Chicago is renowned for its deep dish pizza, a thick crust pizza filled with large amounts of cheese that originated in the city in the early 1900s. Given Chicago’s status as the home of deep dish pizza, it’s no surprise that talk show host and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey has a favorite slice in her hometown. Oprah was born and raised in Chicago and has highlighted some of her favorite spots in the Windy City over the years. When it comes to pizza, Lou Malnati’s seems to top Oprah’s list.
What is Chicago deep dish pizza?
Chicago deep dish pizza sets itself apart from other styles of pizza with its buttery, thick crust that forms a bowl and allows for more cheese and sauce than a thin crust pizza. The crust is typically made from wheat flour and cornmeal, giving it a noticeably crispier and denser texture. The deep dish is filled with cheese like mozzarella and aged provolone, tomatoes or tomato sauce, and various meat toppings such as sausage, pepperoni, ground beef, or bacon. Each layer of ingredients is piled high into the deep dish crust, with cheese going on first before meats and tomato sauce. This allows the ingredients to cook through without making the crust soggy. The result is a pizza that is rich, decadent, and almost closer to a savory pie than a flatbread. Chicago deep dish pizzas are always baked in cast iron or steel pans to help achieve the distinctive high edges of the crust. They take a longer time to cook than thin crust pizzas, usually 30-45 minutes.
History of Chicago deep dish pizza
While the exact origins are debated, most accounts cite Pizzeria Uno as bringing Chicago-style deep dish pizza into the mainstream in 1943. The pizza was created by Texan transplant Ike Sewell and chef Rudy Malnati Sr. as an effort to recreate the thick pizza Sewell remembered eating in Italy. Chicagoans quickly took to the indulgent new pizza style, and it became a local specialty food synonymous with the city. Other now famous Chicago pizzerias like Gino’s East, Lou Malnati’s, and Nancy’s also helped popularize and innovate on deep dish pizza in subsequent decades. The style has spread across the U.S. but remains most iconic and prevalent in Chicago pizzerias.
Oprah’s Favorite Chicago Pizza – Lou Malnati’s
Of all the famous Chicago deep dish pizzerias, Oprah has routinely cited Lou Malnati’s as her personal favorite. Lou Malnati’s is a local Chicago pizza chain started by Rudy Malnati Jr., son of one of the founders of the original Pizzeria Uno. Here’s what we know about Oprah’s go-to deep dish pizza place in Chicago:
History of Lou Malnati’s
Rudy Malnati Jr. worked at Pizzeria Uno starting as a teenager in the 1940s. After Pizzeria Uno was sold, Malnati went on to open his own pizzeria called Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria in 1971 in the Chicago suburb of Lincolnwood. The name paid homage to his father, head chef of Pizzeria Uno Rudy Malnati Sr. Over the next few decades, Lou Malnati’s expanded to over 60 locations in the Chicago area and became one of the most recognizable names in deep dish pizza alongside Uno and due, Gino’s East, and Giordano’s. Malnati and his Chicago pizzeria left an impression on Oprah during her early Chicago career.
Why Oprah Loves Lou Malnati’s Pizza
Oprah has confessed her love for Lou Malnati’s pizza on her show, Instagram, and in interviews. She has particularly raved about their buttery, flaky crust and generous helpings of cheese and sausage. Here’s some of what Oprah has said about her devotion to Lou’s deep dish:
- “Nobody does it better than Lou Malnati’s.” – Oprah on her talk show
- “Sausage & extra cheese from Lou Malnati’s is worth every single calorie!” – Oprah Instagram
- “I send Lou Malnati pizza to people. That’s how much I love it.” – Oprah in interview with Bon Appetit
Clearly, Lou Malnati’s distinctive take on deep dish hits the spot for Oprah. She loves it so much she gives the pizza as gifts and has admitted to indulging in it despite dieting.
Lou Malnati’s Famous Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
So what makes Lou Malnati’s pizza especially delicious in Oprah’s opinion? Here are some of the key features of their famous Chicago deep dish:
- Butter crust – Lou Malnati’s adds a layer of butter to coat the bottom and sides of the crust, making it ulta-rich and flaky.
- Extra cheese – Cheese is piled high and accounts for about 70% of the pizza’s fillings.
- Fresh sausage – The sausage is made in-house in a sweet and spicy blend that’s noteworthy on its own.
- Custom options – Diners can customize their deep dish with extra cheese or other premium toppings.
