very good. You can taste the freshness of the ingredients. HOWEVER, be warned. You will have to have the patience of a saint to eat there on a weekend especially. That falls true for every "pie" that'd be worth having though. It was the one and only we will ever have dining in.
(4)Jimmy V.
First, my advice is to arrive early in the evening. This place gets packed with locals and tourists alike and you don't want to be waiting outside for a table, because once you get a table, you will be waiting again. Lucky enough to get the last available table without waiting and received prompt service. Delicious beer arrived quickly and was able to place an order for a deep dish pizza pie in short order. Waitress allowed us to modify the Chicago Classic combo with fresh tomatoes and the spinach mix. Then the long wait begin, four beers and hour later, the pizza arrived -- hot, thick, and tasty. Was it worth the wait? Mostly. That is, I was pleased to enjoy some Chicago Deep Dish and the tasty beer offerings, yet I can't understand why this place takes twice as long as any other pizza joint to get the pizza made, baked, and on your table.
(3)Heather B.
We decided to go to Lou Malnati's because of the positive Yelp reviews. I was a little disappointed. I was hoping for a nice Chicago pizza experience but it was more like Pizza Hut. The food was good but the entire experience left much to be desired. Not worth the hour and a half wait, in my opinion.
(2)Crysta I.
Very good pizza. Nice place for families.
(3)Carolyn M.
I finally experienced an authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza, and it was GOOD! The wait for a table wasn't too long - about 40 minutes at 7pm on a Saturday. Service was great, even though our server admitted that she was new, and the food/beer was really delicious. I know the pizza is supposed to be the best part of this place, but they really knocked the Malnati salad out of the park - the crumbled salami is key! Although this place is a chain, it doesn't feel like one. I highly recommend for tourists and locals alike!
(4)Kislev A.
Can't come here and not eat Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. I would be embarrassed as a traveller, as a yelper, even as a human being! Had the sausage and the deluxe. I prefer the sausage. But I would be willing to give the deluxe another try another time. The crust is what makes Lou Malnati's great. It's crispy but does not taste like cardboard. The sauce is good but sparing. The amount of Cheese is ok. But what pushes their pizza over the top is the amount sausage they put in there. It doesn't get sprinkled over the dish: it gets laid on top coz it's as large as the pan. BTW, $5 your order with your Go Chicago Card!
(5)Charles H.
Eating deep dish pizza as my last meal in Chicago should have been an experience that I would never forget. Unfortunately Lou Malnati's only deserves 3 stars. With a group of eight we ordered: -Calamari -Family Portion House Salad w/ranch and Sweet Vinaigrette -The "Lou" (medium size) -The "Malnati Chicago Classic" (medium size) -Sasuge and pepperoni thin crust (medium size) The calamari crust could've been more crunchy. House salad was fresh and the dressings were on the side per request. The Lou had fresh vegetables and the classic bore plenty of toppings. To my surprise I felt the thin crust was perhaps the best pizza. Perhaps I'm more accustomed to thin crust vice thick crust. The service could've been better as we waited 10 minutes for our waters; however, the waitresses did check on us frequently and placed additional slices on our plates as needed. Overall, a good experience but not life changing. Remember to pre-order if you're waiting to be seated.
(3)Vince S.
Selected based on Yelp ratings and being close to our hotel on a very cold night in early December. Very friendly wait staff. It was Pizza and nothing special for being in Chicago.
(3)Eeeeestar T.
Four stars for Lou Malnati's--they really seem to know what they're doing--but three stars for the abomination that is deep dish pizza. Sure, Lou Malnati's does the best that they can with this monstrosity (I appreciate the crushed tomatoes and buttery crust), but the fact that something like this exists and is so popular scares me. It's just way too much--too much bready crust, too much cheese, too much toppings, too much grease. (And too much of a wait...two hours? Are you kidding me??) So...I guess I'm now an official member of Team Thin Crust.
(4)Ann Marie K.
We ordered a head of time for a larger group and the food took over an hour after we were all seated. The pizzas were under cooked and had to send back to recook which was unfortunately too late since we were on a lunch hour. The lack of customer services given the cirucmstances were extremely disappointing.
(1)Bao N.
was in town for the weekend and had to try the famous deep dish chicago pizza. came in at about 8pm on a saturday night and was seated promptly and water brought out as well. ordered the minestrone soup which was nice and hot. nothing spectacular but it was nice on a cold night. ordered malnati's chicago classic and i must say it was amazing. the butter crust was tasty and crunchy and i was impressed by the layer of sausage and cheese, it just melted in my mouth. went alone and ordered a small. had 1/4 pieces left to take home, a personal would not have been enough food. overall, good friendly service and amazing pizza.
(5)Tosa Foodie A.
The thin crust pizza is FANTASTIC!! This happens when perfect texture intersects with mouthwatering taste! The buttery crust is slightly crispy and slightly chewy creating ideal texture. Taste is a completely subjective assessment in my opinion. The nearly 50 folks waiting in line for a table speaks volumes about expectations being met or exceeded! Enjoy!!
(5)Rick K.
Wow! Hands down, best deep dish pizza ever. Went there on Saturday, I thought I was in heaven.
(5)Cindy A.
sooo..this is Chicago pizza? Before I flew into Chicago I didn't know anything about Chicago pizza except you will have to eat it with a fork and knife (correction, I still don't know much about Chicago pizza). I Yelped around and picked the one with the highest reviews. Obviously. Don't get me wrong, it tasted good but I guess I was expecting something amazing. I was expecting to take a bite out of this deep dish pizza and crown it king of all pizza. They were definitely generous with the sausage pieces and the tomato sauce was chunky with the perfect seasoning, I think everything together was only "ok". I felt like the pizza was a little watery and everything just fell apart when I put it on my plate. I'm glad we came at an off time and didn't have to wait.
(3)Elizabeth M.
Good: Salads - all are big enough to split with 2 people The Lemon dressing as well as the gorgonzola dressing are amazing - and both homemade personal cheese pizza - perfect portion for your deep dish fix! Bad: No complaints! This is the best spot in Chicago for delicious pizza and stellar service!
(5)Julianne S.
Tonight was our first dining experience at Lou Malnati's, and it was wonderful! The staff was friendly and the service was impeccable. And the food was fabulous! We ordered the pizza chips and garlic bread as appetizers, then had the Malnati Classic pizza as our main dish. I would highly recommend all three. To finish off the evening, we ordered the Chocolate Chip Pizza for dessert -- Yum! If you've never been, I highly recommend you give it a try.
(5)Cameron Y.
My first trip to Chicago brought me to Giordano's to try deep dish and I was not impressed (see review), however my 2nd trip to Chicago a friend recommended Lou Malnati's so I was eager to try a competitors deep dish to get a better idea of what Chicago has to offer. We ordered the Malnai's salad while we waited on our pizza and it was my favorite part of the meal. Romaine lettuce, bacon bits, Gorgonzola cheese, tomato w/ a light vinaigrette... pure deliciousness. I thought the pizza was tasty and satisfying, however I was still a bit disappointed. I wish the pizza had been cooked longer so that the crust was at least brown. I also would have preferred more veggies on the pizza to create a bit more texture. I guess Houston's imitation deep dish is more my style :P
(3)J D.
Great service Great pizza shop atmosphere Now that I've said that let me say I'm from philadelphia. This was amazing food. However it was more of a casserole then a pizza. It was an amazing casserole but I had to eat it with a knife in fork. When I think of pizza I think of something I can eat while standing, walking down the street. With all said I'd highly recommend any one to eat there but to know Chicago pizza is actually Chicago casserole
(4)Angela F.
As a native Chicagoan, I'm sad to say that this was my first time eating deep dish. I've stayed away mainly b/c it never appealed to me (the extra calories compared to thin crust, which I love) and b/c I need to go out of my way to go to a deep dish place. We trekked here from Millenium in the cold Chicago winter, but it was very much worth it! We almost missed it--the place is pretty inconspicuous compared to other pizza places downtown with their flashing signs. The pizza was reasonably priced, and good sized portion (we got the size for 2 ppl, but with an appetizer, it is more appropriate for 3). The service was fast, and the food very good. Decor was nice, nothing fancy or extra ordinary. Nice place for family dinner or very casual lunch date w/ friends or otherwise. Sad that I couldn't find room to eat the tiramisu :( Will definitely stop by another location to try it out! The pizzas are also available frozen, so I'll pick one up one day to bake at home. The closest one to my home is the Lincolnwood location, which received slightly lower ratings compared to this location, but the food is worth trying out.
(4)Cubs F.
Great pizza and salads every time I order! Thanks guys!
(5)Kelsey D.
First authentic Chicago pizza we ever had and I think we hit the jackpot! We got the classic malnati with the vine ripened tomato sauce and lean sausage! Wow, delicious! Crisp and buttery edged crust. And the sauce makes it! Can't wait to go back and visit again!! The staff was friendly and we parked about half a block away so was easily accessible!
(5)Jason M.
Deep-dish pizza, and they let you preorder your pizza while you wait for a table to open up. Oh, and you can drink beer while you wait? Ding ding ding.
(4)Gina S.
After some serious city walking with the family in town, we were all in need of some serious food. We arrived just before 6:30pm and were able to be seated right away in a nice big booth by the window. By the time we left at 8pm, there was a wait that went out the door. We ordered a large Malnati salad for five of us to split, it was plenty for multiple helpings. I liked it a lot the last time I was at a Lou's. My Dad couldn't stop telling us how much he liked it too, especially the dressing; lettuce, tomatoes, black olives, mushrooms, bits of salami and Gorgonzola cheese tossed in their house dressing. I thought the dressing could have used a little more vinegar or something to give it some zip, but it was still tasty. The deep dish pizzas takes about 35 minutes to bake. We went with a small Lou (mostly for me) & a large build our own pepperoni & mushroom deep dish. The Lou was topped with spinach, mushrooms and slices of tomatoes. Then topped with a three cheese blend; mozzarella, Romano AND cheddar cheese all on their butter crust. I love the butter crust. Crisp yet soft all at the same time, amazing. While I didn't try the pepperoni/mushroom pizza, the hubby and I agree a deep dish really should have at least 3 topping otherwise it's a LOT of cheese on cheese. Leftovers are amazing!
(4)Jason C.
Wait was a bit long, but the pizza is well worth it. If you're visiting Chicago you have to give their deep dish pizza a try. You won't regret it!
(5)Jenny L.
First time to try deep dish style pizza and this location offered one of the most relaxing and friendly dining experiences we had in the Chicago area. Lunchtime on a Friday and we were quickly seated without a wait. Asked our server about both the size of the Malnati salad and the classic deep dish for 3 as the menu said the medium would fill 1-2 people and we were not sure whether to get a medium or large. She was so refreshingly straightforward about the fact that the medium size would be more than plenty for both and guided us in the medium direction for both. She was spot on! The medium is about 2 slices per person for a total of 6 slices. Malnati salad is a must try- sweet salad dressing, reasonable price and large quantity Great food and service!
(4)Nick J.
Highly expected but got really disappointed. Deep dish at this location was not good and experienced slow and bland service. Many diners seem to be tourists. Still give a three star because i like other locations a lot.
(3)Ellen C.
Great place to visit at any time - plenty of space, great for small or large groups, great for families, great for friends and family, great solo, really for any reason. Their pizzas are really fantastic - crispy, buttery crust even with all the toppings and luscious toppings and sauce. Better yet their lunch specials make everything affordable for anyone, and even buying off the normal menu is still pretty reasonable! Great place to go whenever you're in the mood for some pizza and just want somewhere reliable in food, in value and in service.
(4)Mich S.
We had the The Malnati Chicago Classic deep dish pizza, which was just a mess of cheese, sauce, sausage on a flavorless crust. It was not an enjoyable experience, but I'd definitely try deep dish elsewhere.
(2)Steve S.
I was a bit skeptical of Lou's because my I first heard about them on some Food Network show. Usually they only feature watered down, tourist places on those shows. So once we moved to the South Loop, we gave it a try because it was right down the street. And I'm happy to say, Lou's is amazing! We've only gotten delivery but it's always been incredible. Lots of cheese, buttery crust and chunky sauce all combine to make...I'm gonna say it...the best pizza in Chicago!
(5)David B.
Apologies to the locals who love this chain, but it was mediocre chain pizza. I really like deep dish but this was very greasy.
(2)L N.
This place is BOMB DOT COM! Would def have to come back here again when I visit Chicago. The staffs were super friendly and welcoming!
(5)Nick D.
I would like to start off by saying that every single "Chicago Deep Dish" styled pizza I've ate before arriving in great city of Chicago, was pure crap! Growing up in the SF Bay Area, I was never a fan of deep dish pizza , but now that I know what it's supposed to taste like, oh man, I'm a fan! During our visit, we tried Giordano's, Pizano's and Lou Malnati's. All three pizza spots blew away every deep dish pizza I've had in my life but overall, Lou Malnati's served up some awesome pizza. Man, oh man, Lou Malnati's butter crust had me at first bite! The pie/crust will make or break the pizza and it was one of the rare times in my life I finished my slices in it's entirety, crust included. The s/o agreed, there was something about that crust, there was some baking crack or something in it. Also, what I liked about it is that the pizza wasn't soggy; moreso at Giordano's, Pizano's was okay. Prior to the pizza, we started off with the BuffaLou Wings which were pretty decent, had a little crisp to it which I liked. The Malnati Salad which came recommended was totally delicious! Not sure what exactly the dressing was made out of but it made you want to lick your salad plate clean. Would I say Lou Malnati's was the best? We only hit up three pizza spots while in Chicago and yeah, I won't say it's THE best but damn, it's certainly one of the best pizza I've had!
(5)Ernie K.
Best f'ing deep dish pizza ever!!! Coming from NYC, I thought nothing can come close to our pizza but was I wrong or what? Get the Chicago Classic and you will not regret it. I liked it enough that I came here to eat 3 times in two days. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Dina V.
I first came here about two years ago and had deep dish style pizza for the first time. Being a New Yorker I was not impressed. Cut to this summer and my friends are now settled in across the street from this place, it's late, and everyone's hungry. Suddenly I am a fan. First visit was cheese bread and the sausage pie. So good but wish I skipped that bread and shoved a second slice into my belly! The second visit was towards the end of my trip so my waistline was begging for mercy. I chose the Lou Malnati signature salad, medium of course, and told myself the salami crumbles didn't count. My friends had the pasta, the lasagna, and the Caesar salad. When picking your pasta sauces go with the meat sauce. That last meal of the trip ended with splitting the tiramisu 4 ways and rather weak coffee. I'm betting that on my next visit I will be paying them a visit once more!
(3)Thadd J.
There are several great deep dish pizza places in Chicago. And growing up in Chicago, I've tired a lot of them and I like most of them, but to me Lou's in the best. I think it's the way they make their pies. There is a ton of meat in each one and the buttercrust is awesome. You must get the sausage pan pizza, there's sausage in every bite!! Unbelievable! I don't think you could go wrong visiting any of the Lou's in town. This one is a good location on the South side of the Loop. Buddy Guy's club is right around the corner. So this is always my eating spot before going to the club or anytime I'm back in Chicago and in the loop. Real friendly service every time I've stop in here. It's a must stop for Deep dish pizza when in Chicago!!
(5)Ken N.
It's settled. I prefer NY style thin crust pizza. The place was slam packed on a Friday night at 7PM. The wait was up to 1.5 hours so we opted for take out. Great bar area with friendly bartenders to hang out. Tried the Chicago Classic with butter crust and I'm sad to say, it was just okay. The crust was crunchy just how I like it but the pizza itself was just too cheesey/doughy. So maybe, just maybe, it was because we didn't eat it right away. Worth a try. I would give it another shot and dine in.
(3)Nicholas H.
Stopped in Chicago in the middle of a road trip from New York City to Southern California and I had to try some deep dish pizza while I was in town. I ordered the cheese deep dish pizza and the chocolate chip pizza. I enjoyed the pizza; the sauce was good and the cheese was plentiful, but I still prefer New York style pizza. The dessert was the highlight of the meal. This was the first Chicago deep dish pizza I had, so I'm not sure how it compares to others in the city.
(4)Tila N.
First time in Chicago and had to try deep dish pizza. Got "The Lou" and the peperoni deep dish. Both has butter crust and that was delicious. The Lou was good and cheesy. There were only 2 peperoni on the peperoni one but it was individual size so I didn't expect much. Both were cheesy and saucy.
(4)Chromie T.
Lou malnati classic- personal deepdish pizza was the best. Spinach and cheese filled bread was good as well. Personal pepperoni deepdish was a bit dry. Must visit in Chicago!
(5)Michael C.
Note: this is a review from a November, 2010 visit to Chicago that I neglected to post. I came to Chicago expecting to be blown away by "real" Chicago pizza. Eh...not so much. This was one of two places I tried while I was there. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. To be fair, I should not this was delivery to my hotel, but it arrived piping hot, so I don't think that was a significant factor. I had "The Chicago".
(3)Christina L.
Food and service was fantastic. I spilled water, so the waiter tried to give us more napkins than we needed to wipe down our table. He immediately took care of the ice that spilled on the ground. The waiter was genuine and was fast with his service. He was completely on top our order and told us exactly how long our pizza would take. When it was down to five minutes, he even stopped by to tell us. We were never out of water. Minus one star because I hate how they ask us if we want appetizers in anticipation of waiting 35 minutes, but I know it's a selling tactic. Their DELICIOUS pizza cost less than East Gino's, and was better tasting.
(4)Jeffrey T.
Lou's pizza can be summed up in three words: "delicious, buttery crust". The pizza is excellent, by far our favorite deep-dish pizza in Chicago. Toppings are good, plenty of yummy cheese, and that crust, oh that crust! They run a very good operation by allowing you to order your pizza ahead of time which reduces the wait at the table. Most recently we went on a Sunday night around 6pm, only a 15 minute wait for the table and our pizzas were there within another 25 minutes, not bad at all. We also had a "family size" spinach salad which was quite good and a new addition to their menu. It helps to balance out the sinful deliciousness of their pizza with some greens! By far the best pizza in town, it's consistently great every time we go! If you are looking for a classic chicago-style pizza, this is the place!
(5)Dennis D.
Pepperoni deep dish with extra sauce was excellent. Only my second time having Chicago deep dish. Delicious and would definitely recommend.
(4)Michelle F.
Great service, great food! The husband and I split a small (personal) pizza and a salad. All dressings are made in house, impressive. The lemon-garlic on our salad was yummy. Our son had his own personal pizza. I love the crisp, buttery crust and oozing cheese. We all ate well and got out of there for around $8 each. Not bad for fab deep-dish pizza.
(4)Carla L.
Hands down the best Deep Dish in Chicago. Please let me preface this by saying to the non-Chicago peeps, if you are looking for something comparable to anything else on this planet then please move on and leave this to those of us who appreciate it. Why? Because you are going to be disappointed because its not what you were expecting and it won't be appreciated for what it really is. To compare this to any other style *ehemnewyork* is wrong because they aren't in the same category at all. If you want a real meal this is the pizza for you. Lou's has a very unique crust that is different than any other deep dish places, its buttery and corn meal based which is a suprise to most. I can only say that the best advice I ever got was to try Lou's with green peppers and pepperoni. It is perfection. Service is great and the pizza the best! A must have with a good dark beer.
(5)Virginia L.
On a recent Chicago trip Lou Malnati's was part of our food tour, and everyone in our group loved it! In fact, my friends and I even went back for a second chance at their deep dish pizza. The crust was delicious and not too thick, with fresh tomatoes, heavenly cheese and lots of wonderful toppings. When you go be sure to try the salad. It's amazing too!
(5)Andyman S.
Mkay, recap of my Malnattis experience. In my excriciatingly slow plod through Chicagos more famous pie houses, Geno's East reigns supreme, far ahead of Uno, Giordano, and now the truly bad Malnatti's They get 1.5 out of 5, as Giordano got 2 a year ago I think, which in hindsight seems harsh compared to this one. I had decent expectations, having both read and heard about Lou's, which added to my sheer disappointment. Let's go with the pizza bottom up. The crust was woefully and inexcusably undercooked, their famous butter crust no less (designed to be richer and crispier from the heavy pan). It was wan, a pale, limp sponge outside and in. No redemption, no fine butter notes either. Cheese was next, a cool and solid puck which fell out, not oozed or even slid, when I tipped the crust to see the base. Seemed like a food service grade mozz. Sausage: utterly bland, so much so as to surpass the mildest of breakfast or sweet variety sausages. Serious lack of seasoning (perhaps to compliment the similar sauce feature), it became an exercise in chewing cooked ground pork. Poor. I also added spinach. I at first thought they simply forgot it, until I managed to find one string of it lurking in the pie. It added nothing, and those who know Geno's, spinach on the pie raises it to excellence. Worse than poor. Then the sauce. This was so bad as to astound me. Crushed canned tomatoes lightly simmered with no seasonings, no salts, nothing to sweeten or herb the concoction, leaving an acidic and watery bath covering this small pie. The water collected in the seams between the cold cheese and the crusts. It was foul. Anything from a jar laced with corn syrup and thickeners would have been preferable, truly. So, in short, Lou Malnatti's was a shocking failure which I will never repeat. It is a cliche, but I would take a Dominos hand tossed over that any day (just not their thin crust. Blechh). Knowing that Portland lacks any serious Chicago deep dish doesn't mean that I am biased against it. I love it. Once, when my friend Doug and I flew to London, we nearly wept over leaving Genos on the table, because we were just so stuffed, it was that good. Next year I pick the brains of locals to find the best Chicago deep dish.
(1)Chelsea L.
You know the pizza is good when you arrive at 8:45 p.m. on a Sunday night and have to wait for a table. We only had to wait about 10 minutes, and ordered an appetizer of spinach cheese bread to start. The appetizer was pretty good, not out-of-this-world good, but a decent way to start off dinner. I recommend starting off with something like an appetizer or a salad. The pizza takes a while, but it's worth waiting for! We got the classic (I forget the exact wording, but it had sausage on it), and it was A-MAZING. One slice and I was full. All in all: Reasonable price, good waitstaff, awesome pizza.
(5)Pete C.
I was told Lou Malnati's had the best pizza in Chicago. It was really good, but I don't know if it was the best. The ingredients were quality. I really liked the cheese and sausage on top of the pizza. I didn't like the dough part of the pizza. It was soggy.
(4)Heidi G.
Family of 4 traveling from the 808. Our first trip to Chicago with the family. Although they were busy (wait time was 45 minutes to 1 hour) the hostess informed us ahead of time to order our pizza while we're waiting for a table as it normally takes 1/2 hour to make so by the time we are seated our pizza would be ready, Ordered our pizza, waited patiently outside. Half hour later our table was ready and our waitress knew ahead of time we placed our pizza order and took the rest of our order. So thankful to the hostess who told us ahead of time what to do. I appreciate the service they gave us. My husband and I were super excited because we heard good things about Lou Malnati's from the concierge desk at the hotel we were staying at and of course from my brother in-law who is originally from Chicago. We were glad we were able to get a table because it was jam packed and I thought the service wasn't gonna be great because it was so busy but I was wrong. Our server was from Hawaii and she was awesome. Treated us like family! Food and drinks were great, trust me I had my 2 sons with us (age 9 and 7) and they were happy kids. My 9 yr old (early food critic in training) gave a thumbs up and couldn't stop raving about how delicious the pizza is and why we don't have deep dish pizza in Hawaii. My husband was happy about the beer selections (typical male). What can I say but Thank you Lou Malnati's. Thank you for the great food and great service. Don't know when we'll return since I want to eat those Bar-B-Lou wings with honey BBQ sauce that was so yummy but I'll be praying to the pizza gods to make it happen again.
(5)Stephanie B.
We went to Malnati's for lunch today. Because we were starving, we were there as close to opening time as we could be (12:05), so we were seated immediately. I started with a small salad with the gorgonzola dressing. It was simple mixed greens in a tasty dressing with croutons. Standard fare. Husband had chicken and rice soup. It was tasty and warmed you from the inside out. For lunch, I ordered the Stuffed Spinach Bread. It looks like a mini-loaf, which is filled with spinach and cheese and is served with marinara sauce. The marinara was tepid, and it quickly cooled off. The spinach bread was not cooked in the center. Alas, I was starving,. So, I ate it. I told our waitress that they need to have them cooked more in the back. She very considerately took it off of our bill. Husband had an individual sausage and cheese pizza. It was tasty, and the crust was crisp, but I really prefer Uno/Due. It just seemed that their pizza had more flavor. Thankfully, husband's pizza was hot. Perhaps it was a timing issue, but I found the food to be meh. For me, the service was the saving grace of this establishment.
(3)A P.
OUTSTANDING. My first deep dish pizza. The "Lou" was delicious and the flaky buttery crust was out of this world. I have a new respect for when people say "Chicago style pizza". The cookie pie and ice cream were yummy! Delivery was quick and cost was reasonable. Solid 5 stars.
(5)Nick H.
We're not from chi town but loved he pizza!!!! Great crust and balance of toppings!!!
(5)Christine N.
Lou Malnati salad-BEST EVER HAD! PIZZA-DROOLS! Chicago pizza shiz all over BJ's. Nothing can go wrong with this place at all! Best part, ordering frozen pizza to take back to California with us was the cherry on top of our trip. Love how they have different topping frozen pizza types compared to other deep dish joints in Chi-town.
(5)Kaila V.
I hate pizza absolutely hate it and my fiancé and his family love it so we went here and I think that my view on pizza has been changed. This was awesome!!!! Absolutely amazing. The wait is a little long but well with it. The butter crust was the best I've ever had!
(4)Christina G.
I was very disappointed by Lou Malnati's. It was my first time there, and I was excited to try their gluten-free pizza because I'd heard it was good, and I was anxious to have some good gf pizza (my doctor had recommended that I eat only gluten-free food). The pizza was delicious, but I got very bad food poisoning that night which lasted for about 36 hours, and I missed some important family events with our kids. I've emailed their manager of food safety, but they haven't reimbursed me and also haven't seemed very concerned about the issue. After hearing so many good things about Lou Malnati's for so long, I really am very disappointed.
(1)James I.
Best deep dish in Chicago. It gets really busy, so be prepared to wait for a table, but it's worth it. You can place the order for your pizza while you wait (since it takes ~45 minutes for deep dish), so you can get your pizza once you sit down. I usually get the Malnati Chicago Classic, which is soooo good.
(5)Allen D.
Can't say enough great things about this pizza place. Go here with friends and get a 14" original pan meat lovers.
(5)William K.
I am a huge fan of deep dish and living in Chicago has not only spoiled me, but turned me into a bit of a deep dish snob. That being said, Lou Malnati's has definitely met the challenge. The crust is light and flake which seems hard to achieve for a deep dish. The cheese to sauce ratio is perfect. The sauce... so simple- it seems. It looks like crushed tomatoes... that's all. Taste is exceptional. Service was awesome!! I can't wait to go back again!
