The Chicago Traveler

There was a bit of dispute over my last Best Pizzas list, as I expected there would be. It is a Chicagoan debate that has gone on for generations and will continue probably forever. So, just to add more fuel to the fire, here is another list of Chicago’s ten best ‘pies’ (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).
Honorable Mention: Gino’s East. If you enjoy reading, the walls here provide plenty of material.

10. Pizzeria Uno. The one, the only, the original. Loosen your belts now.
9. Piece. These very non-Chicago-style slices are simply delicious.
8. Home Run Inn. This old neighborhood tavern offers the …read more

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When it comes to Chicago-style deep dish pizza, there are a handful of famous names that are tried and true. Many of them (including Uno, Gino’s, and Malnati’s) are well-known far beyond the city limits. Another powerhouse in the Chicago pizza scene is Giordano’s.
There are 13 locations in the city and twice as many in the suburbs. Each of them look a little bit different from the rest, but you can usually expect to find red-and-white checkered tablecloths, wood-backed chairs, silver-topped red-pepper and parmesan shakers, and exposed brick. The Rush Street location (just off Michigan Avenue) has two floors and …read more

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Fans of the American reality competition show Top Chef on the Bravo network had to know that there was no way I could not write about this season. The show was/is filmed in Chicago this season, much to my delight. The competition premiered last night, but if you missed it, don’t worry; Bravo airs the show several times throughout the week. Check your local listings.
Now, I’m not here to discuss the details of the premiere episode, per se. (For a more in-depth look at the episode, check out a fellow b5media site, Foodie Obsessed.) Rather, keeping true to The Chicago …read more

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I’ve written about quite a few pizza places here in Chicago, but you can’t talk about deep-dish pizza without giving homage to the original: Uno Chicago Grill, better known as Pizzeria Uno. (The new name evolved from the new menu, which includes “hip and intense new tastes.” Hmm.)
Whatever the name, the gooey deep-dish has remained the same. Uno’s introduced the world to this Chicago trademark in 1943, under the command of founder Ike Sewell. (It is likely though that the original recipe was developed by Chef Rudy Malnati.) Twelve years later, Pizzeria Due opened just a block away (619 N …read more

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Chicago-style pizza isn’t just one kind of pizza. From deep-dish to stuffed to pan to even thin crust, Chicago has its own way of creating this delicious “pie.” But when most people think of Chicago pizza, they probably think of deep-dish, featuring a buttery crust and chunky tomato sauce.
The Chicago-style deep-dish pizza was invented by chef Rudy Malnati at Pizzeria Uno in 1943. It begins with a thin layer of dough which is laid in a deep round pan and pulled up the sides. The dough is then partially baked and then lined with cheese, vegetables, and meats. Crushed tomatoes …read more

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