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<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword> released "<keyword id="7496509" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="emily-in-paris">Emily in Paris</keyword>" on October 2. </li><li>In the first 15 minutes of the first episode, the script calls out Chicago-style <keyword id="6358351" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="pizza">pizza</keyword> chain <keyword id="9190702" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="lou-malnatis">Lou Malnati's</keyword>, with one character referring to its <keyword id="9190703" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="deep-dish-pizza">deep-dish pizza</keyword> as "a quiche made of cement."</li><li>The restaurant took to Instagram this week to call out the show for its "heartless" dig. </li></ul>Netflix's newest romantic comedy series "<a href="https://www.insider.com/category/emily-in-paris">Emily in Paris</a>" took a controversial jab at <keyword id="6354604" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Chicago">Chicago</keyword>'s iconic deep-dish pizza, and one of the city's most well-known chains isn't pleased.The show's first episode follows Emily Cooper (played by Lily Collins) as she relocates from the windy city to Paris, France, for a job. At around the 10-minute mark, Cooper is introduced to a company executive and tries to make a good first impression. When he mentions he's been to Chicago before and has tried deep-dish pizza, Cooper nearly squeals with excitement. "That is our specialty!" she says. "We take a lot of pride."Her elated expression disappears when the man calls it disgusting and likens the pie to "a quiche made of cement." To that, Cooper replies, "Oh no, you must have gone to <a href="https://www.loumalnatis.com/">Lou Malnati's</a>."And the team over at Lou's noticed. They <a href="https://www.instagram.com/loumalnatis/">took to Instagram</a> on Wednesday to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGA573FA7iy/">first respond</a> to the jab with the caption, "Emily in Paris thinks Lou's sucks. We disagree. Try it for yourself. Hate it? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/movetoparis/">#movetoParis</a> "As a follow-up, the restaurant posted another photo with a longer caption that called the comment "heartless" in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quoting owner Marc Malnati, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGC8ZmyDJ13/">the next caption</a> read: "We've been serving Chicago's favorite Deep Dish since 1971. When Netflix's 'Emily in Paris' writers chose to take a shot at Chicagoans and our pizza to try to get a laugh, it felt heartless and not humorous in the midst of COVID-19." (Us Weekly's Erin Crabtree notes that <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/food/news/chicago-restaurant-fires-back-at-emily-in-paris-for-pizza-joke/">the show was filmed over a year ago</a>, months before the coronavirus outbreak hit the US.)<a href="https://www.loumalnatis.com/about">Lou Malnati's</a> is a Chicago-based, family-owned pizzeria with 67 total locations spanning four different states.The first Lou Malnati pizzeria opened in 1971, according to <a href="https://www.loumalnatis.com/about">the restaurant's website</a>. Ownership has remained within the Malnati family since its founding and, according to the company, nearly 25% of their full-time staff members have been with the company for more than 10 years. The restaurant flipped the negative comment into a business opportunity by offering $5 off their <a href="https://www.tastesofchicago.com/category/Lou_Malnatis_Pizza">Tastes of Chicago pizza packages</a>, which ship nationwide, as a thank you to loyal customers. (At the time of writing, this offer is set to expire on October 14.)By Thursday, the Lou Malnati's team apparently cooled off a bit and called a truce on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGGabvXIz9E/">the social platform</a>, even offering to send Collins their fan-favorite pizza."We've simmered down some and we're thinking this might have been one big misunderstanding, right <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emilyinparis/">@emilyinparis</a>?" the caption read. "You too, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lilyjcollins/">@lilyjcollins</a>, we know you were just delivering your lines, so no hard feelings. Let's call it a truce over some deep dish. Tell us where to send it! "A representative for Lou Malnati's told Insider that the pizzeria has not yet heard back from the actress or from Netflix. Representatives for Netflix did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/guy-fieri-feeds-first-responders-california-glass-fire-base-camp-2020-10">Guy Fieri visited the California Glass Fire base camp to help feed first responders battling the wildfire</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/ina-garten-martha-stewart-fancy-grilled-cheese-recipe-photos">Ina Garten and Martha Stewart's grown-up grilled cheeses are both delicious but the easiest to make has the edge</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/what-kristin-cavallari-eats-breakfast-lunch-dinner-diet-2020-9">Everything Kristin Cavallari eats in a day to stay healthy — including the occasional doughnut</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-make-scrambled-eggs-gordon-ramsay-michelin-breakfast">I made Gordon Ramsay's iconic scrambled eggs and it's the only way I'll eat them from now on</a></li></ul>

