Chicago Pizza Vs New York: The Battle Of The Best

The debate between Chicago pizza and New York pizza has been raging for decades, with each side staunchly defending the superiority of their beloved creation. But what truly sets these two iconic pizzas apart? Let’s embark on a culinary journey to explore the distinctive characteristics, flavors, and textures of Chicago pizza versus New York pizza.

Crust: A Tale of Two Textures

Chicago Pizza: The Chicago-style pizza is renowned for its thick, deep-dish crust that resembles a bread bowl. Made with a cornmeal-based dough, it is baked in a cast-iron skillet, creating a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior. The crust’s depth allows for a generous amount of toppings and sauce, making it a hearty and filling meal.

New York Pizza: In contrast, the New York-style pizza features a thin, crispy crust that is foldable and slightly charred. The dough is typically made with high-gluten flour, which gives it a characteristic snap and crunch. The thinness of the crust allows the toppings and cheese to take center stage, creating a well-balanced and flavorful experience.

Sauce: Tomato vs. Tomato-Cream

Chicago Pizza: The sauce in Chicago pizza is typically a rich, chunky tomato sauce that is spread over the crust. It is often seasoned with oregano, basil, and garlic, giving it a robust and savory flavor. The sauce’s thickness complements the thick crust, creating a harmonious union of flavors.

New York Pizza: New York-style pizza sauce is typically thinner and more liquid than its Chicago counterpart. Made with crushed tomatoes, it is seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, including oregano, basil, and thyme. The thinner sauce allows the cheese and toppings to shine through, creating a more subtle and nuanced flavor profile.

Cheese: A Matter of Quantity

Chicago Pizza: Chicago pizza is known for its excessive amount of cheese, which is piled high on top of the crust. The type of cheese used varies, but mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan are common choices. The melted cheese forms a thick, gooey layer that is a defining characteristic of this pizza style.

New York Pizza: New York-style pizza typically has a more moderate amount of cheese. The cheese is usually a blend of mozzarella and provolone, which melts evenly and creates a flavorful and stretchy topping. The cheese is distributed more evenly, allowing the other ingredients to contribute to the overall taste experience.

Toppings: A World of Variety

Chicago Pizza: Chicago pizza offers a wide array of toppings, including sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. The toppings are often cut into large chunks and piled on top of the cheese. The deep-dish crust allows for a generous amount of toppings, creating a pizza that is both visually appealing and satisfyingly hearty.

New York Pizza: New York-style pizza is typically topped with a more modest selection of ingredients. Pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and olives are common choices. The toppings are usually thinly sliced and distributed evenly over the pizza. The thin crust allows the toppings to cook quickly and evenly, creating a well-balanced and flavorful bite.

Cooking Method: Cast Iron vs. Stone

Chicago Pizza: Chicago pizza is baked in a cast-iron skillet, which creates a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior. The heat from the cast iron skillet caramelizes the cheese and toppings, resulting in a rich and flavorful crust. The pizza is typically cooked at a lower temperature for an extended period of time, allowing the crust to fully develop.

New York Pizza: New York-style pizza is baked on a stone surface, which creates a crispy and slightly charred crust. The high heat from the stone quickly cooks the pizza, resulting in a thin and foldable crust. The pizza is typically cooked at a higher temperature for a shorter period of time, preserving the freshness and flavor of the toppings.

The Verdict: A Matter of Personal Preference

Ultimately, the debate between Chicago pizza and New York pizza is a matter of personal preference. Both styles offer unique and delicious experiences that cater to different tastes and preferences. Chicago pizza lovers appreciate the hearty, filling nature of the deep-dish crust, while New York pizza enthusiasts savor the thin, crispy crust and well-balanced flavors.

Which Pizza is Right for You?

To determine which pizza style is right for you, consider your preferences for crust thickness, sauce flavor, cheese quantity, topping variety, and cooking method. If you prefer a thick, chewy crust, a rich tomato sauce, and an abundance of cheese, Chicago pizza is an excellent choice. If you prefer a thin, crispy crust, a more subtle tomato sauce, and a moderate amount of cheese, New York pizza is a great option.

Frequently Discussed Topics

1. Which pizza has more calories?

Chicago pizza typically has more calories than New York pizza due to its thicker crust and abundance of cheese.

2. Which pizza is more expensive?

The price of pizza can vary depending on factors such as size, toppings, and location. Generally speaking, Chicago pizza tends to be more expensive than New York pizza due to its larger size and more elaborate preparation.

3. Which pizza is better for sharing?

Chicago pizza is better suited for sharing due to its larger size and generous amount of toppings. New York pizza is more individual-sized and may not be as satisfying for multiple people.

4. Which pizza is more authentic?

Both Chicago pizza and New York pizza have their own unique histories and traditions. There is no definitive answer to which is more authentic, as both styles are celebrated and enjoyed in their respective cities.

5. Which pizza is more popular?

Chicago pizza and New York pizza are both popular styles of pizza, but New York pizza is generally more widely known and consumed around the world.