$$$$
Chicago Deep-dish PizzaLincoln Park
Lou Malnati's in Chicago is the Lincoln Park branch of the deep-dish chain founded 1971 by Lou (Rudy Malnati Sr.'s son), butter-crust pies with The Lou.
OrderThe Lou with sausage, plus a small Malnati Salad first, with sweet vinaigrette.
TipOrder the pizza when you sit; baking takes 45 minutes. Otherwise you wait twice.
$$$$
PizzeriaLincoln Park
Pequod's Pizza in Chicago is the Lincoln Park pan-pizza institution on Clybourn since 1971, the caramelised cheese ring around the crust copied.
OrderMedium pan pizza, sausage and mushroom, with extra cheese around the rim.
TipWalk in at 16:30 to beat the queue; tables fill before the kitchen opens for dinner service.
$$$$
PizzeriaThe Loop
Pizano's Pizza & Pasta in Chicago is the family-owned Loop deep-dish room founded in 1991 by Rudy Malnati Jr., son of Pizzeria Uno's original cook Rudy.
OrderThe cheese deep-dish, no toppings, the way Rudy Sr. baked it at Uno.
TipThe Madison location is the original; State Street is the bigger pre-theatre spot.
$$$$
PizzeriaRiver North
Pizzeria Uno in Chicago is the original deep-dish pizza shop, opened by Ike Sewell on Ohio Street in 1943, where the city's pan-baked pizza was invented.
OrderThe Numero Uno, the canonical deep-dish from the original menu.
TipThe pies bake 45 minutes; order on arrival. The nearby Due (Pizzeria Due) is the same kitchen if Uno is full.
$$$$
PizzeriaWest Loop
Bonci Chicago is Gabriele Bonci's West Loop pizza al taglio counter on Sangamon, the first US outpost of the Rome bakery, with rectangular pies cut by weight.
OrderMortadella and pistachio cream; potato and rosemary; whatever seasonal vegetable is current.
TipWalk up at 11:30 for the widest selection. By 14:00 the popular cuts are gone for the day.
$$$$
Tavern-cut Thin PizzaAshburn
Vito & Nick's in Chicago is the Ashburn tavern serving the canonical tavern-cut thin pizza on South Pulaski since 1949, family-owned across four generations.
OrderLarge sausage tavern thin, party-cut, with a side of giardiniera.
TipCash and the bar are the rhythm; first come first served. The kitchen closes at 22:00 sharp; arrive by 21:00.