Alright, I know many of you will read this title and shake your head with dismay, laughing at the idea that Chicago pizza could possibly be better than the amazing pizza you grew up with. I am sorry to break it to you non-believers, but a larger amount of readers will see this title and throw their fists into the air with excitement because they know Chicago has got it all- from beautiful skyscrapers, amazing people and the most delicious pizza known to mankind. I'm sorry, but there's no contest. I must admit that I am quite a sweet person, and I NEVER argue with people, unless of course it's about pizza. I attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Go Badgers!), and I admit I do love Ian’s pizza. The fact that I can walk into Ian’s and stare at the long aisle of mesmerizing flavors is truly an experience in itself, but Ian’s does not come close to the deep dish pizza in Chicago.
Sure, maybe I am biased; we Chicagoans often are. But we will not hide from the truth. Chicago is home to the most heavenly pizza, and if you dare argue, why don’t you come on down to one of the greatest cities in the United States and have yourself a slice. Unfortunately, there’s something I failed to mention. There is one pizza place in Chicago that truly trumps all others, and this restaurant is home to the yummiest, cheesiest and best deep dish pizza. I would know, my Dad owns it. For those of you who have never heard of the joint and for those of you who claim that Lou Malnati’s or Giordano’s is home to the greatest deep dish pizza, I beg to differ. IF you haven’t had the chance to try a deep dish slice from the Art of Pizza, then I could see why you would think that those restaurants have the best. But please, I beg of you, go see for yourself. Next time you find yourself in Chicago, and your family suggests you go grab pizza, stray from your usual stop and take a trip to a new place. A restaurant on Ashland Avenue that holds a special place in my heart, a place that truly has the most exquisite deep dish of all time.
Sure, maybe I am biased, but that does not mean I’m wrong. After all, The Art of Pizza was voted the #1 Deep Dish Pizza in Chicago according to the Chicago Tribune. Throughout my childhood, I’ve learned that many of my past teachers who lived in the Chicago area love to grab a slice at The Art of Pizza. I have found students at my college who know and love The Art of Pizza, and for those who have not heard the name, I boast about it often. I boast because I am proud and so honored that my Dad was able to create such amazing pizza. The Art of Pizza is a huge part of my childhood. Every Wednesday my Dad would bring home food, and every birthday party, Homecoming gathering and sleepover was always accompanied by the most delicious pizza I have ever had. Please, listen to me. Even if you are a thin crust lover, a New York style pizza lover a Lou Malnati’s lover, go try The Art of Pizza. I PROMISE you will not be disappointed, and if you are well, I would be quite shocked because there is something at The Art of Pizza for everyone: thin crust, pan crust, deep dish, we got it!
Let me give you a glimpse into consuming a slice of deep dish cheese pizza from The Art of Pizza. We will go through this process in a series of steps, so you are not confused. First, your slice arrives, and you stare at it in disbelief. You have indeed never seen anything so beautiful in your life. Second, you admire the pizza’s qualities. You notice the mound of sweet tomato sauce, the buttery, golden crust that is thicker than any crust you have ever seen and the amazingly thick layer of cheese that rests below the mound of savory sauce. Next, you pick up the slice with care, after all, you do not want to miss a bite. Now, it’s the moment you have been waiting for, it's time to eat! You take a bite and your eyes widen in wonder. An infinite line of cheese stretches as you take a bite, and for a second, you believe it may go on forever (it doesn’t, unfortunately, but it does go quite far). Then, your mouth is filled with sweet, savory sauce, and hot, gooey cheese that pulls at your heartstrings and fills your body with warmth and happiness. Soon something clicks inside your brain: this truly is the greatest slice of pizza you have ever had, and you wonder how you went your entire life without having something as perfect as this slice of pizza. Finally, you finish your pizza, for some, it is a battle just to finish the entire slice, but for me, I can effortlessly finish an entire slice without much problem. What can I say, I’ve had many years of practice.
You then leave The Art of Pizza, completely full and utterly satisfied, but there’s a feeling you weren’t quite aware of before. A feeling of love. I have never been in love, but I’d imagine it’d be similar to the feelings I get when I am in the presence of pizza. The excitement that floods your body when you see the waiter arriving with your food, the swarm of butterflies that fills your tummy when you are close to having it and the utter bliss that consumes you when you finally take a bite. Love is a funny thing, but my love will forever lie in the hands of Chicago pizza. I want to thank Chicago, for being home to one of the most wonderful things of all time: the best pizza in America.
