Pequod's Pizza
1 / 10

Pequod's Pizza

4.6
·491k reviews·,

Chicago's legendary pizza institution famed for its unique caramelized crust and authentic, cozy atmosphere.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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Social

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Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

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Pequod's Pizza

Pequod's Pizza

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Chicago's legendary pizza institution famed for its unique caramelized crust and authentic, cozy atmosphere.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"This blows away Lou Malnatis, Geordano's, etc... WOW, how would I describe this pizza to someone who hasn't tried this?!"

TIP

Order Ahead to Save Time

Pizzas are made fresh to order, so consider calling ahead to minimize wait times, especially on busy nights.

Go for Thin Crust if Not Deep Dish Fan

If deep dish isn't your preference, the thin crust option is also well-regarded and offers a different style.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Saturday 11AM

Cuisine

Pizza

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(773) 327-1512

Address

2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Caramelized Crust Pizza

Caramelized Crust Pizza

Legendary pan pizza with a signature caramelized cheese crust, offering a unique crispy, blackened edge.

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Authentic Chicago Experience

Authentic Chicago Experience

A local institution serving classic deep-dish pizza, away from tourist traps, with a cozy neighborhood atmosphere.

The Absolute Best Italian Restaurants In ChicagoGoogle Review
Generous Toppings

Generous Toppings

Pizzas are loaded with fresh, high-quality toppings, including perfectly spiced sausage and a liberal amount of pepperoni.

Google Review+1
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Order Ahead to Save Time

Pizzas are made fresh to order, so consider calling ahead to minimize wait times, especially on busy nights.

Go for Thin Crust if Not Deep Dish Fan

If deep dish isn't your preference, the thin crust option is also well-regarded and offers a different style.

Limit Toppings for Best Flavor

For optimal flavor balance, it's recommended to choose only 3-4 toppings on your pizza.

Consider Weekday Visits

To avoid crowds and potentially shorter wait times, try visiting during weekdays or off-peak hours.

Tips

from all over the internet

Order Ahead to Save Time

Pizzas are made fresh to order, so consider calling ahead to minimize wait times, especially on busy nights.

Go for Thin Crust if Not Deep Dish Fan

If deep dish isn't your preference, the thin crust option is also well-regarded and offers a different style.

Limit Toppings for Best Flavor

For optimal flavor balance, it's recommended to choose only 3-4 toppings on your pizza.

Consider Weekday Visits

To avoid crowds and potentially shorter wait times, try visiting during weekdays or off-peak hours.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Pequod's Pizza is celebrated for its exceptional deep-dish pizza, particularly the signature caramelized crust that offers a unique crunchy texture. Diners praise the generous toppings, flavorful sauce, and attentive service, making it a beloved local institution. However, some reviews mention excessively runny pizzas and a lack of empathy from staff when issues arise, suggesting inconsistency in preparation.

"First time to Pequod's pizza, it didn't disappoint!! It completely lived up to the hype and even surpassed it. I think it's the best pizza I've had in Chicago. We had pepperoni, garlic and pineapple. It was delicious. And ya, the crust is amazing. 5 stars for sure. Can't wait to go back."

Lee S

"I recommend being downstairs in the summer months. Very hot upstairs not sure how the servers survive. Thank you to Quentin and Becca for their service. I enjoyed the pizza but honestly I've never really ever a real fan of pan pizza. People enjoyed the crispy charred crust. Be prepared and order an appetizer , its about to an hour for your pan pizza . Enjoy the food"

Kathy Roger

"We had a great Dip Dish Pizza experience here! The food is great, and the place is very cool and cozy! We loved the second floor and I highly recommend this place if it is your first time trying Dip Dish. Their Cheesy Garlic Bread is really good, too! I suggest adding maximum of 2 toppings to your pizza as it may be too much if you add more. Highly recommended!"

Hesam Abedini

What People Like

Signature caramelized crust
Generous and flavorful toppings
Attentive and friendly service

What People Dislike

Runny or undercooked pizza
Inconsistent preparation
Lack of staff empathy

Frequently Asked Questions

Pequod's is most famous for its deep-dish pan pizza, which features a unique caramelized crust formed by sprinkling cheese between the crust and the pan during baking.

