Chicago, IL

I didn’t get a chance to visit Pequod’s (pronounced pee-quads) Pizza during my first trip to Chicago, so I made it a priority on my return visit. I headed there on Thursday evening, after checking in at my hotel the day before the Taste of Chicago.

Chicago Location

The original location of Pequod’s Pizza is in Morton Grove, northwest of Chicago. They opened a second location in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, which is where I went. Reservations are encouraged, but I took a chance on a Thursday afternoon at 4 pm and was luckily seated at a counter height table near the front. A steady stream of customers walked in after me to be seated or to pick up takeout. Pequod’s has a second floor and bar seating, but I would recommend a reservation just to be safe. The front hosts are very welcoming and accommodating.

What is Chicago-style pizza?

Chicago-style pizza is a deep dish pizza baked in a pan, which necessitates ingredients are layered in a different order than say a thin NY-style pizza. The cheese goes on before the sauce and then the toppings. I love the crust on deep dish pizzas (we had a Pizzeria Uno’s in San Francisco growing up).

Best pizza in the universe?

When I had read reviews online that Pequod’s had the best pizza, I knew I had to give it a try. Pequod’s pan pizzas come with cheese only. You can add extra toppings for $2 each. One of the challenges of solo travel is the availability of smaller serving sizes. With pizza, I’m usually limited to establishments that sell slices or have a personal. Fortunately, I was able to order a personal pizza with pepperoni. After I put in my order, the friendly server said my pizza would take 40 minutes to make (I appreciated the heads up, I didn’t remember reading that).

An appetizer to hold me over

I ordered the cheesy garlic bread to tide me over (I had just come straight from the airport to my hotel and hopped on the bus to Pequod’s—I was starving). The bread was soft, lightly toasted and oozed with stretchy mozzarella cheese. The marinara had a tang. I ate one half and saved the other for breakfast the next day (not bad after being microwaved).

The star

The menu did warn: “FAMOUS CARAMELIZED CRUST – Be Prepared For A Darkened Edge.” Despite the “darkened edge,” Pequod’s Pizza didn’t taste burned. The pepperoni was crispy thin and salty. The tomato sauce was hearty with a slight sweetness. The star was the crust, it was buttery and surprisingly light. I ate three-fourths of my pizza (which is remarkable for a deep dish). I could’ve finished the rest, but wanted to save a snack when I got back to my hotel.

Looking at the pictures and remembering that crust with the cheese and pepperoni makes me crave another one. Despite not having gluten-free or vegan options, Pequod’s is a must try if you’re a fan of pan pizza.