Chicago-style pizza is often considered the king of deep-dish pizzas in America. It is a type of pizza that is not only known for its thickness but also for the unique preparation and style. As a result, this type of pizza has become a staple of the Chicago food scene, with famous restaurants competing to create the best version of the original recipe. Despite its fame, there is much confusion surrounding what exactly is “real” Chicago-style pizza. In this article, we will dive into the history and characteristics of Chicago-style pizza to understand what makes it truly authentic.
Chicago-style pizza gained popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, when pizza parlors began serving deep-dish pies with thick, buttery crusts. The style evolved over time, becoming beloved for its distinctively tall crust, which is then filled with cheese, sauce, and toppings before being cooked in a deep-dish pan. But what is the “real” Chicago-style pizza? Is it simply any pizza served in the city, or is there a specific recipe that must be followed? In this article, we will explore the history and key ingredients of Chicago-style pizza to get a better understanding of what truly makes it authentic.
Origins of Chicago Style Pizza
Chicago style pizza is one of the most unique and iconic pizza styles in the United States. It is a deep-dish pizza that has a signature crunchy crust that is soft and doughy on the inside. Unlike other American pizza styles, Chicago-style pizza is loaded with toppings and cheese and is served in a circular, deep-dish pan.
The origins of Chicago-style pizza can be traced back to the 1940s when Ike Sewell, a Chicagoan, decided to make a pizza that was different from the traditional thin-crust pizza. He wanted to create a pizza that had a crust as thick as a pie, with ingredients layered in a different order. He combined Italian tomato sauce, loads of cheese, and thick sausage with a crust that was more like a pastry than traditional pizza dough. Today, Chicago-style pizza has become a staple in the food culture of Chicago and is beloved by pizza enthusiasts across the world.
What Makes Chicago Style Pizza Different?
Chicago-style pizza is known for its deep-dish, thick crust and hearty ingredients. What makes Chicago-style pizza different from other pizzerias is the inverted way it’s prepared. Traditional pizza dough is made with yeast and kneaded to keep it thin and light, but Chicago-style pizza uses a high-protein flour and is pressed into a deep-dish pan, lined with cornmeal on the bottom. The crust is then layered with cheese, toppings, and sauce on top – upside down from traditional pies – which creates a thick, crunchy crust that can hold up to the weight of the toppings.
Another key factor that sets Chicago-style pizza apart is its generous use of toppings. Instead of a thin layer of cheese and toppings, Chicago-style pizza is loaded with toppings. It’s common to have a layer of sausage, followed by vegetables or more meats, and then topped off with a generous amount of sauce. Ultimately, what makes Chicago-style pizza different from other pizzas is the combination of an extra thick crust, an inverted preparation, and a hearty topping-to-cheese ratio that creates a flavorful and filling slice of heaven.
Ingredients Used in Real Chicago Style Pizza
When it comes to pizza, Chicago has made a style of its own, known as “Chicago-style pizza.” What sets it apart from other pizzas is its deep-dish crust, layers of cheese, chunky tomato sauce, and plenty of toppings. But, what really makes a real Chicago-style pizza is the ingredients used.
Firstly, the crust is the most crucial ingredient in Chicago-style pizza. It’s made using a combination of flour, cornmeal, and oil, which gives it a crispy texture and supports the weight of the toppings. Secondly, the sauce used in a real Chicago-style pizza is made with fresh tomatoes, rather than using canned tomato sauce. The tomatoes are hand-crushed to create a chunky texture, and the sauce is seasoned with garlic, oregano, salt, and sugar. Finally, a good quality mozzarella cheese is used, which is layered in generous amounts on top of the sauce, providing a creamy and chewy texture to the pizza. Of course, the toppings vary from one pizzeria to another, but you can’t go wrong with classic options like sausage, pepperoni, onions, and green peppers.
The Deep Dish vs. Thin Crust Debate
The debate over which style of Chicago pizza reigns supreme is a long-standing one. The two main contenders are deep dish and thin crust. Deep dish is the iconic style that Chicago is most known for. This pizza is a tall pie-like structure with lots of cheese, chunky tomato sauce, and various toppings. The crust is thick and bready, acting as a vessel to hold everything together. Deep dish is often eaten with a knife and fork, as it can be difficult to pick up.
