Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria

The wait time is awful, my friends and I came around 7:45 and we didn’t leave till 10:30pm
I was waiting for someone to wait on my table for over 30 mins. When the waitress arrived I asked her before we ordered if we can have separate checks. Then asked again if we could have separate checks before we got it. She came back with the check and gave us a pen and told us to find it out our selves. My friends and I still left a good tip but we were very disappointed with the wait time and service. The only reason why I’m giving it 3 stars is because the waitress could have been having a bad day. Hopefully it is better the next time I go.

Been eating their deep dish for years.
4^th or 5^th time our family is ordering from this location and it’s only getting worse.
The meat is crooked and uneven all around. So is the pizza dough. The meat is sooo thin and doesn’t come close to covering the pizza (actually is missing parts of the pizza). The cheese is so rubbery and thick. The flavor is bland and distasteful.
Overall, there’s no quality control. Never know what kind of pizza you’ll be getting. This is the end of Lou Malnatis pizza for our family.

What can you say about the place. It’s a Lou’s so you know the pizza is great, it’s personally my favorite Chicago style deep dish in the city. Does it take a while and is it a little pricy? Yeah, but get some friends together l, go have a delicious salad and talk to each other while you wait. It’s worth it, plus when was the last time you really talked to Jimmy?
The building is new and beautifully built with the main room opening onto the block for an outdoor patio area during the warmer months. Even better it replaced a vacant lot from an old Golden Nugget or Golden Angel and made the area look better just for it not being fenced off anymore.

We have had Lou’s from multiple locations multiple times and love it. We got a well done deep dish uncut to go and when we got home it was absolutely awful. Toppings where only on one side and crust was soggy on every side and the bottom. We tried to re-​bake it but it was too late. Attempting to eat it honestly made me not even want to try again at any location.

Stopped by with cousins to do some catching up and we were not disappointed!
We had a couple of beers and a spinach salad, which we split while we were waiting for our pizza (takes about 30 minutes). Let me tell you, this spinach salad was delicious — my cousin can’t stop talking about it. We ordered The «Lou» (gotta have deep dish in Chicago) and had more people join us before ordering The Malnati Chicago Classic.
The décor was nice, service was friendly. Would go again! Probably in the summer since it’ll be nice to walk right over from Lincoln Square.

I ordered a personal pan pizza and expected it to be more than 4 bites big.
Plus, the flavor was very underwhelming. In fact, I had to add some seasoning powder to it.
This pizza with spinach, onion and green pepper should have had some flavor.
I will never order again. Also, let me mention I paid 14 dollars for this disappointment.

A friend of mine took us here that grew up in the area.
When walking in we were greeted very nicely and then seated with a choice of a table or booth. The décor was very well done.
The service was great. They have one person at all times walking around to take your plate or fill your cup back up. That was a plus, you don’t usually see that anymore.
The pizza takes around 30 – 35 mins, I recommend ordering some salad while you wait. The salad was amazing, I think it may have been my favorite salad I have ever had.
The pizza was decent and was not the best deep dish pizza I have had. The pizza was kind of watery I thought.
Bottom line is, I would visit a place more center city of Chicago for the dip dish pizza. If you live around these parts then sure go for it.

Best part about this location is that they offer delivery which has increased our consumption of Lou’s. Prior to their opening we would have to travel top one of their other locations which does not allow for deep dish spontaneity.
Food has always been hot and delivery prompt. Something I can not say about the new Girodanos that opened up on Aville.
Great addition to the area and maybe I will make it in there one day. Since winter has hit the chances of that happening are slim until we thaw out in spring.

We have been here a couple of times at this location, and the food is stellar! We always get the deep dish with pepperoni and sausage, along with the garlic bread… amazing! The service however, is another issue. Both times we have been there, we had the same waitperson, who, although very nice, they seem to disappear for long periods of time between visits, up to 25 minutes at a time, leaving our drinks to become empty, and just overall service standard to become non existent.
We will come back to this location because it is very convenient to where we live, but we will hopefully get a different waitperson the next time.

