# Okay, pizza - both styles. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 6, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031 "2008-12-06T20:27:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/41 "2008-12-15T06:09:57Z")
> [@WarmNPrickly](#): > > To be fair, there really are three kinds of Chicago Style pizza. There is the thin crust, the pan pizza and the stuffed pizza. Yeah, my own Chicago pizza taxonomy goes like this: thin crust, deep dish. Deep dish is subdivided into stuffed or regular deep dish. In general, my friends use “deep dish” to only refer to unstuffed deep dish pizza, and “stuffed” for the stuffed kind. I consider pan pizza yet another style of pizza (with the cheese and toppings on top, as opposed to under the tomato sauce. Also, pan is more focaccia-like.) If you’re a stickler, the non-deep dish can probably be subdivided into various categories, like cracker crust (most bar pizzas), and the slightly heavier crusts of places like Home Run Inn, and the medium crust at Connie’s. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/42 "2008-12-15T16:47:22Z")
> [@ArrMatey](#): > > Okay, I have to add to this thread, if only a question. I moved out of Forrest Park about 6 years ago, out to the 'burbs (Lombard) and I haven’t found a single local pizza place that’s any good at all. > It’s mainly a crust factor. I love a good, tasty crust, not just a ‘topping delivery vehicle’. I also like a lot of meat on meat-based pizzas. If anyone can save me from having to deal with (shudder) the constant Pizza Hut that my friends seem to like, I’d be very, very greatful! [Try here.](http://www.papapasseros.com/) Not far from Lombard, and worth the trip. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/43 "2008-12-15T17:48:21Z")
> [@WarmNPrickly](#): > > There is a Rosati’s Pizza on Roosevelt. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a Rosati’s though. I can’t even remember what it was like. There is a Giordano’s in Oakbrook Terrace that might not be to far. I think Rosati’s is a pretty decent version of the standard Chicago thin crust. **ArrMatey!** , I live near Forest Park, and we’ve been going to Bertolli’s River Pizza on Lake Street. If you’ve ever been there, Rosati’s is pretty close to it. (Also, do you have any suggestions for other places in the Forest Park/Oak Park/River Forest area?) ETA: I think out near Lombard there’s an Aurelio’s somewhere…their pizza is a little different (a sweeter sauce, I think?) but I used to really like it when I worked down in the South burbs. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/44 "2008-12-16T20:31:09Z")
All right. Rosati’s pizza has been ordered! (Oddly, the Lombard branch of their operation isn’t listed on their website. I had to get their number from another location.) A tad bit pricey, but I’ll report in later with the straight dope on it. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/45 "2008-12-16T22:05:09Z")
Arighty, review on Rosati’s. Meh. First of all, they got my order wrong, but that’s a minor detail. Pizza is edible, lots of cheese, good toppings. The crust, however… The crust is like eating raw dough. I had expected better. The crust actually takes away from the eating experience, and thus, I can only grade them a C+. Coulda been a B- if they’d gotten the order right at least. So there you go. The search for palatable local pizza continues. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/46 "2008-12-16T23:04:22Z")
> [@ArrMatey](#): > > Arighty, review on Rosati’s. > > Meh. > > First of all, they got my order wrong, but that’s a minor detail. Pizza is edible, lots of cheese, good toppings. The crust, however… The crust is like eating raw dough. I had expected better. The crust actually takes away from the eating experience, and thus, I can only grade them a C+. Coulda been a B- if they’d gotten the order right at least. > So there you go. The search for palatable local pizza continues. I’ve actually somehow never had Rosati’s, but if the dough seemed undercooked to you, try ordering the pizza “well done” next time (which is what I usually do at my favorite pizza haunts, as I like the dough a little more done and the cheese a little more browned.) ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/47 "2009-01-09T19:09:09Z")
Rosati’s used to be good, but I think they’ve fallen away. For a great and _interesting_ pizza experience, try Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder. They make the pizza upside down. All the toppings go in a bowl. They cover the bowl with crust, bake it, and flip it over to serve it. Yum!!! Love that pizza! ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2009, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/48 "2009-01-10T00:44:31Z")
**Kalhoun** , that sounds neat. And delicious. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2009, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/49 "2009-01-11T01:19:51Z")
I the south suburbs, ar almost anywhere else, you can’t beat Enrico’s in Frankfort. Route 30 and LaGrange. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/50 "2009-01-13T07:27:07Z")
Deviating slightly, but does anyone know of a place in Chicago to get good white pizza? I haven’t had it in years and I really really miss it. ---
**Author:** ![TheFifthYear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@TheFifthYear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFifthYear)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/51 "2009-01-13T21:07:47Z")
Try Piece (1927 W. North Ave). They do a pretty decent white pizza. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/52 "2009-01-15T22:16:49Z")
