Chicago Style Pizza vs. New York Style Pizza

 

It is no secret that New York and Chicago both have a long history and tradition of making pizzas, and both cities obviously offer many different variations of their signature styles. As a result, attempting to make a final and lasting decision as to which type is the absolute best pizza can be very difficult. The basic styles are different, the ingredients can be very different, and the variations can be endless. To make things even more confusing, you can find thick crust, deep pizzas in New York and Chicago has plenty of thin crust pizzas too.

 

If the contest is simply limited to thick versus thin, the comparison may not be any easier, as both types are so different they are almost totally separate foods in some cases. Some people have suggested that comparing thick vs. thin pizzas is not relative at all. The two are so different it is like comparing a chocolate cookie to a chocolate pie. Both are sweet dessert items, but each is constructed uniquely and delivers a totally different eating experience. The two types of pizza don’t even taste similar in most cases, making it impossible to get accurate or impartial judgments.

 

It would appear the only thing that is clear is the fact that people usually prefer the style of pizza that is most familiar in the city where they live. Some people don’t like to eat pizza with a fork, preferring the convenience of the thin crust. Others prefer the flavors found in an ingredient-rich thick crust pizza. Taking a look at pizza types strictly by the numbers will show that thin crust pizzas outsell thick ones, probably because they are more widely known, but when it comes down to which type actually tastes best, it is definitely a matter of personal preference.

 

 * Crust -  

New York pizza is known for thin, crispy crust topped with a thin layer of tomato sauce, cheese and assorted toppings.

Deep dish Chicago style pizza features a thick crust with an inch-deep smothering of tomato sauce, cheese and toppings.

 

New York pizza is a hand-held food that was originally designed to be eaten in a closed pizza sandwich mode that makes it handy to eat on the run.

Chicago style pizza is a full meal and will usually require a plate and utensils to eat.

 

New York pizza toppings are limited to a layer of small toppings that cling to the flat top shape.

Deep dish Chicago pizza can have several inches of depth allowing for many layers of substantial toppings.

 

New York pizza is traditionally cut in handy triangles like a flat birthday cake.

Deep dish Chicago pizzas are cut and served in portions like a casserole.

 

New York pizza contains a thin layer of mozzarella cheese almost universally.

Deep dish Chicago pizzas have room for several layers of different cheeses.

 

New York pizzas are famous for their oil-dripping slices.

Deep dish Chicago pizzas are “drier” without pools of oil.