12 Delicious Pizza Places In Chicago You’ll Want To Try

Even though it is home to big names like Giordano's, Lou Malnati's, and Gino's East, Chicago is still filled with more pizza places than almost anywhere else. We're not all deep-dish either. Chicago is home to thin crust, Neapolitan-style, and even some unique versions you can't find any place else.

These 12 pizza joints are the best in the city, and the list includes some places you may have never even heard of. Keep scrolling for a mind-blowing, pizza experience.

1. Bartoli's Pizzeria - 1955 W Addison Street

Open daily, this restaurant serves up a quick pie that is best known for its light and crunchy crust. Both deep dish and thin crust are available, and the joint offers specialties such as the Chicago Stockyard and the Margherita.

2. Exchequer Restaurant & Pub - 226 S Wabash Avenue

This family owned and operated pizzeria has been around since 1969 and is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner as well as late into the night. It is often named the best in town and is popular for its cheesy deep dish. Specialty pies include The Mob, The Chicago, and Meat Eaters.

3. Forno Rosso - 3719 N Harlem Avenue

Using an incredibly soft dough, the pizzas at this restaurant are wood-fired and bake for about one minute. Pies are Neapolitan-style in both the way they are made and ingredients used. Visitors can get both red and white pizzas as well as calzones and paninis.

4. Ella Elli - 1349 W Cornelia Avenue

Located in the glamorous Lakeview neighborhood, this restaurant gets its inspirations from global cuisine. It is open daily for dinner and is a four-star eatery with upscale decor to go with your classy pie. Patrons enjoy top-notch ingredients like goat cheese, basil, mushroom, and tomato.

5. Pequod's - 2207 N Clybourn Avenue

This tiny hot spot is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. (other than Sunday, which closes at midnight). It is known for serving pies with a thick, fluffy bottom crust and caramelized outer cheese crust. The restaurant actually operates two locations, the other being in Morton Grove.

6. Aurelio's Pizza - Various locations

What started as a small business in 1959 has grown into a popular chain of pizza places that offers delivery and catering and also takes reservations. It is famous for its thin crust pizza made with fresh ingredients. Signature pies include Hawaiian, Taco, and Super Six "The Works."

7. Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder - 2121 N Clark Street

This iconic Chicago pizzeria has been around since 1972, and it is open daily for lunch on weekends but dinner only during the week. It is popular for its pizza bowls that are like a bread bowl filled with a special sauce and topped with melted cheese.

9. Longacre Pizza Squared - 1309 W Wilson Avenue

It's a bit of an oddity around Chicago to find a personal, square pizza, yet this popular lunch joint has become a local favorite. You can choose from classic toppings like pepperoni or bacon, or you can choose from more adventurous creations like the Red Velvet Vegan pizza.

10. Coda Di Volpe - 3335 N Southport Avenue

You can get amazing pizzas at this place for dinner daily, as well as lunch on weekends. Its food is inspired by southern Italian fare and includes Neapolitan-style pies. Try one of the rustic and classic pizzas with fresh toppings like mozzarella, garlic, roasted peppers, and pancetta.

11. Connie's Pizza - 2373 S Archer Avenue

This wonderful pizzeria has been serving up some of the best pies in town since 1963. It offers both delivery and catering and even has a food truck it sends around to festivals and other street fairs. Its specialties include BBQ Chicken, Meat Lover, Super, and Special.

12. Al's Pizza - 6344 W Irving Park Road

Opening in 2005, this wonderful little pizzeria was an instant success. It features a 24-inch family pizza as well as a slew of incredible appetizers and entrees. Specialty pizzas include B.L.T., Western Special, and Italian Cheesy Beef, to name a few.

If you're a home chef and want to make these pizzas yourself, grab fresh ingredients to do so from these 20 remarkable Chicago farmers markets.

Which of these Chicago pizza places is your favorite? Share with us in the comments below or on Facebook.