> [@TheFifthYear](#): > > Try Piece (1927 W. North Ave). They do a pretty decent white pizza. Not to mention award winning microbrew. Try the Worryin’ Ale. I’ve got to get back there sometime soon. ---
**Author:** ![laurengr12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/77aa72/32.png) [@laurengr12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laurengr12)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/53 "2009-01-30T11:06:33Z")
I have to agree that Homerun Inn has the best pizza. Lou Malnati’s, not so much, I was thrown by that big one piece sausage across the entire top of the pan pizza. Aurelio’s was a favorite because they had that “sweet” sauce & didn’t use that horrible anisette stuff. When I worked downtown, the bank used to order pizza’s from a shop on Upper Wacker Drive near Michigan Ave. I cannot remember if it was Barone’s or Bacci’s,but it was excellent! Giordano’s was so-so. Homerun Inn has frozen pizza’s at Jewel. We bought several last time we were home & brought them here to Cinci to distribute to the neighbors. It was close, but never the same as fresh. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/54 "2009-01-30T15:59:08Z")
> [@laurengr12](#): > > I have to agree that Homerun Inn has the best pizza. Lou Malnati’s, not so much, I was thrown by that big one piece sausage across the entire top of the pan pizza… > > Giordano’s was so-so. I think you’ve got your pizzas switched. _Giordano_’s uses the “slab o’ sausage” covering the entire surface; [Lou Malnatti’s uses pieces of sausage](http://www.flickr.com/photos/kthread/2699767648/), unless I’m losing my mind. The only place I’ve discovered a slab o’ sausage in Malnatti’s is in their “lo-carb” pizza, which we get for my gluten intolerant daughter - the sausage is patted into the shape of a crust and the cheese and sauce put on top of it. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/55 "2009-02-07T03:05:32Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I think you’ve got your pizzas switched. _Giordano_’s uses the “slab o’ sausage” covering the entire surface; [Lou Malnatti’s uses pieces of sausage](http://www.flickr.com/photos/kthread/2699767648/), unless I’m losing my mind. The only place I’ve discovered a slab o’ sausage in Malnatti’s is in their “lo-carb” pizza, which we get for my gluten intolerant daughter - the sausage is patted into the shape of a crust and the cheese and sauce put on top of it. I have been going to _Giordano’s_ for years and they have never used the “slab-o-sausage” in my experience. I was pretty sure that _Lou Malnoti’s_ had used it. This is one reason I never went there. Maybe they changed. I think _Gino’s_, uses it. I haven’t been there in a while either. I hate the slab-o-sausage on pizza. ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2009, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/56 "2009-02-07T03:41:45Z")
The very phrase “slab-o-sausage” pretty much disgusts me. I cannot imagine such a thing on top of my pizza. Ew, I say! ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2009, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/57 "2009-02-07T19:01:16Z")
> [@WarmNPrickly](#): > > I have been going to _Giordano’s_ for years and they have never used the “slab-o-sausage” in my experience. I was pretty sure that _Lou Malnoti’s_ had used it. This is one reason I never went there. Maybe they changed. I think _Gino’s_, uses it. I haven’t been there in a while either. I hate the slab-o-sausage on pizza. Hmm…maybe it was Gino’s. I don’t really go there or Giordano’s, maybe I’ve confused my “Gee” pizza parlors. Definitely not Lou Malnatti’s, though. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/58 "2009-02-08T03:12:32Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Hmm…maybe it was Gino’s. I don’t really go there or Giordano’s, maybe I’ve confused my “Gee” pizza parlors. Definitely not Lou Malnatti’s, though. Gino’s East had it, for sure. Never cared for that. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/59 "2009-02-09T02:50:25Z")
> [@ArrMatey](#): > > Arighty, review on Rosati’s. > > Meh. > > First of all, they got my order wrong, but that’s a minor detail. Pizza is edible, lots of cheese, good toppings. The crust, however… The crust is like eating raw dough. I had expected better. The crust actually takes away from the eating experience, and thus, I can only grade them a C+. Coulda been a B- if they’d gotten the order right at least. > So there you go. The search for palatable local pizza continues. I think this review is pretty spot on for Rosati’s. I’ve never been a fan. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2009, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031/60 "2009-02-24T03:54:38Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Hmm…maybe it was Gino’s. I don’t really go there or Giordano’s, maybe I’ve confused my “Gee” pizza parlors. Definitely not Lou Malnatti’s, though. Malnati’s does the sausage disk, too, along with Gino’s. It’s possible that it varies by location, but my experience has been the sausage disk at Malnati’s. If you google “malnati’s sausage disk” or “malnati’s sausage slab,” you’ll see it’s a common description of that pizza. (Googling also reveals that you can ask for crumbled sausage at both chains.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-pizza-both-styles/476031.md?page=4)