Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
Enrique Cafaro · 204 Google reviewsLou Malnati's Pizzeria — honest italian in Gold Coast, where the Whole Experience is worth ordering. The room fills up fast and stays lively. The kind of cooking that doesn't need to explain itself. Axel: "The pizza is rich, buttery, and very filling, with a solid balance between crust, cheese, and sauce" [$$]
What 5,973 diners keep saying
What 5,973 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“We stopped here for our deep dish experience the day we left Chicago. It was very delicious and very filling after just one piece. We wrapped the rest for our flight. A great experience and the staff were very helpful. Would highly recommend.”
“El servicio de Molly fue muy amable y oportuno. ¡Y la pizza Mike's Hot Honey es DELICIOSA! También pedimos Calamari Fritti, que fueron una entrada deliciosa. Molly's service was very friendly and prompt. And Mike's Hot Honey pizza is DELICIOUS! We also ordered Calamari Fritti, which were a delicious appetizer.”
“Excelente lugar, la pizza es deliciosa para un grupo grande la mejor sera pedir pizzas grandes y no las individuales lo cual ayudara a probar mas sabores. Recomendable llamar para reservar o saber cuanto es el tiempo de espera. LA VERDADERA EXPERIENCIA DE PIZZA ESTILO CHICAGO.”
“A total game-changer! 5 stars. I came here to try the original deep dish with low expectations, since some friends of mine hadn't liked it, but I completely changed my mind. The crust was absolutely perfect, the sauce was delicious, and the overall flavor was outstanding. The service was also great and very attentive. I tried other pizzerias, but for deep dish, Lou Malnati’s is hands down the best!”
“There are a lot of deep dish options in Chicago and opinions on which is best are held with a level of conviction that borders on personal. But Lou Malnati's keeps coming up as the one people return to, and after actually sitting down with a full pie here, that loyalty makes a lot of sense. The Malnati Chicago Classic is probably the first thing to order if you're coming here for the first time. It's the lean sausage on the Buttercrust with extra mozzarella and vine-ripened tomato sauce, and it hits all of those deep dish markers that make you understand what the whole category is supposed to be. The crust is the thing that sets it apart, buttery and flaky and substantial without being heavy in a way that leaves you feeling wrecked. We also tried The Lou, which stacks spinach, mushrooms, Roma tomatoes, and four cheeses on top of the Buttercrust and manages to be rich and vegetable-forward at the same time, like a really excellent layered situation that doesn't need any help from meat. These pizzas take time to bake, around 45 minutes to an hour, which is just part of the experience. You settle in, you order a salad and maybe some garlic bread to start, and you wait in a way that feels earned. The Gold Coast location is easy to find and less chaotic than some of the more tourist-heavy spots in the city. Service is warm and patient about the wait times, and the room has a comfortable unpretentious energy that matches the food.”
“The best and most fun experience, I recommend it 100%. All the staff are super friendly.”
“Son wanted Chicago deep dish for his birthday, and have heard good things about this place. Service was good, and food was delicious.”
“It’s my first time trying Chicago deep dish pizza. There’s two things i generally don’t like of pizza -sausage and pizza edge (always don’t eat edge parts) however Lou Malnati made so amazingly, i even like the edge, so crusty and their sausage slightly smoky, i loved it. Their sauce is also another level. I’d give 10starts if it’s possible.🤩”
“Lou Malnati’s Gold Coast location was absolutely amazing, and Michael made the entire experience even better. His service was outstanding from start to finish—friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. He made sure everything was perfect and added such a warm touch to our visit. The food was incredible, and Michael’s excellent service truly elevated the whole experience. Highly recommend, and we’ll definitely be back!”
“Fantastic Chicago-style deep dish pizza! We had to stop at Lou's when in Chicago, and it was my wife's first time trying deep dish pizza. The deep dish we shared was fantastic with an amazing crust. I also had an Italian Beef Sandwich that was delicious and hit the spot when in Chicago. The atmosphere was great, and I only believe it would be better when the weather is nicer! Make a reservation because this place is worth it!”
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