Pizano's Pizza & Pasta
Soyon Michelle · 646 Google reviewsPizano's Pizza & Pasta — neighborhood italian in Gold Coast. The kind of spot that earns loyalty, not hype. Soyon Michelle: "The ravioli was excellent, and the pizza was definitely one of the best I’ve ever had" [$$]
What 2,063 diners keep saying
What 2,063 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“The original Chicago deep dish along with Lou Malnati’s from what I heard. Both originated from the same household or family. Background and history is important. You can’t make up your story as I was told. Made fresh right on the spot. It was worth the wait. 🧏🏻♂️”
“Really good thin crust with plenty of cheese and even better the next day. I had a sausage and pepperoni.”
“Yo-yo was awesome, food was delicious. I have never had a piece of pie that good.”
“Simply the best deep dish pizza in Chicago,over all their Italian cuisine with fresh ingredients mikestrel them top notch. Must try the Rudy's deep dish pizza Bricks jack house deep dish BBQ chicken pizza thin crust 4 cheese tortellini x5stars After 20 years of eating at Pizano’s, this is still my favorite deep dish pizza in Chicago.” Here’s a polished version with three hashtags added, plus my recommendation on what else to adjust: Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta — 5/5 864 N. State St, Chicago The Backstory Deep dish started in 1943 at a basement tavern that became Pizzeria Uno. Rudy Malnati Sr. was the man behind that original recipe. His sons split the legacy: Lou Malnati opened his namesake spot in 1971, while Rudy Malnati Jr., Lou’s half-brother, opened Pizano’s in 1991, carrying the same family DNA. Rudy Jr. passed in 2021, but his mother, Donna Marie, was the doughmaker behind the scenes, working from an old secret family recipe. This is not corporate pizza. This is family history on a plate. The Deep Dish Think pizza cake: sauce, cheese, ingredients, more cheese, and more sauce. Every bite has the perfect ratio of cheese, ingredients, sauce, and vegetables. I’ve tried Uno, Due, Lou’s, Giordano’s, Gino’s East, Pequod’s, and Connie’s. Nothing compares. Whatever cheese they’re using, it is unique. The crust is lighter and butterier than the tourist traps: golden, caramelized, and flaky. The sauce is sweet yet garlicky. My go-to is Rudy’s Special with pepperoni and giardiniera. That extra kick puts it over the top. The Rest of the Menu The Buffalo Wings are the best in Chicago: crispy outside, juicy inside. I order one regular and one “Oh My Gosh” super spicy for the balance. The homemade blue cheese is on point and made from scratch. The Barbecue Chicken Chop Salad is a Tex-Mex Italian barbecue chopped salad with a touch of soul. You cannot beat it. For pasta, Robert’s Favorite with sausage and the Four Cheese Tortellini with Alfredo Sauce and Grilled Chicken are rich, hearty, and classic. The Thin Crust is Oprah’s favorite, and for good reason. It has that caramelized edge and buttery base — deep dish’s lighter cousin. Drinks Some of the best wine prices in the city, including Caymus and The Prisoner. I usually go with draft beer or one of the best cosmopolitans in Chicago. Dessert The Chocolate Chip Cookie Pizza is no joke. It comes on a personal pizza tray with a phenomenal layer of chocolate chip cookie, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and melted chocolate on top. Always save room for this. Pro Tips From 20 Years of Experience Never pre-order the deep dish if you want the best experience. Start with apps, salad, or wings, then order the pizza so it comes out fresh and hot. Also, expect a wait on weekends because they are always busy. Bottom Line 5/5. I always come back. This is the real Chicago deep dish: family recipe, made from scratch, passed down from 1943. Not the tourist version. Not the chain version. The original. Highly recommended. You cannot get better. #ChicagoDeepDish #PizanosPizza #ChicagoEats Margarita thin crust BBQ chicken chop salad You never never miss the bufallo chicken wings. The chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. Drinks you most get a cosmo Root beer”
“WOW. Pizano's absolutely lived up to the hype! This was the kind of deep-dish pizza that makes you understand why Chicago is famous for pizza in the first place. The crust was perfectly golden and buttery, the cheese was gooey and delicious, and the sauce had incredible flavor. Every ingredient tasted fresh and high quality. The sausage.. like unreal. I didn’t even know a pizza could taste like this. I have never had deep dish pizza before and I’m not even sure if anything I will ever have after this will top it. It’s SO GOOD. The service was friendly, the restaurant had a great vibe, and the entire experience was outstanding. If you're in Chicago and don't stop at Pizano's, you're missing out. Easily the best pizza experiences I've ever had!”
“I visited this Pizano location on New Year’s Day 2026. Service was impeccable. All staff members were extremely nice and friendly. I ordered calamari to start which was cooked to perfection and seasoned just right. For my entree, I ordered individual deep dish meat lovers pizza. The lizza was incredible. I was stuffed after two bites but managed to finish 3 of 4. Individual size is extremely filling. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!”
“Our first time here and we will be back. Food was fantastic. Our server Marco was the highlight. Fantastic job!”
“This was my favorite deep dish pizza I had while I was in Chicago! The flavor of the pizza was fantastic and the service was excellent. I got the Marks special (which is my favorite) and the Rudy’s special. The building itself is clean and the staff are friendly. I will definitely be returning the next time i’m in the area.”
“We just found our favorite Chicago pizza. Marco, our server was excellent and added fun to our experience.”
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