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Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant$$$$

River North, Chicago

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8.7^/10

1,530

ratings

Ranked #9 for chicken wings in Near North Side
The experts at Epicurious and Chicago Tribune recommend this place
"You must get a deep dish pizza how Chicago eats their pizza!"(102 Tips)
"Love their pizza's butter crust and sausage."(16 Tips)
"👍🏻 Try the buttercrust bun with your favourite toppings and enjoy!"(12 Tips)
"Uber-fresh tomatoes make Lou's the best pizza in Chicago."(10 Tips)

314 Tips and reviews

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butter crust
buttercrust
casual
good for groups
good for dates
sausage
great value
cookies
salads
delivery
spinach
bruschetta
bar
tours
big portions
good for singles
ice cream
breweries
lunch
crowded
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Serious EatsMay 21, 2013
The Malnati Chicago Classic, which combines a buttercrust with their awesome well-seasoned homemade sausage is Lou Malnati's at its finest. And that means it's one of the best deep dish pizzas of all
Upvoted Mar 5
Morten AuthenSeptember 30, 2017
While in Chicago, you'll have to try a Chicago-style pizza. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria is the place! 👍🏻 Try the buttercrust bun with your favourite toppings and enjoy! 👍🏻😃
Upvoted Feb 15
Michelle SMay 5, 2016
Great deep dish pizza. If it's your 1st time try the sausage. The spinach pizza is also very good. It is filling and 1 slice is enough for most people.They also deliver frozen pies across the country.
Kimmie OhhJuly 4, 2020
Get half a Lou (spinach mix with garlic, basil & onion, mushrooms, sliced Roma tomatoes with 3 cheeses) & half the classic (sausage, cheese) on Buttercrust. Prepare to wait for their deep dish pizzas.
Christina ChangJune 17, 2015
Best deep dish pizza in Chicago. Service is very slow though. Deep dish usually takes an hour to get done but when it's crowded, +30mins. Deep dish cookie for dessert is amazing!
elchenoAugust 17, 2014
Hands down the one of the best deep dish in Chicago. Gotta try the special, the sausage is superb. Don't come in a hurry, the place is always packed and the pizza is made to order.
Fodor's TravelJanuary 28, 2016
For deep-dish pizza, stop into any of the eight Lou Malnati’s locations in the city or Pequod’s Pizza in Lincoln Park; for a classic Chicago-style hot dog, try Portillo’s downtown. Read more
Dee SepulvedaOctober 10, 2023
For a couple, ask for a medium size, trust me. Best deep dish I've had in the whole world. Tomato sauce is the best, feels really fresh, and for me, it's the real difference from other places.
EpicuriousJanuary 22, 2015
Lou Malnati's sets the gold standard for deep-dish. The best of the bunch is the simple cheese and sausage pie. For anyone who doesn't want to dive into a faceful of dough, the thin-crust is fine too. Read more
Emma QueryApril 30, 2015
Man! Best deep dish pizza I've ever had. Got the Lou's personal pizza which has mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes. Relaxing atmosphere, friendly staff, all around good experience.
Stacy Bo BacyNovember 4, 2019
This location has been open since 1986, the sixth Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria to open, and the first within the Chicago city limits. The Buttercrust is so good it’s trademarked.
Anna StumpfApril 11, 2016
The "order while you wait" was awesome! Best and biggest calamari I've ever had (we thought they were onion rings!). Love the personal size pizzas!
Terence ChanSeptember 18, 2018
Get the classic and add pepperoni. Best pizza in Chicago! Be ready to wait 45mins for one! Worth it. 4.5/5
Nelson V. GuevaraSeptember 22, 2018
Excellent pizza place. Authentic “Chicago Style” pizza, deep dish, butter crust with sausage is excellent. It takes time to bake the pizza but has gr at appetizers.
Tim MesserschmidtMarch 22, 2016
Amazing deep dish pizza. Definitely easy to recommend. Try the butter crust if you're looking for something special.
Sharon DavidsonJune 2, 2015
Had the hot chicken wings - not a lot of meat on them but the sauce was excellent! Pizza was amazing as far as deep pans go! Highly recommend the 'Lou's Special' 👍
XavierOctober 9, 2016
Really good deep dish pizza! If you still are hungry go for the lime pie it is a must!
JOANN ONTHERUNJune 20, 2016
Waiting for my deep dish pizza to arrive but had the Cesar Salad... Just how I like it .. Tossed in EXTRA everything (and this pic is after I had already eaten half of it!
Craig PollardAugust 9, 2018
I had the cheese deep dish pizza. My server must’ve been new because she was terrible. Bottomline. My pizza was to die for. Get the pizza. Get all of the pizza.
JasonApril 4, 2014
Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza rocks! If I lived in Chicago, I would come here all the time. A couple sitting next to me at the bar drove two hours to get some pizza. That says a lot to me.
John M. PetersDecember 23, 2016
