Pizza is a beloved dish worldwide, with many regions claiming to have the best version. Among the many styles of pizza, Chicago pizza stands out, particularly the iconic Chicago deep-dish pizza. This version of pizza is a unique creation that has captured the hearts of pizza lovers everywhere. Known for its thick, buttery crust, layers of cheese, and chunky tomato sauce, Chicago pizza is more than just a meal—it’s an experience.
While the city of Chicago is home to several pizza styles, deep-dish pizza is by far the most famous. In this article, we will dive deep into what Chicago pizza is, its history, how it differs from other types of pizza, and why it has earned a special place in the hearts of many.
The Origins of Chicago Pizza
Chicago deep-dish pizza was created in 1943 at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago. The pizza was developed by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, who were inspired by a desire to create a pizza that could serve as a full meal. At the time, most pizzas were thin-crust varieties that were more like snacks or appetizers. Sewell wanted to create something that would fill people up and offer a different kind of pizza experience.
The original deep-dish pizza was designed with a thick, buttery crust that could hold a generous amount of toppings. The crust was pressed into a deep, round pan, and the ingredients were layered in a specific order: cheese on the bottom, followed by meats and vegetables, and finally topped with a thick, rich tomato sauce. The result was a pizza that was more like a pie than a traditional pizza, offering a heartier and more substantial meal.
Since its inception, Chicago pizza has evolved, but its signature deep-dish style has remained unchanged. The dish quickly became a local favorite and spread to other parts of the country as Chicagoans moved to other cities. Today, Chicago-style pizza is one of the most recognized and imitated pizza styles in the world.
Characteristics of Chicago Pizza
The Thick, Buttery Crust
One of the most noticeable characteristics of a Chicago pizza is its crust. Unlike traditional pizza, which has a thin, crisp base, Chicago pizza has a thick, almost doughy crust. This crust is rich and buttery, providing a solid base for the rest of the ingredients. The crust is also deep, rising up the sides of the pan to create a bowl-like shape. This allows the pizza to hold a substantial amount of toppings and sauce.
The dough for Chicago pizza is typically made with a mixture of flour, cornmeal, and butter. The cornmeal adds a slight crunch and flavor to the crust, while the butter gives it its signature richness. The crust is often baked at a high temperature, resulting in a crispy exterior while maintaining a soft, chewy interior.
The Cheese Layer
Another signature feature of Chicago pizza is the cheese. Chicago deep-dish pizzas are loaded with cheese, often using mozzarella as the base. However, many pizzerias also incorporate other cheeses, such as provolone or parmesan, to add depth and richness to the flavor.
The cheese layer is placed directly on top of the dough before other toppings, which is the opposite of traditional pizza. This helps prevent the cheese from burning during the long baking time and allows it to melt into the crust. The cheese is often spread evenly across the pizza, creating a gooey and indulgent layer.
The Tomato Sauce
The most distinguishing feature of a Chicago pizza is its tomato sauce. Unlike other pizza styles that use a thin layer of sauce spread directly onto the dough, Chicago pizza uses a thick, chunky tomato sauce that is often made with crushed tomatoes, garlic, and a variety of spices such as oregano and basil. The sauce is generously layered on top of the cheese and toppings, creating a rich, tangy flavor that balances out the richness of the crust and cheese.
The sauce is often made fresh from whole tomatoes, which are crushed and then simmered with herbs and seasonings. This allows the sauce to retain its chunky texture, adding a hearty, rustic quality to the pizza.
The Toppings
Chicago deep-dish pizzas are known for their generous toppings. The most common toppings include a variety of meats such as sausage, pepperoni, and ground beef, as well as vegetables like green peppers, onions, and mushrooms. The toppings are typically layered underneath the thick sauce, which helps keep them moist and flavorful during baking.
One of the defining features of Chicago pizza is the order in which the toppings are layered. The cheese is placed first, followed by the meat and vegetables, and finally topped with the thick tomato sauce. This layering method ensures that the toppings stay intact during the baking process and results in a pizza that is both hearty and satisfying.
Types of Chicago Pizza
While deep-dish pizza is the most well-known version, Chicago offers a few other distinctive pizza styles.
Stuffed Pizza
Stuffed pizza is similar to deep-dish pizza but with an even thicker crust and more filling. The dough in stuffed pizza completely encloses the toppings, creating a pie-like structure. The cheese and other ingredients are packed inside the dough, and the pizza is topped with a thick layer of tomato sauce.
Stuffed pizza is often described as a pizza pie, as the crust is much thicker and more bread-like than in a traditional deep-dish pizza. The stuffed pizza crust is usually much higher, resembling a pie crust, and the pizza itself is denser due to the extra fillings inside.
Thin-Crust Pizza
In addition to deep-dish and stuffed pizza, Chicago is also known for its thin-crust pizza. Unlike the traditional thin-crust pizza found in New York, Chicago’s thin-crust pizza is crispy and cracker-like. It is cut into squares rather than the typical triangular slices and is often topped with traditional pizza toppings like cheese, pepperoni, and sausage.
Pan Pizza
Chicago’s pan pizza is another variation that sits somewhere between deep-dish and thin-crust pizza. It has a thick crust similar to deep-dish but is baked in a pan with a slightly higher edge. Pan pizza has a crispy crust, but it is lighter and fluffier than deep-dish pizza. The toppings and sauce are typically layered on top, making it a filling and hearty choice without being as heavy as the deep-dish version.
How to Enjoy Chicago Pizza
Chicago pizza is often eaten with a knife and fork, due to its thickness and the layers of cheese and toppings. The pizza’s hearty nature means that each slice is filling, and it can often serve as a full meal. It’s common for Chicagoans to order a deep-dish pizza to share with family or friends, as the pizzas are usually large and packed with flavor.
When ordering Chicago pizza, it’s important to be patient. Due to its thick crust and large size, deep-dish pizza takes longer to bake than thinner styles. Expect to wait about 30-45 minutes for your pizza to be prepared and baked to perfection. However, the wait is well worth it, as the end result is a delicious and satisfying pizza experience.
Why Chicago Pizza is So Special
Chicago pizza’s uniqueness lies in its combination of ingredients and its ability to fill you up in a way that other pizzas do not. The thick crust, gooey cheese, hearty toppings, and rich sauce create a pizza that is much more than just a snack. It’s a meal in itself, offering a balance of textures and flavors that you can’t find in any other pizza style.
The history of Chicago pizza adds to its charm, as it is a true product of innovation. Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo’s creation at Pizzeria Uno changed the pizza landscape and helped solidify Chicago’s reputation as a hub for unique and delicious food.
Conclusion
Chicago pizza is a beloved and iconic dish that has earned its place in pizza history. Whether you’re enjoying a classic deep-dish pizza or exploring other regional variations like stuffed or thin-crust pizza, Chicago offers a pizza experience that is both filling and flavorful. With its thick, buttery crust, gooey cheese, and chunky tomato sauce, Chicago pizza is not just a meal—it’s a culinary experience that you’ll want to savor with every bite.
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