A famous Chicago pizza joint called out 'Emily in Paris' over the Netflix show's 'heartless' dig at its iconic deep dish

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="9190702" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="lou-malnatis">Lou Malnati's</keyword> deep dish pizza is among the best that <keyword id="6354604" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Chicago">Chicago</keyword> has to offer.</li><li>The pizza's iconic <keyword id="9190701" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="butter-crust">butter crust</keyword>, sausage blend, and thin slices of Wisconsin-made mozzarella cheese make it a stand-out in the region.</li><li>The chain is no longer open for dine-in service, but continues curbside pick-up and delivery as well as shipping frozen pizzas nationwide.</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>Following is a full transcript of this <keyword id="21654" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="video">video</keyword>.- Taryn Varricchio: This cheesy, meaty, <keyword id="9190703" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="deep-dish-pizza">deep-dish pizza</keyword> is from Lou Malnati's in Chicago, which we filmed at in September 2019. Sources like <keyword id="6181" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Food">Food</keyword> Network and Zagat continue to rank it above the rest for a reason. Actually, it's four reasons: the buttermilk crust that holds the pizza together; the mozzarella cheese, always in slices, never shredded; their exclusive blend of sausage, loaded across every inch of the pie; and the lengths they go to get perfectly ripe California tomatoes.Hina: I think the way that they construct their pizza makes every ingredient shine. Like, every bite is so hearty. It is like nothing you've ever experienced. It's so good.Sarah: They're known for their crust. And it's the perfect amount of, like, a little bit crispy, a little bit crunchy, but still, like, buttery and doughy.Taryn: Right now most restaurants and bars are relying solely on delivery and takeout, including Malnati's. So I chatted with their owner, Marc Malnati, about how the restaurant is still delivering their famous pies, even during this really challenging time.Did you do that yourself? How did you do that?Marc Malnati: I did. I'll teach you if you want. All right, now I'm in one of our restaurants.Taryn: So, now, obviously we're talking to you via Zoom rather than being at the restaurant with you. Can you tell us a little bit about what your restaurant is dealing with right now and how you guys are kind of handling the changes from the coronavirus shutdown?Marc: Yeah, so, in this new environment we're doing the best we can to deliver pizza to the curbside, to send it in cars. You know, people want their comfort food at a time like this.Taryn: That comfort food starts with their signature Buttercrust. So, the way that you curve it up, can you explain again why you do that? In order to hold it, you said?Marc: So, we'll pat the crust along the bottom of the pan, and then we'll pull it up the sides, just so that the cheese or the tomato sauce doesn't leak out over the top. 'Cause if it does, it'll start burning underneath the crust. So we want the crust to be high enough to just be a solid container for all the ingredients that we put on top of the pizza.Taryn: Then come layers of mozzarella cheese, made from the same Wisconsin dairy for the last 50 years.Hina: Like, you can really tell that that is some, like, nice local Wisconsin cheese, and it's not just something random they picked up from the grocery store.Taryn: Is there a way of adding it to the pizza? Is there a certain reason you do it that way, with the slices layered kind of around like that?Marc: The reason we use slices is because we use so much sausage on the pizza, and it's easier to layer the sausage on top of a flat bed of cheese than it would be if it was grated. It just wouldn't stay in place. And we wanna have an abundance of sausage. So that's the main reason.Taryn: It's that sausage that makes the Chicago Classic pie at Lou Malnati's so popular.Sarah: Their sausage, there's something about it, it just, like, it tastes so good. And I think what I love about it is that there is a sausage in every single bite you get. They use a lot of sausage. And they really take advantage of the surface area of the pizza, and they just load it up.Taryn: The seasoning is a blend of garlic, salt, and pepper, loaded bit by bit until you can't see any more mozzarella cheese. Is there a reason for that technique?Marc: I want the cheese to bubble through the sausage. It can't be a flat layer. So there's a prodigious amount of sausage, but the cheese is coming through all over the place. Again, I want to taste every ingredient in every bite.Taryn: And to top it off, a sweet and tangy sauce made with California tomatoes.Marc: We use a whole-peel pear tomato. And when they can that tomato, they wait until the tomato hits its zenith, when it's the reddest, the plumpest, you know, the