National Pizza Day: Best Pizzas, Deals In Illinois

Friday, Feb. 9 is National Pizza Day, and if you're like every other self-respecting human out there, you will use any excuse to eat this most delicious food. But National Pizza Day is undoubtedly a legitimate excuse, so why not make it count with a bunch of slices? To help you in that culinary quest, here's some information on top-ranked pizza shops, plus deals being offered at various chains.

First, the state's best pies:

Best Pizza In The US: Which Chicago Pizzerias Made The Cut?

Who says New Yorkers know how to make the best pizza? Even the spokesman for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says Chicago's pizza is better.

The Daily Meal, a popular food-based website, says 12 of the nation's best joints are right here in the Prairie State. The highest-ranked Illinois pizza shop on the 2017 list was Lou Malnati's, where The Daily Meal suggests ordering Lou's Chicago Classic, a deep-dish pizza with sausage, crust made with butter and mozzarella. The restaurant came in at No. 7 on the nationwide list. Click here to read the full list of Illinois pizza pies that made the cut.

Now, for the National Pizza Day deals:

• Baskin-Robbins: Free samples of the new Sweetheart Polar Pizza from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 9.
• California Pizza Kitchen: Substitute a cauliflower pizza crust in place of a classic hand-tossed dough or crispy thin crust for free. After Friday, it'll cost an additional $2.50.
• Chuck E. Cheese's: Chuck E Cheese's is offering a number of deals and coupons. Find them on the Chuck E. Cheese's website for your location.
• Cici's Pizza: All-you-can-eat pizza for less than $6 at participating locations.
• Domino's: Choose two or more items from a specific menu for $5.99 each. You can also order a handmade pan pizza for $8.99.
• Little Caesars: At Little Caesar's you can get extra cheese and pepperoni for just an $1 and upgrade to the "extra most bestest" pizza.
• Papa John's: Papa John's has a number of specials, including a carryout deal for a three-topping pizza for $8.99. You can enter your delivery address to see what specials are being offered near you. According to Offers.com, with the code "25OFF" you can get 25 percent off regular priced menu items.
• Pizza Hut: Hut Rewards members get 30 percent off all pizzas on Friday. Or get two medium two-topping pizzas for $5.99 each for delivery and carryout orders. You can also get an online only deal for a two-topping large pizza for $7.99.
• Whole Foods Market: Large "Take & Bake" pizzas will be on sale for $9.99 Friday at participating stores.

RELATED: National Pizza Day 2018: Where To Find Free Food & Hot Deals

By Kara Seymour, Patch National Staff

Image: AP Photo/M. Spencer Green