Chicago-style Pizza in Dallas?

Posted on by Ashley Bischoff

From time to time, I have a hankering for a good pizza, and I especially enjoy Chicago-style pizzas (mmm, so much sauce and cheese — delicious!). But, are there any such restaurants in Dallas? (I don’t know of any yet)

After some brief searching, I found BJ’s Chicago Pizza & Brewhouse. They have a few restaurants in Texas, but I’m not sure if any are near here (Clear Lake? Lewisville?). Their Addison location is listed as opening “early 2003”, so maybe that’ll be available soon.

If all else fails, Pizza Hut also now offers Chicago-style pizza:

According to Evans, Chicago-style pizza is different from other pizzas: Chicago-style pizza has a flaky crust with tall sides. The dough is made with a hint of corn meal for taste and texture. The build of the pizza begins with a thick layer of sliced mozzarella cheese. It’s filled with an abundance of toppings, shredded cheese and then chunky marinara sauce is poured on the top of the pizza. […]

They talk-the-talk, but I’m not convinced yet. It’s not that I dislike Pizza Hut's pizza, but I’m concerned whether the cooking-speedups necessary for the delivery environment may have an impact on the quality or flavor :-/.

103 thoughts on “Chicago-style Pizza in Dallas?”

  2. Pizza Hut’s Chicago-style pizza is a very pale imitation of true Chicago style pizza. (I live in Chicago and can attest to this).

    Almost any family-style restaurant that makes deep-dish pizza will do a better job.

  3. Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza is available at an unlikely place in N.Texas, Rockwall area. In Heath, TX there is a great donut shop, the Southern Maid. The owner is from Chicago and makes pizza in the evenings Thur-Sun, 5-9PM, and for lunch Sat-Sun, 11-1PM. No delivery, pick up or dine in only (very small dine in area). If you have given up getting deep dish pizza, like I had, you need to try this place. Its discovery has been a satisfying end to a very frustrating search for real Chicago Pizza in the North Dallas area.

  4. I am from Chicago. BJ’s is good, but is NOT chicago-style pizza, despite their claims.
    Check the freezer section of Super Target. The one in Lewisville carries a frozen deep dish pizza shipped from Schaumburg, IL. Granted, it is frozen, but it still isn’t half bad.

  5. Might try these – wo-max is my fav – havent been there in a while as it is a bit of a drive for me, their website is down so I’m not sure if they are still in business.

    Chicago’s Finest Pizza – 6150 Independence Pkwy, Plano, 75023 – (972) 618-6500
    Chicago Rick’s Pizza – 3628 Frankford Rd, Dallas, 75287 – (972) 820-9689
    Chicago St Pizza – 8000 Coit Rd, Plano, 75025 – (972) 335-7273
    Wo-Max Pizza – 2809 Flower Mound Road Flower Mound, TX 75022 – 972-691-2101

  6. I’ve eaten at Chicago Ricks Pizza and that place serves pretty good chicago style pizzas, they also have tyue chicago style Hot Dogs, this place is worth a try

  7. i work at chicago rick’s pizza, 3628 frankford, at the george bush and marsh. we have a pretty decent chicago style pizza. it’s no lou malnati’s or gino’s yet but we’re trying to fine tune it. we currently have the chicago style dogs and italian beef, and i’m working on the polish and italian sausage, and brats. i grew up in dekalb, bout an hour west of the city. i came in here about 3 days after moving to dallas(june 2003) and i’ve been here ever since. i make the sauce daily. i cut the produce daily. i’m trying to make it as authentic as i can.

  10. I’m from Chicago and having a very hard time finding even good pizza for that matter. I have had a few places that claim to be Chicago style pizza but haven’t found any. The people that say Chicago Rick’s Pizza is good are DEAD WRONG! I’m sorry from the rubber hot dogs to the bad pizza that place is just not good. They should not be alound to have the word Chicago in their name that’s how bad it is. The only place so far that even comes close is Chicago’s Finest Pizza. They have a good hot dog it is true Venna Beef. The pizza isn’t bad, and the beef sandwiches are good just a little dry.

