Top 10 Best Deep-Dish Pizza Restaurants in Illinois

Illinois is the birthplace of deep-dish pizza, giving the state one of America’s richest and most competitive pizza traditions. Across Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, diners can experience buttery deep-dish crusts, cheese-edged pan pizzas, substantial stuffed pies, and modern interpretations made with naturally fermented dough. This Discovery Matt Food Map ranking highlights independent and locally rooted Illinois pizzerias that stand out for crust, sauce, cheese, ingredient quality, consistency, historical significance, local reputation, and overall dining experience.

1. 1

   Pequod’s Pizza

   Chicago

   Pequod’s Pizza takes the top spot with one of the most recognizable crusts in Illinois. Cheese is placed along the edge of the pan, creating a dark, caramelized border around a thick pizza layered with mozzarella, sauce, and generous toppings. Although its signature style is technically closer to pan pizza than traditional deep dish, Pequod’s unmistakable flavor and devoted following make it the strongest overall choice for No. 1.

   Known for: Caramelized cheese crust, pan pizza, sausage, Lincoln Park atmosphere

2. 2

   Burt’s Place

   Morton Grove

   Burt’s Place is one of the most important suburban destinations in Illinois pizza culture. Founded by legendary pizza maker Burt Katz, the small Morton Grove restaurant serves handcrafted pan pizzas with deeply caramelized edges, balanced sauce, and thoughtfully arranged toppings. Its intimate dining room and connection to one of Chicago’s most influential pizza makers have given Burt’s an almost mythical reputation.

   Known for: Burt Katz’s legacy, caramelized crust, handcrafted pan pizza, intimate dining room

3. 3

   Milly’s Pizza in the Pan

   Chicago

   Milly’s Pizza in the Pan represents the modern evolution of Chicago pan pizza. Each pie features a tall, caramelized crust surrounding layers of cheese, sauce, vegetables, meats, and carefully selected specialty ingredients. Because only a limited number of pizzas are prepared each day, ordering from Milly’s feels more like securing a handcrafted specialty than visiting a conventional neighborhood pizzeria.

   Known for: Limited daily production, caramelized crust, premium toppings, modern pan pizza

4. 4

   George’s Deep Dish

   Chicago

   George’s Deep Dish has quickly established itself as one of Chicago’s leading newer deep-dish specialists. Its pizzas begin with naturally fermented sourdough crust and feature a balanced combination of cheese, rich tomato sauce, crisp edges, and thoughtfully developed topping combinations. The flavorful crust gives George’s a distinct identity within Chicago’s crowded deep-dish scene.

   Known for: Sourdough crust, balanced tomato sauce, caramelized edges, specialty combinations

5. 5

   Bartoli’s Pizzeria

   Chicago

   Bartoli’s Pizzeria carries forward a family connection to Chicago’s classic deep-dish tradition. Its pies feature a flaky crust filled with mozzarella and toppings before being finished with a rich layer of tomato sauce. The restaurant’s ability to prepare both deep-dish and tavern-style pizza exceptionally well makes it one of Chicago’s most complete locally rooted pizzerias.

   Known for: Classic deep dish, rich tomato sauce, flaky crust, tavern-style pizza

6. 6

   The Art of Pizza

   Chicago

   The Art of Pizza is one of Chicago’s most dependable neighborhood destinations for deep-dish and stuffed pizza. Its substantial pies feature buttery crusts, generous layers of cheese and toppings, and a thick coating of tomato sauce. The ability to order deep dish by the slice also makes it one of the city’s most approachable places to experience the style without committing to an entire pizza.

   Known for: Deep-dish slices, stuffed pizza, generous toppings, neighborhood atmosphere

7. 7

   Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta

   Chicago

   Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta is rooted in one of the families most closely connected to the development of Chicago deep dish. Founded by Rudy Malnati Jr., the restaurant uses a family dough recipe to produce a buttery, sturdy crust capable of supporting layers of cheese, toppings, and tomato sauce. Its history and locally rooted identity make it an important alternative to Chicago’s much larger pizza chains.

   Known for: Malnati family history, buttery crust, traditional deep dish, classic Chicago atmosphere

8. 8

   Labriola Chicago

   Chicago

   Labriola Chicago serves a distinctive downtown version built around a double-proofed, focaccia-style crust. The pizza is layered with mozzarella, sauce, and substantial toppings before being finished with a crisp, caramelized cheese edge. Its airy dough and high-quality ingredients create a rich deep-dish experience without making the crust feel excessively dense.

   Known for: Focaccia-style crust, caramelized cheese edge, premium ingredients, downtown dining

9. 9

   Uncle Jerry’s Pizza Company

   Cary

   Uncle Jerry’s Pizza Company gives McHenry County a destination-worthy interpretation of Chicago pan pizza. The locally owned restaurant prepares its pies with a buttery crust, fresh toppings, balanced tomato sauce, and a carefully crisped exterior. Its focused approach and growing reputation have made Cary an increasingly important stop for Illinois pizza enthusiasts.

   Known for: Chicago-style pan pizza, buttery crust, fresh toppings, locally owned restaurant

10. 10

    Bacino’s of Lincoln Park

    Chicago

    Bacino’s of Lincoln Park rounds out the ranking as a longtime specialist in Chicago stuffed pizza. Its substantial pies place cheese and toppings between layers of dough before being finished with tomato sauce, creating one of the city’s richest pizza styles. The signature Spinach Supreme offers a memorable combination of spinach, cheeses, herbs, and spices that distinguishes Bacino’s from more conventional sausage-focused pizzerias.

    Known for: Stuffed pizza, Spinach Supreme, neighborhood tradition, individual Bambino pizzas