Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

06/14/2008 Posted by njs29

Atmosphere: the place is what you can expect from a chain restaurant... kitch on the walls. Oddly, there was a pair of LA Lakers shorts framed on the wall... why not Bulls? Food: The pizza comes in thin and deep dish, but not traditional Chicago stuffed. My wife and I had a medium "the Lou" pizza which was good, but by the time i took my second slice, the bottom of the pizza was soggy! The pizza did have a great taste and good combination of flavors (romano cheese, spinach, mushrooms, fresh tomatoes). The deep dish is 1/3 to 1/2 the thickness of a typical Chicago style stuffed pizza. The crust is not as thick and the sauce is underneath the cheese, unlike a traditional Chicago pizza where the cheese and ingredients are covered by sauce... Service: The restaurant was very busy, but that doesn't justify our waiter being so rushed he would start walking away before he finished speaking... On the plus side, he got better as the meal went on. Overall, good pizza and a worthwhile departure from other chains like Geno's, Uno's, Giordano's, Pizano's, etc. However, I will say that if I have family/friends visiting from out of town who want to have "famous chicago style pizza", I will always take them to Giordano's... pizza is consistently awesome there, and across locations so you can be sure to have great food.

Pros: a change of pace from traditional Chicago stuffed pizza

Cons: no reservations, DEFINITELY place pizza order in advance of being seated

06/02/2008 Posted by sillybillyteely

I love this place, best pizza in the city! The sauce is great, and the butter crust is to die for. Call in your order, it will save you 25-30 minutes of waiting. I call in my order, sit at the bar and chat with the nice bartender, and eat at the bar, and take the rest home. Great for heating up. Go there, you'll be hooked forever!

Pros: Great beers on tap, best pizza

Cons: Nothing

05/27/2008 Posted by newgirl1

Lou Malnati's was the first pizzeria where I tried Deep Dish pizza , and is the best I've ever had. We often times will order a pizza for pick up on the way home from work, since we do not live near a Lou Malnati's. I love their traditional pizzeria atmosphere, great tasting pizza and affordable prices. This is the perfect place to eat with a big group of people or on a date.

05/19/2008 Posted by sgtmorrison

On a recent Chicago trip this proved to be the best deep dish. The sauce was outstanding and the crust was nice and buttery. Their lunch deal is great. $6.95 for a huge drink, personal pizza and a side salad. Fills you up! Give it a try and you won't be sorry.

01/26/2008 Posted by voodoochild03

Not the best pizza in Chicago, but still pretty good. I would recommend this place, at least to try... I wasn't disappointed. I guess if you follow hype, then you may be disappointed, but like I said, it was good.

11/16/2007 Posted by loumatnatisowns

THIS IS THE BEST PIZZA IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD.... SCREW THOSE BAD REVIEWS BELOW, THERE OBVOUSLY HAVE NO TASTE BUDS! LOU MALNATIS PIZZA IS THE GREATEST! EVERYTHING ON IT IS PERFECT, FROM THE CRUST, TO THE CHEESE! IDIOTS I SAY!!!! PURE IDIOTS THAT SAY THE PIZZA is bad!!! i say its the yummest ever! WARNING!!! please do not go to lou malnatis if you have no taste buds! thanks alex

Pros: pizza, and SPINACH BREAD

Cons: nothing

10/31/2007 Posted by pbehle

Sure, it's downtown and convenient for a quick lunch -- just blocks from the Loop, but this location of Lou's is pretty small and cramped. The pizza is great, though. My fave Lou's is the one up north in Lincolnwood.

10/27/2007 Posted by uradel

This is the best za' in the known universe. And everyone who knows me knows I am not prone to exaggeration! You should also know that I am not even a pan crust pizza fan but this is the exception. I grew up with Lou's and enjoyed both the Wells St. establishment as well as the lovely Lincolnwood restaurant. In fact the Lincolnwood location was quite the spot for us back in the old days when I was in college. His pies are literally oozing with cheeze and toppings. You will not, I repeat, will not find this anywhere else. The tomatoes are real, not canned runny stuff, and the service is great. Please read what the New Yorker said about rushing your pizza and take this good advice. Patience my friends! Enjoy a cocktail and salad and let your pizza do it's thing. You will be thankful for an incredible pie with perfect crust. Did you know that Lou's makes care packages for those of us who are no longer in the city? Yes, it's like having mama sending us goody boxes! Visit their website for more info.

Pros: very high quality ingredients, no skimping, great atmosphere friendly staff

Cons: none

10/17/2007 Posted by mojavedesert

We got to Lou's whenever we are in Chicago and get it Fed-Ex'd a couple of times a year. It is the best! Nothing in California compares (and I'm from here). The butter crust just melts in your mouth. The cheese is warm and plentiful and those hand-picked California tomatoes... ahh! I get pepperoni and my husband gets sausage - we each get a small so we can have leftovers later. There is always a wait, but it is never too long and the hostess will take your order so the pizza is ready when you get a table. Also try the spinach/cheese bread - to die for. My in-laws used to go to another restaurant for their annual gathering but once we took them here, they switched! Do not miss Lou's when you are in Chicago.

Pros: Great pizza, fast service, Parking garage right down the street

Cons: None

10/15/2007 Posted by snakeiz

Was just in Chicago and had to stop off and enjoy Lou's again. Once again it didn't disappoint. Nice piled on sauce and toppings and the buttery crust makes for a full meal of it's own. As for the recent negative reviews, I suggest people page back and look at the 12/30/06 review. It appears we have someone with sour grapes or a grudge or something writing reviews.

Pros: Obviously the pizza.

Cons: Service staff was not quick today. I'd like a Lou's to open with a better atmosphere than the usual.