most sugar just kinda jumping out of that skin. And we'll wait till then. We send a group of guys out there, and they watch the tomatoes until they're exactly the right profile for us.Taryn: Pies cook for about 30 minutes each at 550 degrees. But ever since the shutdown, Malnati's has taken many of its pies straight from the oven to customer's doors. You can pick it up or get it delivered if you live in Chicago, or they have their frozen pies that they ship nationwide.Marc: We blast-freeze those pizzas, so they're frozen in seconds. And when we ship them out, and we ship them out within a week of when we make them, they get to you across the country in great shape.Sarah: My mom just sent me two frozen Lou Malnati's pizzas. It was, like, the best day of <keyword id="58679" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Quarantine">quarantine</keyword> when that arrived in the mail. So, she sent a cheese one and a sausage one. And, honestly, that was my first time having it frozen and, you know, not fresh. And it was amazing. It tasted just like having it in the restaurant or just like having it for delivery.Taryn: Because Malnati's is now relying on orders like these rather than dine-in service, Marc was forced to lay off much of his waitstaff.Marc: Most of our service staff, our bartenders, our waitresses, our waiters, our busboys, aren't working. Some have picked up hours as drivers, but we've had to lay off a few hundred people.Taryn: To help offset this, Marc upped employee discounts to 75% and started a staff fund for workers in need.Marc: Our team can write in to us and say, "Hey, we're struggling to make ends meet right now. I'm home because my mom has COVID. Could you help us right now?" And we're sending checks out to our team. And hopefully we'll be able to keep that up, and hopefully this'll end quicker.Taryn: And as for the rest of the locations, are they for the most part vowing to stay open? Is that the plan?Marc: Yeah, we'll stay open for sure. I mean, as long as we can. But it is not the easiest thing in the world to operate a kitchen that is really busy on a Friday night and maintain social distancing. So my crew is getting better and better, and we've been healthy to this point. And I hope it stays that way. But it's a scary time. It's a crazy time.Sarah: Lou Malnati's truly has a piece of my heart. So my hope for them is that they are able to weather this crisis and make it through. And I am willing to continue ordering frozen pizzas if that helps in any way.Read the original article on <a href="https://www.insider.com/lou-malnatis-deep-dish-pizza-the-coronavirus-shutdown-2020-4">Insider</a>

Chicago's favorite deep dish pizza chain, Lou Malnati's, is shipping flash-frozen pizzas across the country as one way to combat the coronavirus shutdown

<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/category/starter-kit"></div></div>When Marc Malnati was 22, he got a piece of devastating news: Lou Malnati, his father and the founder of Lou Malnati's Pizza, a Chicago-based deep-dish pizza chain, had died. 
With lots of assistance from his dad's management team, it would be up to Malnati, his mother Jean, and his brother Rick, to lead the struggling pizza chain. 
They were up for the challenge. 
The business grew: Two stores by 1981, six by 1991, and 20 by 2001. 
During that time, things got tense. Malnati was bringing in his own guys, which created some tension between the generations. Plus, they were splintering themselves between locations. And, as it grew, the business was shifting from having a team of generalists to specialists. 
"There was some resentment between people who had been around a while and people who were coming in with equal or greater power," Malnati tells Business Insider. 
They needed to have it out. 
Malnati, who had been working with a therapist with his wife, had a realization: His team needed to learn how to see themselves more clearly, learn to give feedback, speak directly, and not repress their feelings. 
If they learned those complexities of communication, they could resolve issues between people, which would allow them to solve problems that arose within the business.
So they rented a hotel room, gathered together about a dozen managers, and brought in a therapist to facilitate. It was "a means to move past gossip and toward a relational business model," Malnati says.
In what became a four-hour meeting, everybody played nice for the first hour.
 Then all hell broke loose. 
"People were crying and screaming and fighting and learning and listening - learning to listen," Malnati said. "We finished the meeting and all realized, well there's probably a little more. Let's do it again, same time, same place, four weeks from now. So we did. And we did it again. And again. And again. And again and again and again."
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>
Six years after that first meeting, they started a second group because there were more leaders. 
But it was still the same structure, leading to the same outcomes. 
"We learned how to listen," Malnati says. "We learned how to speak. How to say, 'When you said X, I felt this way. I felt angry or scared or sad.' My judgment was this. The story I made up around what happened was this. What I need to resolve this issue is this."
