Ranking my 10 favorite pizza joints in Chicago

We can discuss. We will not debate.

Photo by Matt Antonioli on Unsplash

Pizza debates are dumb.

If you’re truly a pizza fan, you don’t debate. You devour. It’s all delicious. I don’t care if a pizza is from New York or Chicago, a thin crust or deep dish.

It’s natural to prefer one style of pie over another. What I will never understand is why people spend hours arguing the merits of someone else’s taste buds.

My tastes have evolved over the past six years. When I moved to Chicago in 2017, I couldn’t resist deep dish. But like it does for many Chicago natives, the novelty wore off. Like them, I prefer what they call tavern style, a cracker-thin crust cut into squares. That preference is reflected in my top 10 pizza spots in Chicago.

Big emphasis on my top 10. No further ground rules needed.

There’s plenty of places I haven’t gotten to yet. But I’ve crossed off enough establishments to confidently offer this list to anyone traveling to Chicago. I welcome others to chime in with their suggestions.

I’ve enjoyed the Art of Pizza, Beggar’s, Connie’s, Damenzo’s, Forno Rosso, Lou Malnati’s, Paulie Gee’s, Parlor, Pequod’s, Phil’s, Piece, Pizano’s, Pizza Nova, Roots, Rosati’s, Salerno’s, Slice Factory, Vito’s & Nick’s and Waldo Cooneys.

But none of them made the cut.

My love affair with pizza might be on life support, but I still know a great pie when I get one. Here are my best bets in Chicago.

10. Home Run Inn

Dine-in or take-out. This place never fails. Even their frozen pizzas are on point.

9. Giordano’s

This popular chain had my top spot for years. And I can still crush any deep dish from here. It remains my go-to when I’m in the mood for deep dish.

8. Michael’s Original

In addition to great tavern style, they’ve got tons of TVs if you want to sit and watch a game.

Margherita pizza from Spacca Napoli. Spectacular crust and sauce.

7. Spacca Napoli

I rarely order a Margherita pizza. I kind of don’t see the point. But I’m glad I gave this place a try. You will be too if you’re the Neapolitan type.

6. Aurelio’s

One of the early establishments that helped make me a tavern style believer.

Amato’s tavern style on the left and two-slice lunch special on the right.

5. Amato’s

The perfect pie for any type of house party. Slices offered at lunch are clutch too. I snuck this in on a technicality. There’s a Chicago location, but I can only vouch for the Aurora location.

Cheese slice from Italian Fiesta on 47th Street.

4. Italian Fiesta

This replaced Giordano’s as my favorite for a time and doubled as my go-to for a quick slice. But it’s greasy, and I’ve cut back. The lunch special is undefeated on 47th Street. Run-in. Order a few slices to go. Take them to the lake and enjoy.

3. Ranalli’s

Order the hot honey soppressata. Trust me.

Sausage and green pepper from Medici on 57th.

2. Medici on 57th

You wouldn’t think of this place for pizza. But it’s a Hyde Park gem. I go with the thin crust.

Tavern Tuesday at Middle Brow; Sausage on the left. Pepperoni on the right.

1. Middle Brow Brew Pub (Bungalow)

Forget about taco Tuesday. The pizza here is so mouth-watering they’ll recondition you crave Tavern Tuesday. It’s the best pizza I’ve had in Chicago. Get there early on a Tuesday for their tavern style. Get a table. Order two or three. Maybe even four. It’s impossible to order too much. You’ll be glad you’ve got leftovers.