(5)Patty A.
I can't say this was my favorite pizza. I guess I've been spoiled by all the extra add-ons that most restaurants offer. We ordered a pepperoni and added sausage. There aren't many variations of pizza...I guess they love sticking to just cheese and pepperoni. It was good but I feel that Giordano's is better!
(3)Hang T.
When you go to Chicago, you definitely have to try their deep dish pizza. I'm not a big fan of pizza in general already so I wasn't expecting very much from this one. I had a taste of the deep dish pizza and I kid you not, the cheese was about a half and inch thick. My god. When I pulled a piece away, the cheese was still fully attached and had to be pulled apart with a fork or your fingers. The pizza is already like two inches thick. It gets really tiring to eat after a while. One slice can fill you up for the whole day. It feels like a brick is in your stomach basically. I didn't see what all the hooplah was about really. Pizza's pizza. It was pretty oily to me to, but I guess that's what all pizza is like. I tried Geno's and to me, it is actually more flavorful than Lou Malnati's.
(3)Danny W.
Classic Chicago deep dish. There's not much else to say. If you want Chicago deep dish, you want Lou Malnati's. There is no substitute.
(5)Biily D.
the best deep dish pizza in the town :)
(4)Heather H.
Walking distance to the Hilton which we appreciated given the iffy weather. Surprisingly good. Chicken Louie was excellent. Deep dish pizzas were thoroughly enjoyed by the rest of the family. Will definitely return on future Chicago visits. Wait staff very social and engaged us in lively banter about the Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins.
(3)Anne L.
Wow, what a pleasant surprise. Concierge recommended this place and the ratio of crust to meat, cheese and sauce was perfect. The sausage deep dish was amazing!
(5)Tyler R.
Chicago and Deep Dish pizza are inseparable. Last time in Chicago (3 years ago), I had Giordano's. That was outstanding (see profile pic). I heard a lot of great stuff about Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. I have to say-- good, not great. First, my girlfriend and I were seated immediately during lunch on a Thursday. We sat at a booth that had a table nearly chin-high. I think it's meant to facilitate the rate that you can get the food into your mouth and limit any mess on your clothes. Our server came over immediately, and took our order. She warned us that the large garden/house salad was big, but I reassured her that I'm an elephant in human clothing. I immediately regretted my decision upon receiving this salad. For under $10 they brought out a trough with tongs. I can't believe we fit that much vegetation into our bodies. As for the pizza, we ordered the Classic Chicago Special-- deep dish with roma tomatoes, sausage, and extra cheese. This is where things went awry just a bit. First, it says a 9" pizza serves two. I don't know who those two people are, but they must have stomachs the size of Chicago. A 9" pizza is easily enough for 4. It was brought out hot and served table side-- nice touch. The unfortunate news is that the pizza components were not evenly distributed. That is to say, my girlfriend got most of the sauce and some cheese, and I got a half pound of mozzarella with some diced tomatoes. She loved it. I couldn't stomach it, and took off at least half the cheese. The crust was unbelievable, and the house-made sausage was scrumptious, too. Bottom line: One star for service, one star for excellent pricing, and one star for great flavors. Minus one star for a lack of execution (it was like eating two different pizzas), and minus one for not living up to the hype. Maybe I'll have to give it another try when I visit again.
(3)Soly Z.
I was on a personal quest to try Giordano's, Gino's, and Lou Malnati's - all on my first trip to Chicago. They were all good, and I didn't think that any of them were out of this world. Lou Malnati's was less cheese laden than Giordano's, but more flavorful. The 6 inch individual was "small" when you compare the monstrous slices of the larger pizza's. It was enough for me though. The staff was friendly & attentive, and while I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there again, I would go back if I was in the area.
(3)Varun G.
Absolutely great food at a great price. Came here for the famous deep dish pizza (which was awesome), and also loved the bruschetta and the tiramisu. The food and the ingredients were very fresh and the service was great too.
(5)Eric t.
You know something is good when you crave and dream about it for the next few days. This is one of those places. I went in on St. Paddys day, late night after a complete day of "celebrating". The deep dish was just awesome, blew me away. Had the sausage and a veggie one too. Appetizer was a spinach stuffed bread with marinara was so good. I look forward to coming back soon. Service was great too.
(5)Nate C.
This place was amazing!!! As tourists, we had to get some Chicago deep dish pizza, and this was recommended by our local friends. It did not disapoint. The only thing that kept it from being 5 stars is lack of variety. Expand your menu!!!
(4)Malachi V.
Were here with some co-workers and yes, half an hour wait for the pizza is a long wait, but.. well worth it. We were actually advised NOT to take "the Lou", but to just create our own, which we did. And I must say: it was great! Crust was a little hard, but the flavor was superb! We had to come back a few days later to experience it again.. and yes, it was great again! The Tiramisu was also a lot better than expected. For anyone who wants to experience it but doesn't live nearby.. they deliver in other states! They had a flier about this in the restaurant, but you could try and see if they have it on their website (didn't check) or call them.
(4)Quinn H.
Went to the newer place on State Street. Thanks to the previous reviewers who recommended an appetizer, as it does take 30 minutes to make your pizza. Be aware of this! We ordered the gorgonzola fries, which were solid. My wife liked them more than I did. Covered in a creamy vaguely gorgonzola-flavored sauce and bacon, this was perfect for a hangover sort of fat ingestion. Nothign to write home about but solid. The pizzas were good. My wife liked them more than I did but honestly I've never been a deep dish fan. I tend to enjoy thin crush pizza and lots of tangy tomato sauce, and of course this is like the opposite of Chicago style pizza. Nice crunchy crust however. Would go back again unless there was a more local hot spot like Burts' Place or something. I wouldn't heistate to come here again, and therefore would give it four stars.
(4)Annie H.
I'm a little sad -- only because when I pre-ordered prior to getting our seats, I forgot to tell them I wanted buttercrust. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! :( We were seated promptly at the 45 minute mark that the girl in the front told us. While we waited, they had brought out a free pizza for all the waiting patrons to taste -- I think it was their thin crust pepperoni, which was awesome! It made me really look forward to the real deep dish. There isn't much seating for people that are waiting, so we all just sort of milled about and got in everyone else's way. We ordered the Malnati salad, toasted mozzarella sticks and the calamari fritta. All very good, except for the salad, which I had asked for cheese on the side, but they mixed it all in. I had to eat very carefully since too much gorgonzola cheese in the salad makes me want to gag. After about 10 minutes or so, our Malnati special (which I can't find on their online menu, but had a few different meats and no veggies) came to the table. There were four of us and we ordered the medium, which supposedly feeds 3 but it must be 3 football players because at the end we still had 2 slices left! The crust was amazing, even though it wasn't the buttercrust. Crispy and crunchy, and it didn't even get soggy even though the pie itself was full of sauce and toppings. I'm sad that we only have an Uno's back in NY... they should definitely open up a Lou's!
(4)Jacob G.
The pizza at Lou Malnati's is really good. It's something that you should try at least once in your life. I like their appetizers and salads as well.
(4)Sandra M.
First off, our waitress was absolutely great! We walked in at 11:15 pm and they closed at 12. She recommend a great appetizer. Our pizza was out very quick and it wasn't burnt, the thin crust was actually thin which my husband and I love! We will definitely be coming back for some late night pizza.
(4)Jeff H.
Started off with the Bruchetta. It was excellent. Lou's classic deep dish pizza was great. Lots of sausage and pepperoni. No skimping here. The crust was perfect. I definitely recommend this place.
(5)Jason M.
Rolled in on a Thursday night about 820PM with a very hungry wif and kids. We have heard about this place from word of mouth and from the Travel Channel (or Food Network...) Dropped our names and were told that we had a 25-30 minute wait. We were advised to pre-order. So we grabbed our pager and hit a corner with menu in hand. We were hungry but we are not into glutting out, besides we are road trippin and dont have a place to keep leftovers. Order two smalls (9 inches) Deep dish. One was the classic with pepperoni and the other was a plain cheese. Our pager went off we were seated and ordered a individual salad which will easily feed two grown adults. Because we pre-ordered our pizzas they came out about 10 minutes after we sat down. It was perfectly timed because our salad was brought out almost immediately. Everything was fresh and tasty. The sauce, the crust. Yummm. All in all I think we lucked out for a Thursday night in downtown Chicago. Had we waited any longer or had not pre-ordered I would not be as impressed.
(4)Locke Lamora L.
Good place to try Deep Dish Pizza
(4)Peter M.
Lou Malnatti's Pizza is the best pizza place - EVER. Regardless of the location, they are all great (I just happen to live near this location). Anyways, the crust, sauce and cheese contribute to why it's the best pizza. For non-Chicagoans, you must come here if you are visiting from out of town. The butter-crust for the pan pizza is a MUST.
(5)Winston G.
2.5 stars. This was my first foray into Chicago deep dish pizza territory, besides the Pizzeria Uno pizzas I had growing up. I may have been expecting more, considering many of my friends who had lived in Chicago before told me this was the best Chicago deep dish out there. I took their advice and ended up ordering a small Lou's (for two people), and added the crumbled sausage on it. This pizza certainly has potential, because the toppings are amazing. The Lou's is loaded with vegetables, from tomatoes to spinach and a number of other vegetables. Adding the sausage was a good move to get some protein on this pizza. The problem I had here was the crust - the waitress said it was supposed to be a crispy crust (as they are known for that), however, my friend and I could barely chew the crust. My friend had the pizza from here before and said it was harder than usual. I don't mind a crispier crust, but when the entire pizza is difficult to cut up, I had to demote this pizza a few stars down. I hope to be back here again to try it out, and hoping to not be disappointed by the deep dish crust. However, that was certainly strike 1 against Lou Malnati's. Time to try the other pies in this city.
(3)Ben N.
A few years ago we went to the Lou Malnati's on N. Wells in Chicago. I don't know if it's the original, but, at the very least, it was quite old and had an appealing timeless feel and a good-time vibe to it. And a ton of Chicago sports memorabilia on the walls. Most important, we remembered that the deep-dish pizza was very good there. On this last visit to Chicago, we decided to try Malnati's again, except that the N. Wells location was out of the way of our tourist itinerary for the evening. So we saw that out of the 847 or so Chicagoland Malnati's, one was conveniently located on S. State St., right by a Red Line stop. This one looks like it had its tile work finished about two weeks ago, and it's disappointingly sterile. Once inside, you might as well be in a chain restaurant in a suburban mall in Kansas or Georgia (or Ohio!): the S. State location is really that short on atmosphere or individual character. Some dreary pop pablum was being piped in as background music, mostly 80s and 90s effluvium (think Jon Secada, a name I'm embarrassed even to know) that I thought had been erased from the pop-culture continuum. Although the restaurant was full, this torpid environment seemed have dulled down everybody there. No matter, I suppose, because the deep-dish pie we ordered (sausage and mushroom) was still delicious and fresh-tasting. I'm impressed that a chain this big can keep the pizza quality this high. And our server was as helpful and friendly as she could be. Boy Howdy, though, Lou Malnati's house salad sure is horrible. Bland and banal school-cafeteria level stuff. Malnati family, or whoever the heck operates this chain in 2010, you can do a lot better than this. Pizza and service=4.5 stars. Salad and atmosphere=1.5 stars. Average 'em out. Get to the N. Wells location if you can.
(3)Taylor B.
Visiting from Boston, I couldn't leave Chicago without experiencing the likings of the famous Lou's pizza. With the exceptional choices here in Boston of thin crust authentic Italian pizza, I was a skeptic of the notion of deep dish pizza..... well I stand corrected! In addition to our waitress, who was fabulous, our large extra cheese pizza came out pipping hot, with a golden crust and cheese that stretched over a foot long! My only complaint was that it was so filling I could only finish 2 slices! The next time I am in Chicago, I will be back for more!
(5)Troy P.
This was my wife and I's first downtown stop on our Chicago Deep Dish quest. We met another couple and the four of us shared an appetizer (I don't remember which one--it was fine, and served its purpose, which is to hold you over while you wait for the pizza) and a large Classic deep dish (sausage, cheese, Buttercrust). The pizza seemed to come quicker than 35 minutes, but it could have been the appetizer and the good conversation fooling us. First, the good. The sauce is out-of-this-world. Just great. Best sauce of any of the Chicago places we've tried so far. And the sausage was very good, I'd say better than Giordano's, if not quite as good as Gino's East. The crust, however, was good. Just... good. It was crunchy and a little dry. I enjoyed it, but then, I love bread. This was the only Chicago place that my wife passed me her crust when she finished with the rest of the slice. I liked it better than she did, but it isn't quite up to the level of Giordano's crust or even Gino's East's cornmeal crust. Not quite the mind-blowing pie I was hoping for; still, a very very good pizza. Go Chicago!
(4)Marie T.
We started with their calamari - their marinara sauce is to die for. I'm drooling just typing this out right this second because i'm thinking of that perfectly cooked calamari and that delish marinara! my favorite part of calamari is the tentacles of the squid. unfortunately Lou's only serves the rings and not the sauce grabbin' tentacles that i love to eat. I'm usually a pepperoni pizza kind of girl. And I will admit that the best pizza that ever graced it's presence in my salivating mouth has been Chicago's deep dish pizzas. But Lou's sausage deep dish had muted me for the entire meal! I was so busy feverishly chewing and swallowing before my brain synched up with my stomach to tell me i'm full, that i did not speak throughout the whole meal. That's how you know when something is that good; there is NO conversation at the table what-so-ever because all you want to do is give that food your undivided attention. I loved the flavor of the sausage, the tang of the marinara sauce, the buttery crust and i loved the ooziness of the cheese! YUMMINESS!! Lou Malnati's - I APPLAUD YOU AND YOUR SAUSAGE DEEP DISH! ::pun intended::
(5)John N.
I Love Lou's! Great Pizza and Service. Plus I can get it here in Scottsdale, Arizona delivered to my home! BRAVO!!!
(5)Mike S.
Not the best pizza place in Chicago by any means but good none the less. Very loud inside when busy and boy does it get busy. I would recommend going before dinner rush. Order the classic pizza it is probably the best on menu.
(4)Jennifer L.
WOW! This was the perfect Chicago style deep dish pizza ever! (OK, well, it's really the only one I've tried! haha). I never thought I would like deep dish pizza, came here expecting to not like it since I am a thin crust person...boy was I wrong! There is just something in the dough that made me devour one thick slice in record's time! Our party of 3 ordered the Chicago Classic, 6 slices was more than plenty! One already made us full and we had to doggy bag the other 3! Be warned, the pizza took like almost 45 mins to make after ordering! If you are in a rush, this may not be the place to go to. But do try, it is super duper delicious!
(5)Laura C.
When we are in Chicago we usually head to Giordano's, but seeing as I now have a toddler I need to tow around, sometimes you have to go with what's closest at the first signs of a toddler hunger meltdown. I have now been converted to being a Lou Malnati's fan due to its proximity during this toddler meltdown. We had a small "Lou" which was perfect. I love the spinach, shrooms, and tomatoes that come on this. This was my perfect deep dish not too heavy with a great combination of ingredients. I know the calamari is probably from a bag and just deep fried. but hey it was good and it keeps my baby happy while we wait for our pizza. It's not a bad deal either about $7 for a large serving. Sorry Giordano's but I am with Lou now.
(4)Steve S.
For being a New Yorker and being brought up with thin crust, we don't have much experience with deep dish. But let me tell you, this pizza is the bomb! The crust is buttery and awesome, the flavor of the sauce is delicious. Just an all around damn good pie! I would highly recommend Malnati's if you come to Chicago. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Rebecca T.
Lou Malnati's is definitely a Chicago icon. They have an amazing story being family owned and operated for over 40 yrs. If you like classic pizza, you'll love Lou's menu. There seems to be a trend to offer non-traditional toppings like mashed potatoes, arugula, eggs, claims, etc but Lou has stuck with what they know best, a classic, made to order pizza. We ordered a deep dish pizza and Malnati's salad. As you've probably read from most reviews, the crust is perfectly crisp and it melts in your mouth. Your initial reaction to the serving sizes will turn your eye's into saucers but the food here goes down the hatch fast and easy. Before you know it you'll need a fork lift to get you out the door. As much as I'd like to rave about the pizza menu, my personal favorite is the Malnati's salad. I love sweet dressings so this salad has made it to the top of my list when I'm looking for a quick neighborhood fix. The combination of sweet vinaigrette and romano cheese has made me an addict. One suggestion would be to ask for the dressing on the side because some cooks tend to have a heavy hand. Overall, I love this place.
(4)A L.
I was in Chicago for business, and the first thing I had to eat was Chicago's famous deep dish pizza. I yelped for a restaurant around the area and stumbled across Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. My co-worker and I shared the 9" Malnati Chicago Classic pizza which included Lou's lean sausage, extra cheese and tomato sauce on Buttercrust. I had the expectation that the thick crust was going to be buttery and crispy but I was a bit disappointed because it was softer than I imagined. The crust was a great vessel for the toppings though. They weren't kidding when they say extra cheese - my drooling was triggered by the cheese that seemed to stretch indefinitely as I pulled it from the pie. The amount of bread and cheese was able to support the big chunks of sausage. This was a fork and knife type of pizza. The service was a bit slow and the pizza took a while to make but our waiter was super friendly and personable. I wouldn't expect any less from a Chicago-ian. After experiencing thick crust, I can say I prefer the NY thin crust. I live for the crunchy. However, Lou Malnati's definitely gave NY's pizzerias a run for its money.
(4)Katherine J.
It's a blessing that I live upstairs from this place because it's so good. It's also a curse that I live upstairs from this place because I'll be here all the time forcing me to be on the treadmill continuously in order to afford the calories in my diet. My favorite is "The Lou" but, I'm pretty sure anything from here is good. It's always busy when I walk by. Service has always been great any time that I've gone and the atmosphere is nice.
(5)Jasmine V.
So today was my first eating experience with Malnati's and I am now a fan! I ordered a beef sandwich and thin crust pizza (I had to try both) and it was by far better than Giordanos or any other pizzeria in Chicago, in my opinion. The only downside to Malnati's, which really isn't a bad downside, is that this location is insanely crowded. I usually pass by this place quite often to which I always see many people standing around waiting to be seated. Today, there had to be at least 50 people or more waiting as I walked in to pick up my carryout around 7p.m. But overall, this place is by far the best place in Chicago where you'll find the best thin crust pizza and beef sandwich. If you won't mind waiting, definitely go here =) Enjoy!
(4)Sandi C.
Delicious bbq wings - 4-5stars! Deep dish lou's pizza - 3-4 stars Thin crust pizza - 2-3 stars Not a big fan of the butter crust pizza but the ingredients were good. Must try the wings!
(4)Ryne D.
Everyone's got their opinion on what the best deep dish in Chicago is. For the most part, I'm not critical of people's choices (unless you say Uno Chicago Grill, which is completely different than Pizzeria Uno downtown), as deep dish is almost unequivocally awesome. However, personally, I have to give it up to Lou's (and this is the closest location to me). Giordano's is too cheesy, Ginos' crust is too dry, and Uno's is too touristy. I'll reiterate that I love all those places, but give me a deep dish from Lou's with sausage patty and butter crust, and I'm good. It's all good. The fresh toppings, the meat layer, the crust bubbling with buttery juiciness...oh god. Oh god. Excuse me. Take your out of town relatives here. Take your in town relatives here. Take yourself here. Team Lou's all the way!
(5)Trinity S.
Can't go to Chicago and not hit up a Lou Malnati's! I tried the Malnati Salad and WHOA! First of all it is MASSIVE. Second - so tasty! I would recommend sharing it with someone. The pizza of course is the main event here. I had a personal pepperoni. Chicago style of course.....didn't disappoint.
(4)Sarah S.
This time around I got the Lou pizza... Very good... Little watery since all the fresh veggies where used. Great taste and texture with the butter crust. Great service/staff
(3)Meena N.
This place is awesome! Not only was the food great and the prices cheap, the wait staff was insanely kind. Even through our difficult and picky receipt situation (splitting, taking off the booze, etc) the waitress was understanding, happy to oblige and still gave us excellent service. We ordered a lot of food- I specifically had the Lou Malnati's special with spicy buffalo wings and for the price- holy crap that was cheap! The most amazing thing about this place is that they have a gluten free crust- which is basically just sausage. I mean, talk about something amazing- sausage crust pizza. It's probably the best thing I've ever heard of in my life and it also tasted amazing. A bit salty, but it's sausage so make sure your toppings are veggie related.
(4)Sam G.
We went to Lou Malnati's for our first taste of Chicago style pizza and were very impressed! We got a large pizza and a family style salad both of which were AMAZING. We loved our server (Bobby). He was very attentive and even made us laugh. We will definitely go back!
(5)Irma H.
Wow!!! Enjoyed Lou's classic... It was awesome! We also ordered pepperoni, cheese and veggie all equally good. The staff was wonderful at taking care of a group of 15 people. Highly recommend Lou Malnati's on State St.
(5)Francisco D.
This was my first time having real deep dish pizza. It was everything I expected and more. You definitely need to come here on an empty stomach. The night we went the place was packed it wasn't too much of an issue. When we put our names on the list they also took our order and started our pizza for us. Our pizza was brought to us about 15 minutes after we sat down fresh and hot. Only small downfall was that the leftover pizza turned into a big cold congealed mess when we took it home.
(5)Lindsey S.
Deep dish pizza is a must if visiting Chicago! We went mid afternoon because you couldn't get close to the place at dinner. Service was good.. Not super attentive with drink refills-- large portions on food and family style eating which was great! Very kid friendly as well!
(4)Shelia F.
Went on a Thursday night and had a 30 min wait. Since the deep dish pizzas take 45 min they will take your order at the counter so you don't have to wait so long at the table. I thought this was a pretty smart way to flip tables. The pizza was very good but I really enjoyed the Malnati salad and my husband loved the chocolate chip cookie pizza for desert.
(4)Eric M.
Loved the place. Pizza was awesome. It was super busy, they told us 25 minute wait took about 15. Waitress was awesome also. Best pizza I've ever had.
(5)Steph V.
Gave it a 4 only because of the service... 45-hour wait is totally understandable... the classic deep dish pizza was AMAZING... the best I have had yet. So cheesy and melts perfectly in your mouth and the sausage was to die for. However, our server took our order and rarely came around. I was thirsty for a good 15 minutes before I had to tell the busser I needed a refill. However, like I said the pizza was great and we had calamari and the trio dip for appetizers and they were both delicious! My favorite was the hummus and artichoke dip.. garlic was a-ok.
(4)Fumi I.
Great Pizza, just get the Chicago classic and enjoy the day. Yummmmmy.
(5)M S.
The pizza was really tasty, but there was a long wait and we ordered ahead. Despite finally sitting down 45 minutes later our pre-ordered food was not ready for us and we had to wait longer before we finally got it. Once we finally started eating though, the waitress seemed to be in a big rush to get us out the door. I felt like after waiting for 45 minutes at the door I was entitled to at least as much time at the table without being asked every 5 minutes if we needed our unfinished food (that we were still working on) wrapped up. Finally, we agreed to get our food wrapped and our check brought and the waitress was in such a hurry that she dumped a full glass of ice water on my lap. Although I realize that accidents happen, I feel like this particular one wouldn't have happened had she not been so determined to shove us out the door. Food's tasty though and I debated between 3 and 4 stars.
(3)Briana S.
After walking all over downtown Chicago, we finally arrived at our reward: Lou Malnati's. After only experiencing real deep dish Chicago pizza once, my friend thought I was an alien, so, there we were. We were seated immediately by an incredibly friendly server and she took our drink orders promptly. The restaurant had two large sitting areas and we were in the second of the two, in a wooden booth. The atmosphere was really nice, just casual (but listening to female power ballads was a little off putting, I don't want to cry in to my pizza!) My friend and I both ordered individual house salads with the house wine vinaigrette and decided on the small pepperoni and green pepper deep dish. Our waitress took our order and told us that our pizza would take around 30 minutes. This was no problem, and upon getting our salads, I'm glad it took awhile because even the individual salad could have been split between the two of us! The dressing was tasty and the salad was typical--but still good, crisp, and the veggies were a plenty. Right around the 30 minute mark our pizza was brought out and our server sliced and served our first pieces--very nice! The pizza crust was flaky but not too thick or rich that I couldn't eat both of my pieces. I was full, but not uncomfortably so. I loved their cheesy, delicious pizza! Great taste of a "Chicago Tradition"!
(4)Glen G.
Was kicking it here in Chicago and had to get deep dish right? It was Lou's, Giordano's, or Uno's. Being that Lou's seemed to be the closest to just walk to we headed over here. Lotta potential, but... got in a little after 9pm. After waiting an hour (the place is tiny) and then 15 mins before getting a drink order and then another 30 mins (even after pre-ordering our pizza), it was severely lacking...buttercrust or whatnot and all. Toppings were ok. I'll stick w/ Uno's or even BJ's. But yeah, I guess I'm also just biased toward NY slice...bitches. Edit: bumped a star. Props for contacting to try to rectify a bad experience.
(3)Megan M.
Sat at us when they were closing. Possibly at closing and didn't turn us away even when they could have. Big ups for them !! This was really good food, especially when my brother and I needed to hide from the windy city and rain. Great customer service as well. Folks- bookmark this as pizza place to visit when you go to Chi-Town =)
(4)Dflipsyde D.
First time we ate here everything was pretty good. Second time, service was bad. Really disappointing. And it was the most watery sauce ever!
(3)Arly J.
Lou Malnati's was highly reccomended and it took us until our last day in Chi town to finally get to try the deep dish craze of town. It did not disappoint! We went for lunch, we were seated immediately and our server Nicole was great. We started with the stuffed spinach bread and the three cheese bread, both spectacular. Most of the group had the local beers 312 and Matilda, both were good. For our pizzas we tried the sausage, mushroom and pepperoni. We loved it so much we actually actually brought one back to miami on the plane. For dessert we had the Chocolate chip pizza. Chocolate chip cookie baked in deep dish pizza with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, to die for! If you are in Chicago you must stop by a Lou Malnati's you won't be disappointed!
(4)Charlotte O.