And lo and behold, they did learn how to talk, and they did learn how to directly solve issues between the team. 
As Malnati's has continued to grow - 44 stores are planned for 2015 - the group meetings continue, too. Malnati says that about 125 of the 145 managers in the company take part in the regular group discussions, and they separate into more groups as the team size increases. 
"It has nothing to do with Chicago pizza, but most of the time, we have nothing to do with Chicago pizza," Malnati said. "There are 2,400 people in the company, and the biggest job is to maintain relationships and care about people." 
It's all part of what Malnati calls a relational model: an understanding that the relationship between two members of his organization is much more important than however they decide to make money. 
Because if there's resentment at the top of the company or within an individual store, he said, there will be issues that don't get resolved and gossip and sarcasm and the kind of petty back-biting that makes a workplace uncomfortable.
Thus the need to be able to listen closely and speak with precision. 
"If a given management team is clear with one another, if they're not holding resentments with one another, then everything else has a way of going smoothly," he said. "All the staff is treated well, the staff treats their customers well, it just continues to roll. I really think that in our industry that a relational model is the only one that has a chance to work."

Incredibly Frank Relationships Are The Secret To Building An Empire, Says Lou Malnati's CEO

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Erica Noblecilla is a food influencer who's lived in Chicago for four years.</li><li>Chicago is a "melting pot" of different cuisines and has delicious cheap eats as well as Michelin-starred spots, she said.</li></ul>Erica Noblecilla spends her days scouring Chicago for the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-restaurants-in-chicago-from-local-foodie-2024-5">best food spots</a>.She posted her first <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ericaeatseverything">TikTok reviews</a> in spring 2021. After some of her videos went viral, she quit her job in real-estate marketing and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/become-content-creator-instagram-tiktok-six-figures-full-time-2022-3">started making content full-time</a>, visiting both well-known restaurants and hidden gems throughout the Windy City and its suburbs."Chicagoans take their food very seriously," she told Business Insider. Chicago was ranked third in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.foodandwine.com/global-tastemakers-best-united-states-cities-food-drink-2024-8620202">Food &amp; Wine's 2024 ranking</a> of the best cities for food and drink in the US.Here's why Noblecilla thinks the city is such a great destination for foodies.<div type="image" title="A photo of Erica Noblecilla in a restaurant holding a large sandwich" height="2268" width="3024" msid="112245279" hostid="261" sizebytes="405486"></div><h2 id="3890cd4f-4e59-4592-a459-f1f1ed9b1c98">International cuisines</h2>Chicago is a "melting pot" of different cultures and cuisines, Noblecilla said. The city is home to a Chinatown, Little India, Little Italy, Ukrainian Village, and Greektown. There are also Polish, Mexican, Arabic, and Filipino influences, she said.Noblecilla moved from South Florida to Chicago in July 2020. "I've never really lived in a city before that's had all of these kinds of influences," she said. "I was a little kid in a candy store moving here. It's such a food city."<h2 id="bfd6ffd9-f2ab-46dc-827f-f574650fb160">Chicago staples</h2>New York has bagels, Philadelphia has cheesesteaks, and Cincinnati has Skyline Chili. Chicago has its fair share of staples, too — there's deep-dish pizza, tavern-style pizza, Polish hot dogs, and Italian beef, for starters.For <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/where-to-get-best-italian-beef-in-chicago-photos">Italian beef</a>, you can go to Al's or Mr Beef, Noblecilla said. The latter inspired The Original Beef of Chicagoland in the FX series <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-bear-season-4-release-date-plot-cast-2024-6">The Bear</a>.<div type="image" title="Giardiniera is scooped onto an Italian Beef Sandwich at Mr. Beef" height="683" width="1024" msid="112245277" hostid="261" sizebytes="79964"></div>For deep-dish pizza, head to Lou Malnati's. The pizza has a "delicious" and crispy butter crust and "incredibly fresh" toppings, Noblecilla said.And if you fancy a drink to wash it down with, Malört, a liquor developed by a Swedish immigrant in Chicago in the late 1800s, is the local specialty. It's tradition then when people move to Chicago, "one of the first things you have to do is have a shot of Malört," Noblecilla said.There's also a "big dive bar culture" in Chicago, as well as a popular speakeasy called the Drifter, she said. "It's actually a place I take lots of out-of-towners." And during the holidays, the city is full of Christmas bars, she said.