Pizzeria Uno

Pizzeria Uno stands at 29 E Ohio St in the River North neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, and is widely credited as the birthplace of Chicago deep dish pizza, which it began serving in 1943. The restaurant was founded by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo, and it occupies a historic brick building near the corner of Ohio and Wabash. Its place in the city's food history makes it a standard stop for visitors who want to try the original version of a dish that has come to define Chicago eating. The cuisine is deep dish pizza, built in a high-sided pan with a buttery crust, a thick layer of cheese, toppings under the sauce, and chunky tomato sauce on top. The Numero Uno deep dish, loaded with sausage and other toppings, and the spinach and mushroom deep dish are the dishes most associated with the address. A deep dish takes roughly 45 minutes to bake, so diners often order immediately after being seated or call ahead for their pie. The dining room is a compact, historic space with a warm, old-Chicago atmosphere, dark wood, and a steady flow of tourists and locals; the noise level is moderate to loud when busy, and dress is casual. Beverages are simple, with beer, wine and soft drinks accompanying the pizza. The price tier is moderate, and a single deep dish usually feeds two to three people. The restaurant works largely on a walk-in basis, and waits are common at peak hours, especially evenings and weekends, so visitors often arrive at off-peak times. A sister restaurant, Pizzeria Due, sits a short walk away on Wabash Avenue and serves the same recipe, which gives diners a backup when the Ohio Street wait runs long. The location is within easy walking distance of the Magnificent Mile and Michigan Avenue hotels.