Chicago hardly needs another reason to defend its pizza credentials. But we’ll happily take this one.
Pequod’s Pizza—the local favorite known for that exquisite ring of caramelized cheese—has been named Illinois’ pick in Food & Wine’s “50 States of Award-Winning Pizza.”
And while the national recognition is nice, the real draw is waiting around the edge of the pan.
What makes Pequod’s crust so special?
At Pequod’s, you don’t leave the crust behind.
As Food & Wine explains, the pizzeria places a ring of mozzarella around the inside edge of the pan. As the pizza bakes, that cheese caramelizes, creating the signature rim that sets these pies apart. A deeply browned cheese surrounds a generously topped Chicago-style pizza.
The menu starts with a cheese pizza, with toppings available so you can build your own order. Sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, giardiniera, and more are among the options—but that caramelized edge is something you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve finished the meal.
Why Food & Wine picked Pequod’s
Food & Wine assembled its state-by-state guide using existing accolades, including international pizza competitions, restaurant rankings, local journalism, and readers’ choice awards.
For Pequod’s, the magazine points to two major wins: No. 1 on Yelp’s Top 100 Pizza Spots in 2024 and the top spot for Best Pizza in Chicago in the 2022 10Best awards. It also notes the pizzeria’s appearance in season two of The Bear.
Where to find Pequod’s Pizza
Ready to make dinner plans? Pequod’s has two locations:
- Lincoln Park: 2207 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago.
- Morton Grove: 8520 Fernald Ave., Morton Grove.
Both serve the signature caramelized-crust pizza, so you have two places to put those cheesy edges to the test