So after watching way too many food network and travel shows about Lou Malinati's vs Uno's we had to decide for ourselves that we had to eat at both and pick which one was really the best. We decided that for it to be an even chance for both places that we would get a peperoni deep dish and a fried appetizer. We were seated rather quickly there really wasn't a wait when we went. It was a little before five on a Sunday so we must have been just ahead of the dinner rush. The inside of this location was rather small, but it didn't fee cramped or over crowded or anything. There was enough space between tables that you didn't feel like you were butting in on other peoples conversations. Our waitress came to us rather quickly as well and got our drink orders while we were looking through the menu. (Funny tid bit, I used to work with the waitress small world) We got the combination fried appetizer platter and ordered a medium peperoni deep dish za. The appetizer plate came really quickly and everything was great. It was my first time tasting fried zucchini and i found it rather tasty. There was also little deep friend pieces of sharp cheddar. So wrong but so right. YUM, The timing on getting our pizza seemed just right,too. It didn't feel like we were left waiting for lifetime for our za. It was really good too. It had a nice thin layer of a super fresh tasting tomato sauce that was really simple and tasted of fresh tomato, the right amount of gooey cheese, a spicy nicely crisped up thin slices of pepperoni, and the crust was yeasty and really buttery at the same time. Also the perfect thickness. Of these two contenders Lou's beat Uno's by a long shot. Sorry Uno's you may have been the first to make the deep dish, but Lou;s really perfected it.
(4)eileen h.
The best deep dish in Chicago! When I think of Chicago, I automatically thing Bears and deep dish pizzas. Naturally, I was on a mission for the best deep dish. With multiple locations in Chicago, it's not difficult to get your hands on this pizza. The deep dishes are meals where you'll definitely need to share with a number of people since one slice will be sufficient to hold you over for a few hours. We ordered the "Lou" and "Malnati Chicago Classic." The Lou comes with fresh spinach, mushrooms and sliced roma romatoes covered with a blend of mozzarella, romano and cheddar cheese. I thought there were a lot of things going on at one time and not as cohesive as the other pizza we got. The Classic has a blend of lean sausage, extra cheese and vine-ripened tomato sauce on their famoust buttercrust. This was very tasty and they did not skimp on anything. Come prepared with a big appetite because it's so good that you'll try for a 2nd. I was unsuccessul in finishing the 2nd one. I'll definitely come back for more!
(4)Brad P.
The butter crust is nice. This place serves solid pizza but it didn't make me crazy and declare Chicago the pizza capital of the world like I had hoped it would.
(3)Wesley M.
Chicago aint ready for my HAWC How I found it: By yelping the best possible deep dish pizza in chicago, Lou Malnati's was easy to find, and highly recommended not only through yelp but through consumers as well. Ambiance: A nice semi upperscale than the typical pizza parlor, definitely casual and a really good chill atmosphere. You can go with the family, or go with a bunch of friends and have a couple of beers, and pizza. What I Had: I had the Lou Malnati's special, the large one, and of course some spicy buffalo wings. I was not disappointed and the amount of food was ridiculous! Conclusion: Maybe not the best deep dish pizza in chicago, compared to to ma and pa shops, and other less "chain typish restaurants" but for a visitor in california, and my first experience in Chicago it was worth it, and I would go back again.
(4)Lu c.
Went to Lou's for the first time this last weekend. Everyone kept telling us to go there so we decided to try it! We ordered the deep dish with mushrooms and the butter crust Pretty average time for deep dish to come out, about 40-45 minutes. The pizza was delicious, it was my first time eating deep dish so i had nothing to compare it to. Apparently it wasn't as thick as other deep dish pizzas my husband has had and less sauce than he's used to also. We also got a ceasar salad before our pizza came out and that was delicious too! Very fresh. When I visit Chicago again I will definently stop by Lou's for a pizza!
(4)Glen L.
The best butter crust deep dish ever!
(5)Michelle K.
I love pizza but man, I haven't had pizza taste "oh so good," until I ate at this Lou Malnati location. I first discovered their pizza at their Buffalo Grove location but soon realized that even though each restaurant carries the same name, the food does taste different. We went during lunch hour on a Friday night and was promptly seated. The deep dish pizza for two was just the perfect amount of food for us, especially since we split a chicken cobb salad as our appetizer. The crust was crisp, the veggies were cooked just right and not too soggy, and our service was phenomenal. The manager on duty stepped in and assisted his staff on this busy Friday afternoon and didn't skip a beat. If you're in the financial district of Chicago and craving Chicago's best pizza, be sure to check out Lou Malnati's on State St!!
(5)Kristin C.
Our last night in Chicago, my parents were tired, and so we didn't have any plans. We were having a hard time deciding where to go for dinner, we didn't want to just go anywhere. We had already had some Deep Dish Pizza at Gino's East, but we figured it's our last night, so we should try somewhere else. Boy, were we disappointed! The saving grace was the fact that A) there was no wait at 8 pm on a Sunday night and B) the Pizza wasn't that expensive. We went with basically the same set up we got at Gino's East. Beer, cheesy garlic bread and a pizza. First off, they don't have any beer on tap, it's only bottles, which was a disappointment. When I think pizza, I think pizza and beer. We would have probably had a couple pitchers if they had them! So we had some of the Goose Island 312, which was good,but it's MUCH better on tap. We ordered the "Malnati Chicago Classic" which included their house specialty sausage and famous butter crust. Sadly, I wasn't impressed with either. There was a lot of cheese, but even the cheese wasn't very good. Also, the crust was oddly crunchy, like a cracker. The cheesy garlic bread was pretty bland too. We loved the cheesy garlic bread at Gino's East, but the stuff here was not very good. I wanted to take the time to try a couple different deep dish pizza places in Chicago, but this place really made me sad. Maybe we should have tried Giordanos instead?
(2)Alex S.
So, I went up to Chicago for the ND-UM football game, and had to stop at Lou Malnati's. I was told be several friends that it was a quintessential Chi-town stop. I wasn't that impressed. The ambiance, and the old jerseys and sports memorabilia on the walls were awesome,but we ended up getting small pies, and fyi, they are not worth it. Maybe I'm preaching a different sermon if I'd eaten a large, so if you've never been, just get one big pie instead of two or three smalls. Also, our waiter was really good, but he started telling the table next to us that he wanted to be a singer or something, and then proceeded to sing Stand By Me in its entiretyand it was really awkward. So, I'd be willing to give it another chance, but probably after I go to Giordano's or something first.
(2)Bailey A.
Incredible food and very hospitable service!! Very impressed with this place!
(5)Dave L.
Lou's is my favorite pizza in the world. Not sure what else needs to be said... I love the Lou's salad as well. If you've never had Lou's I probably hate you.
(5)Rob G.
I'm not a huge deep-dish pizza fan, but this was DELICIOUS! Definitely the best Chicago-style pizza that I've ever had. Service was fast, efficient and friendly too.
(5)Hae A.
I like deep dish, so when I came to Chicago in search of deep dish goodness, I discovered that we get deep dish goodness in California too. Lou's was okay, I got the Lou with the buttercrust and their crust was a little bit on the dry side. The ingredients of the pizza itself was good but put it together and it ended up with a cheesy bland thing. I guess not having any pizza sauce turned me off slightly. It's probably personal preference though because I see alot of ppl do like it, which is why I tried it.
(3)Coleen K.
Living across the street from this location, I've ordered pizza from here more times that I'd like to admit (or care to remember). For the most part, I order delivery. My pizza is always ready when I arrive 30 minutes later-- I've never had to wait even more than a minute or two to receive my pizza and check out, which is a great plus! I've eaten at this location on two occasions and while it's a nice restaurant, they take so long to bring out the pizza (had a 2 hour meal here once!!) Best to order out, but I do love my Lou's!
(5)Corey M.
Lou Malnati's was on a list I requested from a relative of "Chicago must do's." Boy was he right. I've never been to a pizza place that had a 45 minute wait. A bit discouraging at first. However, the host explained that we could order a drink to enjoy during our wait AND we could go ahead and place our pizza order and they would have it cooking before we were seated. We placed our order and ordered a premeal drink. I kept thinking, "there is no way this is going to work out as they say." I was wrong. We were seated and in less than 10 minutes our waitress showed up with our pizza, hot from the oven. She cut and served each of us a slice and went about her business. When I needed another slice, I grabbed the spatula and began cutting my next piece. She came over and offered to do it for me. Lou Malnati's is definitely not your standard pizza place, even if the price is quite comparable.
(5)Matthew O.
The salad was a brown abomination with nasty looking lettuce, scattered tomatoes, and not much else...for 9 bucks. The pizza was OK, but definitely nothing to write home about. The proverbial 'cherry on top' was watching the busboy blow his nose with his apron in plain view from our table. Skip this joint!
(2)Veronica S.
After seeing this on the Food Channel, and coming from California to visit Chicago for the first time, I was pretty excited to try it. Let me just say two words : huge disappointment. The dough tasted like nothing....the cheese had no flavor. The only thing I liked was the chunky pieces of tomato. It wasn't even a very deep deepdish. I was really disappointed and don't think I would be returning.
(3)Sheldon C.
Good food, decent price and fast delivery/pick-up. I tried the deep dish. Loved it. Have to try the thin crust and very popular house salad still. This is in the same league of other Chicago favorites - Girodano's and Gino's East.
(4)Emily G.
I don't really understand the hype about this place. My siblings came into Chicago for the day. My two youngest siblings had deep dish pizza the last time they were in Chicago and insistant on getting more while they were here. I had heard about Lou Malnati's from some friends and as it was one of the few major deep dish places in Chicago I hadn't tried I figured I'd give it a shot. We waited more than an hour to be seated but figured it was worth the wait given all of the good reviews it had received. They did allow us to pre-order our pizza for when we sat down, however, it still took a while for it to be delivered to our table and I got the feeling that it was sitting under a warmer waiting for the waitress to figure out it was ours. The pizza was really just ok. In fact, I would actually say it is not as good as the average deep dish. My siblings all agreed that it was not what they were expecting and the deep dish did not live up to their previous experience. I don't think I will return to this restaurant if I have the choice.
(2)DeShaun C.
I should preface this review by saying that until last week, I hated deep dish pizza. Absolutely loathed it. I'm from NY, where thin, wide slices reign supreme. I always found deep dish pizza back home to be too thick, too doughy, and not at all delicious. Considering Chicago is well-known for its deep dish pizza, I was excited to see how it's really done. I sat down at Lou Malnati's, and waited for my pepperoni personal pizza. The menu warned of a 30 minute wait, but I'm going to assume that is for normal sized pizzas, since mine arrived in a prompt 15 minutes. When I first bit into this, I realized that I only hated deep dish pizza, because I never had true deep dish pizza. This was incredible! The crust had a great crunch to it, a buttery taste, and it melted in my mouth. The cheese was so gooey that I found myself having to break the strands with my bare hands. They were right to suggest a knife and fork. The sauce on top works so very well. You get more of it, and everything stays put. No cheese sliding off, no sauce oozing out. Speaking of the sauce, it was hearty and fresh. The pepperoni was also under the sauce, but on top of the cheese, and was also delicious. My girlfirend had the cheese personal pizza, and was just as amazed. We had to take ours to go, as we were in a rush to get somewhere, but it was so good that we ended up ordering some more to be delivered to our hotel. Again, they did not disappoint, and Lou Malnati's is definitely a place I will miss until I visit Chicago again.
(5)Chris M.
Great deep-dish! It was crunchy, flavorful, and the vegetables were thoroughly cooked. The beer selection was OK, but the Belgian I had was good.
(4)Van P.
DELICIOUS wings n deep dish pizza!
(5)Michael M.
I was a little skeptical about this place as it was a chain here in the windy city. However, I was pleasantly surprised! We met some friends here and the atmosphere was rocking! Very busy....the service was great and the pizza just as good! We had the classic style deep dish that was perfectly cooked. The sausage and cheese were delish to say the least! I was very pleased with this joit!
(4)Nik B.
Lou's reminds me of home. Where I grew up in Naperville, we had a Lou Malanati's downtown, and now there is a Lou's just a few minutes from me in the South Loop. A downside: this newer location is TOO SMALL. When you have built up a name like Lou Malanati's has, and every location has such a reproducible flavor, you're bound to draw in a lot of people. Thus there are such long waits for a seat at this location. An upside: The Lou: spinach, mushrooms, mozzarella, tomatoes, romano, cheddar and I think even tasted some basil in there. An amazing combination of flavors, perfect for topping a Chicago Style Pan Pizza. When I leave here and feel Chicago withdrawal, I may have to get some Lou's shipped to me.
(4)Sophia D.
We had originally planned to go to Lou's when we first got to Chicago but went to Uno's first and were disappointed. Lou's is way better! The pizza was delicious! The crust was perfect and the cheese was delicious! I could have done without the sausage but still really good!
(4)Taeler H.
I like this place a lot. One of the best pizza chains in Chicago! It's delicious and they're consistent. The best part about this place is that they sell personal pizzas which are just enough to fill you up for lunch, and their personals cost less than a lot of other pizzerias nearby.
(5)Aaron S.
After seeing too many Food Network / Cooking Channel / Travel Channel shows featuring the competition of Chicago-style deep dish pizzas at Pizzeria Uno and Lou Malnati's, my girlfriend and I decided that we should engage in the discussion as well and visit both locations. We agreed that we would get one fried appetizer dish, one medium deep-dish pepperoni pizza, and soda. (Dessert only if we felt we could truly handle it.) So here's the experience at Lou Malnati's (our first stop of the two): We arrived around 4:30pm, which we hoped would be early for the dinner crowd and we were pleasantly surprised to see no wait and we got to go straight to a table. It didn't take too long before we got to place our drink order, and for the appetizer, we went with the sampler. Because if they offer enough fried foods that you can offer a sampler of the majority of them, that's the best bet if you've never been there before. We placed our order for the pizza as well. It didn't take too long before our appetizer arrived. There were breaded mushrooms, which my gal won't touch. I ate them all and found them to be pretty average on the scale as far as breaded mushrooms go. Actually, they ranked pretty high, as I've never apparently had a REALLY GOOD breaded mushroom. The breaded zucchini was delicious. She'd never had a breaded zucchini before, and I think she liked 'em. The cheese sticks were okay, but the crowning acheivement of fried-dom were the little fried cheese cubes. Great cheddar taste, melts in your mouth, just beautiful overall. I mostly used the ranch dipping sauce, as the marinara felt a little chunky to me. I'm not a fan of tomatoes at all. I can stand most applications of tomato, including ketchup and pizza sauce, but if there are chunks of pure tomato, I lose my appreciation quickly. The pizza arrived as we were finishing up the appetizer, so that was nice timing and I guess a pretty good speed for deep-dish pizza. Our server dished out the first two slices, and we dug in. The pepperoni had a nice flavor; good level of crispiness around the edges. It had a good amount of cheese, I suppose, and not too much sauce. The sauce, however, did have chunks of tomato in it. I picked out some of the larger, easier-to-catch culprits, but I didn't let it ruin my overall dining experience. I have to say that the butter crust was superb. It takes a lot to get me to eat my crust, especially when a deep-dish pizza contains so much of it. I didn't even need to slather it with extra pizza sauce to make it palatable. Though a little bit made the flavor that much better. Three full slices with crust apiece and we were full. No room for dessert, unfortunately. I like that despite the fact that we could see the line growing in the front room as more and more people were waiting for tables, we never felt rushed while we dined. It was a wonderful experience and we'll likely be back to try out more of the menu (which is surprisingly large for a "Chicago Pizza Joint") and maybe one of the specialty pizzas. We just wanted to be fair between competitors and get a pizza that would be equal at both, and I loves me some pepperoni. So yes, we'll be back. And despite any results of the competition, we'd recommend this place to out-of-towners and the like (as long as you time your visit so you don't need to wait in the giant line).
(4)Roldie P.
'the lou' is pretty good.
(4)Juan J.
Really good food
(4)George M.
Really good pizza... really good service... really can't complain BUT I still like New York Style Pizza better
(4)JJ C.
Lou Malnati's is everything Chicago style pizza is known for. I had the Malnati's classic and it was delicious!
(4)Jessica Y.
I love Chicago deep dish pizza and my first experience was at Pizano's, which was OK, but nothing that really convinced me Chicago deep dish is that amazing...until I tried Lou Malnati's and now I'll never go back to another restaurant! The pizza comes out piping fresh and hot and my personal fav is the supreme! I'm not a huge meat eater, so it has just the right amount of sausage complimented with veggies. It's not too cheesy like Giordano's and the crust is great! My friends swear by the butter crust, but I can't really taste the difference. Lou Malnati's is a nice family oriented restaurant, but also great for take-out! I've tried Uno's, Pizano's, Giordano's and Gino's East, and none of them compare to Lou Malnati's!
(4)Zoe's Daddy S.
Lou Malnati's, I would make sweet love to your pizza all night long. First timer to Chicago! Wanted to try "Chicago deep dish" pizza for my first time and didn't want to travel far from our hotel to try some of the other places with higher ratings so we took our chances with Lou. Ordered the sausage & olive pizza and an order of garlic bread sticks. While we waited, we had the 312 which is a local beer from Goose Island that they had on tap, sooo good. We also chatted with the 2 girls upfront, Rebecca and Brittany, who were more than super friendly and just kicked it talking about Chicago and The Lakers. Upon my first bite, OMG..... I had never had a pizza deliver over 100 different flavors onto my taste buds. Ok, a little exaggeration ,but no joke, their pizza was delicious - thick, juicy, meaty and everything in between. Bread sticks were wicked too. Lou Malnati's, next time we meet, Im not wearing protection.
(5)Anh Thu P.
Not the best Chicago style pizza I've had, but the atmosphere is really good to watch a game. However, our waitress messed up my order so I was a bit disappointed with the pizza. We order the special with the butter crust - I think it was with sausage and cheese (pretty plain in my opinion) that's why I asked to add mushrooms and pineapple and didn't get either in my pizza (SO SAD). We also order the spinach bread appetizer and it did not come out as we thought it would. Pretty disappointed with the lack of bread/carb with that, but the cheese and spinach tasted pretty fresh. Nevertheless, I probably would not come back again unless it was to catch a game and eat some wings!
(3)Byron L.
The crust is quite a bit stiffer than I'm used to. Seems that is intentional. They only had 3 taste flavors. The Lou, the Sausage, or the Cheese in either thin or thick crust. You can taste good smelly cheese in the pizza. You will wonder where the sausages went. And the thin crust seems to be better than the thick crust. And the individual size is not big at all. Stay away from the shitty coffee.
(2)Mark B.
I am not a Chicago native, but I have had many, may pies in the city, I usually stick to the more popular chains. This is the first time that I have ever eaten at Lou's. I have a hard time thinking of anything bad about this place. Here is the breakdown: Food: We got a medium pie with sausage, onion, black olives, green peppers and spinach. I should remark on the butter crust. Unlike many of the other chains, Lou's butter crust does not have the corn meal on the bottom that prevents the crust from sticking to the pan. This corn meal makes the crust a little bitter. Lou's is crispy, buttery and delicious. The toppings were very fresh and the sauce had a great tomato flavor without being overly sweet. Finally, the sausage was simply delicious. Service: Friendly and speedy. Our waitress was very polite and our drinks never hit bottom. With any deep dish pie, you have to wait 45 minutes for it to cook. So, enjoy a beer or two while you wait. Decor: This particular franchise was clean and neatly decorated with sports memorabilia on the wall. The restaurant is relatively small and a bit loud. Overall: I have found a new deep dish favorite. I will make my pilgrimage to Lou's from now on. You should too.
(5)Marcia R.
This is the third deep dish pizza place i have tried while visiting Chicago. For me, this is the best i've had yet. The sausage, cheese, sauce ratio was just right. the crust was more to my liking. The service was fantastic, i had a very attentive waiter/bus boy. I never had to ask for more soda/water. In fact, to show how attentive this staff is, while waiting for hubby to come out of the bathroom the couple behind spilled their drink not even 30secs later did i see the bus boy immediately come over to help the couple out with the spill, withing another 30secs the waiter was already there with a replacement drink. I've never seen such fast service like that before. The wait time was very reasonable for the food. If i made another trip out to Chicago i would probably come back to this location.
(5)Julia C.
Quick personal deep-dish for lunch AND it's less than $10. LOVE. IT.
(5)First L.
After my review, the manager wrote to me through Yelp! and asked me to send my telephone number for a person-to-person chat about what went wrong. After a week, I relented, visited Lou's again, and left my number for the manager. Umm...she never called me back. AND the service remained sub-par. Good pizza, good salads, just don't order it from this location. UPDATE: Steve, the district manager, called back several times - at least. We've not had a chance to connect, so I'm putting back one star for effort on his part. UPDATE SQUARED: We tried an older Malnati's location and found prompt service even though the location was very busy. Again, the pizza was as good as always, although if you dine in, get the dressing on the side.
(3)M M.
On a recent trip to Chicago, my boyfriend and I were in search again of some good deep dish pizza. Having had some recommendations from Chicago natives, we headed here on a Friday night. The wait wasn't too bad and when we went in, we were seated at a table for 6 which I found odd but was ok with. It was a bit loud when we went in there so we did have to raise our voices in order to hear each other Onto the food. We had the classic Lou Malnati's pizza and a salad which was plenty for both of us. The crust was perfectly cooked, the cheese was just awesome and the pepperoni only put the cherry on top of a great meal. I would recommend going here but keep in mind how loud it is in there.
(4)Tawheed H.
A great pizza place.
(4)Jeff H.
I'm a Chicago native and I take my deep dish very seriously. Heart-attack seriously. Having been a Pizzeria Due devotee' for many years, I tried Lou Malnati's on State Street and was hugely impressed. I have also ordered Lou's from the Tastes of Chicago web site ( tastesofchicago.com ) and it is similarly great, a real rescue-in-a-box for a Chicago-area expat. Other Yelp reviewers say the food remains consistently good and true to form across all of Lou's suburban locations. This is more than I can say for the travesty called the Uno Chicago Grill and its nationwide locations. I would probably go along with other Chicagoans who rate Lou's #1 (by a nose) and Due's #2. I love Due's, but I have this awful feeling the Uno Grill culture had invaded the kitchen. I don't think they are quite as good as they used to be. Great thing is, I don't have to go downtown to go to Lou's. Now I just wish they would open one in Kansas City.
(5)Cat C.
We stopped in after a couple failed attempts of finding "local" food to eat as we took the L around town. Big mistake when you're starving and just need a bite of something! So, we googled the nearest must-eat-at place on our trip and took a cab to here instead. So glad we did because there was no wait. Then again, who eats lunch at 4:30?! We were trying to save our stomachs for dinner so we were being cautious about ordering too much by opting to share a house salad and a 9" 1/2 "Malnati Chicago Classic" with 1/2 pepperoni. We were stuffed beyond belief but managed to eat everything put in front of us. Their famous Buttercrust is famous for a reason!
(4)Sneha P.
Good deep dish pizza, but a little too cheesy for my liking. Good service at this location.
(4)Nicole F.
HOLY COW. We just received a box in the mail with 4 frozen deep dish pizzas. 2 sausage and 2 pepperoni. I am in HEAVEN!! We have never had Lou Malnati's before and we we so surprised. I was worried that they wouldn't bake up as good as what you'd find in a restaurant. Well these babies were priceless. CONSIDER THIS AS YOUR NEXT GIFT. I am so happy my friend did!!
(5)Phillip M.
I love the pizza at this place! It's a good alternative pizza to Gioradno's as there is a different approach to how they make their pizzas. Also they have a nice lunch special from 11am to 2pm where you get an individual pizza, salad, and drink.
(5)Felicia R.
Got take-out here when I arrived in town late one night on a biz trip. Excellent service, the pizza was amazing and reasonably priced. Solid choice.
(4)Keri T.
I wanted to look for really good deep dish pizza. I went on yelp and notice that Gino's was very popular, but their reviews were not as positive as Lou's. It also helped that Lou's was a 3 minute walk from my hotel. As soon as I arrived to the hotel I gave Lou a ring to have my order placed. I had no time to waste, as I only had 18 hours in Chicago, so I can't be bothered with dine-in. I went to pick it up, and ran back to my room since it was 30 degrees and I didn't want it to get cold. I got the Chicago classic which the menu states that it is topped with lean sausage (oxymoron don't you think?) I'm a big fan of deep dish and I absolutely hate thing crust pizzas. It was delicious!!! I was surprised to see that it was not greasy. The crust was not oily and the top layer of the pizza did not have a pool of greasy. I ate the whole 6in by myself and it didn't feel heavy. I did take off 1 star because the crust/dough part was a bit hard. I wished it was soft and fluffy. Other than that everything was great, especially the marinara sauce.
(4)Stacy w.
The best thing about Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza is the crust. It was excellent. Even though I couldn't finish my pizza, I made sure I ate every bit of the crust. The pizza was perfectly cooked and topped with a nice sauce and delicious pepperoni. The service was decent. The waiter wasn't as friendly as some of these others we've had in the past, but we had no problems. I liked the atmosphere. We went on a Saturday, so they had all the football games on. The walls are decorated with famous athletic jersey's so it was very fitting. Lou Malnati's is definitely worth the trip. I can't wait to go back.
(4)Michelle B.
Was so excited to try authentic Chicago deep dish, so my bro took me here. The pizza took FOREVER to come out. My brother warned me ahead of time that deep dish took longer, so I was prepared, kinda. I ordered a side salad ahead of time that was so so. By the time the pizza came I was starving. And wasn't very impressed. It was good, don't get me wrong, but it's not that hard to please me when bread and cheese are involved. I was expecting more flavor I guess. My mom even had to add pepper to her slices. I will try here the next time I come to Chitown, maybe it was just a bad night.
(3)Susan A.
I went here based on the reviews and LOVED it. I do not say this lightly, it was the best pizza I have ever had. We got the "Lou" and it had the perfect combination of ingredients and I cannot wait to go again to try their sausage pizza. We went on a busy Friday and had to wait 20 minutes to get a table but it only took thirty minutes for our pizza to come out and it was more than worth it. Our server was amazing and it was hands down the best food I had while in Chicago.
(5)Steph V.
When I asked locals where we should eat real Chicago pizza, everyone answered: "Lou Malnati's!" OK, so we went. Twice. We got the deep dish classic Lou pizza with tender and scrumptious sausage with crunchy crust. I wish I had 3 stomachs. Oh how I wish... If I ever go back to Chicago for pleasure (this trip was purely business), I'll bring my comrades to any of their locations and watch with glee as their eyes roll back with pleasure after the first bite. Yea, it's THAT good.
(5)Ben S.
I try to stop in to Lou's every time I'm in Chicago. This visit I went in with a group of about 7 of us. As usual there was a wait for a table but I like that they let you pre-order your pizza while you're waiting to reduce wait time and the offer pizza samples in the waiting area. Pizza was great as always. Server was hustling but when she took orders two people at our table ordered soup and she forgot it. (I didn't see if the phantom soups ended up on the bill). I'll be back at Lou's again the next time I'm in Chicago, I'm sure.
(4)Stephanie G.
