OPINION: Deep dish pizza is just fine, shut up

CHICAGO, IL - Every time I tell someone I'm from Chicago, they immediately blurt out, "Oh, you must love deep-dish pizza!" As if the mere mention of the city should conjure up images of molten cheese and layers of tomato sauce stacked like a culinary lasagna. I’m here to tell you that, yes, deep-dish pizza is fine. It’s actually quite good if you know where to go. But for the love of all things crispy and cheesy, can we talk about something else?

Let’s get this straight: Chicago is more than deep-dish. I can already hear the gasps from tourists who think deep-dish is all we eat. Truth is, deep-dish pizza is more like a rare treat, an indulgence reserved for out-of-town guests or the occasional craving. You see, real Chicagoans are in the know about a different kind of pie—the humble, delicious tavern-style pizza.

Ah, tavern-style pizza. Now there’s a local favorite that doesn’t get nearly enough credit. Thin, crisp, cut into squares, and meant to be shared over a cold beer in a neighborhood bar, this is the true Chicago pizza experience. Forget the thick crust and excessive toppings; tavern-style pizza is all about balance and flavor, a delicate dance between the tang of the sauce, the rich melted cheese, and a perfectly crisp, cracker-like crust. It's the kind of pizza you can eat while catching up with friends at your local watering hole without feeling like you need a nap afterward.

Now, don’t get me wrong, a well-made deep-dish has its merits. Head over to Lou Malnati's, and you’ll find a deep-dish pizza that’s just the right combination of buttery crust, gooey cheese, and tangy sauce. It’s a hearty meal, sure, but one that’s been perfected over decades. Done right, deep-dish can be a thing of beauty. But venture too far into the land of the thick crusts and you risk encountering what I call the “Dough Disaster” or the “Sauce Swamp,” where the pizza becomes an overwhelming pile of bread or a soupy mess.

But enough about that. Chicago's pizza scene is far more diverse than most people realize. From the mouth-watering Neapolitan pies at Spacca Napoli to the wood-fired wonders at Coalfire, this city has something for every pizza lover. We have Sicilian slices, Roman-style pizza al taglio, and even Detroit-style with its caramelized cheese edges. If all you think about when you think of Chicago is deep-dish, you’re missing out on a world of flavors.

So next time someone mentions Chicago, resist the urge to bring up deep-dish pizza like it’s the only thing we eat here. Because while deep-dish is just fine, the real magic happens in the corner taverns, the unassuming pizzerias, and the adventurous kitchens experimenting with dough and toppings. Chicago is a pizza lover's paradise, and it’s high time we give some love to the underdogs. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a thin crust waiting for me at the bar down the street.