Scene & be Seen at the new Lou Malnati's Pizzeria Gold Coast

I hate to admit it, but I had never been to a Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria before.  I know, I know: and I call myself a true Chicagoan.  But it’s all good, now.  I’ve bit the big-slice and now I’m a fan. 

The reason I finally went to Lou Malnati’s is that they opened a new location at the top of the “Viagra Triangle.”  This new restaurant was happening even before it opened in the old Athropologie location because they put in garage door windows that open on two sides; facing the sidewalk & their neighbor, Cedar Hotel.  So diners can eat al fresco in the summer and yet they will be warm in the winter and still feel like they’re not enclosed by walls or obstruction.  It looked like a fun place--I had to stop by.

Just like every other Chicago pizza lover, I have my favorites but I do not ever compare pizzas from different restaurants.  I might categorize them, like deep dish, or best for football games, but I love all Chicago Pizza.  Let me tell you why I loved Lou Malnati’s: it’s the sauce that makes this pizza fantastic.  It’s tangy and on the sweet side and you can actually taste the fresh plum tomatoes in the sauce--they are the best flavor for real Italian sauces.  The menu is not confusing either.  They are famous for their sausage and pepperoni deep dish pizzas and the waitress really steered us to stick with that for our first time and I’m glad I did.  Fantastic!  their crust is buttery and flaky and Rick Malnati says “Only Chicago’s finest Lake Michigan water can produce a truly delicious Chicago style deep dish pizza crust!”  their cheese was not gratuitously slammed on--it was just enough and not too much. (I hate when I have to digest a ball of cheese with every bite.)

One of my clients told me their thin crust pizza is to die for as well and that she likes hers with spinach and sausage. 

I will be back soon because the salon where I work is very close by and I can stop by on my way home from work on weekdays.  On weekends, expect a crowd and a wait--it’s a “scene and be seen” place on Fridays and Saturdays but it’s fun and I’m so glad to have Lou Malnati’s in the Gold Coast.

I’m a writer and a hairdresser.  Buy my book, Mafia Hairdresser, in all eBook formats or I’ll cut you!