I love Lous, so this goes out to all the locations. I usually get the small personal pizza, but I like getting more bang for my buck so I got a medium all for myself. Slipping into a pizza coma now. Yum. Ok, but for realz- the lady who answered the phone said it would take an hour for delivery, but it only took about 50 minutes, which was quite alright with me. The driver was a little Hispanic guy who was professional; not usually a term to describe a delivery guy. None the less he was polite and professional. Of course, the pizza is phenomenal. I ate 2.5 pieces and it is still sitting on my desk so I can look at its beauty. I love pizza. Leftovers are going to be great!
(5)Jamison E.
Pretty good. I had the stuffed spinach bread and the "Lou" pizza. Both were good and I would eat there again but I just had high expectations for Chicago style pizza and I left there kinda disappointed. I need to try other pizza places in Chicago before I form an opinion of what is true Chicago pizza.
(3)Bill S.
My wife and I had the Lou's special yesterday and I really wasn't that impressed. The sausage was good, but overall I don't feel it deserves the high praise I've read from others on Yelp.
(3)Kathleen F.
Really enjoyed the Lou's deep dish it was amazing. We also tried the sausage deep dish which was not as good so I'd recommend the lou's. The antipasta was pretty good, not the best I've had but still decent. Their tiramasu was amazing! I was shocked but it was actually one of the best I've had! Now for the service, it was pretty bad as expected but the server was so sweet that we couldn't be mad at her. She actually apologized for the service at the end. It was like she knew she was slow and forgetful but couldn't help it. Overall good place to try out, just order a app to tide yourself over and go in expecting slow service.
(3)Sharon G.
I first had this pizza when underwriters doing business with the company I was working for shipped some to us from Chicago. I had never had anything quite like real Chicago pizza and was instantly enamored. If you are still reading after the boring insurance talk :), please believe me that this is excellent pizza and worth a stop (if you're not from Chicago.) If I lived there, I would probably get it weekly. I love the sausage and I think the pepperoni is even better. And if I didn't go there every once in a great while, I would get the spinach too. It's really tasty and slightly healthier.
(5)Josh C.
This is deep dish. Looking to go all out? Try the Bruschetta and the Chocolate Chip Pizza to fulfill your glutinous desires.
(5)Marlo V.
Me, along with several friends of mines, were vacationing out of Northern Cali, visiting one of our friends that we hung out alot and he was our main guide. He took us to this spot. However this is one of the two spots that we were going to eat Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. So, this place I believe had two floors, and we were seated on the top floor. It was a busy when we went at night and were given those LED pager things that buzz and give a lightshow when you have a table. We we're quoted about a half hour to 45 min. wait as it was full that nigh, but the thing is what we're ordering is a Chicago Medium Deep dish. So of course we killed time going to a bar for our wait, and that thingamajig that lights up supposedly works about a block or two. But in addition, I gave my number to call us in case that thing don't work. Yet we just check back in half an hour, and then we were seated after about 15-20 min. Ordered the Medium Size Chicago deep dish, which takes time to cook. As soon as we received our slices, it was goooood!
(4)Patrick P.
We called ahead and ordered our pie, because our can't-sit-still 7 and 8 year olds were with us. Staff was extremely helpful (although it probably helped that we arrived at 5pm on a Saturday). Our waiter was fine, but the hostess just doted on our boys. A highly successful introduction of my kids to both Chicago style pizza and dining in the loop.
(4)Ryan B.
I love pizza, and I enjoy some deep-dish from time to time. This semi-deep dish is good but not awesome. Not worth the wait in my opinion. Plus when you wait, which is almost certain on weekends, there is no where to wait. You are forced to stand outside in sidewalk traffic. It's a horrible layout that just adds to unnecessary craziness. When you arrive it's like reliving the crowded lines of the Taste of Chicago, but instead of food you get a little pager. Then you wait and get shoved some more. I'll pass. There are plenty of other places with better pizza and a better set-up to boot.
(2)Danny P.
The Illuminati make pizza? I'm in Chicago for work and I wanted deep dish pizza. I mean, it's Chicago ... what else would I really, really want enough to brave the ridiculous cold weather this week in order to pick up?* So when I asked around the booth at the convention for the best place to find some deep dish goodness in what I've found is called the South Loop area, I thought I heard Illuminati as the response. I don't know if it's because everyone here sounds like they're right out of Fargo, but it took two or three repetitions to find out that the place they were suggesting is actually this one. The pizza itself was great. I made the huge mistake of assuming that a medium pizza hadn't been Midwesternified and was something one person could eat, but the part I could actually eat was fantastic. When it got to the hotel, it was still absolutely piping hot (shockingly, compared to New York delivery) and the box was really clever, making sure that everything stayed where it was supposed to.** I ended up getting sausage and onion and was pleased with the amount of toppings included. They offer cans of soda and six packs as well, but no two-liter bottles. If you need napkins or plates (as you might be staying at a hotel like I am), make sure to ask for them. The only thing I would have liked was a little more flavor. The sauce and cheese really didn't offer anything and the crust was a little stiff as opposed to the doughy kind I like, but that doesn't make this bad by any stretch of the imagination. And, for the love of all that's holy, if you're ordering for one, make sure to get the small. * - Apparently y'all think ahead on how cold it can possibly be and made sure everything's available via delivery. I appreciate this and, if I lived here, would have to have a gym in my building because I'd never leave my building between December and March. ** - You shouldn't end sentences with a preposition, says my grammar teacher mom. Never will make anything of yourself if you do that, she said. Well, look at me now, ma! Top of the world!
(4)Nick P.
For as long as I've eaten Chicago-style pizza Giordano's has always been my favorite... but that may no longer be the case. Went in for lunch and ordered one Malnati's Chicago classic and one thin crust with pepperoni and peppers for the group of us. Both pizzas were absolutely delicious. The butter crust on the deep dish was fantastic and the balance between crust, cheese, tomatoes, and sausage was perfect. The thin crust was crispy with plenty of toppings. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Chris L.
I came here a few days ago with my gf for my first deep dish in Chi-town. We could have went to an Uno or another place like Giordanos. This Lou Malnati's was very close to our hotel. We did not know that the BlackHawks had a fans appreciation. When we entered the blonde hostess said the wait was around 30 mins which was by us. after 15 mins we decided what we wanted and pre-ordered and got our drinks. Around this point, more and more hockey fans came in. 45 mins later we noticed that 8 sets of people who came after us got their tables. I asked the brunette hostess how much longer our wait was because it had been an hour at the moment. She quickly told the manager who has blonde curly hair guy that we should be bumped up. He was very sorry and offered to comp us a free appetizer. It was obvious then that the blonde hostess was new. She never asked us that we had the option to pre-order our pie. We noticed that the manager and brunette kept telling other patrons to pre-order. The blonde hostess just gave us the buzzer and I don't think even she wrote my name down on the notebook because my name was not on the list. The manager again made up for it. He was really sorry and we had the next table. We were famished and had to wait again for our food to come out. Our waitress was hard to flag down also. I think she was just too busy with the amount of table they wait on. We got the famous whatever pie (serves 2), a house salad with the garlic lemon dressing, and our free calamari. Overall, it was just ok. Nothing really wowed us. Eating 2 slices was a big mistake. The ingredient is very rich, I'm glad I finally got my taste of Chicago deep dish. The blonde hostess screwed us. I'd make sure your name is written on the notebook before waiting. I may return and give another Lou Malnati's a shot or try Giordanos. A good point was that it was really cheap. Our dinner cost under 30 bucks and I had a beer.
(3)Philip R.
Came into town wanted some good pizza was pointed to Lou's by an authentic Chicago student from Puerto Rico (Of course she'd know if it was good) and it was. Wait can be a little bit, but they speed things up by asking you to order before you are seated, so your food is ready soon after you sit down. Overall I'd give it 5 stars.
(5)Julie M.
I came here with a friend after Salsa Summer Dance in Grant Park. She's been in Paris and missing deep dish, so this location fit the bill. For a Thursday night this place was super crowded. 35-50 min wait for 2 people. The good news is that when you put your name in, you can order your pizza. Plus the cashier taking the order also got us some HUGE glasses of water while we waited, no questions asked. When we sat down we still had to wait a bit about 15 minutes for our pizza. Chianti was awful and tasted like vinegar. Our server was so nice that he did not charge us for it. If you want red wine go with the Cab. We had the butter crust deep dish spinach pizza. Very tasty, but I wish there had been even more spinach, not just one or two pieces here and there. Then we had to have the chocolate chip cookie deep dish pie which is totally extravagant but worth it. It's a large chocolate chip cookie baked in a deep dish pan, then topped with ice cream and pile of whipped cream. All in all, this is definitely a Chicago experience. Be prepared to wait in line, but you get quality pizza and it doesn't break the bank. I paid about 16 dollars and I got a drink (my friend's was free), 2 slices of deep dish, and dessert.
(4)Denise P.
Maybe it's just me and a handful of others...but I had better Chicago style pizza in Detroit. LOL don't get me wrong, it's not terrible pizza, it's pretty good. But there was nothing that sparkled about it...it was just good pizza. But if this is the best that Chicago has to offer for their branded style of pizza, I'll just stick to what I know elsewhere! The wait time there is pretty ridiculous too...we were there for a good 45 minutes waiting for a table for 2. But I guess that's expected for a place with as much publicity as Lou's. It's okay...but I honestly don't think it's worth the wait.
(3)Susan A.
I like that while there is oft a wait for the line to be seated, you can preorder your pizza while you wait and pizza will be ready to eat within 10 minutes of seating. Calamari was alright, but really love their tomato sauce. The Lou seems to be the only pizza i've ever eaten here as my friend always insists on it. Not my favorite pizza place in chicago, but not my least favorite either.
(4)Amber E.
There really is a reason that Lou's in pegged as the original Chicago deep dish pizza, these guys have their pizzas down to an art. The crust and amazing cheese make them outstanding. The french loaf garlic bread wasn't anything super impressive, but the small pizza fed us both and was the star of the show. We also sampled a couple of their wines, which were great but a little on the pricey side for half a glass. All in all, a fun experience and I'll be back next time I'm in the city.
(4)Noopur L.
My FAVORITE Chicago pizza!!! Giordano's is disgusting and I almost gave up on Chicago deep dish, until I visited the Lou Malnati's just a few blocks from our place. Yum yum yum. The one drawback at this location is that there is ALWAYS a wait. If you order for pick-up, you'll have to fight a crowd and wait a few minutes with nowhere to stand. If you're trying to get a table, it's usually at least a 45 minute wait. BUT, it looks like they're buying the place next door and expanding. My fiance and I don't eat deep dish much, but we get the thin crust at least once a week. =D
(5)Ariza S.
I'm normally not a fan of chain restaurants but hot damn did I enjoy the deep dish pizza at Lou's. I even liked their salad, SALAD! It was just a simple house salad but the croutons tasted homemade and they give you enough to share! I'm so glad we took a wrong turn from our hotel because we were starving after a string of delays at the airport and stumbled upon this heavenly place. Our server was awesome and broke everything down for us and even recommended some places nearby to watch the NBA finals game that was on later that night. And the pizza? Oh man. Lou's keeps it fresh and simple. The BF and I split a small Malnati Classic which is made for two but we were struggling to finish all the food we got. The sausage on the pizza was savory and the sauce was perfect. I can keep going but I'll start drooling.
(5)Evan S.
Honestly I was a little disappointed in Lou Malnati's. There were so many great reviews so my expectations were extremely high going in. I had a little of The "Lou" as well as the The "Malnati Chicago Classic". Both were kind of watery to me from all of the tomatoes. I'm not a huge tomato lover though so people who love them might really enjoy this place. Also, we had the chicken wings which were a complete bust. They tasted like something you get in a frozen bag. My favorite dish though was the Malnati Salad. It had a nice blend of flavors with the olives, salami, and dressing. Sad though when my favorite dish at a pizza place is the salad...
(3)C K.
I suppose 3.5 stars would be more appropriate. I'll start off with a disclaimer: this was also my first deep dish Chicago pizza experience....so I have nothing for comparison. That being said, the pizza (we ordered the Lou's special) was more or less satisfying. The sausage was well seasoned and the crust was buttery and had a crunchy finish. That being said, I wish there was more sauce and less cheese.
(3)A G.
Awful service. Good food. Since we had a 45 minute wait for our party of 13 (which is quite normal), they let us pre-order our food. After being seated, we then waited close to an hour and a half before they brought out our food. What was the point in pre-ordering if it was going to take twice as long? After we ate, they brought us our check. Granted, we were a big group and had to use 3 credit cards. But for some reason, it took them another 20 minutes to process the credit orders, the waiter stating, "it will be out in just a moment." What, are they cooking another pizza to bring out with our receipts? Since we couldn't express our annoyance through the gratuity since they automatically charged us for it, (isn't that illegal to do in Illinois as of January 1st?) thought I'd leave this review on yelp. This may be good for a date night or family night, but they obviously can't handle more than 5 people or 3 pizzas at a time. Won't be back here.
(2)Nanor H.
My friends and I were visiting Chicago and arrived past 10pm, I Yelped some pizza place in the area and saw they were open until midnight, perfect! It took a little while for us to be seated even though it was not busy, but the manager entertained us for a bit which made us forget about the wait, (he was so HOT!). Our server was also very sweet and recommended the salad with olives and gorgonzola which was delicious! Our pizza arrived and I was blown away by the flavor of the sauce and the cheese as well as the texture of the dough! Wow I'm craving a slice right now! We were three people and got a medium which we only ate half of, considering how thick the slices were I recommend underestimating how much you can eat. Overall delicious!!!!!
(5)Robert P.
The people have spoken! Lou Malnati's is the best Chicago style pizza in Chicago. Prior to our visit to Chicago I did quite a bit of research trying to decide which pizza joint to visit during our stay. There are so many pizza restaurants to choose from and considering we didn't have a lot of time in Chicago, it wasn't an easy decision. After asking several locals during our stay, and considering Lou's has been featured on the Food Network and the Travel channel multiple times, Lou's was my choice. Three things stand out in which I feel makes Lou's a truly unique and superior pie. The crust, the sausage, and the tangy tomato flavor sauce. A truly remarkable pizza.
(5)Rick L.
Thanks go out to the Chicago Yelpers recommending Lou Malnati's. We went on a Saturday night at about 5 and got a table right away it took a little while to get our pizza but nothing that wasn't worth the wait. We had the "Malnati's Chicago Classic" and a salad. The House Red Wine Vinaigrette dressing was especially good. I won't lie, the pizza being "upside-down" and eating it with a knife and fork felt like I was eating pizza from another planet but it made for a very good meal. The prices are reasonable, believe it when they say a small pizza feeds two. Go for the butter crust, you'll feel it in your arteries, but you know in a good way. Is it the best pizza I've every had? No, but it was the authentic Chicago deep dish I was looking for.
(4)Lauren T.
My BFF introduced me to this place. The spinach bread is to die for! My only thing is for the Giordanos lovers out there, just stick with the thin crust, it doesn't compare.
(4)S G.
Very good pizza. I had the deep dish cheese, I want to try out the thin crust next time! :-)
(4)Suzanne G.
I really like Lou Malnati's, and I'm a big New York-style pizza aficionado. I got a supreme pizza delivered to my hotel, and it was pretty quick considering I was told it would take an hour. The bottom crust was a little soggy, but I guess that is to be expected with delivery. I really liked the fresh veggies on the pizza- they were delicious! I liked how they didn't use as much sauce as other Chicago pizza places... that's my least-favorite part. Overall, I really liked this pizza but would like to try it in the restaurant next time.
(4)Ronda D.
Not the best pizza ever, but good overall. We got there right at noon on a Saturday and there was no wait. Don't get a seat near the waiting area. People will stare you down until you leave your booth. Our waitress was friendly. She said the pizza would take 35 minutes and it took exactly 35 minutes. A small pizza was a good size for two, but I imagined it to be a little bit deeper. Butter crust was okay. The sausage had good flavor. This location is expanding to the building next door, so that should be a plus. Better experience here than at the original Uno's. Try the Italian ice...I didn't get the chance to.
(3)Alan T.
As an outsider visiting Chicago, it's obviously a priority to try a Chicago pie. I was kind of disappointed. It was good but nothing that blew me away. I guess I hyped up Chicago's pizza too much and was told this was one of the well known places for pizza. I feel like I could have gotten that same pizza just about anywhere. I might be critiquing moreso on authenticity/"Chicago-ness" because the pizza itself didn't taste bad, it was good. I'm glad I tried it but I'll probably explore other places next time I'm in Chicago in search of that true genuine pie...
(3)Joey M.
I love where I live. We have LA Boxing, Jimmy Green's, and Lou Malnati's all right next to each other. I get a good workout, I have a bar, and as a person who grew up in the city...I have my pizza. Malnati's is GREAT pizza, i've always thought it blew Gino's East and other "Top" Chicago pizza place out of the water. The key is to make sure you order the butter crust with your pizza. It's a few extra calories and about a 50 cent up charge, but it's absolutely worth it. I usually order carry out because I live near by and I've never had to wait over 40 minutes of my pizza, which is great considering how insanely busy this place can get on weekends. Plus they just expanded the restaurant so I can only assume that the kitchen is getting even more overloaded on orders. The quality is always top notch and the staff is extremely friendly. The only reason I knock off a star is because I'm a big fan of different kinds of beer, especially with pizza. Lou Malnati's doesn't claim to be a bar in any way shape or form, but their beer list is just too limited FOR ME (on days when I do sit down and eat inside). If I wasn't so picky about my beer, this place would easily get 5 stars from me, and should from most others, for sure.
(4)Linda B.
Good God. This has the best pizza I've ever had. I even ate the crust, and for me? That says A LOT. I never eat the crust. Salad was out of this world. Our server Nicole was the best. Come early, this place fills up fast, especially on the weekends.
(5)Sarah B.
My cousin Kelli Jo and her husband Kelley Jo (no shit--this never gets old to me!) were in town visiting from California and had deep-dish on the agenda. Lou Malnati's was the recommendation that won over and I met them there for a slice. I have to say that deep-dish is not my favorite sort of pie. My only other experience was at Giordano's and I didn't care much for that. Lou's pizza was pretty damn good. Super gooey cheese and a nice hearty crust. If I were to crave deep-dish again I would prefer Lou's over Giordano's. This location seemed to be teeming with tourists and the staff seemed underwhelmed and overworked. I arrived about an hour after my cousin and the server quickly brought me a glass of water and a plate but never asked me if I wanted a beverage--I did--a nice, cold frosty one was on my brain and I only got it after I had been there about 30 minutes. She rarely stopped by the table--annoying. I saw what looked like a manager sort of lollygagging around, not really doing much but looking annoyed and waiting for his shift to end. When two ladies walked in close to closing and asked if they could still order he kinda rolled his eyes, shrugged and said they could get take-out. I understand wanting to go home and not being able to accommodate customers after closing time (which it wasn't yet) but at least be nice about it. Bottom line: shitty customer service. The pizza is pretty damn good so I'm sure this place will always be packed regardless of the staff--what a shame. Who will work harder if they don't have to?
(3)Manuel C.
The pizza is just good. I am not from Chicago. I wanted to try deep dish pizza and this place did not impress me. Found out later that Malnati's is a chain. I want superb, flavorful deep dish pizza that Chicago boasts about. Sadly, this experience was not it.
(3)Kimberly B.
Pretty tasty, but we waited over an hour to get seated... and our server dropped both of our pizzas on the floor so we had to wait longer before our food came out. Yikes! But overall, the pizza was delicious. And the nice thing about this restaurant is that they kept serving us garlic bread and thin-crust pizza to all the hungry patrons waiting outside. We had both their veggie deep dish and also their sausage deep dish. I don't think I can eat Costco pizza back at home again for a while. We were totally spoiled here!
(4)Teschia B.
Thanks Gous for Chicago Style Pizza. I thought they said Illuminati also, but I was fooled LOL Lou I must say is the best Chicago deep dish that I have had since I came to the great city. Their pizza's are like pies with a tasty butter crust. They only have two types of meat, Pepperoni and Sausage, but when it comes to the taste of the pizza, that is all that you need. Their thin crust is also. The best thing about lou MaInati's is that they place their tomato sauce on top of the pizza, which has been soaking in some type of wine or beer. The butter crust and the also the delivery service is fast and efficient. I am not to sure about Lou MaInati's outside of the city, but the one downtown....MAGNIFICO!!!
(4)Jane T.
Two words: Butter Crust. Mmmmm .... I'm not a big pizza person but I've been here several times already in the past year, mostly because I had out of towners visiting and Chicago style pizza is a "must." I've tried many other Chicago styles but nothing beats Lou Malnati's. The butter crust, the sausage, the abundance of extra ingredients you can add onto your pizza - I love that I can add garlic. I always forget how good the pizza is here until a friend visits from out of town; then I fall in love all over again.
(5)Blorch H.
This the place to go for Pizza (and Deep Dish Pie, too) if you're near The Loop. The service can be iffy from time to time, but the staff actually seems to care if you're satisfied, and the Neapolitan food is beyond reproach. The non-Neapolatin food isn't as remarkable, but is still quite good.
(4)Cody L.
I had this for takeout today and it was probably one of the worst pizzas I've ever had. I had the sausage deep dish. Is deep dish code for large crappy crust with no discernible flavor (cornmeal maybe??), overly watery sauce, greasy cheese, and, sausage that is just fat and grease? I hope not and that my visit to Chicago will turn up a delicious slice of deep dish pizza and not the remnants of my slice that I chucked into the trash.
(1)Christinapaulette K.
Authentic Chicago Pizza Reviewed by a true Chicagoan born and raised Every time I fly back to Chicago from where I reside now, San Diego, I go to Malnati's my first night and about every third night if their for a few weeks on end. This year I went as far as ordering there deep dish pizza's to be shipped out here for Christmas, just so i'd get a taste of home ; )
(5)Kristen H.
GLUTEN FREE DEEP DISH PIZZA!!!!!! so great! Although there is no "crust" (it's actually sausage instead), the flavors are WONDERFUL. I was in chicago for a week and ate here/got carry out 3 times. I ordered "The Lou" because I didn't want even more meat than the sausage on the bottom. The flavor was WONDERFUL. I suggest ordering at least a small because it cooks better when the pizza is bigger. Enjoy!
(5)GabyandRoofy M.
The pizza is good (my girlfriend loves the buttercrust). The waitstaff is patient and attentive. The wait is naturally long for the pizza, but not for the appetizer platter with fried zucchinis and cheeses which are delicious. The classic Lou deep dish is pretty good.
(4)Linda N.
Mmmm Mmmmm....deep dish. i finally got the chance to come and check this place out after a friend suggested it for dinner. there's a LONG wait for a table on the weekends. we got there at 6 and it was easily a 45-60 min wait. the good thing is that you can order your pizza while you wait and they time it so that it only takes 15 min for the pizza to come out once you get a table. we ordered "The Lou" which was basically a vegetarian pizza. it was sooooooo good. the crust was perfect, not too thick, not too thin. it was the perfect mixture of toppings, cheese, and sauce. we also ordered the bruschetta appetizer. the tomatoes were really fresh and the bread was so ridiculously good that you could eat it by itself. i definitely like this place over giordano's. go and try it for yourself, you won't be disappointed! =)
(4)Val B.
This is, so far, my favorite deep dish in Chicago. I'm definitely not an aficionado, and usually prefer thin crust, so bear in mind that I'm no expert. We came in on a busy Friday night, and waited about 30 minutes for our table (though they said it would be around 60 minutes, so we went to another bar to get drinks, and then had to chug which left me a little tipsy). Our deep dish, which they said would take an hour, took more like 90 minutes... which was fine, except that I was drunk and starving. We got two larges for 6 people, and ended up with wayy too much pizza. Fortunately the leftovers landed at my place and I enjoyed oven-reheated pizza for the next couple days. I really like their crust, compared to Gino's East at least - it's crispier and more buttery, without feeling like you're eating some cheese on top of a bread-like brick. Anyway, we had fairly attentive service and enjoyed the very crazy hair on one of the bussers. My visiting amigos, who had never had proper deep dish, enjoyed it, which is all I can ask for.
(4)L B.
I wouldn't say I'm an expert on deep dish, but i have had some of the best. Malnatis is the best I have ever had. The crust was just right, the sauce was zesty (not sweet), and the cheese was so fresh and the sausage was out of this world with flavor. Our wait to be seated is fine when you're surrounded by friends and family to help you past the time. They save time by taking your order as soon as you arrive, so by the time your table is ready you can begin eating almost right away. We had a few beers, a large Sausage pie and shared a caesar salad between the three of us. To top it off we had the chocolate chip pizza smothered in whip cream and tasty toppings. Yum! That I am still dreaming about.
(5)Alex H.
Favorite deep dish, buttery crust is amazing.... nuff said.
(5)Ryan L.
We went to Lou Malnati's while on a weekend trip to Chicago. It was my first time to Chicago, and my first time getting true deep dish Chicago pizza. I had always heard of Lou's, so requested we go there. We went on a Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and were seated immediately. We chose this Lou's because it was closest to our hotel. We ordered a large classic Lou for four people. Wow, that pizza is filling. We regrettably had to waste part of the pizza since we were in a hotel with no microwave. However, we ate as much as we could while we were there! The crust is kind of crispy and has a great buttery taste. The sauce is savory, they put on a ton of cheese, and top it with this great homemade sausage. The pizza really was excellent. The service was great, and the waitress even served us our first piece. The glasses for pop were very large, which was nice, so that we did not have to keep getting refills. The price for this large pizza was right around $20, which is a very reasonable price for two large, filling pieces of pizza. I highly recommend going to Lou Malnati's if it's your first time in Chicago, or if you're a regular and have never tried it!
(5)Marcus B.
Although I'm not a pizza connoisseur (I'm from St. Louis, where our signature pizza is thin crust), the deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnati's was absolutely delicious. Though, be warned that each slice is VERY filling--I can't emphasize that enough. I'm normally one with a large appetite, so I ordered a medium pizza thinking that I'd eat at least half there, and half later. Boy was I wrong! I ate one, and struggled to eat a second before I was done! So, the value is definitely there. Perhaps the only negative I have is that the wait is ridiculously long. We waited for over an hour on a Saturday afternoon. Granted, they did have complimentary slices of thin-crust cheese pizza, but I think better management may be in order, as it was quite hectic. Overall, a great quality pizza restaurant, if you have time to spare for the wait!
(4)Lisa S.
Incredible! Was recommended here by a tour guide and have gone twice so far! There is a great lunch special, a personal 6" deep dish pizza and side soup/salad, for $7.95. It's the perfect size and fills you up well. If you want more, the malnati special salad and malnati special pizza are incredible! The salad is huge and perfect for sharing. Service is fast however if you order any deep dish pizza larger than the 6" expect a 20-30 minute wait, it's well worth it though!
(5)Michelle L.