This place is really the gem of the southern end of Lincoln Square. What a fantastic and beautiful building.
The place really is welcoming and is family friendly. We have dined in several times and have had great service. Last evening it was full of kids and there is plenty of space to accommodate the needs of families. Even though it takes a while to prepare the pizza the atmosphere is conducive to small kids. I can’t understand the complaints about this place.
We get the Malnati’s Chicago Classic and it is the best deep dish around. Always provides two meals for us. The garlic bread is perfect. Light and fluffy bread and wonderful, flavorful sauce.

Ok, I’m from NJ and I visited Chicago last week. I decided on Lou’s because they had good reviews. I wanted the BEST deep dish… and I am pretty damn sure I got it! Lou’s has some incredible pizza. I got the sausage deep dish and was so incredibly impressed for my first time. The tomatoes and sauce was mouthwatering, the cheese was gooey and delicious, the sausage was tangy, and that thick flaky crust… ugh, so good. Pizza around home is nerve this good. If you want Chicago deep dish, start here and go DOWN the list of others. This place is tops.

Tourist review! I’ve only been to Chicago twice and good pizza was on the top of the list, so friends who lived locally insisted on Lou Malnati’s.
This is a great place – it’s got a nice atmosphere, friendly staff, and a pretty extensive menu. Being used to having tons of beer at our fingertips in San Diego, I was really hoping for a good stout at Malnati’s, and they delivered, which was amazing! Their pizza was also delicious – I’ve been told this is classic Chicago pizza, but since I’ve only eaten here, I can’t really judge.
We got a deep dish and a thin crust, and both were equally tasty – although I have to admit I’m more partial to the deep dish. However, being that this is legitimate pizza, it’s much greasier than I’m used to; probably just a lack of decent pizza in my diet, but just something we noticed.
I think this is a great place to bring your friends. Friends, beer, and pizza – you can never go wrong.

I ordered for pick up on a Thursday afternoon. They told me 35 minutes for a deep medium. I was there in 30 and it was ready. Sweet.
The staff was very nice. Hooked me up with some parm’ cheese and crushed red peppers without me having to ask. They know what us Chicago guys are about.
The pizza was very good. When talking Chicago pizza dough (though), everyone is about the best. What’s the best Chicago deep dish?
If you care what I think:
1) Pizzeria Due/​Uno — Go to Due over Uno.
2) Gino’s East
3 and 4 is between Lou and Giordano’s.
Where is the Taste of Chicago Pizza fest when you need to compare?
Before you argue or disagree, Google search Chicago Pizza History and learn about how these restaurants came to fruition. There are not that many that should even be brought up in this hot debate.
Nevertheless, this Lou location is on point with the rest and is delicious. You will enjoy.

I’m not normally a big fan of chains but this place has some good eats!
Came to this location after partying at the Green Mill. We were looking for after hour grub to soak up all the alcohol, and what’s better than greasy cheese and carbs! This place was recommended by several friends as having the best deep dish in town and featured in food wars so we just HAD to try it! We sat down and looked at the menu and couldn’t decide because both the Lou and the meat lover are very yummy, so our waitress kindly told us we can do half and half which was perfect!
It did take 45min for the pizza to be made, by the time it was ready, I was absolutely starving. So I would highly recommend preparing for the long baking time. The pizza tasted amazing and looked very fresh. We licked our plates after we inhaled our pieces, and I was so full I couldn’t even walk. Heart burn all the way and worth every indigestion!
Clean bathrooms, free street parking!

