In 1943, football legend Ike Sewell created the first Uno's and called it Uno's Pizzeria. This was the birthplace of deep dish pizza. I wasn't around in 1943, but I assume the quality of that pizza must have been infinitely better than what the international franchise Uno Chicago Grill perpetrates on its unwary customers.

There are two ingredients you absolutely must get right if you want to make a great pizza - the sauce and the dough. These elements are especially important in a deep dish pizza, since the bread is thicker and the sauce heavier. Also, deep dish sauce contains big chunks of tomato. If those tomatoes come from a can, the entire pizza is instantly an abomination.

Pizza Hut's sauce is pretty disgusting, but at least they seem to have their own recipe. The sauce used by Uno's today tastes suspiciously like Hunt's brand. Their menu claims their dough is "hand crafted and made fresh every day," but I have no doubt that when they say "made," they mean "taken out of the freezer, unwrapped and thrown in the oven." It has the lifeless taste and limpid texture of the prepackaged, preservative-packed pablum that is all too common in franchised pizza places.

The topping selections for a true Chicago style, deep dish pizza are so plump and tasty you don't want to order more than one or two. Uno's offers "The Works" - prepackaged and bland tasting pepperoni, sausage, mushroom and peppers - and, trust me, it doesn't work.

It's sad that the originator of deep dish pizza has cheapened its own product to this extent. If you ever want to try deep dish done right, visit Bricks Chicago in Lincoln Park because, unfortunately, Uno's, unfortunately, has become a mockery of its own creation.

Disagree? Not so sure? Why not  give some of Chicago's best pizzerias a taste test. Thanks to Delivery.com, you won't even have to leave the apartment. Enjoy all of Chicago's best restaurants without going out and Get 1,000 Bonus DeliveryPoints with your first order from Delivery.com!

If I may, I'd like to offer a varying opinion on the delivery pizza scene at UIC. Here are my picks below:

Pompei Bakery

At Pompei Bakery, you can purchase pizza by the slice for around $3.00, or you and several of your friends can eat for $10.00 to $15.00 total. The Pompei Bakery prides themselves on using their family 100 year old dough recipe, which is always hand rolled. And, they now have a new item on the menu: a personal deep dish pizza that only costs $5.00.

Damenzo's Pizza and Restaurant

While Damenzo's has the regular type of toppings, there is nothing ordinary about their pizza slices; they are huge. You can order a 10” pizza for approximately $7.00 to a 24” pizza for $29.00; you will get the most bang for your buck at this pizza delivery place. And, their pizza puffs, or calzones, must be mentioned; pizza lovers from all over the midwest come to taste the delicious crust and fesh toppings that make up these pizza puffs. Damenzo's Pizza also offers stuffed pizza and pan pizza to suit any palate.

Bacci Pizzeria

Bacci Pizzeria's pizzas start at $11.25 for a small, 12” cheese pizza to $16.65 for a “family”, 18” cheese pizza. They also make a stuffed pizza or pan pizza that comes in a small, medium, or large. The next time you place a delivery order from Bacci's, think about trying their “Bacci Special”: sausage, mushroom, green pepper, onion, pepperoni, and an optional garlic crust. Every menu item is made to order, and their homemade pizza dough and sauce is made fresh every day.

Aurelio's Is Pizza

Aurelio's Is Pizza; Aurelio's is pizza with variety at a decent price. Their 6”, “lil” pizza costs around $5.00, and their 18”, fiesta pizza costs around $23.00. Aurelio's stuffed crust pizza is fantastic and moderately priced: $11.95 buys a small pizza for two people, and $20.45 buys a large pizza for 4 to 6 people. No matter what size pizza you need delivered, there are several crusts, tons of options, and combination specialty pizzas to suit you. Order from Aurelio's, and you will find out why everyone raves about their sweet sauce, and even if you are not a big fan of thin crust pizza, you will love Aurelio's.

Oh yeah, and I'm obliged to say that you can order pizza online via Delivery.com. It's great for people like me who can't get out a full sentence over the phone without stuttering, panicking and then accidentally ordering anchovies or something.

Photo is by moacirpdsp

Moving to Chicago was the best choice for me. Why? Bricks Chicago. Pizza does not getting any better than Bricks Chicago. I love to eat pizza, I am an honorary member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. That's how much I love pizza. I consider myself an expert in this field. The mission, go to the top pizzerias in the city and describe my experiences. Chicago is one (if not the best) city to order a fine pizza pie. 

Trattoria Roma - 1535 N Wells St

Avg price of entree: $15.00

You gotta try the: Nonna Cake

Trattoria Roma is a cool place to be but I went here to eat some pizza and the best entree in the whole place was cheesecake. The pizza is great but the pie was irresistible! Nonna cake is a ricotta cheesecake and let me tell you, it is delicious! Quattro Stagioni is a specialty pizza topped with eggs, artichokes, mushrooms and prosciutto. Trattoria

Roma is a very traditional Roman pizzeria.

The Original Gino's East of Chicago - 1535 N Wells St

Avg price of entree: $20.00

You gotta try the: Chicago Deep Dish

The deep dish pizza here will make you say cowabunga! I know, you are not on the beach but you will feel like you are. This place seats around 500 people and all of the seats fill right up! The pizza here might be the best in the city.

There are a lots of great restaurants to choose from near the University of Illinois campus in Chicago. Below are a few of the best.

Tufano's

Tufano’s at 1073 W Vernon is a nice little restaurant. A bit pricey and they don’t take credit cards, but the food is delicious. They have a wonderful eggplant parmesan and veal piccante. Their desserts are delicious. Try the spumoni or the Italian ice. The place is usually quiet enough to allow for conversation. Nice date restaurant.

Al's Famous Italian Beef

Al’s Famous Italian Beef on 1079 West Taylor Street is legendary. There is usually a long line, but the wait is worth it. Their grilled Italian Sausage is to die for. The hot dogs are topped to perfection. And don’t even think of not ordering their french fries. They’re just crispy enough on the outside and tender on the inside. Little spud masterpieces. All their burgers and sandwiches are big and juicy.

Manny's Deli

Manny’s Deli on 1141 South Jefferson is another Chicago institution. They open 5:00 a.m. for breakfast. Terrific eggs and even better pancakes. Their sandwiches are huge, but they are so delicious, you’ll finish them. Try the corned beef. There’s no sandwich like it in Chicago. Their entrees are homemade comfort food and plenty of it. Try and leave room for some pie. Manny's is closed on Sundays. Any other day, this Chicago favorite is jam packed. Luckily, Manny's is one of the few establishments on this list that is on Delivery.com - meaning you don't even have to put pants on to enjoy this fine deli (though the delivery man may appreciate it if you did).

The Polk Street Pub

The Polk Street Pub on 548 West Polk Street is a cute little dive bar. They’re selection of beer is huge and their burgers are great. There’s a delightful beer garden surrounded by ivy-covered walls in back that’s just right for summer evenings.

Dameno's

For genuine Italian food, anything on Taylor Street can’t be beat. Dameno’s at 2324 West Taylor Street has the best regular, pan or stuffed pizza. There’s also a tasty selection of homemade Italian entrees. The small bar has a television, and it can get a bit noisy, but the food is inexpensive and good. They deliver.

Ready to order? Check out Delivery.com to see if any of these top Chicago eateries deliver to your neighborhood.

Photo by danperry.com. Note that photos are not necessarily taken by article authors.

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