Evanston Restaurant Guide

Considered the oldest family name in Chicago pizza, Lou Malnati's is as rich in history as it is in flavor. Lou got his start in the 1940's, working along side his father Rudy in Chicago's first pizzeria. He took his pizza expertise to the northern suburb of Lincolnwood, where he and his wife Jean opened the first Lou Malnati's Pizzeria on March 17, 1971.
Aficionados of deep-dish pizza lined the streets on opening day for just a taste. Lou became legendary for his high-spirited character, generosity and passion for sports.
In 1979, Lou Malnati fell victim to cancer. Lou's sons, Marc and Rick joined Jean to carry on Lou's vision of making absolutely the greatest pizza on the planet.
The family owned and operated company, now with more than 25 locations, has continued to grow thanks to dedicated staff and loyal customers. About 25% of Lou Malnati's full time staff have given 10 or more years of service.
Malnati's success comes from their commitment to quality. Every Lou Malnati's pizza is handmade from scratch using the finest ingredients. Every year the Malnatis hand-select California vine-ripened tomatoes for the perfect sweet and tangy taste. The exclusive sausage blend is seasoned to their exact specification. The fresh mozzarella comes from the same small dairy that has supplied Lou Malnati's for over 35 years. And the family's secret recipe for flaky, buttery crust has been passed down from generation to generation. You'll know with every bite that each pizza was made with care and special attention.
So, sit back with the Malnati family, enjoy a deep-dish masterpiece, and take a bite out of Chicago history.