  11. Melissa: I worked at a Chicago themed restaurant in the Houston area during college and it was idiots like you that we always made fun of. So many times people would come in and lead off their greeting with “I’m from Chicago,” just like you did. 25% of those people were really nice and helpful folks that just wanted to sample some Chicago flavor a long way from home. But the other 75% acted as if living in Chicago for two months gave them a free pass to bitch and complain about everything, make ridiculous suggestions, and just be negative jerks in general. The point is, most people loved our stuff, so whoever reads this…..I’ll guarantee that Chicago Rick’s is pretty tasty and authentic. It’s fairly easy to say after the idiot spoke. Sidenote: If you’re from Chicago, as you claim, the dogs are made from Vienna beef. Whatever this Venna is that you’re talking about is an imposter meat…unless you just have trouble spelling. I’ve always wondered what you people would do if you moved back to Chicago. All your bitching entertainment would end. I suppose you would go to barbecue restaurants and say “I’m from Dallas” and start complaining about how sweet the sauce is just to rekindle your moron fire.

  12. BJ’s is not Chicago style pizza

    Chicago’s Finest used to be Rosati’s which is a Chicago based franchise. CF still uses the same ingredients and so far is the best pizza I have tasted in Texas. Grant it I would not go to Rosati’s in Illinois, I would go to mom and pop shop places, Gino’s or Lou Malnati’s but what can you do when you don’t have many to choose from.

    I have not tried Chicago Rick’s but I will need to give it a try.

    One thing that everyone can do is order pizza online from Gino’s or Lou Malnati’s. It comes shipped in dry ice and is decent out of the oven.

    A personal pleasure of mine was the pizza puff made by Il Taco. There was a place in Plano called Wrigleyville and I got them to carry them but it closed down. It was not in a good area.

    To me there are 2 different styles of Chicago pizza. Everyone thinks of the deep dish but there is also a thin crust which is flour based that blows away all other pizza. All of these pizzas were made in mom and pop shops and have a distinctive flavor over other areas of the country.

    There are good barbecue places in Chicago as well but I thought I could always take a bbq joint from the Dallas area and open it up north and it would do great. The tastes from north to south are just different. I could do the same with Tex-mex as well.

    Just enjoy the best food you can in the region you live and keep searching for those places that cater to those tastes you miss.

  13. Ok — May 2006, where is the best place in the greater metroplex (Dallas\Fort Worth) area to get a fresh hot Chicago Style Pizza?

  14. Wow Melissa. Paul from Chicago Rick’s. All our dog and beef products are shipped from Vienna, Chipico, and Papa Charlie’s in Chicago. 100% of our crust is Chicago products. We work with Connie’s in Chicago on the crusts. Sorry to hear that you’ve had such a bad experience with us. –Paul

  15. Hi Paul,
    I will give Chicago Rick’s a try. I am wondering why if you work with Conie’s in Chicago you don’t use their beef instead of Vienna? Vienna is great for hot dogs but Connie’s makes much better beef. Also, do you have hot giardiniera and would you make a special pizza with Italian beef?
    Thanks,
    Sue – native Chicagoian, happier Texan

  16. There are plenty of places to get a good Chicago dog here but the italian beefs are lacking. Used to make my own so I can still do that.

    I also used to own a pizza place in Chicago so I think I can speak with some authority.

    I have been to Chicago Ricks and it is about the same taste as Pizza Hut.. Quite a disappoinment. As to the claim about using Connies ingredients, it takes more then ingredients to make a good product.

    I have found one place here called “That Chicago Place.” It has an exceptional Chicago pizza. I have only tried the thin crust but they also make a deep dish and a stuffed pizza. They sell par baked pizza’s so you can take them home and cook them later. They just reopened in Addison in the 15100 building which is the hockey rink Located in “Addison Square Garden”

    15100 Midway Road

    972-980-2335

    They are open arfter 4 PM They also sell;
    Italian Beef Homemade
    Chicago Hot Dogs Vienna
    Italian Sausage
    Chicago Calzone
    Pasta/Dinners
    Cheesy Brats
    Eli’s Cheesecake

    As I said I only tried the thin crust pizza but it was exceptional. Give them a try you won’t be disappointed.

  17. PS I forgot to mention…. You can buy Home Run Inn frozen pizzas at Abertsons now…. That is the largest selling thing crust pizza in Chicago. While frozen is not as good as fress… This is pretty good for a frozen pizza..