I have always loved Lou Malnati’s pizza because it’s tasty and not your average pizza recipe. I hadn’t had their pizza in many years until I treated myself to a slice at the Taste of Chicago on 7÷10÷15. It was so good that I knew I had to go back. Hence, I decided to try this location. I was extremely impressed with this restaurant. Indoor and outdoor patio seating, large establishment and staff were super friendly. My waiter Chadd was AWESOME! He recommended the Caesar Salad to me and helped me with the pizza selection because I wanted to make sure I had the butter crust pizza. My salad and pizza were so fresh and scrumptious. I ate it ALL, do you hear me? And I was not ashamed. It was such a comforting environment that I felt very relaxed there. Will make sure to be back as I really enjoyed my experience there.

As the homie Nikki C says, «what a beautiful building… all shiny and new»
Definitely a great replacement for the old ass diner that housed this location for as long as I could remember. I am definitely more of a Giordanos guy but can tolerate Lou’s so when my good buddy decided we should grab some food here after guzzling a few @ the Half Acre Tap Room just a few minutes away, this was in order.
Probably the brightest Lou Malnatis I’ve ever been inside as its pretty well lit along with fresh greenery growing on the wall to give it a backyard patio type of feel to it.
Me and the young homie An P started out with some calamari upon recommendation from our server Jake. It proved to be some good stuff as it came with a bit of a spice to it. We ordered a small Lou’s classic deep dish pizza which was good, but no Giordanos LOL. Beer list is decent and caters to the craft beer loving neighborhood.
FYI…this place is kid friendly so don’t freak out when you see them LOL! Definitely good pickup for the area

Full disclosure… I’m reviewing this from a very biased point of view. Went to Lou’s last night with family to celebrate a kindergarten graduation. Lou’s was the happy little graduate’s choice, and I was honored to be asked to come along. Being vegan, I’ll just say that Lou’s isn’t exactly vegan paradise. No, duh. Still, I own my experience and I’m Unilocalin’ it. First of all, I love the décor. What a great combination of modern and retro. I fell in love with the beautiful green living wall. The industrial floor to ceiling glass doors open up to create an outdoor environment, which would have been amazing if it wasn’t so dang chilly-​cold in mid June. When we arrived we were told there would be a 25 minute wait. We were pleasantly surprised when we were seated within about 5 minutes. Time is of the essence when you’re dining with children. Lou’s was hopping last night and it does seem to be pretty family-​friendly.
Knowing that Lou Malnati’s is one of Chicago’s pizza royalty I knew my choices would be limited, but I assumed there would possibly be some decent salads on the menu. Well, not really. The salad choices are old-​school, unimaginative lettuce-​in-​a bowl type faire. Now before I ruffle feathers, I realize most people aren’t going to Lou’s to get their greens. Still, a restaurant should strive to make whatever is on the menu amazing. Right? Sad, undrained lettuce just doesn’t cut it. The red wine vinaigrette was acidic and unbalanced, and reminded me of the bottled Wishbone dressings of my childhood, but not in a sweet, nostalgic kind of way. Really? This is the best you can serve?
So, I repeat, this review is coming from a very specific perspective. I will also add that despite it being a busy Friday night, service was on par. That counts.