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Many diners find the wait worthwhile for the unique pizza experience, but it can extend to two hours on busy weekends. Ordering ahead or visiting during off-peak times is recommended.

The Best Pizza in Chicago, From Thin Crust to Detroit StyleGoogle Review+1

Yes, Pequod's accepts reservations, and booking in advance is recommended, especially for weekend dining.

The Best Pizza in Chicago, From Thin Crust to Detroit StyleGoogle Review

Customers often praise the Cheesy Garlic Bread and Jalapeño Poppers as delicious starters.

Google Review

Yes, in addition to their famous pan pizza, Pequod's also offers a thin crust option.

The Best Pizzas in the 52 Biggest Cities | Restaurants : Food Network

It's suggested to limit toppings to 3-4 to ensure the best flavor balance and optimal cooking of the pizza.

Google Review

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Chicago pizza is the stuff of legend and although Gino's East's reputation might have spread nationally with franchised locations, it doesn't come more authentic and storied than Pequod's. The Pequod's legend began in 1970 in Morton Grove, Illinois, with a pan-style caramelized crust pizza. They added a thin crust in 1986, and although a fire at their Chicago location in 2006 set the business back five months, they rebuilt updating the interior, but keeping a neighborhood atmosphere that fits right in with their Lincoln Park community.

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Lincoln ParkThis OG deep dish slinger serves up buttery pies loaded down with savory toppings and finished with their signature caramelized crust. Come for the old-school ambiance and gut-busting grub, stay for the surprisingly stocked bar (next door’s Whale Tale Chicago Restaurant and Bar will keep you happy while you wait for those pies to rise) and smile-inducing Pequod’s Salad crowned with an adorable whale-shaped slice of provolone.How to book: Reserve via Yelp or order take-out and delivery online.

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It would be practically a crime to leave Chicago without trying deep-dish pizza, and, no, the airport version will not do. In lieu of Lou Malnati’s and Pizzeria Uno (which have several locations outside of Chicago by now), locals love Pequod’s Pizza—in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood and the suburb of Morton Grove—for its pan pizza, customized with up to five toppings, including olives, pineapple, anchovies, basil, sausage, mushrooms, and pepperoni. View this post on Instagram

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If you ask an honest-to-god Chicagoan to name their favorite deep dish pizza, chances are they'll point you to Pequod's, where the signature pan pies are ringed with caramelized cheese and the slices are massive—one piece makes a meal. Add veggies to lighten it up a bit, or go all in, with the sausage pie, dotted with perfectly spiced, ping-pong ball–size pieces of seasoned ground pork. It's not hard to see what all the fuss is about.

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Prepare for a wait—on busy weekends, this casual spot attracts a crowd, with waits up to two hours for groups. A casual neighborhood sports bar with the usual trappings (high booths, exposed brick), Pequod’s also boasts one of the city's top pan pies. Pequod’s is a mainstay in the competitive Chicago pizza scene, but don’t call it deep dish.

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Pequod’s specialises in pan pizza, which has a thicker and chewier crust than deep dish. What makes it a cult classic among Chicago pizza lovers is the extra sprinkling of mozzarella between the crust and the pan, which creates a ring of caramelised cheese around the edge.

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Clybourn; 773-327-1512 8520 Fernald Ave., Morton Grove; 847-470-9161 Style: Deep/Pan Pans come in four sizes (personal, small, medium, large); I got a small, half sausage-half pepperoni ($14.05). Started in 1970 by the legendary Burt Katz (who retired from his namesake joint in Morton Grove earlier this year, which is now officially closed), the business has changed hands over the years, but the caramelized crust hasn’t. This pizza’s edge is close to two inches high, but up along the perimeter, in the upper quarter or so, is a blackened rim of mozzarella cheese that is tossed into the cast-iron pans at some point during the baking process.

