4 More Pizzerias to Check Out in Chicagoland

After a long workday or week, the idea of convenience is often most appetizing when it comes to food. However, while a frozen pizza may occasionally suffice, Chicagoland is teeming with pizzerias you’ll want to experience.

Whether you’re a long-timer or new to the city, there is always a new crust, style or topping to sink your teeth into. We’ve put together a list of two thin crust and two thick crust pizzerias that might force you to reconsider making frozen pizza in your apartment home.

The “family pizzeria” has been beguiling pizza lovers since 1959. The secret just might lie in the sauce. Slightly sweet, it serves as an ideal companion for the thin, thick, stuffed and even gluten-free pizzas on the menu. Italian sausage might be the go-to topping choice, but it finds good company alongside chicken, meatballs, Italian beef, pineapple and giardiniera

Lou Malnati's was at the forefront of the Chicago deep dish phenomenon, and it remains there today with its signature butter crust. When the flavor melds with Lou's fresh tomatoes, you just might equate the experience with the Cubs winning the World Series (not that anyone alive today would remember). Lou Malnati's pizzerias dot the city and suburbs, but many people believe the original Lincolnwood location is the best.

The chefs at Pizano's set a good example for the city. A deep dish special comes loaded with sausage, onion, mushroom and green pepper while the thin crust special features chunks of chicken with barbecue sauce, made right on the premises. Both varieties peacefully co-exist, with many customers ordering one type at the restaurant and taking the other type home.

You wouldn't be alone if you grabbed a Vito & Nick's frozen pizza at your favorite grocer, swooned over its freshness and taste and then discovered that you can actually get a crispy, extra thin crust pizza made in “real time.” As delicious as it is from a frozen state, it's even better at this south side attraction.

What are your favorite pizzerias in Chicagoland? Share them with us in the comments!