What Is Chicago Style Pizza?
Chicago is known for many things – its stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and of course, its legendary pizza. But what is Chicago style pizza, exactly? This iconic dish has captured the hearts and taste buds of food lovers worldwide, offering a unique twist on the classic Italian favorite. In this article, we’ll explore the rich history, distinctive characteristics, and mouthwatering varieties of Chicago style pizza.
The History of Chicago Style Pizza
To truly understand what Chicago style pizza is, we need to dive into its fascinating history. The story begins in 1943, when two visionary entrepreneurs, Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, decided to revolutionize the pizza scene in the Windy City. They opened Pizzeria Uno, the birthplace of what we now know as Chicago style deep-dish pizza.
The invention of Chicago style pizza was a response to the culinary nostalgia of Italian immigrants who had settled in the city. These newcomers yearned for a taste of home but were also eager to embrace their new American identity. The result was a beautiful fusion of Italian tradition and American innovation.
While Sewell and Riccardo are often credited with the invention, there’s some debate about who truly created the first Chicago style pizza. Some argue that pizza chef Rudy Malnati or cook Alice May Redmond played crucial roles in developing the recipe. Regardless of its exact origins, one thing is clear: Chicago style pizza quickly became a sensation.
As the popularity of this new pizza style grew, other pizzerias began to emerge across the city. Notable establishments included:
- Pizzeria Due (opened by Sewell and Riccardo in 1955)
- The Original Gino’s Pizza (opened in 1954, now closed)
- Gino’s East (opened in 1966)
- Lou Malnati’s (founded by Rudy Malnati’s son)
- Pizano’s (owned by Rudy Malnati’s other son)
Each of these pizzerias put their own spin on the Chicago style, contributing to the rich tapestry of deep-dish pizza culture in the city.
What Makes Chicago Style Pizza Unique?
Now that we’ve explored its history, let’s dive into what Chicago style pizza actually is. At its core, Chicago style pizza is characterized by its deep-dish structure and unique layering of ingredients. Here are the key features that set it apart:
1. The Deep-Dish Crust
The foundation of Chicago style pizza is its distinctive crust. Unlike traditional thin-crust pizzas, Chicago style pizza features a tall, sturdy crust that’s typically 2-3 inches high. This crust is pressed into a deep, round pan, creating a basin-like structure that can hold an abundance of toppings.
The dough itself is made from wheat flour, sometimes with the addition of semolina flour, giving it a subtle yellow hue. Corn oil or butter is often incorporated into the dough, resulting in a rich, biscuit-like flavor that’s uniquely satisfying.
2. The Upside-Down Layering
One of the most distinctive aspects of Chicago style pizza is its inverted layering order. While traditional pizzas start with sauce, followed by cheese and toppings, Chicago style flips this convention on its head:
- Cheese forms the base layer, typically a generous amount of mozzarella
- Meat and vegetable toppings come next
- Chunky tomato sauce crowns the top
This unconventional arrangement serves a practical purpose. Because Chicago style pizzas take longer to bake due to their thickness, putting the cheese on top would result in burning. By placing it at the bottom, the cheese melts perfectly while being protected by the other ingredients.
3. The Signature Sauce
The sauce is a crucial component of Chicago style pizza. Unlike the smooth, sometimes sweet sauces found on other pizzas, Chicago style sauce is typically chunky and robust. It’s often made from crushed canned tomatoes, creating a thick, flavorful topping that complements the rich crust and generous fillings.
4. Generous Portions
When it comes to Chicago style pizza, more is definitely more. These pizzas are known for their hefty weight and substantial portions. A single slice can often be a meal in itself, packed with layers of cheese, toppings, and sauce.
Chicago Style Pizza vs. Regular Pizza: What’s the Difference?
To fully grasp what Chicago style pizza is, it’s helpful to compare it to what most people think of as “regular” pizza. Here are the key differences:
- Depth: Chicago style pizza is baked in a deep pan, resulting in a tall, pie-like structure. Regular pizza is typically flat and thin.
- Crust: While Chicago style has a thick, sturdy crust, regular pizza crusts are usually thin and crispy.
- Layering: As mentioned earlier, Chicago style inverts the traditional topping order, while regular pizza follows the standard sauce-cheese-toppings arrangement.
- Cooking Time: Due to its thickness, Chicago style pizza requires a longer baking time, often 30-45 minutes. Regular pizzas usually cook in 10-15 minutes.
- Texture: Chicago style pizza has a more complex texture, with a crispy exterior and soft, gooey interior. Regular pizza tends to have a more uniform texture throughout.
- Portion Size: A slice of Chicago style pizza is typically much heavier and more filling than a slice of regular pizza.
Types of Chicago Style Pizza
While deep-dish is the most famous, Chicago style pizza actually encompasses several variations. Let’s explore the different types:
1. Deep-Dish Pizza
This is the classic Chicago style pizza that started it all. It features the characteristic deep crust, inverted layering, and generous portions described earlier.
2. Stuffed Pizza
Introduced in 1974, stuffed pizza takes the concept of Chicago style pizza to new heights – literally. It’s even deeper than deep-dish and includes an additional layer of dough on top of the fillings, with the sauce added above this extra layer. Stuffed pizza was inspired by Italian Easter pies called scarciedda and offers an even more indulgent pizza experience.
3. Pan Pizza
While not as deep as its deep-dish cousin, pan pizza is still considered a type of Chicago style pizza. It’s baked in a pan with sides, resulting in a thicker crust with a crispy exterior and chewy interior. The toppings are arranged in the traditional order (sauce first), making it a hybrid between Chicago style and regular pizza.
Crafting the Perfect Chicago Style Pizza
Creating an authentic Chicago style pizza at home can be a rewarding experience. Here’s a brief overview of the process:
- Prepare the dough: Mix flour, yeast, corn oil, and other ingredients to create a rich, pliable dough.
- Press into the pan: Oil a deep pan and press the dough into the bottom and up the sides, creating a basin for the fillings.
- Layer the ingredients: Start with a generous layer of cheese, followed by your chosen toppings, and finish with a thick layer of chunky tomato sauce.
- Bake: Cook the pizza in a hot oven for 30-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the fillings are bubbling.
For the best results, consider investing in a gas or wood-fire burning oven. These can reach higher temperatures and provide more even heat distribution, resulting in a perfectly cooked Chicago style pizza.
Conclusion
So, what is Chicago style pizza? It’s more than just a meal – it’s a culinary icon that represents the innovative spirit and rich cultural heritage of Chicago. From its deep, buttery crust to its unique layering technique and generous portions, Chicago style pizza offers a dining experience unlike any other.
Whether you prefer the classic deep-dish, the extra-indulgent stuffed pizza, or the compromise of pan pizza, there’s a Chicago style pizza for every palate. The next time you’re in the Windy City, be sure to sample this local delicacy. Or better yet, try your hand at making one at home and bring a taste of Chicago to your own kitchen.
Chicago style pizza has come a long way since its invention in 1943, but its popularity shows no signs of waning. As long as there are pizza lovers craving a hearty, satisfying meal, this iconic dish will continue to reign supreme in the world of pizzas.
