Pizza Fans Rank These 7 Illinois Deep-Dish Spots Above The Tourist Lines
One Illinois pizzeria sells garlic doughnuts right next to its deep-dish pies. I read that twice, and then I started planning a road trip.
That detail sent me hunting for more. I found pan pizzas with caramelized cheese edges, a pie topped with hot honey, and a deep dish served inside a vintage barn.
I love that none of these spots sit on the busy downtown tourist strip. They’re scattered across Illinois, from college towns to quiet suburbs to a river city downstate.
Some need a reservation, and one even has a drive-through window.
The best part is how different each pie turns out. Some lean buttery and tall, while others crunch at the edges like a cheese cracker.
So which one would you drive an hour for first?
1. Papa Del’s Pizza Factory
Garlic doughnuts on a pizza menu sound like a dare. At this Champaign favorite, they sit right beside the deep dish, and they’re vegetarian too.
The house specializes in deep-dish pizza with thick melted cheese, generous toppings, and a sweet sauce. The Original Pan Pizza with pepperoni is a natural first order if you’re new here.
You also get regular thick crust and thin crust options. That helps when one kid wants towering layers and another just wants a simple slice.
Beyond pizza, you’ll find lasagna and stuffed mushrooms. Full vegetarian and vegan menus mean mixed-diet families don’t have to compromise.
The space is roomy and stylish, with a fireplace for chilly central Illinois evenings. Parents get high chairs, changing tables, and a kids’ menu, which makes a lunch stop far less stressful.
It opens at 10 AM daily, so an early lunch is easy to fit in. Friday and Saturday evenings tend to get busiest, so check ahead and consider a reservation.
Parking is usually plentiful, with a free lot and free street spots. That’s a small win after a long drive down I-57 from Chicago.
Address: 1201 S Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820
2. Burt’s Place
Few pizza parlors earn a cult following the way this Morton Grove spot has. The pull starts with a crispy, caramelized crust that pizza fans love to debate.
The style here mixes Chicago and Detroit traditions. Expect a crunchy edge, a tall pan pie, and a tangy sauce that keeps the richness in check.
Thin crust is on the menu too. Kids get their own option with a 10-inch thin crust kids pizza, which is a thoughtful touch.
Starters cover the fun stuff, like fried pickles, onion rings, and cheese curds. Save room for cannoli, because the dessert list is short but sweet.
Families who want to sip something special can try Filbert’s Cream Soda. Craft sodas show up on the drink list, so the kids aren’t stuck with plain water.
Here’s a smart move. Call-ahead ordering is part of the routine, since pan pies take time to bake.
It opens at 4:30 PM and closes Mondays, so check ahead before you go. Weekend evenings fill up fast, while Tuesday nights tend to be calmer.
Want a frozen pie for later? The menu lists a 12-inch frozen cheese pizza to take home.
Address: 8541 Ferris Ave, Morton Grove, IL 60053
3. Uncle Jerry’s Pizza Company
Hot honey on a Chicago-style pan pizza might be the sweetest plot twist in McHenry County. This family-run spot on Main Street in Cary makes it a signature.
The foundation is a buttery pan crust that bakes up crisp. Fresh ingredients and a balanced amount of sauce round out the pie.
Curious about the honey? Try Uncle Jerry’s Sweet Sting, a vegetarian pie built around that sweet heat.
Traditionalists can stick with Uncle Jerry’s Classic Sausage Pizza. It’s the easy pick for a picky eater who just wants something familiar.
A house side salad helps balance out a heavy pizza night. It’s also vegan, which is handy for mixed tables.
Hours vary across the week, so plan around them. Tuesday through Thursday it opens at 4 PM, and weekend lunch starts at 11 AM.
There’s usually a wait, especially on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. Ordering takeout can save you time with hungry kids in the back seat.
Parking tends to be easy, with a free lot and free street spots. Cary sits about an hour northwest of Chicago, so check ahead on hours before heading out.
Address: 133 W Main St, Cary, IL 60013
4. Louisa’s Pizza & Pasta
South suburban pizza lovers have a strong opinion about where the best deep dish lives. Plenty of them point straight to this family-owned Italian spot in Crestwood.