I've been eating Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza since I was a kid, it's one of the best Chicago style pizza's around. The original location, in Lincolnwood, by far has the best pizza in this chain. It has something to do with the ovens or something - the crust is just better and crispier. But I do not live in Lincolnwood, so when Lou's in the South Loop opened I was a happy camper (although their Wells Street location is really not that far either). There's not a whole lot to say other than it's traditional Lou's pizza, not quite 100% as good as the original location but still pretty darn good. Don't even think about getting thin crust - go somewhere else for that - deep dish is the only pizza to order here. I recommend either the sausage or Lou's (vegetarian option), both are wonderful. The "sauce" is one of the elements that make this pizza so good - it's simply stewed tomato's - so good and fresh. Last time I was there I tried something called the Malnati Classic (I think) - I don't know if it was new or specific to this location, but I had never seen it before... Basically it's a sausage deep dish with a butter crust and extra cheese. I love cheese, I didn't think it was possible that there could be too much cheese on a pizza , or too much of a good thing, which is why I wanted to try this one. But I was wrong - there is such a thing as too much cheese, it just wasn't balanced out by the rest of the ingredients. Stick with the regular sausage or Lou's. For salads, the Malnati is amazing with their sweet vinaigrette. The smaller size is perfect for 2-3 people. But plan ahead - this location is always so busy! They'll have a 45 minute wait on a Wednesday night at 8:30 - which is unusual for this neighborhood, probably a result of tourists wanting to try the famous pizza...
(4)Alex Z.
Come to Lou Malnati's if you're looking for a Chicago-born pizza chain. This is not a hole-in-the-wall diamond in the rough. It's a popular, well-known pizza house, and there are several in Chicago. The ingredients were good, but not phenomenal. It was rich with bits of tomato chunks and herbs, so if you like that sort of thing, you found pay-dirt. They load your pies with ingredients; mine was sausage and pepperoni. A small pie is worth taking on yourself; at the very least, you'll have some extras later. I wish the crust was better. I like my deep dish pies to have a flaky quality to the crust, and this was more of a traditional pie crust texture. It did not detract from the experience. Overall, the pizza was 4-star. The sauce and crust would merit a 5-star rating if better. They run a good ordering system; when you arrive there is usually a wait for seating, but you can pre-order your pies if you know what you want. It helps when you're passing through, like I was.
(4)Kimi O.
I had a craving for pizza today, but knowing that we were having deep dish next week when my sister visits, we decided to order Lou Malnati's thin crust version - 1/2 sausage for me, 1/2 pepperoni for my boyfriend. The crust was perfectly crispy, and the cheese to sausage to red sauce ratio was excellent! Thumbs up: Ordering carry-out and not having to wait for a table. Thumbs down: Galic bread was barely toasted and barely garlicky, and the marinara nothing special.
(4)Jason P.
I've taken a group of about 10 people here, twice, on a weekday for lunch and have had a great experience both times. The place was eerily empty both times we've been there (between 11:00-12:30), so you'll have no problem grabbing a table for lunch. The service was great, even when they had to put up with my table full of teenage girls (I'm a club volleyball coach, get your mind out of the gutter). And the food is, well, it's Lou Malnati's, if you've heard of it, you know the pizza is great. The second time I came to this location though, I took a break from the pizza, and opted for the Italian Beef Sandwich. Holy wow... let me go on record as saying this was the best beef sandwich I have ever had, period. The herbs and spices, the delicate texture of the beef. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. The only bad thing about this place is that now I have to decide if I want pizza or the beef sandwich. Guess that's my fault though. If I ever find myself with a reason to be in the south loop for lunch, I'll be here.
(4)Chuck F.
This is one of the top 10 reasons to make a trip to chi town. The pizza is nothing short amazing. The bruschetta is nothing but excellent, fresh and perfect. Our server who appeared to have a pretty rough previous night was nothing short of outstanding, he cut our kids food up, never needed to ask for more water and was ultra friendly, this guy even knew most people's names coming in and out of the pizza shop. The food is great for the price point, the restaurant is very nice for the area and an all around great experience.
(5)Troy L.
I visited Chicago in June and chose this place to try my first deep dish pizza from a friend. If you go with a bunch of friends and some of them are late, order the pizza first as it does take 30 to 45 minutes to get the pizza ready. I ordered the medium classic pizza and medium Lou salad. There were two of us and we only ate half the pie and half the salad. We had to take it to go.
(3)Brady M.
Unbelievable pizza w/good proportions, long wait, bar w/beer
(4)Michael S.
Went here after a waitress in another restaurant recommended it to us. She was right on! The deep dish was wonderful. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a table, but the pizza took 30 minutes to make (we were able to place our order when we got there), so once we were seated, it was just 10 minutes until we got the food. Very much worth the wait. The reason this didn't get the fifth star was the beer selection. They offered a few good one, but they were out of them. Drat.
(4)Barbara W.
After landing in Chicago for a 1 week vacation with hub, we headed to Lou Malnati's. I am a thin-thin crust fan but will occassionally join my guy in his quest for deep dish perfection. We both lived in Chicago when we were younger and our memories of Chicago deep dish did not match our experience. Familiar atmosphere- amazing corn meal crust but the pizza guts were very disappointing. The cheese was not the quality that we expect and the overall favor was lacking. I think that SF deep dish places like Zackery's (East Bay) and Little Star (SF) have started to dominate because of the high quality of their products. I thought it was possibly because I am just not a fan of the deep dish (dd) but my dd hub agreed with my review. A few days later we gave Gino's a try (see that review). I reached my quota for DD for the entire year at the begiining of February. People were waiting for tables and the restaurant was full of happy people stuffing themselves. It is possible that we are just the odd balls or just spoiled by living in California. Maybe a bit of both. Curious what others from SF think about this place
(2)Michael P.
The first stop I made in Chicago was Lou Malnati's for some delicious deep dish pizza. Our table ordered the Malnati Chicago Classic, Buffalo Wings, and Ceasar Salad. If you are in Chi Town Lou Malnati's is a must stop for good food,and customer service. Our waitress was very outgoing, and as tourist she gave us some good recommendations for Italian Roast Beef, tourist sites etc. Overall 5 out of 5 for Lou Malnati's!
(5)Hu Lee A.
This place sucks!!! We get there and there are tables available. We ask to sit by the window. The hostess says no because they are saving the four open four tops for larger parties. It is 10:15 pm. She seats us in the corner. After taking a look around there are four other couples or individuals sitting on four tops. I point out the same to the hostess and she reluctantly seats us on one of the other open tables. 10 minute later the waitress comes to tell us she will be by when she could. Walked out. Horrible service!!!
(1)Amber G.
I LOVE Chicago deep dish pizza and have had my fair share, always trying a new spot whenever I get the chance. This place was a little bit of a disappointment. The crust was too hard for my taste. I like a flaky, buttery crust and this one tasted... overcooked? Difficult to cut with a fork and knife and too crunchy. I saw that they had a "butter crust" after we ordered which may have been better. Sauce was really good, maybe more sauce would have helped with the crust? Cheese was good. I prefer Gino's East or Uno's for sure.
(3)Maria C.
the classic deep dish pizza was tasty and satisfying. Not the best pizza I ever had dough... the bread stuffed with cheese and spinach was surpassingly good.
(3)Janine D.
Pizza was ok...I had higher hopes for the famous Chicago deep dish! I would recommend trying elsewhere! Homemade salad dressing was great!
(3)R B.
We were sat in an odd booth with one small seat that backed up to the window, ok. The waitress took a while getting to our table, and was just an order taker/food server. This restaurant was recommended, but we left the food on the table. It had really no flavor. The crust was flour and water, even with the butter crust it had no flavor. The sauce is sweet, but too little was put on and it was over powered by the bland bread. (Communion host any one?). Good amount of cheese, but no balance to the deep dish pizza.
(1)Samir N.
I am not in Chi-City very often, and I had to satisfy my deep dish fix. Boy did I. It was a pain to get there because of the marathon going on, but fortunately we got in before the race finished. Even their salad was pretty amazing. Being the tourist in the group, I went with the Lou's and was very pleased. I had a ton of pizza left over for the drive back to Motown. Even cold in the car several hours later, the pizza was pretty delicious. Of course it takes a while to get the pizza since they do have to bake it first, but it is well worth the wait. Expectations = met
(4)Corey M.
Pretty good. The Lou's special pizza with fried spinach was good. They can do take out. Some may say best Chicago Deep Dish, personally there are a few non chain places I prefer. If you are in Chicago, you have to do Chicago style Pizza, and Lou's is one of the iconic places.
(3)Allen W.
The wife and I were in Chicago this past Summer and we asked the helpful sales guy at Verizon where to get the best deep dish pizza. He pointed us to Lou Malnati's and we hiked ten blocks south and our tastebuds were in awe. Surprisingly it wasn't for the pizza. As a New-Yorker, we get great pizza on every street corner. So i thought their deep dish pizza was acceptable. But, it's their salad which was phenomenal. It had this amazing sauce, fresh ingredients, and huge portions that had us going back twice within a week.
(5)nikki s.
I have yet to see what the hype is about Chicago style pizza, however, I will say that Lou Malnati's is what I favor. The regular pizza? Not so much. I dig the deep dish style a.k.a. "The Lou". You get spinach, mushrooms, fresh tomato, a few different cheeses (I think) and I always add pepperoni..all in a nice buttery crust. I also favor the Signature Salad which is a"big salad" with a tasty garlic dressing. The two stars? This past weekend. One pizza + one salad = a party in my tummy. Yeah, food poisoning. Pissed at the fact that I just threw away $31, I decided to call and complain. The manager seemed really concerned. He told me that they take food poisoning really serious, and that my complaint would be escalated to some other chef. (Corporate, maybe?) I was to receive a call from him in 24hrs. Fast forward two days later with no call from anyone. I called back again and was told that they will follow up with this other chef. As a loyal customer, I thought to myself, "Please make good--reimburse me for my order...send me a coupon...anything! Don't make me yelp you badly...because I will. I did. Okay, so I felt obliged to up-a-star b/c no less than an hour that I wrote this, I heard from the head chef as well as a marketing manager. Kudo's to Lou Malnati's for showing some concern and accomodating their customers! That's the way to keep a customer!
(3)Isabel J.
I'm a New Yorker so I do prefer thin crust pizza. I do have to say the pizza here was realy good.
(4)P S.
Straight away let me say that Malnati's is by FAR my favorite Chicago deep dish. Hands down, desert island, fav-o-rite. So why the two stars? The two stars are for my recent carryout experience at the State Street Malnati's (and *not* the food. Promise. Five stars there). Around 3pm I decided pizza was in my future, along with two books and a small pile of magazines. I called, she took my order for a small cheese and sausage thick crust to be ready at 7pm no problem thankyouverymuch, and at 6:50 I set out on foot to pick up my pie. Enter: the Fray. Two mildly confused girls behind the counter and four or five people paying, waiting or ordering. The pizzas were going to their respective owners and once I paid, waited for mine. Hmm. 7:02. No pizza. 7:08. No pizza. Every time someone inquired about pie whereabouts, the confused girls asked for the name it was ordered under (at least three times per customer) and went to the back to find out, sometimes returning with only an awkward smile and no ETA. I received one of these. The manager finally brought my pie to me, a full ten minutes after my 7pm due time. I was in a bad mood, I frankly wanted to ask them what could have happened that an order made four hours previous somehow still managed to show up ten minutes late, but I didn't. I just made a note to self for next time, thanked him, rolled my eyes under my breath and headed out the door, tomato pie in hand. Their carry out department needs to get it together. Manager, take charge. Counter help, listen up and pay attention. It's not rocket surgery. The pizza? Stellar as always.
(2)S W.
This was my first time trying it, and it was very, very good. Despite being deep dish pizza, it wasn't too heavy. I tried the Lou, which is very very flavorful, I think they either add garlic or saute the veggies in it. I also tried some of the Classic Chicago, which just has the sausage, which they describe as a lite or low fat sausage, and it was very good also, with a lot of sausage, basically covering the bottom. The butter crust couldn't be more delicious, and is not at all greasy. I think the reason that it doesn't seem too heavy is that there isn't a huge amount of cheese, or at least there wasn't on the sausage pizza. The Lou seemed to have more cheese. The tomato sauce is good and zesty. I think it would be hard to beat this pizza.
(4)Rayna P.
Great service! Great location! You can't go to Chicago without having Chicago style pizza. Having tried the Giardano's first I have to say I liked it better than the Lou Malnati's. They are very different pizza's, but you have to try it! This is a great priced meal if you are with other people as you can split up pizza. A group of 4 ate for less than $40!
(3)Debbie E.
Can't remember the last time I ate at a Lou Malnati's and now I know why. Good thing we ordered a pizza to go, because the place was packed. We order a Chicago Classic (basically a cheese and sausage) with pepperoni. As everyone sat down to eat, we all agreed that something was severely lacking ... taste. The sausage and pepperoni had no taste what so ever. The crust was not crispy enough on the bottom and was also bland. With all of the great pizza places in Chicago, don't know why all those people were actually waiting 40 mins to get in.
(2)Jeff A.
Lou Malnati's was recommended to me by a friend, but I must say I was underwhelmed. The servers were generally indifferent and the pizza was just so-so: way too oily and not enough sauce to compensate for the excessive amount of cheese. I probably won't return unless I have to.
(2)Garrett F.
I am not really a fan of Chicago Style Pizza but because this place has been voted best pizza in Chicago I though I would try it out. This location was very efficient, allowing your to place your order while you wait for a table making the wait very nice. Also the indicators they use allow you to go down the street to Jimmy Greens for a Drink while you wait. The Pizza was good, definitely the best stuffed pizza that I have had, I have been to a few others and what really set Lou Malnati's apart was the crust, it was crispy and you could actually pick it up and eat it like normal pizza if you wanted to. This really is a wonderful place and i will be going back to try there thin crust pizza, which is my favorite style of pizza so this is a partial review.
(4)Alex R.
this was the most disgusting cardboard crap i have ever had the displeasure to eat. Actually threw it out after one slice each. VOMIT
(1)Rodrick B.
This pizza is the s#it!!!! I was gonna order a large for two people and the waitress was like (i dont think u wanna do that) a medium was plenty and i took two slices home.
(5)Stephen V.
Better than Giordanos. Last visit to Chicago, I had Giordanos so I wanted to give deep dish another try. I'm personally a NY pizza fan. After we left Fuerza Bruta, we took a quick stroll over to this location. It was packed. It was about 9pm. They take your name and if your ready your order too, so it can be ready when you get your table. Well, it only took about 20 minutes to get a table, and a lot longer to get our food. Really, i doubt they put in our order before we sat down. We ordered to personal pizzas the Lou thin crust, and the Chicago deep dish. The thin crust was okay, but didn't hit the spot at all. The deep dish was very good for that style. The crust was perfect in my opinion. I still prefer NY pizza, but this was great. The sausage and sauce were very very good. Our server was great, she was very friendly and helpful, but she didn't refill our glasses once. That always bothers me. Overall, it was a very good experience, just don't bother being in a hurry if you plan on going there.
(4)Shannon D.
Best pizza EVER. This is some seriously good stuff and everyone should try it. Giordano's is amazing, but this is on an even higher plane.
(5)James E.
We ordered from here after coming home from a long, long, long two-week road trip. The pizza arrived relatively on time and I was pleased to find out that it wasn't cold (see my first review). It was, however, lukewarm. It was just enough to enjoy it. The delivery guy came without one of those fancy heat bags that one of those national chains use. That would be a great investment for Lou's since this is now the second time I've had my pie delivered with some kind of heat issue. Still though, I remain a big fan of Lou's and my eye will not wander.
(3)Amanda R.
This is okay pizza. It's good even but it's NOT what I think of when I think of Chicago deep dish pie. The crust wasn't THAT thick. In fact it reminded me of pie crust more than anything else. Toppings, sauce...meh and meh. Apparently this place is famous and all my friends that have been to Chicago love it. But for me it made me crave Chicago pizza all the more. Luckily, I know where to get the best Chicago style pizza in San Diego. Which was the 1st thing I did after my flight home landed.
(3)Kelsey K.
In a nutshell (look at me, I'm in a nutshell) it's pretty boring. It's okay, but not nearly as outstanding as other places in Chicago. When you're in the Chi, you have the right and the responsibility to be picky as hell about your pizza. It's great for lunch delivery, but not for dinner. It's also pretty touristy, which kinda sucks, but so is the way of life in this neighborhood... Best pizza in the city: deep dish-Pequod's in Bucktown, thin-Delisi's in West Rogers Park... If you wanna stick close to downtown, hit up Due's for deep dish or Bella Bacino's for thin.
(2)Kammie G.
Yummy pizza. Although maybe not the best I've ever had (that would be Pizzeria Uno in Gurnee). But still good. Prices are normal. Staff is normal. There's just not that much to say about it ha.
(4)Kristin C.
I was dying to eat after the White Sox game. I wasn't as into the game because I was starving and I couldn't wait to finally get some deep dish pizza in my stomach. Don't hate me because I'm not a hardcore baseball fan. I'm not from Chi Town! :) We started off with their Stuffed Spinach Bread. Seriously...it didn't look as appetizing when it came out, but after I took a bite of my slice, I was in love. Dip it with some the marinara sauce they give you and you're extremely satisfied! It gets better! Malnati Salad. Wowzers, one of the best salads I've ever had. What was it for me? Probably the dressing. It was slightly sweet, but salty and it complimented everything in the salad. Of course we ordered The Deluxe Pizza with their butter crust (how could you not add that in?!?). I don't think my friends enjoyed it as much as I did, but I thought it was a nice slice of deep dish pizza. Not too heavy and filling and the crust was perfectly crispy. I liked the toppings we had and I kind of liked the fact that it was not as cheesy as some other pizzas I've had. I can only compare it to BJ's, which is not authentic. I didn't even get to try the world famous Giordano's while I was there, but overall, I think I got a good taste of Chi Town pizza! We ended our meal with a Chocolate Chip Pizza. Nothing unique, but it satisfied my sweet tooth. Service was excellent as well! :) I'm usually a fatty fat fatty and would've loved to eat more of everything, but since I was trying to be good and not stuff my face on the first night of our trip, I restricted myself to eating one slice. But I really wanted more...that's how much I liked this place!
(4)Katelyn C.
I can't speak for every franchise of this chain, but this one is fantastic. Large windows let in a ton of light and the place has a real homey feel to it. It is a family style restaurant with comfortable seating perfect for kids and larger groups. The only downside is that it is located right next to the brand new Xsport gym. You know, just to rub in the guilt after downing multiple slices of cheesy deep-dish goodness. A pizzeria is always a great place to bring a big group of people because you can just order a bunch of pies and everyone will have something they like. Since we all wanted to try something new, we got four individual pan pizzas. At $5.50 this is a ridiculously delicious and filling bargain! Toppings cost extra though, so they can add up quickly. At lunch time you can get a special that includes a personal pan, side salad, and can of soda for only about $7. When you order a pizza the waiter will ask something like, "Would you like to-". At that point you should just cut him off and say YES because he is talking about adding the butter crust option to your pizza. Indulgent golden, buttery thick crust. Seriously, it is 50 cents extra, just do it. You think the pizza on the header of this page looks good? This is even better! Be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes as all pizzas are made fresh to order. For starters, i recommend the spinach bread. A small loaf of bread stuffed with melted cheese and spinach, served with chunky marinara sauce on the side. It is a perfect sized appetizer for about three people, and could actually work as your entree if you are not super hungry. Lou Malnati's pizza is so tasty I'm considering naming my first child Lou. No, not really. But definitely my first kitten.
(4)Chris M.
It's not bad, just not the best. Get here early or else stand in the line.
(3)Patricia R.
I give an "A-OK" rating because I only enjoy the thin crust pizza from Lou Malnati's. In my opinion, the deep dish is too cheesy and the sauce is basically just tomato chunks without any flavor. HOWEVER, the thin crust pizza (which I've only had recently at a friend's BBQ) is absolutely delicious! I love Home Run Inn pizza and this reminded me so much of that taste. The cheese and sauce is just perfect and the crust is buttery and flaky and oh so good. Definitely on my list of go-to thin crust pizza joints AND at the top!
(3)Colin E.
Decent deep dish. For my money, I'll walk an extra block and grab some Edwardo's. I checked into this place because they advertise a wheat free pizza. I've got a wheat allergy, so I was pretty excited. Unfortunately, what I got was extremely disappointed. They replaced the crust with greasy sausage and then completely nixed the whole idea of deep-dish pizza...I've had thin crust that was thicker than this.
(3)Ricky T.
First time here, called at 5:00pm Saturday to schedule a 7:00pm delivery. Josh, who took the order couldn't have been more polite. Pizza was delivered at 6:45 and it (sausage) was perfect! Yummy! Can't wait to do it again!
(5)Catherine A.
kind of took forever, but the pizza was okay. Not my favorite, but the waitress was nice, and we were seated right away.
(2)Dorothy M.
I don't usually like deep dish pizza. But Lou Malnati's sausage deep dish: buttery curst, very flavorful unlike others, and the homemade sausage is divine!!! It has changed deep dish pizza for me. I now like it.
(5)Steve G.
I don't like cold pizza. The delivery was fairly quick but I couldn't understand why it was cold. Cold cheese pizza is awful. This is the 2nd place I've ordered from a restaurant to go and been completely unhappy with the quality of the food as it did not reach my expections. It seems like places in chicago don't care about their food quality. I will not order food again from Lou Malnati's in chicago. The one in Schaumbrg was delivered hot and was much better. The thin pizza left a lot to be desired. Stay away my friends.
(2)Danielle B.
Unfortunately, this place is like the pizza hut of Chicago stuffed pizza. The crust was way too thin, flavorless and overcooked. The cheese was processed, pre-shredded variety. Although, the veggies were fresh, and not canned or frozen (always a plus) The hotel staff over hyped this place so we tried it along with 3 other pizza places in the area. This was our least favorite. It was a little cheaper than some other places, but not near the quality. The staff was friendly, and the "deep dish" chocolate cookie with vanilla ice cream was amazing. But I have to dock some serious points for the super low quality grub. Sorry Lou.
(2)Eugene E.
I ordered the lasagna, termed "Lou's Old-World recipe" -- it is made with spinach and I ordered the marinara sauce instead of meat sauce. I felt the Old-World recipe lacked flavor and didn't include enough spinach for me to notice spinach was a main ingredient. I felt this was the same as a lasagna dish out of the frozen food section in a grocery store. Just more flavor, the portion was fine.
(2)Nicole L.
I had better!
(3)Jason T.
I had heard a lot of conflicting opinions about this place. Some say that despite the fact that this was authentic Chicago-style pizza, it wasn't even as good as Zachary's in the Bay Area. Others say that this was the one thing that they missed the most after leaving Chicago (aside from Wrigley, I'm guessing). It's somewhere in between. While it was good, it wasn't great, and surely, there are plenty of pizza places here in the Bay Area that are at least marginally better. In addition, the wait was just unbearable; it was a good thing that there were dive bars within a few blocks or else I'm not sure what we would have done. I will have to go back to Zachary's to see which is better though.
(3)Jay M.
Lou Malnati's is one of, what I call, the Big 3 of Chicago style pizza giants. The list includes Gino's East, Uno and Lou. The order is debatable and there are probably other notables (like Diorgano's), but I say these guys are the best in town and that's the end of discussion. Get it? Got it? Good. Chicago style pizza is not to be messed with. Other cities hate us for being so genious with the pies we serve up..but this is what we do. At Lou's, you order any other style pizza than the deep dish... I will make a personal trip to the spot with 2 trained K-9s, hunt you down in your booth, and all 3 of us will open up a can of whoop a$$ on you, and innocent bystanders in your party. Don't play. The deep dish takes about 30 minutes to arrive at your table, so wouldn't be a bad move to order a bowl of soup to keep you company. I would recommed the broccolli and cheese. Once the pizza comes out, expect a thick buttery crust. You will notice grease dripping a bit from the pizza. Do not be alarmed--this is completely normal (and unappreciated by your arteries). Lou has a very fresh, sweet marinara sauce that works for some, but not for others. If you are 210 pounds or lighter, you will probably make it through 1 1/2 to 2 pieces before you start slowing down. This works out well because by this point, the cheese has cooled and is turning rubbery. Overall, whether you live in Chicago or just visiting, Lou's should be a definite consideration for your pizza itch. Now go!
(5)Kim V.
If I could give 3.5 stars, I would. A pretty trusty deep dish to have around. The crust, though great consistency, could use a little garlic/salt brushing on the sides - though tasty. Usually a line, hopefully they'll finish the remodel soon and open up the dining room.
(4)Yaniv L.
I've tried all Chicago style pizzas in the city. Lou's is hands down the best. The tomato sauce is killer! Also be sure to ask for the butter crust (it's worth the extra $0.75). If you're looking for Chicago style pizza, you've gotta try Lou's!
(5)Emily K.
The pizza is excellent, and you can get an individual chicago style pizza for something like $6 (what a deal!) but this location is rather small and I had some problems with the service (for example, they won't do separate checks and our waitress was very rude) All in all Lou Malnatis is a must for famous chciago pizza, but i'd go to a different location.
(3)Marc A.
Amazing pizza, so doughy and delicious. The best pizza ever. I always have people bring me back some when they go to Chicago. I will probably order some frozen ones and have them delivered but its never as good as there. If you want Chicago pizza you have to go here.
(5)Lisa B.
Lou's thin-crust (sorry peeps, too doughy on the deep dish for me) has to be one of the best pizzas in town to get delivered to your door-step HOT out of the oven and as fresh as if it were delivered to your table! It comes with a plastic sheet on it to keep in the heat and pizza goodness. The Malnati's salad is fantastic too! It may take a little longer at the restaurant and for delivery (because it's so popular and good) but well worth it!
(5)Erika R.
Service was great and The "Lou" pizza was delish! I will be visiting Lou's every time I am in town! :)
(5)Kim C.
I know there's debate between the best deep dish pie in Chicago - Giordano's or Lou Malnati's. For me, hands down it's Lou Malnati's. The buttercrust is sublimely thin and provides that nice crunch to the oozing ingredients. My friend and I tried the Lou and the Malnati Chicago Classic (MCC). The MCC was delicious. The sausage oozing with flavor to compliment the cheese and tomato sauce. The Lou was my favorite though - I'm just a sucker for great vegetables in a pie. On another note, my friend and I were starving by the time we sat down so we ordered the Malnati salad and Three Cheese Bread. The salad was incredible and I'm quite picky about my salads. I'm also typically offended when chefs douse greens in salad dressing, but the dressing complimented all the ingredients and the crunch from the salami was perfect. I can't wait for my next trip to Chicago! I need another Lou Malnati fix! I know I can order pies online, but it's just not the same... My friend and I waited 45 minutes for a table, but the service was really good and pleasant. Plus the 45 minutes gave us time to build up our appetite for the main course!
