Chicago Deep Dish: Our First Lou Malnati’s Experience
With two people in our party visiting Chicago for the very first time, there was one food experience we simply couldn’t skip: Chicago-style deep dish pizza.
Our nephew had done his research before the trip, and Lou Malnati's Pizzeria - Lincoln Park was at the very top of his list. So, naturally, a Lou Malnati’s dinner became part of our Chicago itinerary.
A Chicago Food Tradition
When you’re visiting Chicago for the first time, deep dish feels almost mandatory. We had spent the day exploring the city, and by dinner time we were ready to settle in for something quintessentially Chicago.
Lou Malnati’s was an easy choice. It’s one of those Chicago institutions that visitors hear about long before they arrive, and our nephew was especially excited to finally try it.
We headed to the Lincoln Park location, which had a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that made it a fun spot for a family dinner.
Yes, There’s a Vegan Option
Since two of us are vegan, we did a little research before our trip rather than arriving at the restaurant and hoping for the best.
We discovered that Lou Malnati’s could make a vegan deep dish by essentially leaving off the cheese. That gave us a solid starting point, but we wanted to make the pizza feel a little more special.
So we came prepared.
When our flight landed in Chicago, one of our first stops was a market, where we picked up some vegan Parmesan to bring along for dinner. It might sound like a small detail, but adding that vegan cheese to our veggie deep dish made a surprisingly big difference.
Once the pizza arrived, we topped it with the vegan Parmesan, and honestly, it took the pizza to the next level.
The combination of the vegetables, tomato sauce, buttery crust and salty vegan Parmesan gave the pizza the extra savory element we were looking for.
The Deep Dish Experience
If you’re accustomed to New York-style pizza, Chicago deep dish is a completely different experience. It’s hearty, substantial and definitely more of a sit-down meal than a grab-and-go slice.
The crust forms a deep, almost pie-like base and holds a generous amount of toppings and tomato sauce. It’s the kind of pizza you take your time eating—and you probably won’t be hungry again anytime soon.
Our vegan veggie version was satisfying, especially with the addition of our vegan Parmesan. We did think the crust could have used a little more salt, but that was a relatively minor criticism in an otherwise enjoyable meal.
Great Service and Chicago Vibes
Beyond the pizza itself, we really enjoyed the overall experience.
The service was great, and the atmosphere had exactly the kind of casual Chicago energy we were looking for after a busy day sightseeing. It felt comfortable and lively without being overwhelming, making it a great choice for a family dinner.
And there’s something fun about sitting around a table with people who are experiencing Chicago for the first time and getting to share one of the city’s most recognizable food traditions with them.
A Second Lou Malnati’s—and a Different Favorite
Our Lou Malnati’s experience didn’t end with that first dinner. When our return flight to NYC was unexpectedly delayed by 37 hours, we were forced to extend our Chicago stay. After a very late-night check-in at our hotel, we were tired, hungry and looking for something easy—and were happy to discover that there was a nearby Lou Malnati’s that delivered.
This time, we decided to try their vegan thin-crust veggie pizza rather than deep dish. It arrived hot, was loaded with vegetables and made for the perfect late-night hotel meal. And, surprisingly, we actually preferred the thin crust to the deep dish. It had a lighter feel and a texture we enjoyed more, making it our favorite of the two Lou Malnati’s pizzas we tried during the trip. Sometimes an unexpected extra night in a city comes with an unexpected food discovery!
Would We Go Back?
Absolutely.
Lou Malnati’s gave us the quintessential Chicago deep-dish experience we were hoping for, and the fact that we were able to make a vegan version work made it even better for our group.
Was it our favorite pizza ever? Probably not—the crust could have benefited from a little more seasoning—but the experience was definitely worth having.
For our first-time Chicago visitors, deep dish at Lou Malnati’s checked an important box on the Chicago food bucket list. And for the vegans in our group, a little advance planning—and a container of vegan Parmesan from the market—made it possible to join in on the tradition, too.
If you’re visiting Chicago for the first time, we’d say put deep dish on the itinerary. And if you’re vegan, don’t assume you have to miss out. Do a little research ahead of time, ask about the current vegan preparation, and consider bringing your favorite vegan cheese to make it your own.
Sometimes the best travel meals aren’t necessarily the most elaborate ones—they’re the meals that become part of the story of the trip.
