The Historic Chicago Spot That Revolutionized Deep Dish Pizza!

Deep dish pizza in pan

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The Chicago restaurant that put deep dish pizza on the map is none other than Pizzeria Uno. Nestled at 29 East Ohio Street, this establishment holds the weight of culinary history on its shoulders. While the origins of many beloved dishes often spark heated debates, deep dish pizza is uniquely traceable to this iconic locale. Created in 1943, it emerged amidst a backdrop of pizza evolution that stretches back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The modern pizza of Naples has its roots in this rich past, yet deep dish remains a relative newcomer, often likened to a culinary toddler in terms of its development.

Deciphering the true inventor of this pizza style is a complex affair. Established by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, Pizzeria Uno opened its doors to food lovers, ultimately becoming a beacon for deep dish enthusiasts. Despite its eventual renaming and the branching out of its founder’s legacy, the essence of deep dish pizza is anchored firmly at Uno’s original location. However, the question of who truly created the deep dish remains murky. It’s a subject of contention, as both Sewell and Riccardo were businessmen rather than culinary artisans. Some believe the key to the deep dish recipe’s success lies in the hands of the cooks they employed, whose culinary skills might have shaped the pie we savor today.

Pizzeria Uno Spawned a Legacy of Deep Dish Pizza in Chicago

Pizzeria Uno exterior

Pizzeria Uno is the root from which a sprawling family of deep dish pizzerias in Chicago has grown, yet none claim the title of the original birthplace. Among the individuals who vie for the honor of deep dish creator are Rudy Malnati Sr., who managed Uno, and Alice May Redmond, a skilled cook from Mississippi. The narrative unfolds with Malnati asserting he co-developed the recipe, with supporting claims from pizza experts highlighting that Riccardo’s initial creations weren’t quite what we define as deep dish today. Redmond, in turn, is believed to have refined the deep dish pizza into its current form.

As the popularity of deep dish pizza soared at Pizzeria Uno in the 1950s, both Redmond and Malnati ventured into rival restaurant territories. Redmond, alongside her sister Ruth Hadley, went on to create the famed Gino’s Pizza, now known as Gino’s East, making it the second-oldest deep dish pizza restaurant in Chicago. Meanwhile, Malnati’s legacy flourished through two chains: Lou Malnati’s, established in 1971 by his son, and Pizano’s, founded by another son in 1991. Regardless of the origin story of the deep dish pizza, Pizzeria Uno has undoubtedly paved the way for multiple influential restaurants that continue to capture the hearts and appetites of many.

For me, the allure of Chicago’s deep dish pizza is profound. It represents not merely a meal, but a deeply woven narrative of community and tradition. Stepping into Pizzeria Uno, with its rich aroma and bustling energy, feels like participating in a slice of history—a delicious reminder that some culinary marvels are more than just food; they are a story shared over gooey, cheesy layers of bliss.