(5)Robert O.
Great atmosphere and amazing deep dish experience. Although there was a 30 minute wait they let you pre-order your pizza so that it comes about 15 minutes after u are seated. They also served garlic bread and cheese breadsticks while we waited. Very reasonable prices and super service. I also recommend the chocolate chip cookie deep dish for dessert!
(5)Jeanne L.
Ok so my bad, I ordered their salad with the wrong dressing! I tried it with their sweet vinaigrette, the one that is suggested to go with their house salad, and it is SOOOOOO GOOOD! I could eat a whole bowl of that by myself... I'd come back just for the salad. It's loaded with mushrooms, gorgonzola cheese, onions, and this incredible bacon (I think they call it something else, but essentially it's a bacon type cut, fried nice and crisp). Yum!
(5)Thi T.
We stopped here on our way to my home town of Racine, Wi (We live in Atlanta). The whole time, I was thinking, I can not wait til we get to Chicago, so I can try to destroy a huge Lou's pizza. My wife had never had deep dish pizza, and couldn't understand what the fuss was all about. So anyways, we get to Lou's on State. We were promptly seated and ordered the medium "Classic" add the roni. They said they were kind of busy, which it was, and it would take 45minutes. No problem, I just kept drooling at the other pies being brought out to the other customers, to the point I wanted to ask someone if i could purchase a slice off of them. I our pie finally came, and dear God, it was so freaking delicious. It was every bit as good as I had remembered it to be. The cheese just oozing out of each bite, and the loaded sausage and delicious sauce. Every bite is just cheese, sausage and sauce, on a crispy buttery crust, absolutely amazing. Service was excellent, as usual, and I'll be coming back on my way home to Atlanta. My wife is an avid pizza fanatic (it's easily her favorite food), was blown away. She said it was the best pizza she ever had in here life, and I don't argue that point at all. Edit: So we stopped by on our way home. We got here about 7pm on Tuesday night, it was packed!!! They told us it would be 20 minutes, so we just ordered some root beers, and preordered our pizza. It actually took only about 10 minutes before we were seated, and then about 15 minutes later we got our pizza. Once again...AMAZING!!! I was so happy I forgot to take pictures to post, but no worries, we'll be back for Christmas, and this will be a definite stop for us.
(5)John W.
Pizza was ok, but there are better options. I have never been to Chicago, so I am not sure if the if what we got was normal, but it was the worst sausage I have ever had...looked funny, smelt funny tasted awful...my wife and I both removed it from the pizza.
(3)A K.
This was my one and only authentic chicago deep dish pizza experience. it's a must-do when visiting. It was delicious, but living in NYC for a few years-- I must say, I think i prefer NYC style pies. You must order The "Malnati Chicago Classic." The crust was my favorite part. Really doughy and yummy. Don't worry if it's crowded when you get there. They have a pretty good system where you pre-order at a register while you are waiting for your table to be called. Make sure to leave 30 min for a deep dish... that's how long it takes to cook and bring out to your table.
(3)Derek B.
This pizza is okay. The best thing about this pizza is the crust, but I didn't care for the sauce, which tasted like plain canned tomatoes--that is a deal-breaker for me. In a blind taste test between Giordano's, Gino's, and Lou Malnati's, this was my least favorite.
(3)Cristina D.
OMG. EVERYTIME I go to Chicago, I eat Lou Malnati's pizza. I freaking LOVE their specialty salad and their deep dish pizza. My family usually gets the one with the large pieces of sausage in it. It is delicious. We never finish an order for dinner so we always save a slice for our long trip back home to San Francisco....Lou Malnati's...you're SO in my heart and are SO missed.
(4)Dan P.
Best non-thin crust pizza I've ever had. Period. Sausage is just too good. And their house salad, omg!
(5)Ryan G.
Lou Malnati's serves classic Chicago style deep dish pizza and its delicious! I've only eaten in the restaurant once. I mostly order for pick up. Either way, they are serving up the best deep dish - crispy crust, fresh vegetables, and the perfect amount of cheese! My favorite pizza is "The Lou" add pepperoni and fresh garlic.
(5)Rockie D.
The best pizza in Chicago!!!!
(5)J L.
Got the recommendation from the double-decker tour trolley guide when we were looking for a great Chicago style deep dish pizza. Ended up eating outside on the patio and enjoying calamari, and a 9" Malnati Pizza.
(3)Jason H.
The pizza I ordered was really very good, more like 4 or 4 and a half star good, but the salad and everything else was not. In any case, if you're craving really good deep dish pizza, this place has got it. And it's fairly inexpensive too.
(3)Joe T.
This is for a delivery order, I'm positive things are better in the restaurant itself. I'm not a huge fan of deep dish, but this one stood out for me as one of the better deep dishes that I've had. Well balanced toppings (some places over do it), perfectly gooey, and good crust. The spinach bread was way awesome and if you're reading this then you are obligated to try it now. Jk.
(3)Sean T.
Great food, service left something to be desired.
(4)Tracey W.
I have been here multiple times. Sometimes the wait is a little long, but the pizza is always super amazing.
(4)Nancy C.
Lou Malnati's is right next door to my gym and there's always a crowd of people waiting to be seated when I get out around 6/6:30pm (it could also be a summer thing too...). I've had my fair share of post work-out pizza cravings (right, I know, counter to the workout idea) but Lou's definitely satisfies. Their deep dish is good*, especially their stuffed spinach, mushroom, and tomato (nicknamed the "Lou") -- their marinara/pizza sauce isn't overwhelming and they use a cheese mix that includes cheddar and gives the pizza a unique flavor. The "Deluxe" deep dish pizza is also awesome if you like meat and veggies. Also, I really like their thin-crust a lot, particularly their Italian sausage -- for some reason, I think their Italian sausage totally rocks. I'd be content getting a sausage pizza every week and would probably never get tired of it. If you have space for dessert, try out their chocolate pizza (AKA chocolate pizookie). Basically it's baked cookie with a huge scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and whipped cream. My fiance absolutely loves it and WILL make space for it. * Note: I describe their deep dish as "good" because my personal deep dish preference is Bacino's, which can't be beat in my book.
(4)Darrell B.
Very friendly service and a really great pizza. Even still I would go back just for the bruchetta.
(4)Sandy G.
Was recommended to go here for great pizza. They were right. We ordered and received a great pizza. It was heavy, hot and juicy. The best pizza I have had in a long time, maybe ever. Enough to feed 3 adults with left overs. One piece was all I could eat.
(5)Peter S.
It was an overall frustrating experience. We were told 20-25 min only to wait over an hour. We preordered our pizza based on the original wait time and found our pizza soggy - suggesting it had been sitting the addition 40 minutes. The calamari had good seasoning, but the calamari themselves were way too elastic. For a place with such rave reviews, and long lines, I expected more. I felt like we lost a night of opportunity.
(2)Lora P.
Fantastic Chicago style pizza! Fresh, hot and delicious! Everyone knows about this place for a reason! :)
(4)Yoshi Y.
i was amazed by the quality of this chicago pizza place! i tried other deep dish pizza at other places before, but i never felt satisfied. lou malnati offers not only deep dish pizza (sausage and mushroom version) but also malnati's salad, which is really tasty. it is not too cheesy, but it actually provides the TASTE. if you want to try out any chicago pizza, this is the place to be!
(4)Sophia K.
Had the classic pizza with garlic as the extra topping and well down. It was sooooo great! I would highly recommend it. I'm here in Chicago for few days and I'm going to bring their frozen pizza home with me for my husband to try!
(5)Isi A.
The pizza was very good, but the food takes a while to get to you. It's hard to watch people eat that good looking pizza for 40 minutes before you get yours
(4)Darren S.
The first thing that I did when I arrived in my hotel was to order a pizza from Lou Malnati's. I ordered a medium Deluxe with butter crust and it arrived within the time frame that Malnati's promised (about an hour). Along with the pizza, I got a six pack of root beer and I was ready to throw down. The first sensations that struck me were that it was super aromatic and colorful. Being that this is my second deep dish to date (first was Zachary's in Oakland, CA) and first Chicago deep dish, I have nothing to compare it to. All I know was that the individual flavors on the pie all stood out as being fresh and were tasty all by themselves. I could eat the Italian sausage on the pie at any barbeque and be happy. Together, everything was delicious and made the perfect combo pizza. The slices stayed together well and I was full after 2.5 slices. Overall, I was very happy with my first Chicago deep dish.
(4)Jill C.
First of all, let me say - Thank You, Lou for opening up in the South Loop!! Secondly, to all you haters... you are CRAZY! I love, love, love this pizza. I daydream about it and can't get it outta my head until I have it (probably going to have to order it tonight now). Great crust, great ingredients! I've dined in and had delivery; though unlike another reviewer, I've not had problems with lukewarm or cold pizza arriving. They'll even deliver it uncut so the cheese doesn't turn your crust into mush. The fact that they care that much about the integrity of their product makes me appreciate it that much more. YUM! YUM!
(5)Mark M.
First time eating "Chicago Deep Dish" so I have nothing to compare against except my lifelong love of pizza. I ordered the individual deep dish with sausage, mushrooms and spinach, along with the signature Butter crust. The crust was very crisp and held up to the toppings very well although I can imagine over time it would absorb some of the moisture and sag. I'm not sure how well it would reheat. The tomatoes were fresh and prominent in the flavor profile so it was a great change from the typical heavy sauces from other pizzerias. I was a bit surprised by the amount of liquid (water) in the toppings but it may be the nature of the deep dish. It eventually absorbed and didn't detract from the flavor. The servers were quick and friendly and we were served our pizzas before we even finished our appetizers. We had expected a longer wait so had ordered the pizza chips and dips which features garlic, basil artichoke, and a mildly spicy hummus. We both agreed the artichoke was by far the best. The chips were initially fantastic but by the end of the dish were looking a bit greasy and lost some of their appeal. I wouldn't have a problem recommending them to a group waiting for a large pizza, though. I will likely be back to share with friends.
(4)Josie K.
delish.....what Chi-Town pie should be.
(5)SuperChanga I.
Ordered the Sausage Deep Dish Pizza. It lacked flavor and was soggy. Wasn't worth the money we spent on it. You are better going to a local pizzeria.
(1)Blake H.
The deep-dish pizza here is about the same as the other well-known deep-dish pizza places. I really am not the biggest fan, i end up eating it once or twice a year when people come to visit and have to try it. we went here for someone's birthday celebration. the cheese and spinach pizza was, you know, decent, but i always feel like i am dying because there is always too much and i end up finishing the leftovers. their bruschetta was pretty good but their dessert was just ice cream with brownie bites and not-real whipped cream.
(3)Robert A.
Good pizza (lou's special) but the service was a little lacking. I think I will try another place next time.
(3)Garrett G.
I've been here twice. The first time I would have given 3 stars and things went ok. This last time was a disappointment. I expected the wait and was fine with it but the warm beer and cold food shouldn't happen. Our sever Dwayne didn't seem to know what he was doing either.
(2)Daniel C.
I love me some Lou Malnati's. Thin, thick, all their pies exhibit a bit of tang that you just can't get elsewhere. If you are just interested in the food, go to a different location as this one gets crowded with tourists.
(4)Kate F.
Lou's pizza was good but not the best ever. And the Malnati salad was delicious, but the crumbled salami tasted more like bacon bits. I'll have to keep looking for the best Chicago pizza.
(3)Daniel P.
Either everyone who posts on Chowhound regarding Chicago deep dish pizza has bad taste or we caught a bad night. Lou Malnati's was one of the worst dining experiences I have had in a while. The place had no soul whatsoever. We might as well have been eating in North Dakota because it felt no different than a chain restaurant. To top it off our pizza was bad. There was no tomato sauce to speak of and the ingredients lacked flavor. Michael and I also felt like we were part of an assembly line of diners who didn't care about anything other than saying we ate deep dish in Chicago. This didn't stop us from eating the whole pie but we were bummed.
(1)Audrey L.
Went here on a trip recently and it was delicious! my first time trying deep dish pizza and it was not a disappointment. We had great service and tried the sausage large pizza and and large veggie deep dish. Surprisingly I really liked the veggie pizza more than the sausage but both were really good. I'll be back next time I'm in Chicago!
(5)Joseph B.
I've eaten in at this Lou Malnati's location a number of times since moving to town a few weeks ago. The service is solid, but it just isn't the same pizza that I remember from living in Chicago a decade ago. I remember that as the best pizza I've ever had. I would call this average to above average but not especially good. I'm interested to try a different location to see if my memory is wrong or if this location is somewhat inferior. Overall, it's not bad and I'll be back occasionally. I just wouldn't strongly recommend it.
(3)Alex B.
Classic Chicago-style pizza. Buttercrust. Need I say more?
(5)ryan h.
this place was good. got the sampler appetizer dish. amazing fried zucchini and cheese curds, enough for 4 people... got the original lous deep dish meant for 2. plenty of food. and not terribly expensive either. my only complaints come toward the end of the meal... we had told our waitress that we had an important concert to get to, as we ordered dessert right at about 6.30... shes like ya no problem, the cookie doesnt take very long... she disappears from planet earth doing that whole "i know you are waiting and in a hurry but i dont have your food so im gonna hide thing" (i know this move i served for 5 yrs.)... but when she finally brings the cookie at 6.55, which there is no way it should have taken longer than 4 minutes to bake, she does not even drop the check with it... so basically food wise, i had no complaints with this place what so ever... but i have become picky about service since i know what the job entails.
(4)Ed W.
After our thoroughly disappointing first Chicago pizza experience at Giordano's, we decided to try this place (didn't really have time to travel far from the hotel). This pizza, while by no means phenomenal, was significantly better - it didn't sell me on deep dish, but at least gave me some hope that there might be a great deep dish out there. They also have some microbrews available, so that's always a plus.
(3)Eric G.
"I had a three-way death-match competition with 3 serious contenders- Malnati's, Gino's East, and Medici. At Malnati's I tried the deep dish butter crust and it was the best crust of the 3, and the pepperoni was okay, but overall Malnati's placed 2nd because Gino's East had a tastier sauce and better cheese. Malnati's has some history and fame, sadly, none of that shows in the atmosphere which is a cold, sanitized, commercial, and looks like it was designed by a software preset. The designer clicks on the Style menu, selects Pizzeria, and this pops out. Really nice server. She has Spidey sense when a customer is attempting to pry a slice of pizza out of the pan. She magically appears and prevents you from catapulting it onto the ceiling. The booth seats are low, the table is high so your leverage is wrong. You could easly launch a slice into someone's face." But, like a Fairy Godmother our server appeared in a 'poof!' and saved the day. Bottomless giganto sodas, clean potty. Overall a nice experience.
(4)chris g.
Lou, you the man! It seems so simple that fresh ingredients and an old recipe make a good pie. My favorite is their deep dish pizza and in particular one named "The Lou". You know t has to be good to get the mans name. The freshest, sweetest tomatoes and spinach are the keys to this feast. There are several kinds of cheese on it that also add to my Pie High.
(5)Jen F.
Fantastic deep dish pizza. The staff was so friendly, and though the wait was about 30 minutes, they had samples of fresh hot pizza for everyone who was waiting! I also tried the Lou Malnati's salad, and it too was delicious. The medium size is enough for a few people! Also, my boyfriend had the thin crust pizza and he loved it. Great place!
(5)Bridget C.
not impressed! waited around 50 min for a pizza (including a wait time of 20 min), it was just ok. nothing special. had the garlic bread and calamari too which were about average. eh. zachary's in berkeley, CA is wayyyy better. funny side note: when the hotel concierge told us to go here, i thought it was called Illuminati's and couldn't find it on Yelp for the longest time haha
(3)Sarah M.
This less a review, and more a report that I am VERY SALTY that there is now a Lou Malnati's in the South Loop, and there wasn't one in the 5 years I lived there. BOOOO. I love Lou!
(5)T. M.
Let me preface this by saying that I love Lou's Pizza. I think Lou's is the best pizza around! With that said, this particular location is doing lou a disservice! It lacks both high food quality and good service. I should've known what I was in for from the moment I called to place my order for PICKUP. I had to give the order taker my name twice and telephone number twice and towards the end of the call was told the pizza would be DELIVERED in an hour. I had to correct the order taker and asked if she meant it would be ready for pickup in an hour? She then said, "actually it will be ready for pick up in 30 min"... Then, I got to the location and parking was terrible, I drove around for about 10 min before finding a spot. There should be a reserved area in front for patrons picking up orders (like the river north location). So I finally pick up my thin crust and deep dish pizza, get home excited as can be to eat what is typically delicious lou's pizza, but to my surprise I got 2 extremely soggy and messy pizza's! Slices from both were falling apart in my hands. I don't know what the cooks did wrong, they either left too much tomato juice in the sauce, didn't cook the pizzas long enough, or piled on the butter/grease...Maybe it was a combination of all three, not sure. I definitely won't be back at this location, I mean I would've gotten past the unfocused service had my pizza's been their typical deliciousness, but this location is mis-representing what's supposed to be top notch pizza. For some phenomenal legitimate Lou's pizza try the river north or lincoln park location.
(1)C B.
I liked it, but my wife did not. We usually go to Giordano's. We had a long, long wait, but we did order while waiting, as that was to cut down on the wait for the pizza at the table. Didn't happen. We waited 30 mins for our table, and another 45 for the pizza. Oh well. Everyone has different tastes, and while I did like this, I didn't like it as well as Giordano's. Since the wife didn't like it, I doubt I'll be back.
(3)Kay Z.
O.M.G. The Chicago Malnati Classic O.M.G. service sucked tho. Would give 5 stars but server ignored us and the white wine was lukewarm
(3)S F.
I can't believe this NYer is actually giving a Chicago pizzeria a good review, but I can't help it: the pizza was amazing. Completely different from what I'm used to, and I still like a NY slice better. That said, I'd chomp down on the butter-crust deep dish with pepperoni all night if allowed. To think I was expecting to get to the brownie sundae.... yeah, right. Only drawback is the wait for this place, but that's balanced by two things: 1) good food attracts lots of people, and 2) the restuarant allows you to pre-order your pizza while you're still waiting for a table. That makes up for the wait - kinda. Skip Giordano's and go straight here. Have fun.
(4)Nicholas T.
I know taste is very subjective, but the thin crust at Lou Mal's is absolutely perfect. I have only lived in Chicago for a month, but I've already gone twice. Many of the comments below have noted the poor service. I don't know if I lucked out on both visits, but I found the service to be very friendly and as quick as can be expected when you're waiting for a food item that takes time to cook. I would highly recommend Lou Mal's, and I'm happy there is one in my neighborhood!
(5)Russ S.
Had their signature cheese pizza. Not sure about the butter crust... I personally liked Gino's East Chicago style better.
(3)Dusty K.
I get delivery from here often. Honestly, if you don't like Lou's there is something wrong with you. Maybe you had a bad experience with one person in delivery, or pickup, or you tried to pay in penny's and they threw a fit. Fine. Complain about your unusual special needs that are not met by a pizza place. Lou's pizza is the best. End of story
(5)kevin C.
Pizza here is amazing but I wouldn't recommend coming here if your in a rush. It's common sense that yeah a deepdish pizza takes awhile to cook. But what you might not plan on is the wait for a table 40-50 mins on sat. But they give you the option to have the cooking process begin while your waiting.
(4)Jen T.
Lou Malnati's gives serious attention to my complaint about the quality of their deep dish pizza and they give me a chance to try again their pizza as they are very proud of their products. I really appreciate the attention to their customers and the quality of their products.
(4)Dave O.
Beware: this place has a tiny dining room. Not suitable for groups more than 4 people. Showed up with 10 (oops!) not realizing this. I will admit, I'm a bit of a Chicago pizza connoisseur and Lou's is not typically on my list of Top 10. It's a touristy place; low and behold, I was showing tourists a good time and its a decent pizza place near by where I live. The pizza was ok. The sauce was a little too tomato pasty, the crust was really oily, and the cheese a little on the rubbery side...that being said, we also were quoted a wait time of 1h 15m...yea, YIKES. So we went to a bar down the street and waited...and then 1h 10m goes by, we were there waiting...and were told it'll be another 15 minutes. And then those 15 minutes went by. 2 hours later, we ordered to go and walked back to my apartment. Like I said, meh. There's better off the beaten path.
(2)Mrs. G.
Who knew that a chain could be so good! The deep dish pizza is amazing. For lunch, we each got a soda, salad, and 6 inch pizza for 8 bucks! The salad was very good, as it had homemade salad dressing. I liked the thousand island and the sweet vinaigrette. We went back here twice because it was so good. Get the chocolate chip cookie pizza...you won't regret it!
(4)David G.
I served Lou's pizza at my Superbowl party and it all disappeared. It is great pizza, the delivery guy was right on time and the quality was spot on as always. 5 Stars
(5)Jaynie K.
My friends and I were in town for a week this summer, and we went over to Lou Malnati's for lunch one day. It was recommended in our travel guide, and I have to admit, it was the featured photo that did us in! With images of pizza deliciousness floating in our heads, we found our way there, and were pleased with our experience! The pizza was really good, and the only thing that I feel sad about is the fact that we totally spazzed on ordering the butter crust. But butter or not, it was yummy! Humungous soda pops, with refills (I tend to drink beverages like crazy), friendly service, what more could I ask for?
(4)James L.
Was visiting Chicago on business and ordered from Lou Malnati for delivery to my hotel (Swissotel). I ordered fried calamari and a 6" personal pizza with sausages, mushrooms, and peppers. Understandably, the order came to me not as hot as I'd usually like them to be. However, they were still quite good. In fact, the calamari was outstanding. Although the trapped steam in the packaging made the fried calamari less than crispy, the calamari was one of the most tender version that I ever tasted. And the cocktail sauce was so delicious, I was wondering if it was freshly made. After the calamari, I was nearly stuffed, so the deep-dish pizza was nearly an afterthought. It was still good though.
(4)Kwoky L.
Mmm butter crust. You gotta love that airy crunchy crust with fresh ingredients and mozzarella cheese. It's pretty good, although my favorite is still Pizzeria Uno. They also have excellent fried calamari. It's crunchy and goes really well with their sweet tomato salsa. Try to go early because sometimes there's a line. It takes about 30 minutes for your pizza to be ready. So, order while waiting and your meal will be ready when you are. This is a must try if you are looking for Chicago deep dish pizza.
(4)Andy R.
It's good to have another pizza place in the South Loop. Lou's is one of my favorites for Pizza and certainly tops for delivery in the South Loop. I called for delivery last night and the woman who answer the phone was really friendly - give her a raise. Most pizza places have rude people taking orders. It was good to hear a nice voice on the line.
(4)Find M.
We went to Lou Malnati's while on a trip to Chicago for a convention. It came highly recommended by our friend and I must say it did not disappoint. Appetizers for the table were: Spinach Bread (SOO GOOD), and Combination Platter (toasted mozzarella sticks, cheddar cubes, breaded zucchini, and mushrooms served with marinara). The cheddar cubes and zucchini sticks were a huge hit. Toasted mozzarella was good but nothing out of the ordinary. We ordered two small pizza's. (9 inch) One was the "Lou" (Spinach, Mushrooms, and sliced tomatoes covered in mozzarella, Romano and cheddar) the other was the "Malnati Chicago Classic" (Lean sausage, extra cheese, and tomato sauce) this one came with the butter crust automatically. Both were so good and super filling. We are food monsters and could not finish them. Whatever you get make sure you get the Butter Crust because it was sooo good. Lou Malnati's will forever be on our "must eat while in Chicago" list. Tip: Call ahead 30 minutes to get your pizza started. If you can't wait until your next trip to Chicago don't worry, THEY SHIP!! ^__^
(5)Diana S.
Finally the South Loop is starting to fill in. It's still got a ways to go though. I had some delicious deep dish pizza the other night. The crispy corn meal crust is great. The pizza sauce it very well seasoned and fresh. For deep dish this is my favorite. For stuffed pizza, Giordano's is the best. The two types are actually pretty different, so it wouldn't be fair to compare. The deep dish has a thicker bottom crust. There also isn't another layer of dough on top. Stuffed also has more cheese it in. So when I'm in the mood for a little bit of a lighter pizza, I go for deep dish, but if I'm going all out fatty, bring on the stuffed pizza.
(4)Christine T.
I generally like Lou Malnati's- it's where I take my out of town guests. That said, I would not return to this particular location. The first time I went to the South Loop location, the pizza was overcooked and the crust was way too crunchy. However, the flavors and proportions were good so i did not write the place off. This was in early July. Back last week, I took another set of out of town guests. This time, the two pizzas we ordered were all soggy (i'm guessing they took the pizza out, cut it, and left it sitting there). The pizzas were a big sludge of mess and i was very embarrassed at how Chicago pizza was represented. Never again.
(2)T J.
This time around I give them a solid 3.5. After my last review, I was immediately contact by Lou Malnati management and asked to tell them about my experience. The manager sent me and the bf a gift certificate to come in and try another pizza. We checked out the South Loop location on a Friday night, it was packed--45 minute wait-but at least they let you pre-order your pizza. This time we stuck with the classic deep dish with sausage, it was pretty good, much better than the thin crust veggie disaster. Kudos to management for getting us to come back. Still not my favorite Chicago pizza but they're out of the doghouse now.
(3)linni k.
I took a friend from L.A. here recently in an effort to make up for a tragic cold-pizza experience at My Pi, hoping to change his mind about Chicago-style deep dish. He seemed dead-set on claiming New York style as far superior to our gooey, corn-mealy gardens of tomato, and I needed him to know that was impossible. I was resting a lot of trust in the hands of this particular branch of the fast-growing chain, but I sincerely thought they could exemplify the tradition better than Uno's or Due's. Something about those places has rubbed me the wrong way since I sampled their franchises in Boston and San Diego and tasted the greasy, stomach-ache-causing standard recipe they've shipped out to all corners of the country. If that's what they think is acceptable to serve as an ambassador to our city, then I don't really want to fuel that fire with my hard-earned money. Even if the pies they serve in Chicago aren't as offensive as elsewhere. Rant aside. Could this South Loop Lou's pull it off? I didn't have the guts to ask afterwards. I can tell you that their french fries were certainly up to snuff, and the buckets of Goose Island 312 are a nice touch when you're trying to show Chicago off to someone. The pizza was definitely better than My Pi's, but it wasn't necessarily as good as what I've had at the loop Uno's either. I'm going to have to seriously rethink my pizza rankings now, and reassess where I take guests. I liked having a unique place, not a place people had seen at malls nationwide. But alas. Good pizza is good pizza, and I'll go where I must to get the fix.
(3)selena i.