On the other hand, thin crust is a lesser-known but equally delicious Chicago pizza style. It’s a cracker-thin crust that’s crispy and bubbly. The sauce is sparser and usually sweeter than deep dish, while the toppings are lighter and more evenly distributed. Thin crust pizza is cut into squares and often eaten as a handheld snack. Both styles of pizza are beloved by Chicagoans, and the debate over which one is better ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Iconic Chicago Style Pizza Restaurants
Iconic Chicago Style Pizza Restaurants
Chicago is famous for its unique deep-dish pizza, and the city has no shortage of iconic pizza restaurants. One such place is Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, which has been serving delicious deep-dish pizza for over 50 years. Their famous buttery crust is topped with a thick layer of cheese and loaded with savory toppings, making every bite a crave-worthy moment.
Another famous pizza joint is Giordano’s, which has been satisfying pizza cravings for over 40 years. Their deep-dish pizza is layered with cheese and toppings and topped with a zesty tomato sauce. Giordano’s is also known for their innovative stuffed pizzas, where toppings are literally stuffed inside the dough, while still maintaining the same delicious flavor that makes Chicago-style pizza so famous. If you’re a pizza lover, be sure to check out these iconic Chicago-style pizza restaurants and indulge in some of the best pizza the city has to offer.
How to Make Authentic Chicago Style Pizza at Home
How to Make Authentic Chicago Style Pizza at Home
Making authentic Chicago-style pizza at home can be a fun and rewarding challenge for the pizza lovers out there. To make the perfect deep-dish pizza, you must start by making the crust. Most traditional Chicago-style pizza crusts are made with flour, cornmeal, yeast, water, and olive oil. The cornmeal is a key ingredient, giving the pizza its crunchy texture. Once the crust is prepared, it must be pressed into a deep dish pan and allowed to rest for 30 minutes.
Next, the toppings are added. A traditional Chicago-style pizza usually starts with a layer of mozzarella cheese on the crust. Then, you can add your choice of toppings such as Italian sausage, peppers, onions, olives, mushrooms, and pepperoni. Top the pizza with another layer of mozzarella cheese, followed by canned crushed tomatoes mixed with Italian spices. The key to a successful bake is to place the pizza on the bottom rack of the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes at 425°F. Once out of the oven, let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving it. There you have it, a homemade authentic Chicago-style pizza to enjoy.
Chicago Style Pizza Variations and Adaptations Around the World
Chicago style pizza has been around for over 70 years and has since become a mark of the city’s identity. As the iconic pizza style made its way out of the Great Lakes region and into the broader U.S., it diversified and evolved. It didn’t take long before the pizza’s popularity skyrocketed in other parts of the world, and soon, variations and adaptations of the Chicago style pizza were created.
The diversity of these adaptations ranges from mild modifications to reimagination. Some examples include the stuffed-crust pizza from Pizza Hut, the deep-dish Pizza Amore in Boston, and the pizza pot pie from Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company. Many of these adaptations derive from the original, but they have taken on unique twists that appeal to different tastes, cultures, and preferences around the world. Even though these variations lack the traditional hallmarks of the Chicago style pizza, they still maintain a reverence for the original’s deep dish crust, zesty sauce, and hearty toppings.
Verdict
Real Chicago-style pizza is more than just a dish; it is a cultural phenomenon. Its big, airy crust and vast layers of toppings are a representation of the originality, diversity, and creativity that the city of Chicago encapsulates. The pizza’s deep cultural roots and unique personality have taken this dish beyond its origins in Chicago, making it one of the most iconic and celebrated dishes throughout the United States.
Chicago-style pizza is more than just a food; it is an experience. This dish has been winning hearts and stomachs for over a century, and its popularity has only continued to grow with time. Whether you are a native of Chicago or a pizza connoisseur from any part of the world, trying out genuine Chicago-style pizza is a must. It is a pizza like no other, and once you take your first bite, you will know that this pizza is a testament to the rich history and culture of the Windy City.