Few foods inspire debate the way Chicago deep dish pizza does.
Some people swear it’s the pinnacle of pizza.
Others insist it’s a casserole in a bread bowl wearing a pizza costume.
Both camps are passionate. And honestly? That’s part of the fun.
Where Chicago deep dish comes from
Chicago deep dish was born in Chicago in the mid-20th century, a city known for doing things bigger, heartier, and with zero apologies.
Unlike thin, foldable slices meant to be eaten on the move, deep dish was designed to sit you down. A tall, butter-rich crust pressed into a pan. Cheese layered directly on the dough. Toppings piled high. Sauce spooned on last.
This isn’t accidental—it’s engineering.
Why people say it’s “not pizza”
The argument usually goes like this:
- You need a fork
- It takes 40+ minutes to bake
- The sauce is on top
- The structure is vertical, not flat
Traditionalists argue that pizza should be quick, light, and eaten by hand. Deep dish breaks every one of those rules.
And yet…
Why people love it anyway
Chicago deep dish isn’t trying to be New York or Roman pizza. It’s doing its own thing—and doing it confidently.
It’s celebratory.
It’s indulgent.
It’s meant to be shared and lingered over.
You don’t grab deep dish on the way somewhere. You commit to it. You order it knowing the table is going to slow down, talk more, and settle in.
In that way, it’s actually closer to a communal meal than a slice-shop stop.
The casserole question (our take)
Is Chicago deep dish pizza?
We think the better question is: Does it matter?
If something brings people together, sparks conversation, and makes the table happy, it’s doing its job. Labels don’t change the experience—expectations do.
That’s why we don’t argue the point. We embrace the debate.
Why Chicago deep dish works in a tasting format
Deep dish shows up differently in a tasting experience. It’s not the opening act. It’s not the finale. It’s the “wait, what?” moment in the middle.
A few bites go a long way. Shared properly, it becomes a conversation piece rather than a commitment. People compare notes. Some fall in love. Some say, “I respect it—but I’m a thin-crust person.”
That’s a win either way.
If you’ve read our piece on why pizza tasting menus are the most fun you can have at a table, this is exactly why variety matters.
How we think about it at Serpico’s Bread Co.
We approach Chicago deep dish with respect and restraint.
We honor what it is, we don’t overload it, and we serve it intentionally—as part of a broader experience, not the whole story.
It’s not there to replace other styles. It’s there to make the table talk.
And when someone inevitably asks, “So… is this really pizza?”
We smile, pour another drink, and let the debate begin.
The takeaway
Chicago deep dish isn’t trying to win over everyone.
It’s bold.
It’s unapologetic.
And it reminds us that food doesn’t have to fit a definition to be worth sharing.
Sometimes the argument is the experience.
Curious how Chicago deep dish fits into a tasting experience?
Explore our pizza tasting menus and private events and see how bold styles create conversation at the table.