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When most folks envision Chicago-style pizza, they probably think of touristy downtown spots like Pizzeria Uno, Gino's East, and Giordano's — theme park-sized temples to lasagna-thick pies heaped with sausage and cheese. However, despite the kitschy fun of such pizza palaces, most Chicagoans hit up Pequod's when that occasional deep-dish craving hits. Like any good deep-dish destination, this one is steeped in history, showing just how intertwined Chicago's pizza populace really is.

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If you visit Pequod's on a weekend, you'll likely have to wait your turn in line with the many others who also want a Pequod's pizza. The tomato sauce is particularly acidic for a sharp flavor with every bite, mellowed out by the gooey cheese interior. However, it's the cheese on the bottom of the pie that carmelizes and gets crunchy that any local would tell you is what sets a Pequod's pizza apart from the rest.

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Don't let the dark, caramelized crusts you'll find at Pequod's Pizza fool you into thinking they're burnt. This is what makes Pequod's pies so flavorful, unique, and legendary among Chicago locals and tourists alike. The first Pequod's opened in 1970 in the Chicago suburb of Morton Grove, serving up pizzas with generous toppings, Instagram-worthy cheese pulls, and lots of caramelized mozzarella around the edges.

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While pizza technically falls under Italian cuisine, the dish has become a culinary phenomenon in its own right. And Pequod's Pizza is serving up some spectacular pies, Chicago deep-dish style. Fresh toppings, such as earthy mushrooms, tangy giardiniera, and spicy Italian beef, give each pizza its own world of flavor for an ultra-cheesy meal that only comes second to the house-made banana split cheesecake.

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If you’re the person who loves the corner brownie, then Pequod’s Pizza is the joint for you. They’re known for the ring of caramelized crust that encircles the pizza, an effect caused by the way they layer their mozzarella cheese. Their pizzas are highly customizable, and unlike Lou Malnati’s thin layer of uniform sausage, the sausages that adorn a Pequod’s pizza are spread out and voluminous.

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2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614773-327-1512 Visit Website. Chicago is famous for its deep-dish pizza, and Pequod’s Pizza has been one of Chicago’s premier Chicago-style pizzerias for decades. Located in Sheffield Neighbors, Pequod’s Pizza has received countless press from national and international food and travel magazines and news stations as having the best deep-dish pizza on earth.

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Proudly claiming to be Chicago’s best deep-dish pizza, Pequod’s on Clyborne Ave most definitely has a mouthwatering menu that lives up to the hype. If the name sounds familiar, you’ve likely heard it featured on several food and restaurant television shows or highlighted in national print media. While Pequod’s has earned many local and national food honors, it’s most proud of its pizza.

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Pequod’s Pizza stands out in the Chicago pizza scene for its unique caramelized crust, which results from cheese being placed on the edges of the pizza during baking. This creates a crispy, cheesy border that’s unlike any other. The deep-dish pizza here is loaded with cheese and toppings, and their signature pan pizza is perfect for those who like their crust with a bit of extra crunch.

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Pequod’s looks and feels like an old dive bar, but step inside and you’ll find a pizzeria packed with both native Chicagoans and visitors alike. The pies are technically pan pizzas, which have a thicker bottom crust with crispy, greasy fried texture to it. Pequod’s is best known for the dramatic halo of toasty, nearly blackened cheese around the rim of the pies.

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You knew this was coming, I knew this was coming, so let’s talk about Pequod’s. They’ve been highlighted by USA Today (and countless other publications) as the best pizza in the city, and for good reason. They’ve been slinging pies since 1971 in the classic Chicago deep-dish style, and it’s earned them a shockingly polarizing reputation.

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Pequod’s Pizza is famed for its caramelized crust, which is achieved by baking the cheese right up against the edge of the pan. Located in Lincoln Park, Pequod’s offers a cozy, laid-back vibe that’s perfect for enjoying a casual meal with friends or family. Their deep-dish pizza, topped with a rich and savory sauce, is legendary.