  18. I was born and raised in Oak Park. I used to go to Cicero for my pizza. I have tried Wo-Max. It tastes just like Rosati’s. Crust is OK, but I prefer a sweeter sauce. They do however use chunk Italian sausage and not the crumbled stuff you get at other places. I usually make my own or get Home Run Inn from Albertson’s. They also sell Reggio’s and UNO’s. Culver’s just opened up in Flower Mound. All we need now is a Portillio’s. I may have to try some of the places mentioned here.

  19. We don’t use Connie’s italian beef, we use Papa Charlie’s. The Vienna Beef was coming in very fatty and chunky so we gave Papa Charlie’s a try and people seem to like it. We make the gravy ourselves. Sue, we do have the Giardiniera for you. We don’t list it as a topping but if you request such a pizza we’ll make it. As for tasting like Pizza Hut you couldn’t be more wrong. You bring in one of their’s and we’ll taste them both. Ingredient don’t make a good product, preparation does.

  20. Ok. I just ordered a Pizza Hut pan pizza. This thing is not even close to being a pan pizza. Can’t even pass for a thick crust. The sauce is non-existant, for good reason. There is no flavor to it. Pizza Hut large 2 topping for delivery=$16.37. Chicago Rick’s large up to 3 topping for delivery=$13.52. The flavor is no extra charge.

  21. Hey Paulie!!
    Ok so I know we havent been by in a really long time but we heard you guys moved somewhere else, to some ice rink or something…?? anyways we want to come by for pauls birthday next week so hope to see you!! let me know where your new location is.

    and for everyone else, I cant really speak for the pizza b/c we always order the beef but its great:)

  22. NO we’re still here. Rick sold the place about a year ago and we had a falling out. He tried to open a place in Addison(the rink) but couldn’t get it going. Look forward to seein’ you guys.

  23. Okay, I prefer chicago thin crust – why everyone associates deep dish with the city, I will never know. Tourists like it, but natives (that I know) prefer thin. Here are place I have found that serve good thin:

    Louie’s on Henderson in East Dallas – great sausage
    Wo-Max in Flower Mound – good pizza, good beefs
    The old Rosati’s – good
    Little Joes in Keller – just found this place – pizza was great, beefs okay
    Weinberger’s Deli in Grapevine – good dogs
    Wild about Harry’s on Knox St – best dog I have had in Dallas

    Will have to try That Chicago Place – thanks for a new one to try out

  25. I think Chicago Ricks is good, not great. Since they moved and sold one shop I think it has went downhill. {just my opinion}

    I also think Wo Max is just fair now it was better but the original owner died [I was told] and taste went too. I had a craving for Chicago dogs the other day and went there and had to wait 25 minutes for 2 hot dogs. Not doing that again.

    Little Joe’s in Keller. I live in Flower Mound and make the drive every 2 weeks. The service is weak sometimes. The atmosphere is iffy. but the thin pizza is the best south of Chicago. I am making a trip to Chicago the end of the month and plan on going to the Tinley park, Chicago location. Try Little Joes in Keller you wont be disappointed.

  28. Just tried Lil Joe’s tonight. Wonderful. Best thin crust pizza I have had since leaving Chicago in 1984. Hit the spot!!! Thanks for the recommendation.

  29. Yes, Lil Joe’s is normally closed on Tues, but they had accidentally booked a big party tonight, so they opened up. Just our LUCK… Thanks again…

  30. Hi Annie! You’ve probably heard of us, That Chicago Place, previously of Bedford. Divorce caused the closing of our store there, we have reopened in Addison, just north of Belt Line on Midway. We are now known as Chicago Place Pizza, and when we were in Bedford, had been rated #1 in the DFW area, and voted Best of 2005 by Fort Worth Weekly. We are also the ones Pugs and Kelly always talk about. Come see us. 972-980-2335

  31. Thank GoD! I am a South Side native and have lived in Dallas the past couple of years. I was doing some internet research for italian beef because i definately want to serve it for the superbowl. GO BEARS. I’m going to try That Chicago Place. Thanks for the suggestions!

  32. Hey BGND98 you should try Chicago Ricks Pizza at 972-307-4257. I love there italian beefs and dogs and all the people who work there are very friendly. I love there pizza, the deep dish is out of this world. I usually get one atleast once a week. They are located on Frankford and Marsh, if i am not wrong they also won a couple of awards for the best pizza in dallas.

