Considered the oldest family name in Chicago pizza, Lou Malnati's is as rich in history as it's pizza is in flavor. Lou got his start in the 1940's, working with his father Rudy, in Chicago's first deep dish pizzeria. Lou Malnati took his pizza expertise to Lincolnwood, a northern suburb of Chicago, where he and his wife Jean opened the first Lou Malnati's Pizzeria on March 17, 1971. Lou was known for his fun-loving character as well as making Chicagoland's best pizza. Loyal patrons lined the streets on opening day for a taste of his delicious deep-dish creations. Lou always thought it was funny that an Italian should open a pizzeria in a Jewish neighborhood on an Irish holiday. But that was Lou's style, he loved all types of people and didn't care much about what people thought.

After meeting with an enormous success in Lincolnwood, Lou decided to

open another pizzeria in a little northwestern suburb by O'Hare Airport, Elk Grove Village. Unfortunately, the Elk Grove location had a tough beginning. A major road construction project began a few months after the restaurants opening and for 14 months business suffered immensely. At one point the accountants advised Lou to close the doors before it ruined him. But Lou would have nothing to do with that idea and persevered. Sure enough, once the construction ended, people came in droves to Lou Malnati's Pizzeria in Elk Grove.

In 1978 Lou Malnati met with an untimely death when he fell victim to cancer. Lou's oldest son Marc was just graduating from college and joined his mother in the family business. A few years later Marc's younger brother Rick finished his basketball career at downstate Illinois' Bradley University and he joined the family business as well.

The company has continued to grow by building on the loyalty of their dedicated employees. Lou Malnati's is unique in the fact that people come to work for Malnati's and don't leave! Not only do they stay around for a long while, they recruit their family members to come work for Lou's. There are some cases of three generations of one family working for the Malnati's. Not long ago, the Malnati's recognized over 25 employees that had been part of the Malnati restaurant family for over 25 years! Quite a milestone for the restaurant business. This elite group consisted of managers, cashiers, waitstaff, cooks, and even bus boys. The long-standing tradition continues with almost 100 staff members that have been with Lou Malnati's for over 10 years.

Carrying on Lou's vision of providing great food at reasonable prices Lou Malnati's has grown to include 20 family owned Chicagoland pizzerias. In recent years the Malnati's have felt blessed by their success and wanted to do something to give back to the community. In the fall of 1995 the Malnati's opened a restaurant on the West side of Chicago in an effort to help rejuvenate a neighborhood that has not had much success in recovering from the riots of 1967 which ravaged the area. Lou Malnati's Lawndale pizzeria is unique in that all profits will be given back to the community to benefit children's educational and recreational programs.

What is Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza Anyway?

in a layer. Then the pizza is topped with a fresh tomato sauce made with whole chunks of pear and plum tomatoes and topped off with a light sprinkling of cheese and spices. Now that's a pizza!

So what's' so special about Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza?

True Chicagoans know there is only one place to go for authentic Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, a true favorite among Chicagoans. Lou Malnati's Pizzerias have stayed true to the original Chicago style deep dish pizza recipe that Grampa Rudy Malnati helped create in 1943 at Chicago's first deep dish pizzeria. The Malnati's use only the freshest and finest ingredients available when making their World Famous deep dish pizza. The secret recipe for the flaky buttery crust and exclusive sausage blend is unmatched in flavor and taste. The tomato sauce is so crucial to the making of a great Lou Malnati's pizza that each year the Malnati brothers go to California and meet personally with the tomato growers. The finest vine ripened plum tomatoes are then blended and canned exclusively for Malnati's use.

Why can't they make real Chicago Style pizza outside of Chicago?

Rick Malnati swears the true secret is in the water! "Only Chicago's finest Lake Michigan water can produce a truly delicious Chicago style deep dish pizza crust!"

their bland sauces, cheap cheese and stiff crust don't ..."

Best Chicago Pizza in Town
"This is a perfect lunch spot for folks who work around the Merchandise Mart. The personal pizzas plus a salad are ready to go -- so there is never a wait."

Amazing
"I love thin crust pizza and have had a large variety and Lou Malnati's is by far the best Thin Crust Pizza I have ever tasted. The flaky crust is what makes it. The deep dish is also great with ..."

Deep Dish Delight
"I have been a fan of Lou Malnati's for 25 years now. For me, there is no better pizza but it should be ordered well done or else the crust can be a bit too soggy. Also, save room for ..."

Slice of Heaven
Now if you want to experience the absolute BEST in deep dish pizza, look no further than Lou Malnati's. Everything you have heard about it is true: the crust is a perfect golden brown,there is plenty of cheese topping it...melted just right...and the sauce is authentic tasting. Do yourself a big favor and order an individual deep dish pizza....and enjoy. There is no other pizza quite like it! A great starter is the mozzarella sticks. Those followed by your very own deep dish pizza is a great ...

Good Service, Great Food
If you have never had real Chicago style, deep dish pizza, it is worth the trip to Chicago to find out what all the fuss is about. Lou Malnati's would be a great place to start. I go to school in Nebraska, but my permanent home is in Chicago and I get to Lou's almost every time I go back. Malnati's has the second best pizza in Chicago, and therefore, the world. (Edwardo's pizza is my personal favorite, but Malnati's happens to be a block away from my home, so I go there more.) ...

Lou Malnati's... THE BEST EVER
If you are looking for the best Pizza ever, you have to try Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. Not only do they surpass in quality, the service we have experienced has been the best. Lou Malnati's has several Chicagoland locations. What we love the most is the taste and the variety of Pizzas available. They will do their best to make whatever kind of pizza you wish if you do not care for certain ingredients. The appetizers are also a must here. Their Mozzarella sticks are like non other.

Also a Selection of:

Appetizers (Stuffed Spinach Bread)          Soups & Salads (Malnati's Antipasto Salad)

Pasta (Mostaccioli ala Malnati)          Sandwiches (Meatball Sandwich)          Desserts (Chocolate Chip Pizza)

Gourmet Foodplaza Privacy Policy

We take the protection and proper use of your personal information seriously. We do not share customer information outside of our
company unless it is necessary to provide you with our products or services, or if we are legally required to do so.
Your name, address, email or phone number will not be sold, rented or given to any other company.

All products offered have a convenient, Secure Online Ordering System.
For Information on Restaurants you can E-mail us at info@gourmetfoodplaza.com

Copyright 2001 by   All rights reserved