Help me make a decision

[Brooklyn Bridge]

What's deep dish?

It's a casserole pizza.

 

[Songbird]

It's a casserole pizza.

Kernels of corn included?

 

[Azrael]

Having had all three mentioned in the poll, there are no wrong decisions. All are about equal. Enjoy!

The original high profile Chicago deep dish was Pizzeria Uno (then Due) - where my folks used to go in the 50s. Uno Pizzeria & Grill

That said, there's a real difference between Chicago deep dish and New York Sicilian style if you've had it. Chicago is more of a cheese-topped tomato sauce breadbowl. Very hearty. Sicilian - the way they make 'em in NYC at Scarr's or L & B Spumoni Gardens or Artichoke Basile - is a pretty light, airy thing. A crispy pan focaccia with toppings.

L & B is a must-visit.

 

[Regan MacNeil]

New York is next on my trip list. But there is no way I can envision myself liking that foldable, floppy crust more than Chicago tavern cut.

 

[Azrael]

New York is next on my trip list. But there is no way I can envision myself liking that foldable, floppy crust more than Chicago tavern cut.

The city will welcome you with many representative pies and slices.

A truly committed pizza pilgrim, for example, can walk from Totonno's in Coney Island to L & B Spumoni Gardens in Bensonhurst to Di Fara in Midwood on the same afternoon.

Bring your appetite! And walking shoes!

 

[The Big Ragu]

Having had all three mentioned in the poll, there are no wrong decisions. All are about equal. Enjoy!

The original high profile Chicago deep dish was Pizzeria Uno (then Due) - where my folks used to go in the 50s. Uno Pizzeria & Grill

That said, there's a real difference between Chicago deep dish and New York Sicilian style if you've had it. Chicago is more of a cheese-topped tomato sauce breadbowl. Very hearty. Sicilian - the way they make 'em in NYC at Scarr's or L & B Spumoni Gardens or Artichoke Basile - is a pretty light, airy thing. A crispy pan focaccia with toppings.

L & B is a must-visit.

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Out of the places you mentioned, I guess I'd go with the original Spumoni Gardens, but they have franchised too and I don't think it is as good as it used to be. I have always thought Artichoke, which is franchised too, was overrated. But I haven't been in any of these places in a few years now.

I think of Spumoni Gardens as more of a grandma pie than a sicilian (there is a difference. ... grandma slice is less deep dish like). If you find a place that refers to that kind of pizza as a "Nonna slice," I think the odds go up that it is going to be good.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

All the amazing things to eat in Chicago and you're gonna have deep dish? Rethink your priorities.

 

[The Big Ragu]

The city will welcome you with many representative pies and slices.

A truly committed pizza pilgrim, for example, can walk from Totonno's in Coney Island to L & B Spumoni Gardens in Bensonhurst to Di Fara in Midwood on the same afternoon.

Bring your appetite! And walking shoes!

Curious, because you and I have gone back and forth on pizza threads several times.

You are allowed pizza from 3 places in the 5 boroughs -- but only 3 -- for the rest of your life. Can be any kind of place, slices, sit down, any kind of pizza, as long as it is pizza. What places do you put on your list?

It's actually a tough exercise for me, but my list would be:
1) Lucali in Brooklyn
2) Juliana's in Brooklyn
3) Joe's in Greenwich Village

The places I am leaving off that list pain me.

 

[Azrael]

Out of the places you mentioned, I guess I'd go with the original Spumoni Gardens, but they have franchised too and I don't think it is as good as it used to be. I have always thought Artichoke, which is franchised too, was overrated. But I haven't been in any of these places in a few years now.

I think of Spumoni Gardens as more of a grandma pie than a sicilian (there is a difference. ... grandma slice is less deep dish like). If you find a place that refers to that kind of pizza as a "Nonna slice," I think the odds go up that it is going to be good.

Agreed, although I usually think of a Grandma/Nonna style being a little thinner. (That thick Basille white slice when they first opened in the East Village - the one the kids lined up for - was pretty terrific in its time.)

L & B I consider Sfincione style.

But you and I are Talmudic when it comes to pizza.

 

[Azrael]

Curious, because you and I have gone back and forth on pizza threads several times.

You are allowed pizza from 3 places in the 5 boroughs -- but only 3 -- for the rest of your life. Can be any kind of place, slices, sit down, any kind of pizza, as long as it is pizza. What places do you put on your list?

It's actually a tough exercise for me, but my list would be:
1) Lucali in Brooklyn
2) Juliana's in Brooklyn
3) Joe's in Greenwich Village

The places I am leaving off that list pain me.

3? Only 3? For the rest of my life?

Impossible. (I like your choices, though.)

For the purposes of our rabbinical exercise:

1) I agree that Joe's is the proto-slice

2) DiFara (but only the original and only the ones Dominic made himself)

3) Scarr's (he grinds his own flour in the basement; does a worthy Sfincione and a terrific round pie; it's right up the street)

 

[Regan MacNeil]

All the amazing things to eat in Chicago and you're gonna have deep dish? Rethink your priorities.

I'm there for a week, man. You better believe I'm getting a combo dipped, too. Probably more than once.

 

[Azrael]

OK.

When you get up to the north suburbs, visit Northwestern and the Baha'i temple - and have a Dutch Baby at Walker Brothers Pancake House.

When you get to the South Side, visit Theaster Gates.

How Theaster Gates Is Revitalizing Chicago's South Side, One Vacant Building at a Time | Innovation | Smithsonian Magazine

Home - Theaster Gates

And maybe try Lem's barbecue.