Lou Malnati's Is Worth the Hype (But Order This)
Food & Dining·2 min read·By Alex Reed
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria delivers the best crust-to-sauce ratio in Chicago's deep dish scene, but you'll wait 45+ minutes and drop $40+ for two people. Worth it? Yes, but only if you order the Malnati Chicago Classic and skip the salads entirely.
I spent a month eating at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria locations across Chicago—River North, Lincoln Park, the OG Lincolnwood spot—and tracked every dollar, every wait time, every burnt crust. Here's what actually matters when you're standing in that lobby wondering if the hype is real.
Quick Facts: Lou Malnati's Pizzeria at a Glance
| Factor | Reality Check |
|---|---|
| Average Wait | 45-60 min dinner, 30 min lunch |
| Cost for 2 | $38-52 (one pizza, drinks) |
| Best Location | Lincolnwood (original) ★★★★★ |
| Worst Location | River North (tourist trap) ★★☆☆☆ |
| Must Order | Malnati Chicago Classic, butter crust |
| Skip Entirely | Lou's salad ($11 for iceberg lettuce) |
| Takeout Worth It? | Only if reheated properly (see below) |