Lord help me, I love me my pizza. And it loves me so much, it stays with me on hips, thighs, and waist, long after our mutual love affair is supposedly over. With that in mind, I only get pizza when I have reasonable confidence that the orgy of gooey, sloppy indulgence will be well-​worth the tight clothes.
The Broccoli Goddess and I chose the brand-​new Lou Malnati’s on Lincoln Avenue for our dinner out for a couple reasons; first, the pizza. And second, the pizza. It helps, too, that the restaurant is open on Monday night, when so many other restaurants are closed.
No lines on Monday night, but the restaurant was definitely busy. We were able to sit down right away, at a comfortable table towards the back of the restaurant, nearer the bar. The weather was pleasant, although maybe a little cool, and the big windows at the front of the restaurant, facing the Montrose/​Lincoln intersection, were open.
We quickly had menus and waters. A waitress appeared within 60 seconds of our sitting down. She asked if we’d been to Malnati’s before. We both hemmed and hawed — we had, but not for some time. She wanted to make sure that we understood, any pizza we ordered would take 35 – 40 minutes. You know what that means, friends — everything is made to order. Yippee!
I asked for a drink menu, and I got something called a Lou’s Lemonade. This is alcohol. I can’t recall exactly what is in it, but it was very good. I had two. I did not get buzzed at all, so it’s not something that’s strong. I would get it again. The Broccoli Goddess stuck to her usual sprite soft drink.
You can order small pizzas in individual size, or for 1 – 2 people, or, of course, larger. The Broccoli Goddess was very disappointed to see that broccoli was not available as an addition. I’m serious about this, folks. She was majorly bummed out. We don’t call her the Broccoli Goddess for nothing. She and I each ended up ordering a plain cheese individual deep dish pizza.
The individual pizza is four slices. Will it satisfy your appetite? My friend took one slice home with her. I ate all of mine, and wanted more. I came very close to asking if she was really going to eat her last slice, but some last vestige of good manners prevailed. It was really good. I want more right now.
The restaurant is noisy. Shocker, right? My friend wasn’t thrilled about that. It was too loud for her. I said, hey, it’s a pizza place. There are lots of kids here. It’s going to be noisy. So, if you are looking for an intimate place to have a quiet conversation, you should probably go somewhere else. But frankly, why would anyone expect to have a quiet conversation at a pizza place?
A five-​star experience for me. No complaints or problems with food, drink, service or ambiance. My friend would rate is less, given the complete and total absence of broccoli and the noise level.
I’d go again. Right now. My mouth is watering, thinking about it. And I will get something bigger than the little bitty pizza. If I’m going to have pizza and struggle to zip my blue jeans the next day, I want really, really good pizza and good drinks. Lou Malnati’s, you are worth every pound of weight I gain.

What a beautiful building… All shiny and new.
Beautifully done wood burned logo into the wall marking their new turf while the carcass of the previous resident hangs inside as tribute reminding us of the good old days and that only the strong survive.
The staff are new, shiny, trained at other locations and friendly with spatulas in hand.
The beers representing local hops are tasty.
The pizza is classic with deep and thin options. Both done well and care.
Bossman Mr. Malnati making the rounds with a camera ready smile is on point and putting out fires as needed.
No reservations and the queue does build to hour long waits, but do put your pizza order in with your name to shorten wait times. Not sure why a thin pizza would take as long as a deep, but order them at the same time.
Put your name in and go for a walk. Grab a beer down the street at half acre or chinese food across the street. (you’ll be hungry again by the time you get your pizza)
On an early Saturday afternoon… there will be kids.
This is a family friendly environment.
My dark soul with my black clothing was not happy.
Despite the pizza, lovely company and tasty beers I wanted to take a hot pan of food and smash my face.
Kids were cute, almost too cute with their faces covered in cheese and tomato sauce.
Seriously take me out back into the small parking lot with handicapped spaces and beat me numb.
thank you.

The gold standard of Chicago Deep Dish, finally on the North Side! Today was their grand opening, and though they had a tiny delay, they pulled it off.
The atmosphere in this location is amazing! Their stylists really have outdone themselves — living plants growing out of the wall with an internal irrigation system? Crazy! The color palette and stylization really reminds me of the Pacific Northwest (which is a good thing — modern but welcoming). But you need to come here for the food. Our garlic bread appetizer was light & crispy with a perfectly balanced marinara, but our pizzas were the stars. Their sausage is like no other in the city, and is absolutely fantastic. Get that combined with mushrooms, onions & Roma tomatoes, and it becomes something special. Their ingredients are so fresh & flavors so well crafted, they really set this place above all others. I only give 5 stars to places that do what they do extremely well, and the Malnatis have perfected deep dish!
We even got to meet Marc tonight, and for someone who is arguably the «Godfather» of deep dish, he was incredibly personable and approachable. I felt he truly cared about everyone who came in. I can’t wait until they open their outdoor area: great for people watching!