A stop when in Chicago - great pizza, but sometimes a long wait. Order when you arrive. When your table is ready, your pizza will be ready also.
jiresellNovember 13, 2016
Been here 5+ times
My favorite pizza in Chicago, and maybe anywhere. Get the sausage deep dish. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare but is delicious!
Chris NixonOctober 31, 2023
Best deep dish pizza! Crust is excellent, not a layer of bread like some. Quality ingredients. Good service. Well worth stopping in!
Serious EatsMay 21, 2013
Chicago deep dish pizza is never anything less than deliriously overloaded, and the pie at Lou Malnati's is no exception. The sausage is overrated, but flavorful sauce or tangy cheese make up for it.
Ken LukAugust 24, 2014
Malnati's Chicago Classic. Amazing. Party of 4 and we got the combo app as well. More than we expected and couldn't finish the pizza until the Cubs' game the next day. Just as good if not better.
Helen ParkJuly 26, 2015
Yes thin crust is a hidden gem but deep dish is just so good (and better than thin crust)
Mike DavisJuly 10, 2018
Long wait but worth it. Order when you get your place in line. The app keeps you posted on where you are in line.
Michele Evans-BrockMarch 7, 2012
Their crust is flaky and delicious and instead of having drops of sausage, they have LAYERS of sausage spread across the entire pizza so that you're eating sausage in every bite. DELICIOUS!
Carl SweatOctober 19, 2011
Extremely delicious and I thought I already had a fave Chicago deep dish from when we lived there. The buttery crust is a subtle wow factor. But beware...if you plan to get Cookie Pie...order early!
ElisaSeptember 2, 2018
Arrive before noon on weekends to avoid the wait to be seated. You'll also have to wait 30 to 40 min for your deep dish too. The Lou was alright, though I'm more of a thin crust fan.
Chris RichardsonOctober 20, 2017
A classic deep dish pizza adds to your Chicago experience. Warning, Don’t order too large. One medium was too much for the 2 of us. Hotels don’t have fridges!
Andy WangJanuary 30, 2018
It’s as good as the hype. Sit at the bar, have a perfectly portioned individual deep dish and some tiramisu afterwards
SEGAJune 5, 2013
AMAZING deep dish pizza. The crust is buttery, and simply cannot be beat. Get ready to wait, but it's very worth it. - Kellie, Sr. Community Manager
H HOctober 21, 2015
Does nobody else hear illuminati??! Lou's deep dish was bomb. Get a personal pizza and split it so you can eat more of Chicago's delicious food!!
Ruben Van NieuwenhuyseOctober 3, 2016
Get the deep crust there, no problem to add or substitute stuff. Great pizza
What's Good HereApril 5, 2015
Order the Malnati salad. It is like a delicious cross between a BLT salad and a Greek salad. The large serves four.
WillMcDSeptember 17, 2015
Looking for traditional deep dish? Go with the classic. Personal pan is probably enough for ya
Damon ShanleAugust 25, 2013
Pizza is good (no kidding). Unless you're in training for the NFL they know what they're talking about with suggested portion sizing -- don't offer me a wafer thin mint or I'll be exploding shortly…
Suzanne ReyesMarch 18, 2013
We came here twice during our vacation because it's that good! There is usually a line to get in but trust me, it's worth the wait! Get the Lou!
Cihan M.D.May 30, 2015
Definitely better than Giordanos. Pick here and dont forget to order bruscetta while waiting pizza 40min.
Florence HFebruary 6, 2015
Loved the butter crust at Malnati's, but the can't miss is definitely their dessert pizza: a cookie dough base cooked in a deep dish pan, then filled with ice cream and topped with whipped cream.
nancy wJanuary 20, 2014
their pizza is one of the best...the atmosphere is just a great place to hang and enjoy a great pizza and when your done you could enjoy downtown http://hauntedpages.wordpress.com
lauren dordalJanuary 13, 2014
Order the house salad and the Chicago classic (with the Buttercrust!) Best pizza around!!
Brooke LouiseNovember 14, 2022
I mean, it's your own vegan fault if you go here expecting to eat anything really but I did manage a bruschetta snack and incredible Old Fashioned.
Kristen MaddenSeptember 17, 2011
Yes, the wait is a little long, but they have free Wi-Fi, you can get a drink at the bar, and you can put your pizza order in before you're seated to minimize the wait!
Ty AlstonMay 17, 2014
Excellent garlic bread. Don't get to full from it. Leave room for the main dish.
Lesley RAugust 22, 2015
Trio app and "The Lou". Thank me later. A true Chicago deep dish pizza that won't disappoint! Get a medium for two if you're craving leftovers.
Chicago TribuneNovember 21, 2017
The Lou ($23), a three-cheese pie with rich mozzarella, Romano and cheddar, is my favorite. Read more
Lorraine SSeptember 7, 2011
Call ahead so you only have to wait 20mins for ur pizza vs 40mins! Come with a big appetite, everything from the drinks to salad and pizza are huge & filling!
xelsterJuly 8, 2020
Deep Dish pizza was worth the wait! Small - 4 slices, Medium - 6 slices.

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