  34. Thanks Tom and Carol for the tips. I am also a native south side Chicagoan. I’ve been here a year and I truly miss the Chicago pizza, ribs, italian beefs and polishes. I live in Lewisville and will be visiting both Chicago Rick’s and Chicago Place Pizza. I’ll also have to check out Lil Joe’s.

    Now all I need is some Italian ice and some good chinese food!

  35. Been here for 9 years, from Northbrook. So far Chicago’s Finest in Plano is the best I’ve tasted because it use to be an actual Rosatti’s. Don’t know the details on why or how the name changed, but the Rosatti’s thin crust recipe is still there. Dog’s are great, If you order the beef make sure it’s dipped. Going to try The Chicago Place this weekend – thank’s for the recomendation. Let me know if find a good Maxwell St polish. Go Bears!

  36. If you’re stuck here in Texas, you can’t get any better than Chicago’s Finest Pizza in Plano. Great little hole-in-the-wall joint that reminds me of home. This is the BEST Chicago-style pizza in Texas. Seriously. We’ll be ordering a couple of pies for Super Bowl Sunday. GO BEARS!!!

    http://chicagosfinestpizza.com/

  37. Janice, I also live in Lewisville – check out what used to be Womax pizza (renamed now to Mooses) in Flower Mound (right off 2499 and 3040). Good pizza. Going to get one for the game. They also have beefs and dogs. Weinberger’s Deli in Grapevine has polishes, but I have not had one. BEARS RULE

  39. i am not from chicago but that chicago place is the best pizza i have EVER had. i don’t claim to be any sort of expert, but i know what i like and i suggest that chicago place every chance i get. when they were in bedford i drove an hour just to eat it.

  40. i’m also from chicago, northsider (go cubs?). weinberger’s deli in grapevine have pretty good beefs, polishes and dogs. they carry vienna and scala products. i also think they have a location in southlake as well.

  41. After searching for an honest Chicago stuffed pizza, and being disappointed time and time again, I am pleased to announce [b]I HAVE FOUND IT!!! [/B]

    I’ve been going there for years, but getting their regular pizza, which is better than most deep dishes I’ve had, but tonight I thought I’d try their stuffed pizza again. Pictures are here:

    This pizza place started as “The Flying Tomato”, which was an offshoot of the “Garcia’s Pizza in a Pan” that is popular in Illinois and Indiana college towns. 11 years ago, it became simply “The Tomato” and owned/run by a fellow who comes from the Chicago area. It’s a winner, hands down. And no, I don’t work for the place.

    Better hurry though. It’s a victim of the “Fry Street Massacre” which is taking place in Denton. They will be reopening in another location, but they don’t know where yet. As it is now, they will be in their present location until Mid May.

    Corner of Fry and Hickory near the UNT campus in Denton. (940) 383-1111. Try it while it’s still there!

    JWK

  43. A Rosati’s Pizza just opened in McKinney February 24th 2007. It is part of the http://www.rosatispizza.com group sponsored by Rick Rosati. The location is in the Wal-Mart Supercenter shopping center at Lake Forest & McKinney Ranch Parkway in McKinney (1 Mile north of Hwy 121 & Lake Forest Drive). The address is below:
    Rosati’s of McKinney
    5261 McKinney Ranch Parkway
    McKinney, TX 75070
    (972) 548-3900

    I had their thin crust pizza and it was just like the pizza I enjoyed when I grew up in Niles Il and went to the 2nd Rosatis Pizziria to open in the 1960’s. It’s very similar to Chicago’s Finest Pizza.

    If your from the Chicago area and miss authentic thin crust Chicago Style Pizaa, you’ll love Rosatis.

  44. I just tried Little Joe’s Chicago Pizza in Keller and mmmmmm mmmmmmmm mmmmmmmmm To Die For!!!!!! My wife and I are definitely going back…. Next trip I am going to try the homemade Italian beef sandwich. I talked to diners and they tell me the Italian dishes are all great as well. Thin crust, deep dish and stuffed pizza and they now deliver in the Keller area…. Here is the important information….

