Whether at home or on the move, keeping the little-ones fed is always a priority.  Heck, feeding oneself is a priority!  It seems there are only a handful of foods that are winners for children on a consistent basis.  And what do you choose when you are in a foreign town?  Fast food is always an option, but it’s boring. Traveling is an opportunity to taste the local cuisine and to soak up the sounds and sights of that locale.  So, unless you have children with a sophisticated palate, the options are generally narrowed to the same food as your down-home kitchen. 

My answer to this predicament: pizza.   It’s pizza, pizza, pizza.  And always pizza.

Just think about it: any time you return from a trip, what questions are you asked?  Typically, it involves what you did and how tasty the food was.  Even if you hit every fast-food chain in town, you would never admit it. The conversation naturally steers to what that town is known for, and whether you tried that special entrée. 

When you say “Chicago,” I say “Pizza!”  This is the land of the deep-dish pizza.

I don’t make it to Chicago nearly as much as I would like to, but when I do, Lou Malnati’s is always a required stop.  Just the act of writing about their pizza makes my mouth water like that of Pavlov’s dog!  Gosh, it’s delicious.  There is something magical about the crust, which has an incredible flavor with a beautiful crunchy texture that perfectly melts in the mouth.  The deep-dish pizzas have a unique layering of the pizza contents, which is absolutely divine.  The cheese is placed directly on the crust, then the meat (I prefer the sausage pizza), and finally the fairy godmother places the tomato sauce on the top. Yes, I am convinced the pizza is put together by magical means.  How else could one explain this level of deliciousness?  And, even if deep-dish is not your “thang,” they also serve thin-crust pizza. Pasta and chicken nuggets are on the kids’ menu, as an insurance policy for those finicky Littles.

Lou Malnati’s Pizzarias are dotted across Greater Chicago.

In areas that do not have a proper restaurant, there are venues where the pizzas can be carried out or delivered.  For those who have never had a Lou Malnati’s pizza, my recommendation is to visit the restaurant.  They serve a scrumptious house salad that primes the palate for the impending meal.  And, the dimly-lit ambiance adds to the dining experience.  For me, the pizza tastes best in this setting.  But hey, if you are visiting the ‘burbs and there isn’t a restaurant to frequent, you have nothing to lose by doing carry-out or delivery.

Another amazing feature of the Lou Malnati’s pizza enterprise is that they have their system set up for delivery to other states. How cool is that! You, the top mom of your town, can now win a medal for best time management. When ordering the food online, the pizza is packed in dry ice and shipped.  I have had many Lou Malnati’s pizzas in the comfort of my home in the San Francisco Bay Area.   What a treat!  From the time of ordering the pizza, it only takes a few days for the box to arrive.  You do have to beware of porch pirates, and I recommend not leaving the box exposed to the elements: The dry ice only lasts so long, and the pizza will thaw.  This is one delivery you’ll want to track to ensure you’ll be home to receive it.

There are other special Chicago treats on the website as well, such as Garrett Popcorn and other local brand treats.  With a few clicks of the mouse, you can bring Chicago to your kitchen.

Lou Malnati’s isn’t the only well-known pizzeria in Chicago. 

Giordano’s is a competitor, and some of my relatives prefer their pizza over Lou’s.  I have only had their pizza on a couple occasions, and I have to say that it, too, was quite delicious.  Their restaurants have infiltrated the greater Chicago area and seemed to be easily accessible.  They had a wonderful deep-dish pizza and a clean restaurant. Thin crust pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and salads are also on their menu.

I have been told that there is another great pizza restaurant in Chicago creating quite a buzz: Pequod’s Pizza.  They are known for creating a deep-dish pizza with a burnt cheese-crust that has everyone talking.  I have not experienced this pizza restaurant myself, but I have it on my bucket list for the next visit to Chicago.  They only have a few locations in Chicago, but like Lou Malnati’s, their pizza can be shipped across the USA.  I’ll be placing my order soon!

Regardless of what pizza venue is chosen, it is always a winner.  Pizza is family-friendly, and it is delicious. In our family, no trip to Chicago is complete without stopping for pizza.  If you have time to eat at Lou Malnati’s, Giordano’s, and Pequod’s, do it!  Check out the KidFriendlyVenues app to find a location near you.

Laura D