When you think of the best pizza in Chicago, what comes to mind? Everyone assumes the only Chicago pizza in the national conversation is thick and casserole-like—or in other words, deep-dish. And while there are some incredible varieties of deep-dish in Chi-Town, there are tons of pizza styles and local pizzerias worth checking out. Or, as Thrillist points out, “no other city can boast as wide a pizza portfolio,” especially when it comes to crusts. Alongside deep-dish you’ll find pizza joints that serve it thin, stuffed, Neapolitan, and that’s just the beginning. With so many great options, you might as well try them all. Here are some of Chicago’s greatest pizza catering hits.
Pizza Capri (E. 53rd Street, Chicago)
Pizza Capri specializes in thick crusts and creative toppings, like pesto and shrimp, pineapple and bacon, or rosemary potato and chicken. But the real magic of this restaurant is that every single item—including pasta sauce, dough, and salad dressing—is made entirely from scratch. This is what makes Pizza Capri’s pies some of the best and most exciting pizza in Chicago. Pizza Capri is also the only place in Chicago where you can find out what happens when you put Thai-style peanut sauce on top of a pizza. (Spoiler alert: it’s great.)
Jet’s Pizza (N. Harlem Avenue, Chicago)
One of the largest pizza chains in the nation, Jet’s Pizza draws in its loyal fan base (and everyone else who wants Chicago pizza catering) to its Detroit-style pizzas. The pies are thick, square, and cheesy-edged with dollops of tomato sauce right on top. Try the Jet 10, the restaurant’s signature creation, made with a delicious alchemy of bacon, sausage, ham, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, and more.
Slice Factory (W 18th Street, Chicago)
It’s doesn’t get any more authentic than Slice Factory, owned since the 1990s by a family with roots in Naples, Italy. The folks at the restaurant are experts in round, chewy, puffy-crusted Neapolitan pizzas. Get a taste of everything with the special #2 package, which comes with a combination of four eighteen-inch thin-crust pizzas. Or, for something a little different, try the stuffed pizza. It’s two pizza crusts baked and stuffed with cheese and homemade tomato sauce.
Rosati’s Pizza (S. Halsted Street, Chicago)
A family run joint located just outside of central Chicago, Rosati’s Pizza makes pies that return to the city’s deep-dish roots. And the recipes have been passed down through multiple generations. For Chicago pizza catering, Rosati’s makes things easy. Choose between a package that will feed crowds of all sizes. Plus you can choose up to ten toppings, including flavor-packed ingredients like giardiniera, fresh garlic, turkey sausage, and meatballs.
The Warehouse Bar & Pizzeria (W. Fullerton Avenue, Chicago)
The Warehouse Bar & Pizzeria is where you go when you want Italian-American specialties that’ll please a big crowd with lots of different tastes. Purists should try the margherita. It comes with oven-dried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. If you’re feeling more adventurous, check out the rustica. It’s made with dried figs, caramelized onions, blue cheese, and a sweet balsamic glaze. And while making some of the best pizza in Chicago is the focus of The Warehouse, the restaurant is also a destination for other specialties like Italian beef, penne Alfredo, and gooey mac and cheese. This place really has it all.
Dimo’s Pizza (N. Damen Avenue, Chicago)
Everything you need to know about Dimo’s Pizza can be learned in the restaurant’s manifesto: “We see pizza as our crispy, chewy, edible passion—a platform on which we can imagine all our culinary ambitions.” This Chicago pizza catering spot is rethinking what pizza should be. Dimo’s starts with a quality thin-crust base, and then adds on macaroni and cheese, waffles, or even fried chicken. Dimo’s is particularly friendly toward vegans. Try the vegan Dimo Florentine pizza, which is made with tomatoes, spinach, artichokes, and vegan mozzarella that’s just as creamy as the real thing.
Pizzeria Due (N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago)
One of the most legendary and best pizza-catering options in Chicago can be found at Pizzeria Due. This place specializes in classic deep-dish creations from cheese to veggie, rooted in Chicago tradition. Serious Eats named it a “Chicago Essential” and praised the fennel sausage-spiked pizza’s tangy sauce and “juicy hunks of pork.” For lunchtime, try the deep-dish pizza boxed lunch, which includes a slice of deep-dish pizza, plus salad or chips and a drink of your choice, for a perfect midday meal.
Sarpino’s Pizzeria (N. Harlem Avenue, Chicago )
Sarpino’s Pizzeria is a gourmet pizza shop that excels at two things: (1) making ordering for a crowd easy, and (2) making not just great pizzas, but great entrées, salads, and more. Sarpino’s has nine different catering packages, all of which include combinations of creative pizza variations. Try the super taco with salsa and ground beef or the Alfredo picante, topped with Alfredo sauce and grilled chicken strips. Plus, there are trays of bright, crunchy salads and pasta options like cheesy tortellini and baked lasagna.
Oggi Trattoria (W. Grand Avenue, Chicago)
This family owned Italian cafe serves up some of the best pizza in Chicago, thanks to its dedication to local ingredients, family recipes, and signature pizzas. The Oggi picante pizza, with roast beef, giardiniera, garlic, and mozzarella is a must-try. Even the non-pizza options, like the rigatoni vodka, have a loyal following, thanks to the utter silkiness of the tomato cream sauce. And don’t finish your meal without the flourless chocolate cake. It’s a decadent, sweet treat that everyone will love.
Barraco’s (W. 111th Street, Chicago)
Barraco’s Restaurant is the go-to for all of your favorite Italian entrées. Whether it’s lemon-coated chicken breast, eggplant parmesan, or a classic Caprese salad, they’ve got it. But the star of the menu is the pizza—a thin-crust creation either topped simply with cheese or an assortment of vegetables. For the gluten-free crowd, Barraco’s offers a satisfying gluten-free crust that’s got the same crunch and chew as you’d expect from a pizza.
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