3rd time customer. phone-order, Ordered 2 pizzas. One medium pepperoni thin crust and one "The Lou" deep dish small pizza. Christine on the phone was efficient in taking my call. Said the pizza's will be done in a half an hour. I asked her for 5 place settings, which is nice that they give it to you at no charge. I got there in exactly 30 min and yes, it was done and very hot. Thin crust was nice and crunchy, could use a little more salt. Texture was there, but taste wasn't. It didn't taste much like anything. The Lou on the other hand was phenomenal. I would definitely go back for the deep dish-it was yummy
(4)Avisha Nia W.
Being a food network fanatic, and a virgin to deep dish pizza (wow that sounded dirtier than I intended), I was super excited to see that a Lou Malnati's was so close to our hotel. We came here on a Friday night and it was pretty packed, but we were seated in about 20 minutes and we were able to put our order in before we were seated. We also enjoyed a beer while waiting. Once we were seated I asked our hostess if she knew about any bars nearby that were fairly inexpensive. She was incredibly helpful and immediately came back with a list of about 5 different places. She was so helpful and friendly that it made the experience that much better. And then the pizza came and it made the experience perfect. We chose about four toppings that we each liked but as my boyfriend was extremely hungry he suggested that we get a medium rather than a small, which turned out to be huge. The entire thing was very filling and it was a shame to have so much left over, but my first time with deep dish pizza was incredibly satisfying. (That's what she said! Ok I'm done now!)
(4)John T.
I work a block away from the new South Loop Lou Malnati's, and I'm slowly working my way through their lunch menu. It's not bad for the price, and it's ultra convenient to where I work, but there are better places for just about everything on the menu. First, the pizza. Mediocre. It's prepared ahead of time, and not made fresh. Some might like the buttery deep dish crust, and it's nice every once in a while for a change. So far my favorite pizza here is "The Lou"-- a pan pizza with spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes. At $12.45 for a small "Lou," it's not a bad deal even if it's made from a pre-fab base. The salads aren't very good, either. The only good part is they have a medium size for a lower price. I do, however, like the sandwiches a lot. They have meatball, italian beef, chicken marsala, grilled chicken, and chicken parmesan served with curly fries or cottage cheese and fruit for under $8--- good value, good food, and filling.
(3)Robyn T.
I love Lou's deep dish, they have great salads (the house salad is pretty darn good) and that dessert pizza (chocolate chip or peanut butter) are divine. You'll probably have quite a wait in front of you if you come during dinner or lunch hours, but that's pretty standard for any Chicago-style pizza place in the city. This location is especially kid and touristy friendly.
(3)R S.
I'm a fan of Chicago-styled stuffed pizzas and I'm from San Francisco. My current reference pizza is from the SF Bay Area - a place called Zachary's. So when I came to Chicago for a conference I was looking forward to trying the "real thing." I'll cut to the chase. It's a terrific pizza. It really is ... but Zachary's has a better crust and better ingredients. Lou Malnati's may have been around longer but, as far as I'm concerned, Zachary's has perfected the form. I know it's a sacrilege. I had really wanted to like Lou's better than Zach's but I have to be honest. Still it's a great pizza. But you have to try Zachary's if you ever come to SF.
(4)A C.
I had pasta here recently with some friends. Granted, it was good, but their alfredo sauce was a little on the heavy side. Also, the dining area is somewhat cramped - I only noticed one server for the entire area. So obviously service was kinda slow on a Friday night.
(4)Russell M.
A great pre-ChiSox-game meal! Dragon and I stopped in right before a game for a super filling meal. I had the individual sized "Lou" pizza with a minestrone soup, and then we had a Chocolate Chip Pizza for dessert. Freaking awesome. I'd highly recommend saving room for the dessert pizza. Our waitress was awesome and charged my cell phone for me while we ate. Stop on by!
(4)Trisha S.
I came here with an empty stomach. The waitress was very informative and warned that the pizza would take 30 minutes to prepare. In order to hold me over I ordered some calamari to nibble on and a beer. The calamari was not chewy. In fact, the breading was crisp and full of flavor. When the pizza finally came to my table, the waitress was kind of enough to serve us our first slice. The cheese was gooey and the meat full of flavor. I very much enjoyed my meal.
(4)Jamie H L.
They have the best brochette I ever had! I cannot explain how much I like it- just perfect! Alos they have small size pizza so you don't have to overspend your money. All the ingredients are fresh and the foods taste good. However, when I was there first time, the service was actually kind of poor. The waitress was rude and never apologized after she forgot my soup. Other waitress brought the soup and apologized.
(4)Chris M.
Wait staff adequate. Pizza dense, tasty. Long wait.
(3)Adam M.
Lou Malnati's is my favorite Chicago-style deep dish pizza (well, aside from Piquod's, but due to their limited delivery area I must settle for the next best thing). I recently discovered that a) there is a Lou Malnati's in the south loop that I can travel to for lunch and b) they have an OUTSTANDING lunch special. $7.50 for a personal pizza, side salad, and a very large soda (DC please!). I will return here often for this lunch special. They also have a restaurant area for anyone who wants to stop by for dinner. Nothing beat a large sausage pizza from Lou's - that layer of sausage can't be beat!
(5)Steven T.
Very good, Chicago style pizza. Very friendly but slow service.
(3)Kevin R.
Pizza was unbelievable and wings that the meat just fell off the bone great overall experience will make sure to stop in here next time through again. I brought a frozen pizza home to St.Louis and it was excellent as well
(5)Jessica L.
My mouth is watering just thinking about the delicious pizza at Lou Malnati's. I'm originally from Philly and although I'm more familiar with New York style pizza, Chicago deep-dish pizza is the best...especially when you get it from Lou Malnati's. I first had pizza here when we were considering moving to Chicago in February - it was the perfect meal for a cold winter night. The waiter informed us that it would take awhile to cook and so we ordered an appetizer to hold us over. Like promised, the appetizer came out much sooner and we weren't starving when the pizza arrived. It was so good that I insisted that instead of trying out some other restaurants while we visited the city that we return to Lou Malnati's one more time before we headed back to the east coast. This pizza may have swayed my decision slightly to make the big move to the midwest. We arrived a couple weeks ago and being that we had no food and a Lou Malnati's within a 10 minute walk from our new apartment, we had our first meal as Chicago residents here. It was just as good as it was months ago and I can't wait to go back! Although I want to explore the city and have different types of food, my belly always wants pizza from here.
(5)Mo A.
The servers and staff were excellent and they were able to cater to a large group (something that is a bit of a pain in the ass at other pizza joints in Chicago). That being said, the pizza was good, but not awesome. definately try the butter crust deep dish as it is their best pizza.
(3)Mark M.
In from Ft. Lauderdale and had to try deep dish. Had the classic and loved the crust. The sausage was not as flavorful and spicy for my taste. Being from NY, thin crust still is in my veins. Had to wait about 10 minutes for a table and went smoothly. I can see why everyone loves it.
(4)Adrienne G.
Hearing Lou Malnati's was THE place for Chicago Deep Dish Pizza, BFF & I made it a destination evening dinner The place was super crowded, even at almost 9:30pm, so we were thinking we were in for a treat.....not sure what happened here Order your pizza at the counter so it can be cooking while you're waiting for a table - 'cause it takes something like 30-45 min to cook BFF got the sausage w/ more sausage & mushroom & I chose the cheese w/ extra cheese, olives & mushrooms We both opted for their "famous" butter crust for an added charge - I mean, why not go all out for this pizza extravaganza, right? Well, I had forgotten the extra cheese & when I tried changing this at the counter - 30 sec after I placed my order - I was told I had to let our waitress know.....which I thought was no big deal since we were getting seated right then When I let the waitress know this, she started out w/ "that's not possible & they'd have to make an entire new pizza".....well, given I placed the order about 60 sec ago, I'm thinking there *might* be time to catch the cook?? Sure enough, she went back & was able to correct my order - phew ( she says sarcastically ) When the pizzas came out, there were *very* little toppings but a whole lot of grease on top......just a few tomatoes scattered about & the sauce was pretty tasteless. There were also no discernible toppings "stuffed" inside our stuffed pizza. Maybe they all disintegrated? Guess I'm used to Zachary's deep dish pizza in Berkeley, CA where they have a mountain of tomatoes covering the pizza, the sauce has tons of flavor & there are abundant toppings stuffed inside I will say the crust was very buttery & crunchy but maybe this is where we went wrong.....maybe we should have tried the original crust to get a "true" taste-test? Washed it all down w/ a less-than-mediocre bottle of Sonoma Merlot & I'm embarrassed for our Wine Country & saddened that this was an evening of overall disappointment.........we've had better
(2)Terra N.
This place came highly recommended when we were visiting Chicago. It was very busy, but we were able to get a table in 10 minutes. Our server was very attentive and helpful. The pizza was great; filling and fresh. The bruschetta was amazing too.
(5)Richard B.
As if the food wasn't good enough without the phenomenal service. Jason was one if the best servers I've had ever. Wonderful experience. Go here for pizza
(5)Tali A.
I'm a big Pizza lover and I was really disappointed tonight..It's our last night in Chicago so we had to have one last deep dish Pizza. The cheese was tasty and the sauce was ok too (the kind that tastes like regular tomatoes) but the dough was dry and crumbly.. Our waitress was not very nice, brought our pizza with another table's pizza and just left it there to cool as she serve the other table their pizza. All in all, pretty disappointing night, too bad.
(3)Donnie L.
Hands down the best pizza I had in Chicago. I also tried the bread stuffed with cheese, spinach, and garlic ... amazing. Some friend's who used to live in Chicago recommended it to me. Do yourself a favor and stop by. I'm fairly certain that the TMNT would have eaten this pizza had they been in Chicago.
(5)Jamie P.
I love their pizza, I have been there twice never a disappointment, I always order xter butter on my pizza it gives it more flavor, and xtra sauce, I would come back here again.
(5)Filza T.
The reason for my two stars is because of how untimely my delivery order was. I ordered a large and ordered at 6:57pm with delivery to be within 8:15-8:30. It is now 9:10pm and they said they're running behind because of "all the rush". I don't think anyone in the restaurant would wait two hours for the pizza so it's beyond unacceptable to have delivery be this out of their promised time. I'm sure the pizza is great but this experience has been disappointing to say the least.
(1)Patty M.
Lou Malnati Salad with thick or thin pizza is always a good choice for take out.
(4)Michael G.
t's New Year's Day 2014 and Laurie and I make our annual pilgrimage to Chicago. It was snowy. It was cold. And we didn't feel like walking through ankle-deep slush for dinner. Our hotel host mentioned Lou Malnati's delivered to the hotel and we were all over it! We ordered up a Malnati salad and Chicago Classic pizza and were surprised when it arrived within 45 minutes. We even got a free chocolate chip cookie pizza and side of ice cream out of the deal! The salad was huge and delicious. Really fresh greens, crispy Italian bacon bits, and a sweet chili dressing was simply outstanding. Wish we had the recipe! The signature butter crust pizza never disappoints! Tangy tomato sauce, plenty of rich gooey cheese, and wall to wall spicy Italian sausage! We're fans!
(4)Bill F.
OVER-RATED...Clap Clap...CLAP CLAP CLAP! This was just NOT Deep Enough of a DEEP DISH. I thought I was getting real Chicago Deep Dish...it was somewhere in between NY Pizza and Chicago pizza. Now when it came down to it...I really enjoyed my meal. This was very tasty...regardless of if i had to eat it with a fork and knife. But I am telling you this place is over rated. I'll be trying a different Deep Dish next time.
(4)Andre L.
If you're looking for deep dish Chicago style pie, this is one of the best. If you like sausage, I recommend getting it crumbled, if you don't specify it's a big slab of meat. The butter crust is a nice option but I prefer the regular and extra cheese. No matter how you *slice it*, it's the real deal.
(4)Hammer T.
---An Ill-Loumalnati-ing Experience--- Probably one of the best pizzas I have ever had, and definitely the best deep dish pizza I have ever had. Cheesy, saucy, buttery crust, high-quality ingredients. Definitely better Giordano's. It is pretty filling so
(5)Alysia W.
After many recommendations I came here on my last night in Chicago. We ordered the Lou Malnati's salad & the Lou Malnati's classic. The salad came with shredded lettuce, tomato, gorgonzola, mushroom, olive, and salami bits dressed in a sweet vinaigrette. The medley of flavors was mind blowing! The salty sweet pairing was well balanced and kept me wanting more. The classic was a deep dish pizza with cheese, Italian sausage, tomato sauce, and a butter crust. This was my first time eating an authentic deep dish pizza so my expectations were high. The crust was great and perfectly baked. It's a pet peeve of mine when the dough is undercooked but I didn't have that issue here :) the sausage comes as a patty that covers the entire pie rather than crumbled pieces of meat. I really enjoyed that subtle difference. The tomato sauce was also very tasty and had chunks of diced tomato throughout it, yum! My only suggestion is to maybe have a little less cheese. I love cheese but the amount on this pie was overwhelming. All in all it was still a great experience! Thank you for the hospitality Chicago.
(4)Jason W.
Chicago deep dish at it's finest! Had a personal size Malnati's Classic. Delicious. Pizzas take about 30 minutes to cook, but they let you order before getting seated.
(5)Carlos P.
Well, being in Chicago for the first time knowing that they have so many choices for deep dish pizza our friends from Chicago took us here and it was amazing! The fun part was that they screwed our order up and the manager came to our table and asked if we wanted salads or a discount so we chose a discount and they took the pizza off our bill! We did not expect that! That was very nice of the and we would try then again
(5)Rudy L.
We visited Chicago and this was one of two places we had to try to experience an authentic deep dish pizza. We ordered the Malnati Chicago Classic which was excellent, there's something about the sausage that fits so well with this delectable heart attack in a pan. The main downside is the mandatory 45 minute wait to get your "pie", although it's well worth it. I would highly recommend giving this place a try.
(4)Lauren S.
Love the Deep dish uncut sausage, green pepper and mushroom pizza! its an every Sunday staple!
(5)Ryan K.
I'm one of the unfortunately lucky; unfortunate that I sometimes find myself eating alone, lucky that I don't mind doing it. That sounded much better in my head. Similarly, pizza in Chicago sounded great in my head. A couple of weeks ago I found myself staying in Chicago's South Loop neighborhood for a night. After working myself up to not just run to Potbelly to work on my own potbelly, I ventured onto the street seeking something special. The doorman, who genuinely goes by the moniker "Showtime", assured me that Lou Malnottis was the place to go; the joint that made Chicago famous (never mind that World's Fair or any leading-edge architectural wonders). Like any cheese-loving American, I've eaten enough pizza in my lifetime to feed Paraguay for a week. Some mediocre, some ranking among the best meals I've ever had, but never unbearable. This ranked somewhere at the bottom of the mediocre category. And to think; Chicago is famous for its deep dish pizza. I ordered a basic pepperoni and cheese single pie, and after waiting for almost an hour to sit and another 45 minutes to get the food, I found the sauce to be watery and tasteless and the meat was nearly missing. I remember the dessert being nice, but that's about it. Was this an off night? People now tell me that I need to give it another shot. Besides, this joint made Chicago famous.
(3)Mark M.
Lou's rules in my book, number one pizza in Chicago or anywhere. We usually get the Deep Dish Sausage and Spinach uncut of course. Just awesome pizza..
(5)Joanne W.
I came here with a few friends while I came to visit Chicago. They were native Chicago-..ians, so I knew they knew their stuff. My friend had ordered for us, and she knew her lingo. I still had no idea what she said. However, we had half Lou's and half Italian sausage deep dish pizza. The Lou's was okay, however, I REALLY enjoyed the Italian sausage. Would definitely recommend that to eat!
(4)Chris T.
Great deep dish pizza with crisp, buttery crust and just the right amount of gooey mozzarella and a very tasty tomato sauce. Add to that great service and reasonable prices and it measures up to a fine meal. I'll be back for more!
(5)Sherwin C.
Not sure why, but the downtown locations of the famous pizza places always seem to taste better than their suburban counterparts (despite their super long wait and large cooking volume). This location had everything I love about Lou's: Moist toppings, crispy crust, amazing aroma, and fresh ingredients. It hit the spot with the perfect crust to tomato sauce to cheese to topping ratio and was well worth the hour I spent in line and waiting for the pizza to cook. If you are looking for a Chicago style pizza, Lou Malnati's is definitely the place to go.
(5)Joanna F.
Beforehand, let me apologize... but I have decided that I am not a big fan of Chicago style pizza. Love the city, but not the pizza. With that said, every time I visit, I try to go to at least different pizza places to prove myself wrong. At Lou, we ordered the original with sausage patty and butter crust. The crust was very beer-y tasting and everything was just so heavy, the cheese, sauce and the patty. We had the calamari for app, that was very good.
(3)MR W.
We were married on May 10 and had Lou Mal's cater our rehearsal dinner. They were very accommodating as we worked through our menu selections and delivery timing. They also delivered everything on time and exactly as promised. The food showed up hot and looked great! We had a lot of out of town guests who appreciated the opportunity to have some deep dish pizza and we were glad Lou Mal's came through!
(5)Cameron F.
Very mom and pop. The house salad was fantastic and the house pizza was good but if that's the best that Chicago Deep is I wouldn't think it would be the signature dish of the city. Good service. Only con is that there is not a bar :(
(3)Kristy A.
I wasn't really sure what to expect from Chicago pizza and I sort of wanted to compare a few...but alas, I could only stay a few days. So I took a recommendation from a friend and went with Lou Malnati's. She didn't steer me wrong. I ordered the The Malnati Chicago Classic -- made with Lou's lean sausage, some extra cheese and vine-ripened tomato sauce on Buttercrust. It claims to be authentic Chicago and although I don't know that for sure, it was really tasty. I ate half just as it comes and the other half with a little extra crushed red pepper. So basically, I ate the whole thing. Go hungry and be prepared to wait about a half hour after ordering. The service could have been better, but it wasn't bad either. Overall, a really good lunch. And reasonably priced too.
(4)C. A.
The place is popular. So popular we were not able to get our pizza within two hours; even when you ordered it upon arrival. I was pretty steamed. When the manager heard of this she tried to make up for our experience and gave apologies. She really tried her best to salvage our experience. The pizza was really really great deep dish. I'd give them a second chance. A piece of advice is to perhaps call ahead on busy nights to find out the wait time. Perhaps order carry-out on busy nights.
(4)Paul T.
3.5 Stars would be a more accurate rating. Lou Malnati's specializes in deep dish pizza with a buttery crust. I had the personal deep dish sausage pizza and soup/salad lunch deal. The minestrone was actually what stood out the most from the meal, and I enjoyed it while waiting the 30-40 minutes for my pizza to be made (I'm not complaining about the wait as I expected it). As for the pizza, the crust was flaky but a little hard and I don't especially like the way Lou Malnati's forms its sausage into a thin layer over the pizza. That said, it was good pizza, but not great. My waitress was very attentive and helpful. She pointed out how I could save money by combining some things after hearing me order items a la carte from the menu. I also like that the restaurant provides nutritional information on its website. I dined on an early Sunday afternoon, and the restaurant only had a small number of patrons. I was seated promptly. In short, if you're in the South Loop and want deep dish pizza, you should try Lou Malnati's. My experience was good, but I'm just not that into deep dish.
(3)Taylor N.
Went on a Friday night in a group of two around 9pm. There wasn't a wait and we were seated immediately. The waitress came over and asked us for our drinks. Once we said we wanted beer - she said she'd have to grab the beer list from the table on our right. Instead of grabbing the beer list - she checked how the table over was doing. She then got that table new plates. She then went and got a pizza and served it to the table on the left. They were disappointed with their pizza. They had ordered half pepperoni and half sausage. When it came out - it was pepperoni and sausage mixed. They asked the waitress if it was mixed and she said yes - was it not supposed to be? And they said no but that they would eat it anyway. No other solution was offered to make up for the kitchen's error. About five minutes later she came to check on the table on our left and realized she had never given us the beer list! We went ahead and ordered everything (drinks, appetizer, meal) at that point to avoid waiting any longer. She brought us our water and beers. Beers were all bottled so they were fine - but upon taking a sip of our waters we realized it tasted off. It tasted like watered down Sprite - even had a touch of carbonation! We asked the table to our left if they were having that issue. They said no - but that they could even see the carbonation in our glasses compared to theirs! It had been about five minutes and we hadn't seen our waitress so we asked a waited to grab us new waters as the ones we had tasted like watered down sprite. Our waitress brought us out the new waters - saying that the drinks were in pitchers so it was totally possible we got old Sprite. After that rocky start - service got progressively better. We got the three cheese bread as an appetizer. It was tasty - but nothing exceptional. I had a small thin crust pepperoni pizza and my boyfriend ordered the small deep dish cheese pizza. Again both were tasty - but again nothing earth shattering. I didn't particularly care for the seasoning of the crust but it didn't affect the experience too much. Overall, it was good pizza and good cheesy bread but nothing out of the ordinary.
(3)Danni O.
First time visit and I really enjoyed the Lou Special. Way better than Giordano's. However, I was disappointed that the servers screwed up our order and we ended up waiting over an hour for our pizza
(3)Chris F.
An extremely good recommendation we wound up very happy that we listened to. The service was top notch and good advice was given on what our options were and which pizzas to go for. We decided sharing is good so we shared a delicious deep dish pizza as a main course and then an amazingly tasty deep dish cookie desert (and I'm not a dessert person). There may have been some token salad at some point! The usual glasses of iced water were complimented with Lagunitas IPA, a tasty beer!
(5)Diane H.
Aw, yeah! I'm not sure how chicago pizza taste like..but our small, half chicago/half lou pizza was delicious! We got the best app ever..the bruchetta..mmm and we each got a beer..they did mess up , i wanted something like blue moon, but they brought me a blue moon..oh well.. our server was training someone so she was extra nice and attentive...but back to the pizza..it was thick and the butter crust was not as thick which fits my style! mmm...Good thing our hotel was close, it was cold outside!
(5)Andrew Z.
There are multiple locations throughout the Chicago area. If you're a traveler, like I was, this is probably the best representation of "Chicago style deep-dish pizza" that there is. It was a warm and crowded night at this location. My buddies and I grabbed beers at the front counter and waited outside for a table. The host told us that we could order an appetizer ahead of time and eat it outside while waiting. So I placed an order for pizza nachos or something like that. Our table was actually called soon after placing that order and the appetizer arrived within minutes of sitting down. These nachos were BAD. Seriously, please don't order them. The pizza was reeeeally good....everything that I expected a deep-dish would be. Me and my 3 buddies all walked away with stuffed stomachs.
(4)Jane D.
I had heard that this was one of the best restaurants for deep dish pizza in the city, so I wanted to see what the hype was about - but what a major letdown. The food (personal size cheese pizza) was mediocre at best and the atmosphere was unfriendly and chaotic. There was a 35 minute wait and the employee at the front desk could not keep it together and was beginning to have a meltdown. She was extremely rude and arrogant to her paying customers. Once we sat down and ate, the waitress never came back to ask how the food was. The turnover rate for the tables was extremely slow at 5-10 minutes, even though dozens of people were crowded into the waiting area. The management here really needs to reevaluate how this place is run because the employees seem to be asleep. This restaurant only runs on its reputation. Extremely disappointed. Tourists - Lou Malnati's is not worth your valuable time. I will certainly never be returning and would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(1)Sean A.
Gotta love some Lou's!
(5)Ben C.
My waitress Liz provided outstanding customer service. The buttered crust on the deep dish was my favorite part. Great family environment.
(4)Alfreda D.
As you all should already know, authentic deep dish takes some time to prepare so expect 30 minutes for your deliciousness to arrive at your table. The portions are pretty spot on... the 9" is made for two people, which provides two healthy portions of extra thick slices of pizza for each person. The Classic is made with "lean" sausage. I mean, if the fact that it's lean sausage makes you feel any better about eating a huge pizza slice with lots of cheese and sauce... have at it! It was really good though, so all diets are out the window when you go to Lou's. And it seemed like the sausage was almost in patty form, spread across as a nice layer within the pizza slices. I really liked that instead of the small round sausage pieces that you usually find on a pizza. I went on a Sunday afternoon, within an hour of the store opening, so there was no wait. Normally, when I pass by Lou's it's packed. The restaurant was still full with happy customers when I was there (speaks to everyone's love of deep dish I guess!) but at least you won't have to wait during an off peak time. My review gets a 5 because of the food and no wait time. The service was fine too but our waitress didn't really have much to do other than to bring us our pizza, and since we only had water, that was someone else's job to keep us refilled. No complaints but nothing special happened to rave about either.
(5)Bryce T.
Solid four-star restaurant. Staff was extremely helpful and friendly. Pizza was great. Ambience was Fantastic. Close walk from the Hilton Chicago. It took a little time to get the pizza but what do you expect for a deep dish pizza.
(4)Jeff O.
I flew I from Atlanta found this place down the street from my hotel. I ordered buffalo wings which were average size and cooked to perfection for all the hot wing lovers out there you will be proud. Also ordered a personal deep dish cheese and pepperoni could be eaten as an appetizer and it was great, crunchy on the crusty which complimented the soft saucy middle. Highly recommend if you are visiting or if your a resident. Bon appetit!
(5)matt l.
Great pizza. Totally worth the wait and the price is hard to beat. Go to a location with a bar to help kill the time waiting,
(5)Jessica C.
Tonight I finally tasted Lou Malnati's Pizza and I'm just not able to understand how so many people are ranting and raving on Yelp about its greatness. Although the pizza wasn't the best, the delivery was on time with a very nice driver, and the pizza was pipping hot when it arrived. These things are important and greatly appreciated, but it doesn't make up for the taste of the pizza. The pizza ordered was The Lou which is the veggie pizza and a deep dish cheese, which were well presented. The pizza just couldn't help but taste ordinary, despite looking extraordinary. The Lou had a little flavor due to the spinach that taste as it was seasoned, but it wasn't plentiful. The Cheddar cheese was also unappealing it was more like extra fat because it adds nothing to the flavor of the pizza. The bottoms of the pizzas toward the middle are prone to sogginess. Cheese pizza was just as bland but it tasted better than The Lou. The sauce seems more like heated broken tomatoes than a flavorful pizza sauce. Maybe it could just be the two items that were ordered and the pizza is better than what I've experienced. The view from where I'm standing shows me that this another one of those places that people on Yelp only praise because its a landmark. There is better deep dish in Chicago, but it's so tacky to advertise another restaurant in a review.
(2)Victoria T.
The Lou deep dish was extremely delicious. The house salad? Not current. They could have tried harder to make it not seem like it came out of a plastic bag, labeled "House Salad". And how is it possible that when I ask for balsamic vinegar. JUST vinegar. They bring me an oily balsamic vinaigrette and tell me that it's not possible to bring just vinegar. Must have come from a bottle too. But the pizza was delicious. And the system of ordering while you wait solves that problem that you always run into with deep dish.
