Chicago is renowned worldwide for its distinctive take on pizza, and no one understands this better than Jonathan Porter of Chicago Pizza Tours. With 15 years of experience guiding pizza lovers through the city’s vibrant pizza scene, Jonathan offers an insider’s perspective on what makes Chicago an authentic pizza town. From deep-dish to thin crust and the iconic tavern-style, Chicago’s pizza culture is as rich and diverse as the city itself.
Chicago: A City of Neighborhoods and Culinary Diversity
Chicago isn’t just one big city; it’s a mosaic of about 77 distinct neighborhoods, each adding its unique flavor to the city’s rich cultural tapestry. This diversity makes Chicago a true foodie destination, attracting visitors and locals alike to experience a wide variety of ethnic cuisines and culinary styles.
Jonathan highlights that Chicago is consistently ranked among the top-visited cities in the U.S., alongside New York and San Francisco. The city excels in everything from avant-garde gastronomy to iconic street foods, such as the Italian beef sandwich and the famous Chicago dog. Whether you’re indulging in affordable eats or high-end meals, Chicago delivers bold and flavorful experiences.
What to Expect on a Chicago Pizza Tour
Chicago Pizza Tours, officially launched in 2010, offers a professionally guided, progressive tasting experience that immerses visitors in the history, culture, and delicious variety of Chicago pizza. Jonathan’s tours are designed to educate and entertain, covering everything from the types of ovens and pans used to the physics behind perfect pizza baking.
The tours typically last between three and four hours and include stops at four different pizzerias, offering a balance of deep-dish, tavern-style, and artisan pizzas. These tours provide not only a taste of the city’s signature pies but also a glimpse into the neighborhoods where locals live and eat daily, not just the downtown tourist spots.
Bus and Walking Tours
- Bus Tour: A three to four-hour journey visiting four pizzerias, mixing historical landmarks with neighborhood favorites.
- Downtown Pizza Walk: A walking tour held on Wednesdays and Fridays that explores three pizzerias offering four styles of pizza, including Roman, Neapolitan, deep-dish pan, and artisanal.
- Bucktown Pizza Crawl: A Monday walking tour starting at Peace Pizza, moving to Paulie Gee’s in Wicker Park, and including a scenic walk along Milwaukee Avenue and the 606 trail, finishing at My Pie, a longstanding deep dish pizzeria.
These tours are designed to be a meal replacement—come hungry and ready to enjoy a variety of flavors!
Debunking the Deep Dish Myth
Many people associate Chicago exclusively with deep-dish pizza, but Jonathan stresses that this is a misconception. While deep dish was indeed invented in Chicago and is a beloved specialty, it accounts for only about 15 to 20% of the pizza consumed in the city.
Locals typically reserve deep dish for special occasions or when entertaining out-of-towners. Most Chicagoans enjoy thin-crust pizza regularly because deep-dish pizza is quite heavy and not something you eat every day. Even iconic deep-dish institutions like Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s offer thin-crust options to cater to everyday pizza lovers.
Jonathan also explains the logistics of deep-dish pizza preparation: despite the common belief that it takes 50 minutes to bake, many deep-dish pizzas cook in about 25 minutes. The wait times often come from the high demand and long lines for the ovens, which are constantly working to keep up with orders.
The Heart of Chicago Pizza: Tavern Style Thin Crust
For many Chicagoans, tavern-style or thin-crust pizza is the authentic everyday pizza. Jonathan shares that during his childhood, he only ate deep dish once—at a birthday party—and otherwise enjoyed thin crust pizza weekly. This style is deeply rooted in Chicago’s history and culture.
The Origins of Tavern-Style Pizza
Vito and Nick’s, a bar opened in 1920 during Prohibition, is often credited with being one of the first to serve this style of pizza. The story goes that returning World War II soldiers, having experienced pizza in Italy, requested it at their local tavern. Using Midwest flour, California-grown Stanislaus tomatoes, and Manuso cheese from Illinois, the tavern crafted thin, crispy pizzas cut into small square pieces—perfect for snacking at the bar without the need for plates or silverware.
This style was designed to keep customers at the bar longer, encouraging them to order more drinks while enjoying pizza squares served on cocktail napkins. It eventually evolved into a popular menu item available for take-home orders.
The Renaissance of Tavern-Style Pizza
While tavern-style pizza has long been a Chicago staple, recent years have seen a resurgence. New pizzerias, such as Flo and Santos, have embraced this classic style, even as other restaurants focus on wood-fired or regional pizzas. Following the pandemic, a wave of young pizza makers has been experimenting with a tavern-style approach, adding fresh twists to this beloved tradition.
Interestingly, many deep dish pizzerias also feature tavern-style pizzas on their menus, recognizing their importance to Chicago’s pizza culture and daily dining habits.
Booking Your Own Chicago Pizza Tour
If you’re ready to dive into Chicago’s pizza scene, Chicago Pizza Tours offers several options to suit your schedule and appetite. Jonathan Porter continues to guide many tours personally and enjoys sharing his passion with visitors.
To book a tour or learn more, visit ChicagoPizzaTours.com. You can also follow them on Instagram at @ChicagoPizzaTours and Facebook for updates and pizza insights beyond the tours themselves.
Tour durations vary:
- Walking tours: Approximately 2 to 3 hours
- Bus tours: Approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic
Each tour visits multiple pizzerias, offering a range of styles and plenty of food, so come hungry and ready to enjoy an authentic taste of Chicago.
Conclusion: Chicago’s Pizza Culture is Thriving and Diverse
Chicago is undeniably a pizza town, but its pizza culture goes far beyond the iconic deep dish. With its rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and passionate pizza makers, the city offers a pizza for every taste—from thin-crust tavern-style to artisan Neapolitan and everything in between.
Jonathan Porter’s Chicago Pizza Tours offer a unique and delicious way to explore the city’s culinary landscape. Whether you’re a visitor or a local seeking to expand your pizza knowledge, these tours provide a flavorful journey through the heart of Chicago’s neighborhoods and pizza traditions.
Here’s to many more years of celebrating the best pizza the Windy City has to offer!
Show Your Chicago Pizza Love with Unique Apparel
If you’re a fan of Chicago’s vibrant pizza culture and want to celebrate it beyond just tasting the pies, consider checking out some fantastic pizza-themed apparel and accessories. TeePublic offers a wide variety of creative designs, including t-shirts, hoodies, and more, perfect for pizza lovers and those who want to show off their Windy City pride. With discounts of up to 35% off and prices starting as low as $16, it’s a great way to wear your passion for Chicago pizza in style.
From Mother’s Day gifts to music and sports-inspired designs, TeePublic’s collection is diverse and constantly updated. Artists from around the world contribute unique artwork, making it easy to find something that matches your personality and love for pizza. Don’t miss out on their special offers and free exchanges guarantee, ensuring you get the perfect fit and style.
Next time you’re planning your Chicago pizza adventure, remember you can also bring a piece of the experience home with you through fun and stylish apparel from TeePublic!
Discover the T-Public Chicago Collection here:
Check out the entire Chicago Collection from Tee Public
