If you have spent more than a single week in Chicago and have not tried a deep dish pizza, you should be absolutely ashamed of yourself! This is the stuff we're known for, so take pride in where you're at and dig in! That first bite should be artfully crafted by one of the members of the Big Four*, and Lou Malnati's is certainly one of them.
What sets apart Lou Malnati's from the other members of the deep dish board is the fact that it's just a little bit different and a little bit... well, more. The owner honed his craft from working at Uno's, where the deep dish idea came from, and then embellished on it. Since Chicagoans are partial to sausage rather than pepperoni, the pizzas from here really focus on that. One full layer is laid out, so not a single bite misses out on that greasy, spicy goodness. The other signature ingredient is loads and loads of big, chunky tomatoes! These pizzas really add a whallop of flavor!
Personally, I prefer to go with a pie that is heavy in onions, and this is one of the few places that not only supplies its customers with the right amount of ingredients (which is A LOT!), but has a working knowledge of how to slice and cook them. This may seem pretty elementary or even nit picky to the pizza novice, but to us pie experts, this is critical! Otherwise, why bother adding toppings if they can't be tasted?
Perhaps the one oddity with Lou Malnati's is its main location, in the northern border burb of Lincolnwood, instead of the city proper. Perhaps the founder unwittingly opened his business here just to prove he really could whip up a pie better than his mentor, and he wanted to prove it with being as far away as he could and still get great business!
So, if you like your pizza so big and dense that it can be exchanged for a spare tire, then be sure to give Lou Malnati's a try. And yes, try the others, too, at least for comparison! Your diet may hate you, but your taste buds will be forever grateful.
* The other three, in no particular order, are: Uno's / Due's, Gino's East and Giordanos.
Why chop houses in Chicago carry an air of pretension is anyone's guess. After all, there isn't a thing wrong with dressing presentable and having a few table manners, but a good steak needs no formal introduction, and Kinzie's Chophouse knows that well. Located downtown by the Merchandise Mart and catering to the local businessmen and artisans by day, this chop house is moderately upscale in decor and demeanor but down to earth when it comes to its food.
Since steaks and chops are the highlights on the menu, focus is placed upon searing them to perfection and using only the choicest cuts. The wait staff are extremely knowledgeable about the different varieties and will patiently explain the differences in each. The Kinzie Cut is the most popular, a sixteen ounce flat iron steak cooked just the way you like it! Of course, those who really love their meat can shoot straight for the top and test the depths of their stomachs with the forty eight ounce whopper of a porterhouse, Chicagoans favorite cut. On the chop side of things are the well received one pounder Apple Wood Smoked Pork Chop as well as the New Zealand Lamb Chops and the Veal Chops.
Of course, those looking to cut back on the red meat will find a nice selection of seafood and pasta dishes available, their Peppercorn Halibut steak being especially noteworthy. Vegetarians will even be pleasantly surprised with some of the selections available, and since Kinzie's aims to please, many salads and entrees can be adjusted to suit their dietary needs.
Kinzie's isn't just for dinner of course, since they have a nice lunch menu that accommodates the locals well. Those who tend to eat there often may find a caricature of themselves gracing the walls! Regulars and newcomers alike will be pleasantly surprised by their award winning and extensive wine list, carrying a wide selection of domestic and imported varieties from all over and accommodating to all price ranges. Of course, no meal would be complete without at least a sampling of their fine desserts, especially the Key Lime Pie and the Chocolate Terrine.
What truly makes Kinzie's a place to check out is the overall service and vibe. The ambiance may not be the absolute classiest, but it has that true Chicago "feel" to it that no one can deny, which makes it a great place to enjoy an excellent meal without needing to take out a small loan. Yes guys, you can leave the tie at home!
If you have spent more than a single week in Chicago and have not tried a deep dish pizza, you should be absolutely ashamed of yourself! This is the stuff we're known for, so take pride in where you're at and dig in! That first bite should be artfully crafted by one of the members of the Big Four*, and Lou Malnati's is certainly one of them. 