Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza

Chicago deep-dish is less a pizza than a savoury pie: a tall, buttery crust pressed into a deep pan, layered with mozzarella, chunky toppings and a thick chunky tomato sauce on top, baked until rich and substantial. Hearty, knife-and-fork eating and a source of civic pride, it divides opinion but defines a Chicago food pilgrimage.

What you actually see

• The deep-dish pie - the tall pan pizza with sauce on top, cut into wedges.
• The buttery crust - the thick, crisp, pastry-like base.
• The classic pizzerias - the famous deep-dish institutions of the city.
• Tavern-style too - the thin, square-cut pizza locals also love.

When to go

Year-round; a deep-dish takes a while to bake, so it is a sit-down meal to plan for rather than a quick slice. It is filling, so come hungry.

Honest expectations

It is heavy and rich, a whole meal in a slice or two, so pace yourself. It takes time to bake, so expect a wait when ordering. Locals often prefer the thin tavern-style pizza, so the deep-dish is as much a visitor rite as an everyday food.

Nearby

Found across Chicago; the deep-dish institutions cluster downtown and in the neighbourhoods.