    Little Joe’s Famous Chicago Pizza and Ristorante
    104 Navajo Drive, Keller, 76248
    (SW corner of Navajo & Keller Pkwy, just west of Rufe Snow) (FM1709)

    817-753-6300

    Hours
    11 a.m.- 9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.- 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

  45. Hey,
    I am from Lombard/Villa Park area, moved here in 99,to Grapevine. I used to drive up to Plano to Chicago’s Finest and get my pizza’s halfed cooked and freeze them. Lil Joe’s is closer and it is really good. We all have to email Buona Beef, Portillo’s,Carms and your favorite beef joints and ask them if they are tired of the winters and tell them that they would make a mint down here selling JUST BEEFS!!
    Superbowl Beef;
    1 crock pot
    1 loaf of bread
    1 rump roast
    1 jar of Giardinaira (hot or mild)
    cook on high for 4 hrs or slow for 7 hrs
    Enjoy!! Mangia Mangia
    maybe you can sell that, but keep emailing and bothering those eskimos to get down here!!
    and if you liked those greek family diners, this chain is owned by vietnamese that have the best
    Cindy’s Restuarant and NY Deli

  46. I was born and raised in Chicagoland area (Mt. Prospect/ParkRidge). I spent 20 years there and then moved to the worst place for Pizza (California) and lived there for 32 years. I’m living in Irving now and can’t wait to have the chance to try some of these restaurants once I get to know the area. Thanks to all who have shared about the pizzas, Italian beef sandwiches, and the hot dogs. I’m so excited… lol

  47. I am also originally from the south suburbs of Chicago. Over the last 11 years I’ve lived all over the Eastern U.S. and I can tell you no where will you find anything like Chicago cuisine. Vienna hotdogs are scarce and (good) Italian Beefs just can’t be found. I have tried Rick’s. It was a decent sandwich. For Texas it was great. In Chicago, like I said, decent. Unfortunately from where I live it cost me $20 for that one sandwich. (the sandwich, gas and tolls.) That’s why the best thing to do is order Portillo’s and Lou Malnati’s online. There’s nothing like the original. We ordered the beef sandwiches for the Superbowl and grilled Italian Sausage to make our own Combos. Portillo’s can not be beat. Luckily I was in Chitown over the weekend and had Portillo’s for lunch and pizza for dinner.

  48. The phone to That Chicago Place Pizza in Addison Suare Garden is disconnected. Did he close down again? Did he relocate? I ate the pizza a few times in Bedford and it was great. I did not know he had relocated to Addison. And now I find out, but he is gone again.Anyone know a new location for him?

  49. Wow! I did not know what chicago Pizza was supposed to be and couldn’t figure out all the hype. But, we have some friends who are from Chicago and have been looking for a taste of home. I had read about Little Joe’s Famous Chicago style Pizza on a local website and told my friends to try it. We ended up going along and What a treat! The thin crust is excellent, we order it extra crispy. The calamari is wonderful, get it with marinara not the offered ketsup. The cappelleni with shrimp, broccoli, sun dried tomatoes in olive oil and garlic is excellent. The meat balls are as tender as pate’ and the marinara sauce is the best. We have been back every Friday night. You can bring your own wine or beer in, which is always a nice bonus. They are closed on Tuesdays and have a Wed. lunch 2 for one pasta plate special. As far as I am concerned, everything here is special. They have the sweetest hostess that seats you and the wait staff is friendly and attentive. In fact when you walk-in even the cuatomers have a smile on their face, because they have discovered this hidden treasure stashed away on Navajo Drive in Keller, Texas. Hey, even I will tolerate that Chicago accent for a slice of the good stuff. Highly recommended even for the long drive from my town.

    Little Joe’s Famous Chicago Pizza and Ristorante
    104 Navajo Drive, Keller, 76248
    (SW corner of Navajo & Keller Pkwy, just west of Rufe Snow) (FM1709)

    817-753-6300

  50. Chicago ricks was ok at best and the beef was way to expensive for what you get. i had to buy two last time, to make a resonable beef sandwich. i was born and raised in chicago and go back every chance i get. chicagos finest is very good and has good deep dish. BJ’s is ok.
    as far as pizza puff you can order from Iltaco and pick up a deep fryer of your own. thats what i did. i like a good pizza when watching the sox or bulls so chicagos finest is where its at.

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