Good news for Chicago pizza lovers. Yelp has released the 2024 Top Pizza Spots rankings, and one of our beloved pie shops, Pequod’s Pizza, has ranked No. 1 in the top 100 best pizza places across the US.
The Windy City has been lauded as a foodie haven, and many reputable culinary publications like Bon Appétit, Conde Nast Traveler, and Food & Wine have all acclaimed Chicago’s food scene. You can find a variety of sensational dishes in over 8,000 restaurants spread across the city.
Chicago style pizza, a slice of foodie heaven
One of the most beloved Chicago foods, also known as Chicago-style pizza, is the deep-dish pizza, a slice of foodie heaven and one dish that holds a special place in the hearts of Chicagoans. In fact, it has become synonymous with the city’s culinary scene over the years.
If you’re looking for a hearty comfort food that’s perfect for every season, look no further than this famous Chicago dish. It’s a super-thick crust pizza baked in a deep-dish pan, often topped with loads of cheese and a generous layer of tomato sauce. The result is quite a sight: a sizzling hot, cheesy heap of pizza bliss that’ll knock your socks right off.
Although there are several takes on the deep-dish pizza, none can come close to the original Chicago-style pizza. It was invented and perfected here — and, of course, best enjoyed while taking in Chicago’s low-key awesome vibe. It’s the most popular item on the menu at hundreds of Chicago restaurants, from River North’s Uno Pizzeria to Lincolnwood’s Lou Malnati.
Chicago-style pizza searches rose 18% in searches according to Yelp
Between 2022 and 2023, Chicago-style pizza searches rose 18% in searches according to Yelp, signaling an increased craving for the iconic pizza form from Yelpers.
World-recognized pizza is not new to Chicago pizzerias. Just last year, Spacca Napoli ranked No. 14 in 50 Top Pizza’s world rankings.
Of course, there is no pizza style one can’t find in the Windy City. And since one of our own pizza places has ranked first in the country, we might as well find out about this year’s trends from the best pizza places in the country. Whether you like Sicilian squares, “secret” slices, and sweet-hot toppings, there is a type of pizza for everyone.
Whether you like your pie thick and chewy, thin and crispy, square or round, with traditional cheese and sauce or more risque toppings like pineapple, jalapenos, fermented chiles, or hot honey, you can find it all in the top 100 pizza eateries across the nation.
Yelp released its Top 100 Pizza Spots to help pizza lovers celebrate National Pizza Day on February 9th, making sure everyone can find an eatery on the list to satisfy every pizza palate. Yelp Elites – the most passionate and trusted reviewers and influencers – have shared their preferred places for bubbly, cheesy, super-tasty slices.
Chi-Town’s Pequod’s Pizzeria hit the #1 spot this year
What’s the most popular pizza for 2024? Detroit-style pies have been trending among Yelpers, with a 26% increase in searches from 2022 to 2023. Chicago-style pizzas also top the community’s pizza lists, rising 18% in searches during that same time frame. It’s no wonder then, that Chi-Town’s Pequod’s Pizzeria hit the #1 spot this year. The caramelized cheese crust on its pan-style pies has been racking up stars among locals and Hollywood glitterati alike. They are also renowned for their jalapenos topping.
New York and California are the reigning champs when it comes to Yelpers’ favorite pizza places, with each state laying claim to 10 of the Top 100.
If you are a local of Chicago or come visiting and enjoy a food tour of Chicago, pizza included, you will have to water it down somehow. And what better way of doing that than visiting the best places to have a cold beer in. The Chicago beer scene has grown exponentially in the last two decades, thanks partly to the rising popularity of craft beer. Chicago’s brewing community has it all, from the biggest names in the country to tiny experimental upstarts.
What about a beer to match the pizza?
Whether you want to explore the downtown beer scene or venture out to the suburbs, you’re sure to find an exciting range of Chicago breweries. With more than 200 breweries in The Windy City and its diverse neighborhoods, we hand-picked the best Chicago breweries to visit.
The beer culture in Chicago is well-established and ever-evolving. That doesn’t surprise beer aficionados much given that the Windy City plays host to 4 of the fifty fastest-growing breweries in America today. When you crunch the numbers, Chicago accounts for ten percent of the annual growth in craft breweries.
What’s more, figures from the Brewers Association show that Chicago has the largest concentration of top-performing craft breweries in the nation. This fact doesn’t come as a big surprise, considering that Chicago is America’s #1 when it comes to the number of breweries. Now holding the first place in the best 100 pizza makers in the nation, Chicago is well suited to satisfy every foodie’s dream.
Five other Chicago pizzerias made the Top 100 list: Piece Brewery and Pizzeria in Wicker Park came in at No. 17; Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company in Lincoln Park was ranked No. 27; Spacca Napoli in Ravenswood was No. 44; Calo Pizzeria in Andersonville was No. 91 and Coalfire Pizza in West Town came in at No. 98.