The crust and ingredients are the big draw here. Each pie comes out thick and hearty, the kind you plan a whole evening around.
The room itself feels old-time and small. That intimate scale is part of the charm, but it means tables can go quickly.
Not in a pizza mood? Lasagna is a menu highlight, and dessert gets plenty of attention too.
Timing matters at Louisa’s. It opens at 3 PM Tuesday through Sunday and stays closed on Mondays.
Deep dish takes a while to bake, and service can run slow during the rush. Reservations are accepted, so booking ahead tends to make dinner smoother.
Busy stretches usually hit Friday evening, Saturday afternoon into evening, and Sunday evening. Weekday afternoons tend to be quieter if your crew eats early.
Curbside pickup is an option when the kids are worn out. Free parking in a lot and on the street makes the stop easy.
Crestwood sits just off Cicero Avenue in the south suburbs. Check ahead for hours before you go.
Address: 14025 S Cicero Ave, Crestwood, IL 60445
5. The Silo Restaurant
Eating deep dish inside a vintage barn feels like a very Illinois idea. This long-running Lake Bluff eatery makes that dream a regular dinner plan.
Deep-dish pan pizza leads the menu, with specialty thin crust pizzas for anyone who prefers a crunch. The Meat Lovers is a hearty pick for big appetites.
Pizza is only part of the story, though. You’ll find toasted ravioli, Idaho Nachos, and signature onion rings.
Sandwich fans can grab a hand-breaded pork tenderloin. French onion soup and Silo Mac and Cheese give younger diners plenty of options too.
A salad bar adds a fresh side to a cheesy meal. The Silo Salad is another easy vegetarian choice.
Planning a party? There’s a loft upstairs for larger groups, plus a private dining room.
The restaurant is also good for kids’ birthdays, with high chairs and a kids’ menu on hand. That makes it a strong pick for family celebrations in Lake County.
It closes on Mondays and opens at 4 PM on Sundays. Check ahead, since hours can shift.
Address: 625 Rockland Rd, Lake Bluff, IL 60044
6. Pequod’s Pizza
That dark, crunchy ring of cheese around the edge is the whole reason people line up. Pequod’s built its name on that caramelized crust, and the Morton Grove location is the original.
The pies are thick and cheesy, with toppings like sausage and pepperoni. Thin crust is available too, if someone at the table wants something lighter.
Fun fact: Pequod’s started in Morton Grove in 1971. It sits just around the corner from Burt’s Place, so a pizza-themed day trip is entirely possible.
Quirky T-shirts on the walls give the room some personality. It’s a relaxed neighborhood setting rather than a polished dining room.
Starters include mozzarella sticks and onion rings. You can also take home a frozen pepperoni pizza for a lazy night.
A kids’ menu and high chairs help families settle in. A full vegetarian menu covers meat-free eaters.
Expect a wait, especially on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Reservations are accepted, and they often save plenty of time.
Parking can be tricky, since it’s mostly street spots. Late weekend hours give you more flexibility, but check ahead before driving out.
Address: 8520 Fernald Ave, Morton Grove, IL 60053
7. Peoria LaGondola Spaghetti House + Leonardo’s
Deep dish without a ladle of sauce? This Peoria spot tops its thick pies with fresh tomatoes, and downstate fans are happy to argue about it.
The crust is buttery, and you can choose thick or thin. That flexibility is useful when your family can’t agree on one style.
LaGondola is also a spaghetti house, so the Italian side of the menu runs deep. Lasagna, ravioli, and meatballs share space with garlic bread and torpedo sandwiches.
Feeding a crowd? The Family Feast is built for groups, which makes weeknight dinners simpler.
Here’s a perk few pizza places offer. There’s a drive-through, plus curbside pickup for nights when nobody wants to unbuckle the car seats.
Inside, the setting is casual and quiet. High chairs and a kids’ menu make it an easy stop with little ones.
It’s open Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays. Friday and Saturday evenings tend to be busiest, so check ahead on timing.
Free parking is usually easy to find. Peoria sits along I-74, which makes this a handy stop on a central Illinois road trip.
Address: 700 E War Memorial Dr, Peoria, IL 61614