(4)Alysia M.
This was my first time here & it was awesome!! The pizza was superb, great service (Alex was our sever) and even though it was extremely busy the food arrived very promptly. I would recommend this place to anyone that loves pizza and a casual/laid back setting.
(5)Chrisa G.
Pretty good, for my first time of deep dish pizza, it's not that deep I'd imagine tho, but it's good, worth going,
(4)Sandy B.
I'm not a deep dish pizza person but my boyfriend is. So to celebrate our first trip to Chicago we decided to check out this location. OMG it was amazing! I think this is the only deep dish that I like. The pizza took awhile to get out but they're very upfront that it's supposed to take a long time. Our waitress was also very nice. I will return the next time I'm in town.
(5)Jason M.
Freakin amazing - genuinely the best pizza I've ever had. Great service by Jason, good chill, low key atmosphere. Will possibly come back on my short trip up here.
(5)G R.
Bar none my favorite pizza is thin crust, I grew up on thin crust and didn't know about deep dish or stuffed until I was out and about on my own discovering the world beyond my neighborhood. Nothing like this on this west side years ago. Lou's is a good solid pizza, I call it pan since it doesn't seem that deep to me, real deep dish is the original Uno's served up at their Ohio St. location, not the "New Uno" as they're calling it. But whatever you call Lou's, it's good it also can be a quick option if you call ahead and pickup or just get some of the frozen ones to have on hand. To me the pizza debate is uncalled for, eat what you like. I happen to like all styles of it after my thin crust favorite. I'm also a fan of pizza from the east coast, NY, Boston, or Philly all good. So just enjoy it, enjoy the variety. Do you only eat one type of steak, or chicken made one way? Only roasted, but not fried. The only thing about Chicago pizza is that you have to plan accordingly, if you go thin you can have a few slices, deep or stuffed one with a salad is all you need or you'll be buying some fat pants. Do not double park on State St. to pick up your pizza, unless you want it to cost you over a hundred bucks, even though State is two lanes and you won't be blocking traffic, it's still a violation. Ticket paid, lesson learned.
(4)John K.
Great food, but the customer service seems to be slipping. This was the second time in a row I ordered a pizza and some soda and the delivery guy has shown up without the drinks.
(3)Chloe R.
Amazing pizza! No wait on a Monday night - very friendly service and the best deep dish around.
(5)Conchita B.
My trip to Lou Malnati's was great. There a rant going on in the Bay Area (SF-California) that this place is by far delish and yummy. So Sun and I decided to head out in the stormy afternoon from N. Michigan Street down to State. We ordered a Medium The Malnati Chicago Classic #1 bad idea to order a Medium for 2 people the mother of pizza pies was HUGE, we had an appetite but not that much of an appetite it was a total of 6 large slices with a soft crunchy outer crust and hills of sauce, cheese and meat. We were in pizza heaven! The one thing I didn't really like which happens just to me for any Italian dishes is when the sauce is a little runny. I was slightly turned off my the runny tomato sauce with the fear that my crust was going to be soggy but other then that it was a delish delight. The service was great, our waitress did a good job in serving and making sure that our cups we're full for us to drink. I would totally go back when go back to Chicago.
(5)Jeff K.
WOW, my 500th review?! it only seems like yesterday when i first started writing reviews on yelp. where does the time go?!? One of the best deep dish pizzas on this planet. don't believe me? type in deep dish into google and its the 4th link that pops up... yes, its that good. I'm really glad i stopped by here on my trip to chicago. It was a shame that i didn't find this place sooner, otherwise i'd be here for bfast, lunch and dinner. and i bet i would have gained like 124 pounds from it. lol We started off with the Stuffed Spinach Bread as an appetizer and, it was brought our fairly quickly. the outside was buttery and had hints of garlic. the inside was packed full of cheese and spinach. put some marinara sauce on it, and you're golden! i ended up getting the "Lou" deep dish. (side note, it takes about 20 mins for them to cook an individual pizza) it comes with Spinach mix, mushrooms and sliced roma tomatoes covered with three cheeses.... the pizza was heavenly. the toppings were just right and the bread/crust was not hard at all. adding red peppers and Parmesan cheese made a magical pizza even more delightful. it was like a sorcerer/harry potter was making the pizza in the back. dang, with all the spinach i ate... Popeye would have been jealous. If i come visit chicago again, i'll plan my vacation around Lou's. lol.
(5)Jing L.
I know this is known as a famous Chicago pizza place, but OMG their Malnati salad was AMAZING. I could have eaten a whole family style salad by myself and been happy without any pizza. But the Malnati Chicago deep dish pizza was great too... Super filling, I only managed to eat a slice and a half before being full and I typically eat 3 regular slices of pizza at a meal.
(5)Brandon S.
While I have been fairly loyal to Giordano's every time I come to Chicago, I am never going to turn down a good deep dish pizza. On a recommendation from a friend, we decided to head over to Lou Malnati's around lunch time on a Sunday. It was almost a mile walk from the hotel, but we enjoy the chilly weather and were fueled by the warming anticipation of delicious Chicago pie. We arrived with ultra-precision timing. 5 minutes later and we would've been in the middle of a gigantic lunch crowd with a lengthy wait. Luckily, we only had a 5-10 minute wait. We pre-ordered our pizza, to keep our wait time down once we did get a table. Rather than make the mistake of ordering a medium stuffed Chicago pizza to split between two people, as we had horribly done at Giordano's a couple days prior, we intelligently went with the SMALL butter-crust, sausage and pepperoni. Once seated, we ordered a caesar salad to split between the two of us. The salad arrived quickly and was quite delicious. It had plenty of creamy caesar dressing, tomatoes (different, yet awesome), shaved parmesan and crunchy croutons. It was a good Caesar salad! The pizza came as soon as we finished the salads and....GOOD LORD this pizza was INCREDIBLE! The crust, while still incredibly thick, was deliciously crispy. While differing greatly from the cake-like crust I had come to expect from Chicago pizza, I loved it. The cheese was gooey and stringy, the pepperoni was flavorful, the sausage was delicious. I questioned the sauce on this pizza at first, as it seemed to be pretty straightforward chunky tomatoes from a can, with little spice or enhancement. I guess I'm used to a thinner, smoother pizza sauce with lots of spice and flavor. The wonderful key to this pie, however, is a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The sauce perfectly compliments the crust, which perfectly compliments the toppings and cheese. While I was a loyal Giordano's fan any time I visited the city in the past, I can safely say that Lou Malnati's is now my go-to Chicago pizzeria. GO HERE!!!!
(5)Mike A.
Don't walk by this Pizzeria...from the marinara sauce to the amazing house salad to their house specialty deep dish pizza....simply amazing!
(5)San Juana F.
This is by far the best deep dish Chicago pizza I have ever had...sorry NY yours cannot compare to Chicago. Also, other competitors we were told to try in Chicago do not compare to Lou Malnati's. I don't know if it was the sauce or the chesse or the Buttercrust or all of the above! It was that d@mn GOOD! Also, their hot giardiniera seems to be a big hit too. Thank you Emily, our server, for your wonderful service. See you next time we're back in town.
(5)Mike K.
Coming from the East Coast, this was my first experience with deep dish pizza and I'm happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. The service was great and so was the pizza (sausage, which was excellent). They have several sizes and toppings to choose from, including personal pies, which is a plus and something other pizzerias didn't seem to have. Go early (before 11:30 on the weekend) to beat the lunch rush so you don't have to wait!
(4)Kevin T.
Wandering around the relatively emptiness of the Loop on a Saturday, we were in need of food. Little too much Yelping the night before, when we stumbled into this Lou Malnati's location 'round lunch and was equally motivated to go inside by both wanting to try this famed Chicago deep dish pizza I'd heard so much about and also not having to wait for the aforementioned honor (it was pretty quiet at the time). The good. Prices for a plenty for two people amount of food I think it was $11. The service was fast and kind. The bad. This is a chain place through and through, it has no character. The trouble seems to be that all of the other big Chicago deep dish places have gone the same route. The meh. The pizza? It's ok. I mean it's a good pizza, but it is nothing spectacular. I mean, it seems notable in that it's not a thin crust pizza. But this sort of pizza is not simply relegated to Chicago, national delivery chains, or freezer sections. It was good but it didn't deliver on that 'when you go to Chicago you have to go to _____' promise.
(3)Luke P.
Visited Chicago recently with a huge group of friends most of us all first timers to beautiful Chicago. We heard this is where you can sink your teeth into some awesome deep dish pizza, boy were we surprised how good it tasted. It was like the first time eating pizza. I loved it all from the Cheese, Pepperoni, Sausage, it was all enjoyable.
(5)Amanda R.
Pizza, cheese less pepperoni, fantastic! Soup, minestrone, so good! Service, charming and attentive, wish I remembered her name. This place by far outshines the other deep dish joints I've been to. As a dairy free eater, the waitress shared with me what was dairy free and what wasn't. I had a pie, no cheese, with no questions asked. Great experience!!
(5)Lily N.
The cheese on their pizza just stretches off like any good pizza (which is supposed to be a 3 cheese blend). Really fabulous tasting pizza and worth the hype. Our waiter was also probably the best waiter I've had in a while. Just a chill, easy going, nice guy.
(4)Fei W.
Whenever an out-of-towner visits Chi-town for the first time, I order a deep dish pizza to give them a quintessential Chicago experience. The pizza here is superior by far to its rival Giordano's. I haven't ordered anything besides the deep dish pepperoni, but it is the shit. And the shit is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S.
(4)Amanda S.
Awesome Chicago deep dish pizza! Try the Lou special one and add sausage. Make sure to get the cookie for dessert- so yummy!
(4)Jeremy G.
Good taste Reasonable delivery time. Good prices Reasonably healthy with lower-fat cheese option
(4)Joey M.
I think I am biased because I am from NY and I prefer NY style pizza (closest I have found in Chicago is Piece) We had delivery from there yesterday at work...one of my colleagues said "don't worry we got you the thin crust" I couldn't help but think "oh no not more cardboard!" This relates to ALL Chicago "thin crusts" People NY style pizza is NOTHING like Chicago 'thin crust" Anywho...the pizza came hot and it was what I expected so I only say that it is ok. Though the rest of my team seemed very pleased with it!
(2)Craig K.
I've sampled plenty of variations on deep dish, and Lou's acquits itself well. People seem to get hung up on the slightly buttery, textured crust, but I was a bigger fan of the sauce--fresh tasting and minimally seasoned to allow the tomatoes to shine. I prefer a bit more cheese on mine, but overall I was quite satisfied. It's too bad the service proved so much less satisfying. Our server upsold us to a big salad so we'd have something to eat while our pizzas cooked, then forgot about us and brought it out after the pizzas were already on the table. I don't expect to be pampered in a pizza restaurant, but I also shouldn't have to go out of my way to flag down a server so she notices our table.
(3)N E.
Having been a fan of theirs for many years. This is the best one in the group. Easy parking, great staff, and management that really cares. I'm 4 out of 5 for pizza with them. Their salad is unreal. And the cookie on the bottom dessert is one of the best in Chicago. And oddly enough, they have pretty good wings! When in the area I do my best to make it over there.
(5)Raquel M.
I was excited for the opportunity to try authentic Chicago style pizza but extremely disappointed by this place. When I walked in to pick up my takeout order, the restaurant had an off smell. Despite this bad first impression, I was hopeful given the rave reviews this place has. When I pulled the first slice out of the box I was worried by how thick and bready the bottom crust was. My first bite of pizza was filled with overly yeasty bread and an overbearing canned tomato flavor. I suffered through another slice by just eating the top part of the pizza without the bottom crust but I ended up tossing the rest of the pizza because of how disgusting it was. I love pizza and this is only the second time I've thrown out freshly made pizza due to its flavor. I will not be back.
(1)Jeff L.
I had heard all the hype about Chicago deep-dish pizza. We were told to go to Lou Malnati's. I found one near our hotel in the south loop. It was pretty good, but I have had much better pizza. The service was very good, but overall I'd say this is pretty good pizza, but nothing that will blow your mind away.
(3)Vishal B.
C is for Crust, H is for healthy, I is for ingredients, C is for cheese! A is for awesome, G is for Genuine, O is for Order any pizza and you will love it! Lou Malnati's is what CHICAGO Pizza is about. Yes Chicago is home to Uno, Due, and Gino's East but it was Lou that put the wrapper on it! Nothing too overly fancy about this pizza, the sauce is where its at. Do not use a fork and knife here, just pick it up and satisfy your craving for a tradition of taste. Lou Malnati's will always be one of the things that makes Chicago feel like home. What are you still doing reading this?!
(5)Robert R.
Great food, however, EVERYTIME I've called and asked about wait times I've been given what appears to be the "standard" answer- 10-20 min. NOT THE CASE. Pizza lovers beware, you can safely triple whatever time you are given by the host.
(2)Dung N.
Now this was what I'm talking about! This is what I was expecting from Chicago style pizza! Our server was really nice too! We just wanted to try it since we were still full from breakfast and the wait for Willis Tower was too long. We also had some calamari since the pizza takes a long time to bake. We could add toppings for free and the hot giardiniera was something that I never heard of. It's similar to peperoncinis. I liked it a lot!
(5)Andrew F.
Cool place for some great Chicago deep dish pizza!! The Italian beef was the bomb!!! If it's cold out this place will warm you up.
(4)Yvonne C.
This was my first time coming to Chicago so we must had deep dish pizza. We ordered calamari fritti, stuffed spinach bread, the lou deep dish pizza and the Chicago classic deep dish pizza. The calamari fritti was fine not bad but not special. The stuffed spinach bread was not my dish, the bread outside was too thick for me but some of my friends love it. They love the fact that there were a lot of cheese inside. The Lou deep dish pizza was the one that I would definitely recommend to you. Usually I love pizza with meat, I mean who doesn't. But the lou was amazing. The veggie and the cheese blend together well and made you wanna have more, even though one slice was totally enough for me. I even wanna to bought one for my late night meal. Chicago classic deep dish pizza was good too. But I think the meat inside was flavored with wine which was a little bit too strong for me. Also we got a free Lou's Bruschettat by the waitress because of our calamari fritti was coming out slow. I do like this dish but I really don't have a big stomach so I just have a little bit. The tomato was fresh and perfectly went with the bread.
(4)Jerri H.
Great pizza, salad, app, and dessert - really nice servers, altogether just what we needed!
(5)Farida Y.
Lovely veggie pizza a small size enough for two people. It melts in your mouth ! Like a pie not pizza . Super delicious I'm not big pizza fan but I cannot say no to veggie deep dish pizza)
(5)Nicole S.
My first taste of authentic Chicago deep dish pizza and I LOVED IT!! I'm personally not a big fan of deep dish pizza, but since I was in Chicago, I had to get a taste of Chicago's deep dish pizza vs. the "Chicago style" pizzas we have in the Bay Area. Being that I wasn't familiar with the area, I turned to Yelp and was interested in two places. While texting with a friend who had came to Chicago earlier this year, he recommended that I go to Lou's because he loved it. WAIT: I called in around 6pm on a Saturday night to check how long the wait would be for one. They told me it would be about a 25 minute wait so I decided to pick up food and eat it in my hotel room. Note that it takes about 30 minutes or so to cook the deep dish pizzas. FOOD: *Buffalou Chicken Wings ($7.95) - Delicious! Even though I took the food to go and had about a 10-15 minute walk back to my hotel, the chicken still had a slight outer crisp and a good balance of spiciness. You have the option of ranch or blue cheese as dipping sauce. *Personal Chicago Classic w/Mushrooms & Garlic ($8.35) - oh my goodness...soooooo delicious!! The Chicago Classic is the house specialty and a must try! It traditionally contains sausage, cheese, and a tomato sauce which was less like sauce and more soft pieces of ripened tomatoes. I did decide to add mushrooms and garlic like I usually do and they didn't skimp on the toppings. The best part of the pizza was the savory buttercrust which did not get soggy (even when I had the leftovers in the morning). Lou's does have thin crust and pastas available to order, but I definitely recommend trying one of the deep dish pizzas. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
(5)Chris C.
I didn't see any mention of the mulnatis house salad in the reviews... very tasty salad... dare I say the salad is better than the pizza!
(4)Matt H.
I always enjoy eating at Lou's for the food, atmosphere, and great service!! My visit on Saturday evening, Sept. 27th, was no exception. The wait was minimal and my server, Rebecca, was the best!! She was friendly from start to finish, asking me several times how everything was and if I needed anything else. Will be visiting again soon with friends. Matt
(5)Sarah A.
What to do on your very first night in Chicago? Well go into the city and have yourself an original Chicago Deep Dish style pizza! Now there is a ton of pizzeria around town, but this place has been around since the 1970's and is family owned. Walking up to the pizzeria we were greeted with a crowd of people waiting outside as well as inside for a table. Thinking to myself "Oh great this is going to be a super long wait, I am kind of tired and hungry." We were greeted by the cashier who was a friendly and outgoing gal. She asked if we had been here before to which we both said no it's our first time. The cashier warmly welcomed us, handed a menu over and said we could place our order with her so that when we were seated (which was less then 15mins) our food would be almost ready. Love, that idea! We started out with: Three-Cheese Bread: Giant French bread with three cheeses, a touch of garlic and dipping sauce. The Malnati Chicago Classic: Lean sausage, extra cheese, and vine-ripened tomato sauce on Buttercrust. We were seated towards the back of the restaurant, which was cozy for the two of us. There were a couple of plasma TV's around with the Summer Olympics on. Our server was nice and delivered our food to us quickly. She made sure that we were happy throughout our stay as well. Prices were not bad for this popular joint, the pizza was delish (it was my first time ever trying a Chicago style pizza) and I have to say that I do not think I will be looking at other pizza's the same way again! As for the Three-Cheese Bread, I could not stop eating it! I love garlic and cheese bread. If I had, my way I would make it part of every meal that I have! It was so good in fact, that Minh had to take the basket that it came in away from me otherwise; I would not have finished my pizza! Great way to start our Chicago adventure, I would be more than happy to stop by this pizzeria again!
(4)Luke B.
Chicago pizza how it should be. Great wings and calamari too. Next time I am in town I'll be here.
(4)Allison S.
I have suffered through Lou's for every family event for years. My whole family loves it but it always makes me sick. Not a fan there are much better pizza places in Chicago trust me.
(1)Alfred L.
It's nice that they let us call ahead to prebake our pizza. We only had to wait about 10 minutes for the food to come out, as opposed to the normal 30-40 minutes. We ordered the Lou deep dish pizza, which was topped with spinach and mushrooms and tomatoes. I think there was too much cheese for the amount of tomato sauce, but the crust was the right crunchiness. I like cheese, but in this case, it took away from the flavors of the toppings. I would have to say, the pizza here was slightly better than Giordano's, but it did still didn't meet my expectations for "world famous" pizza.
(3)Julie L.
Delicious! The only thing I can complain about is that I noticed that the crust, while good hot, lacked flavor when it was cold the next morning. Otherwise, this to me is exactly what Chicago Pizza should be!
(4)Adriana R.
I am not a deep dish pizza connoisseur at all, since I am from LA of course, but when in Chicago deep dish is a must. A friend of a friend recommended Lou Malnati's and I am sad to report I was not impressed. I had their classic personal and it was just ok. I've had better deep dish in DC and in LA at MASA. Perhaps next time I am in town I will visit a mom and pop shop up north.
(3)Dan S.
Among the best in Chicago.
(5)Chris P.
Definitely my favorite of the deep dish pizzas I've tried in Chicago. Buttery crust, delicious sauce, super cheesy. We also ordered the pizza chips with 3 spreads - not my favorite, I'd definitely stick with the deep dish. If you've only got time to try one deep dish place - make it Lou's
(4)Nichole S.
Two words: buttercrust
(5)Liz L.
Service: 5 Food: 4 I walked in the blistering cold to get here, the entire time mumbling "this better be worth it". It was! Finally had my first deep dish pizza. The waitress is so nice! Didn't know which type of deep dish pizza to choose so she suggested that I can get half and half. I ended up getting The Lou and Chicago Classic. Which one is better you ask? My classic didnt have enough sauce but the meat patty on top was good and the Lou is just a lot of spinach, tomatoe and mushroom topped on a pizza. The combination of the two - scrumptious. Warning: the classic is VERY cheesy, it's good when it's hot but after 10min out of the oven, it tastes like an overdose of fat. =p
(4)Cara L.
On our first trip to Chicago, we had already bookmarked Lou's as a potential dinner spot, then our hotel also recommended it. Food was delicious, the large for 4 people was enough for 6, and our server Elizabeth was friendly, informative, and service was super fast even as the dinner rush picked up. We'll definitely be back on our next trip.
(4)Belinda O.
Horrible employees. Usually the waitress brings a stool to place the pizza on but this waitress placed it right in front of my face partially hanging off the table. The waitress gave us the wrong receipt and the pizza was drowning under a pond of water. Horrible experience.
(1)Jennifer P.
Had my first deep dish pizza and it's definitely something to try in Chicago. I had their famous personal pan, side salad and a soda for less than $10. Great food and prices. I'll be back if I'm ever in Chicago again.
(5)Jon K.
Went for Saturday lunch with a large group. No problem getting a table for over 10, though it might have been an issue later on. We ordered 3 of the large pizzas to share: the Lou classic, the veggie and one with pepperoni. All were very good, but to me the classic was the best. I would give them 5 stars, but the crust is not my favorite pizza crust (meaning the Chicago style). Service was good. Note that these pies take at least a half hour after you order them, so be ready for that wait. If you want real Chicago pizza, you can't go wrong at Lou Malnati's.
(4)Melody W.
I am not a huge pizza fan, but it was worth trying the famous deep dish Chicago Pizza at least once. The buffalo wings were delicious!
(4)Jeff K.
First, the food at Lou's was delicious. Deep-dish Chicago pizza at its finest. The wait was less than an hour, which wasn't bad at all considering it was prime dinner time on July 3. We pre-ordered our pizzas, being told they'd be ready soon after we were seated. Unfortunately that wasn't the case - something got messed up in the kitchen am it took another 45 minutes to get our food. But here's the thing - our server and the manager both were extremely apologetic, ultimately comping us our entire meal (we did not throw a fit or ask for anything, the manager preemptively comped it). Mistakes happen; it's how you handle the mistakes that matters to me and I was impressed. We'll definitely go back again.
(4)Michel A.
Excellent. Very nice people
(5)Marlyn S.
Loved the pizza and the service was great. I've never had Chicago style pizza before and this was a great experience. Very cheese and he sausage was a patty that they make. Good choice.
(5)Prashanth N.
I get it, Deep dish is a Chicago thing. Their deep dish is awesome, the best i had (i've had others).. Their thin crust, not so much. But for deep dish, this is the spot... But since my kids don't eat deep dish, i had to get the thin crust as well.. Obviously will go back there again..
(4)Minh D.
I'm more of a NY thin crust pizza kinda guy. I'm down for deep dish only if it's good deep dish from Chicago. Does this deep dish impress me? This place was packin' on a Thursday night. It was very close to our parking garage so that was a plus. While waiting for a table, you can pre-order your pizza so it'll be ready quicker. What a brilliant idea! -The Malnati Chicago Classic Made with Lou's lean sausage, some extra cheese and vine-ripened tomato sauce on Buttercrust. This was a delicious deep dish pizza! Better than anywhere you can get on the west coast. We ordered filling bread sticks and washed it down with a root beet. Now that's a meal!
(4)Monica M.
Lou Malnati's was just ok for me. After hearing so many people rave about how great Lou Malnati's pizza was, I had to once and for all try it myself. Let me tell you the pizza was good but it wasn't great. I personally didn't care much for the dough and thought that the deep dish was packed with to many ingredients and not enough cheese and sauce - it wasn't a good proportion to me. On the bright side the staff were pleasant and there wings sauce was pretty good.
(3)Justin B.
Bit of a hectic place full of customers dining in or awaiting take out. That being said, this stuff is the best stuff and well worth waiting for. I've been visiting the city and stretched one whole pie three days. THREE DAYS. When life's unsure, you can count on Lou's.
(4)Duke B.
Excellent pizza. Great service. Fast seating on a Friday night. I stayed past closing accidentally and no one gave me the fish eye which is nice. The food is very reasonably priced. I have not eaten at the other popular pizza joints so can't compare. If I come back to Chicago I will return to Lou's.
(4)Mike T.
The pizza was outstanding! If you are in search of authentic, Chicago style deep-dish pizza, Lou's is the place for you. But even more than the quality of our food for as the quality of our service! Our server Emily was amazing! Her demeanor was overwhelmingly positive and her suggestions and recommendations on the cuisine were positively sublime. Emily demonstrated the ability to balance an exceptionally congested dining floor with a keen sensitivity to the needs of all of her tables. She stands as a shining beacon of exceptional service and has made me reconsider the pitfalls of dining in the city of Chicago on a Friday evening. Well done Emily! We will definitely be back!! We highly recommend the sausage pizza... But make sure to ask for Emily!
(5)A C.
Just as 2 stars is labeled in Yelp, Lou Malnati's is "meh". The pizza was so disappointing (almost watery??), the salad was uninspired and they run a very cattle-like operation getting people in and out. I was looking forward to the pizza so much, but we have much better deep dish in Arizona, which is sad really!
(2)Peter Y.
This was my first deep dish pizza experience in Chicago, and I was not disappointed at all. We got here at 8pm on a Friday night, and was told there would be a roughly 20 minutes wait. While waiting, we were actually able to order our food beforehand. After we were seated, we waited on our bruschetta and a "medium" sausage cheese pizza. The bruschetta came out fresh and warm, with just the right amount of garlic and oil soaked into the bread. The tomato topping was delicious, and offered a great balance to the warm bread. We were pretty hungry, so we weren't actually sure how filling the medium pizza would be. When it was brought out, we were actually disappointed by the size. However, once we started digging in, we realized just how filling the thick crust was. I was done after basically one slice, but being a man, I managed to finish two. What's great about their pizza is that despite having a lot of crust, there was enough melted cheese, tomato sauce and sausage bits to have a good ratio of topping to crust. I actually thought there was too much tomato sauce, but at least it's better to have too much than too little. The only issue i had with this place was that I wish they had a larger selection of pizza. I think they only have cheese and sausage. But then again, if it ain't broke, don't fix it right? Oh, and the entire meal came to about $10 per person, after giving a generous tip. For the price, taste, and the fact that we got such a good deal in downtown Chicago during dinner, this place definitely deserves a 5.
(5)Lucy Y.
9" Small Cheese deep dish ($10.45) Side of meatballs ($1.95 for 2) Crunchy chewy crust, tons of stretchy cheese, a chunky tomato sauce to load onto everything, tender meatballs.....yummmm!!!! And our server Corinne? AWESOME!!!
(4)