These IL Pizzas Are Among The Best In U.S., New Food & Wine List Says

CHICAGO, IL — Two Chicago pizzerias are redefining pizza, according to Food & Wine magazine's new list of "The 27 Best Pizzas in America Right Now."

America's pizza scene has come a long way from the old arguments over New York thin crust versus Chicago deep dish. Food & Wine said a new generation of pizza makers is putting its own stamp on the American pie, experimenting with dough, toppings and techniques, while the masters of traditional styles keep finding ways to make a good thing even better.

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For pizza lovers, it's a delicious time to be alive. There's more variety, more creativity and more reason than ever to venture beyond the neighborhood pizza joint, even if it means hopping on a train or taking a road trip.

For example, a Philadelphia pizzeria tops its pies with corn. For a pickle on your pizza, head to Minneapolis. Vivid green pizzas topped with chile chutney are found at a Los Angeles restaurant.

In Chicago, Food & Wine editors were impressed with the No Comply pizza at Milly's Pizza In The Pan and the Housemade Italian Beef and Giardiniera pizza at Pizz'amici.

Milly's Pizza In The Pan, which has locations at 925 N. Ashland Ave. and 3409 N. Broadway, earned recognition for its take on traditional Chicago pan pizza. Owner Robert Maleski began making pizzas at home in 2020 and has since developed a following for his thick, airy crusts, crispy cheese edges and creative toppings.

Food & Wine singled out the No Comply, which features spicy 'nduja sausage, ricotta cheese and Italian saba syrup. The publication praised Milly's for helping revive Chicago's pan pizza tradition at a time when tavern-style pies have become increasingly popular, according to Food & Wine.

Meanwhile, Pizz'amici, at 1215 W. Grand Ave., was recognized for its take on Chicago's classic tavern-style pizza.

The restaurant traces its beginnings to an underground pizza project in 2018 that gave away free pies. Today, it specializes in cracker-thin crusts cut into squares and topped with ingredients such as halal pepperoni, hot sausage and housemade Italian beef, according to Food & Wine.

Food & Wine highlighted the restaurant's signature Italian Beef and Giardiniera pizza, featuring thinly shaved beef simmered in jus and spicy giardiniera.

The magazine credited Pizz'amici with helping lead a resurgence of interest in Chicago's traditional thin-crust pizza, a style that has often been overshadowed nationally by the city's famous deep-dish pies.

Both restaurants were among 27 pizzerias nationwide selected for the magazine's Oct. 9 list, which celebrates traditional favorites alongside inventive new takes on pizza.

You can find the full article and list here.