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For a caramelized crust of burnt cheese that tastes better than it sounds and draws a large local crowd, you want Pequod’s. The original Pequod’s is based in Chicago’s northern suburbs and due to popularity another location opened in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Pequod’s has won many local and national awards for its pizza.

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Clybourn Ave.Neighborhood: Lincoln ParkPhone: (773) 327-1512Web:pequodspizza.comPizza lovers can enjoy a $4.95 lunch special: a 7-inch cheese pizza and a fountain drink. Half-orders of pasta provide a money-saving option for light eaters. Other cheap menu items include garlic bread for $3.15 and soup of the day for $3.75.

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You can find the best Chicago deep dish pizza in this restaurant, Pequod’s Pizza located at both Lincoln Park and Morton Grove. It's well-known for its pan pizza, which has a caramelized crust and an excessive amount of cheese. The deep dish here is enhanced by a unique sauce created with fresh tomatoes.

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Pequod’s Pizza in Chicago is also famed for its deep-dish pizza with a caramelized crust. By sprinkling cheese around the edge of a cast-iron pan, the cheese crisps and turns golden brown as it bakes, resulting in a distinctively chewy, slightly burnt edge that adds rich flavor to each slice.

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So we visited Pequod’s Pizza in Lincoln Park, recently voted #1 in the city. I was a deep pan virgin and not too excited about it – but it was delish. Kind of like pizza on a thick biscuit base, definitely add the spicy sausage if you’re into meat, and make the trip to Pequod’s.

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Whoever said NYC pizza was the best just flat out lied to you. This deep dish pizza brings families closer together as they bring out this big, cheesy, thick pizza to your table. After getting pizza, stop by the Lincoln Park Zoo with your family to end the night the right way.

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Pequod’s Pizza** serves up its crave-worthy caramelized-crust version near Lincoln Park. The casual pub bakes their deep dish in cast-iron pans, so the cheese overflows onto the edges and gets the perfect amount of almost-burnt. To avoid a wait, call ahead before you go.

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While cheesy creations from a number of beloved Chicago pizza restaurants are ranked in the top 101, the first local eatery to make the list was Pequod’s, which took the no. 24 slot thanks to its deep-dish pizza with sausage and pepperoni paired with a “secret sauce.

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It would probably be criminal not to include a pizzeria on a list of Chicago’s best restaurants. Pequod’s Pizza stands the test of time, an institution that got its start back in 1970. This is Deep Dish in all its glory, in the city that made it famous.

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Pequod’s grew a cult following because of their take on the Chicago deep dish pizza. Deep dish pizza + caramelized crust = pizza splendor. Yes, it’s different from Lou’s and Gino’s, but it may just be the best kind of different.

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They do Chicago style deep-dish pizza with a slight twist that place a large focus on caramelizing the crust to a chewy perfection. Two locations with more on the way and countless awards to show off for that superb flavour.

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Deep-dish: I had a cute but unpredictable girlfriend in college with whom I broke up and reunited so many times I lost count. Same thing with Pequod’s. I love it, I hate it, I love it, I have a restraining order against it .

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Last but not least, Pequod’s Pizza is famous for its caramelized crust. This unique touch adds a delightful crunch to every bite, making Pequod’s a beloved pizza destination. The scene of downtown pizza in Chicago is vast.

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Pequod’s is famous for its pan-style pies, loaded with sausage, spinach, ground beef, and giardiniera. What sets Pequod’s apart is its “caramelized” crust, which takes the classic taste of deep-dish to new levels.

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🍽️ Pizza | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (773) 327-1512 | Neighborhood: Sheffield Neighbors. When you think of Chicago, you probably think of deep dish pizza. Look no further than Pequod’s.

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Pequod’s Pizza serves the famous Chicago-style deep-dish, thick-crust pizza, although its take on it is a bit different. They cook their pizzas pan style, and it comes with the ultimate crunch.

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Most locals prefer Pequods in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago which is said to have the best deep dish pizza in Chicago and is famous for its caramelized crust.

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Pequod’s creates a deep-dish with a flaky crust that’s crispy on the outside. Look for a charred cheese ring around the rim. We’re talking about great taste here.

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