- Tomato sauce on top – The chunky tomato sauce is added on top of the cheese rather than below it.
Ordering Lou Malnati’s Like Oprah
Want to order Lou Malnati’s like Oprah Winfrey herself? Here are some tips:
- Go with the sausage deep dish as her favorite
- Opt for extra cheese
- Choose pick-up or delivery vs. dining in for the true Oprah couch experience
- Order chocolate chip cookies for dessert like Oprah loves
- Get a Lou Malnati’s frozen pizza shipped if you’re out of state and craving a taste
Ordering Oprah’s go-to Lou Malnati’s pizza is an indulgent experience worth trying for any Chicago deep dish fan.
Other Notable Chicago Deep Dish Pizzerias
While Lou Malnati’s may be Oprah’s personal pick, there are a number of other incredible deep dish pizzerias in Chicago she’d likely also enjoy. Here is an overview of some other top spots for authentic Chicago deep dish pizza:
Pizzeria Uno / Uno Due
As the original inventor of deep dish pizza back in 1943, Pizzeria Uno deserves special recognition. Located in downtown Chicago, it still serves up hearty, cheese-laden deep dish in a historic setting. Their crispy yet fluffy crust piled high with toppings is a must-try. Pizzeria Due is their sister restaurant also downtown.
Gino’s East
Family-owned Gino’s East first opened in 1966 and has been a Chicago staple ever since. Like Lou Malnati’s, they add butter to the crust for extra richness and go heavy on cheese and chunky tomato sauce. Gino’s East has numerous locations around Chicagoland.
Pequod’s Pizza
Pequod’s is a neighborhood Chicago and suburban pizzeria known for caramelizing the cheese around the outer rim of their deep dish pizzas. Their family recipe dates back to 1970. Expect delicious burnt cheese crisping around the edges.
Giordano’s
Giordano’s is a Chicago deep dish chain that first opened in 1974. It now has over 50 locations and is known for extremely cheesy pizzas with thick, flaky crusts. Their stuffed deep dish pizzas also have two layers of crust with cheese in the middle.
Nancy’s Pizza
Operating since 1971, Nancy’s thin crust pizza sets them apart from others on the list. But their deep dish is also top notch and they top it with their signature stuffed spinach pizza recipe. Nancy’s has locations throughout Chicago.
Deep Dish Pizza in Other Parts of the U.S.
While Chicago may be recognized as the birthplace of deep dish pizza, the style has expanded to other parts of the country over the years. Here are some other cities and pizzerias doing their take on deep dish pizza:
| City | Pizzeria |
|---|---|
| Detroit | Buddy’s Pizza |
| Las Vegas | Secret Pizza at Cosmopolitan Hotel |
| Los Angeles | Domenico’s Pizza |
| Philadelphia | Pizza Brain |
| Phoenix | Pizzeria Bianco |
| San Francisco | Golden Boy Pizza |
While the deep dish served at these pizzerias and other spots across the country may be delicious, Chicagoans and Oprah would likely argue that nothing compares to enjoying an authentic Chicago-made deep dish pizza.
Healthier and Lower Calorie Alternatives to Deep Dish Pizza
There’s no denying Chicago deep dish pizza is an indulgent, higher calorie food. Here are some ways to lighten it up a bit if you’re looking for a healthier take:
- Opt for thin crust instead of deep dish
- Choose veggie toppings over higher fat meats
- Ask for half the cheese or order light cheese
- Choose chicken sausage instead of pork-based
- Avoid extra butter on the crust if possible
- Opt for a small or medium pizza instead of large or extra large
- Eat a salad with your pizza to increase veggie intake
- Split the pizza with a friend to control portions
You can also substitute pizza for some healthier comfort foods like vegetarian chili, chicken noodle soup, or turkey meatloaf with mashed cauliflower. But there’s certainly no shame in enjoying Chicago deep dish pizza in moderation like Oprah does!
Conclusion
Oprah Winfrey has cemented her love for Chicago deep dish pizza, especially the cheesy, buttery version served up by Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. While other Chicago pizzerias may also serve great deep dish, Lou Malnati’s combination of flaky butter crust, generous cheese, and spicy sausage makes it Oprah’s favorite. For the ultimate Oprah experience in Chicago, order Lou Malnati’s deep dish with sausage and extra cheese, and settle in on the couch for the ultimate food indulgence. Just don’t forget to also eat your veggies.
