Two distinct styles of pizza, both originating in Chicago, offer dramatically different culinary experiences. One features a significantly thick crust that rises high along the edges of a deep pan, creating a well that is then filled with cheese, toppings, and sauce. The other involves constructing two layers of crust with the ingredients, primarily cheese, sandwiched in between and sauce layered on top of the upper crust.
These two pizza variants have contributed significantly to Chicago’s culinary identity and have gained widespread popularity throughout the United States and beyond. The deep pan style is often associated with a richer, more substantial mouthfeel due to the generous amount of cheese and sauce. The double-crust version provides a unique textural experience, with the inner layer absorbing the flavors of the fillings and the outer crust offering a crispy counterpoint. Both have become staples in the pizza world, sparking debate among pizza enthusiasts about which reigns supreme.