<h2 id="165d80a5-3907-4987-86b6-4018de4da7e9">Family-owned restaurants</h2>As well as big chains, Chicago is full of mom-and-pop restaurants, Noblecilla said.And some are pretty old."There's a good handful of restaurants that have been open since the 1940s," Noblecilla said. They have "more history than some of the museums here," she said.<h2 id="69f4e151-363d-461f-816d-9cd45e74668d">Fine dining</h2>The city has <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://guide.michelin.com/gb/en/illinois/chicago/restaurants/all-starred?sort=distance">21 Michelin-starred restaurants</a>. Two — Alinea and Smyth — have three stars, while Filipino restaurant Kasama was ranked the fifth-best restaurant in the US in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.foodandwine.com/global-tastemakers-best-united-states-restaurants-2024-8620131">Food &amp; Wine's 2024 ranking</a>."There's a really great range in the kind of food that you see at the Michelin restaurants," Noblecilla said. "It's not just one sort of cuisine."<h2 id="cc65dcd6-b7f0-4850-b912-3162667d3df7">Alfresco dining</h2>"Alfresco dining is such a huge thing here in Chicago," Noblecilla said. Because it's such a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chicago-remote-worker-meet-people-socialize-freezing-winters-friends-weather-2024-6">cold city</a>, "when it gets warm, you want to be outside," she said.<div type="image" title="A photo showing the river in Chicago with a riverside path full of tables of customers eating and drinking" height="3468" width="4624" msid="112245282" hostid="261" sizebytes="1417292"></div>"Patio dining is pretty top tier here, because it's a beautiful city," she continued. "It's kept very nicely. It's kept very clean. You compare it to New York where there's trash bags piling up on the patio, on the sidewalks."There's also a lot of rooftop dining, including some restaurants that add <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nyc-rooftop-igloo-time-out-market-2020-1">snow globes, or heated igloos</a>, in the winter, Noblecilla said.<h2 id="f8f1b33e-dc13-46e2-9e47-0d371e6352a8">Cheap eats</h2>You don't have to spend a lot of money to eat well in Chicago. "A big part of the scene is more fast-casual dining," Noblecilla said, adding that those restaurants make up the vast majority her TikTok reviews.Tacos are a "big Chicago staple," she said. Carniceria Maribel, for example, started as a liquor store and La Chaparrita as a grocery store, "and then they kind of transformed into taquerias because of the popularity of their tacos."<div type="image" title="A photo of Erica Noblecilla sat outside holding a taco tray" height="4032" width="3024" msid="112245278" hostid="261" sizebytes="1113616"></div><h2 id="245bd254-4805-4ddb-af75-1790d3c9af83">Her favourite spot</h2>Noblecilla's current favorite place to eat in Chicago is Brasero, an upscale Latin restaurant in the city's West Town, which she says has "Brazilian undertones.""It just blew me away," she said. "So much flavor."Noblecilla said that her table tried most of the dishes on the menu. Dishes she particularly enjoyed included the oysters, shrimp, lobster, ribs in a guava barbecue glaze, pão de queijo, and desserts. "The seafood stood out to me the most," she said.At Brasero, the pão de queijo costs $16, ribs $24, and half lobster $68.Noblecilla also recommends the $14 limonada suíça, Brazilian lemonade made by blending a whole lime with water, then adding condensed milk. For an extra $4, you can spike it with Pitu Cachaça, a Brazilian spirit, which Noblecilla said is "really unique. You can't really find that anywhere in the city."

A food influencer in Chicago breaks down why the Windy City should be on every restaurant lover's bucket list

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I've been to 48 US states, and Chicago is my <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/top-summer-trip-destinations-travel-spots-countries-google-flights-2024-4">favorite city to visit in the summer</a>.</li><li>Lake lovers, foodies, and cyclists will love exploring the Windy City in the summertime.</li></ul>If you're based in the US like me, June and July are some of the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://thepointsguy.com/news/best-times-international-flight/">most expensive months to fly internationally</a>, so I think summer is a great time to explore what my own country has to offer.After visiting 48 of the 50 US states, Chicago is my favorite place to be in the summer. The Windy City gets a bad rap for its <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chicago-remote-worker-meet-people-socialize-freezing-winters-friends-weather-2024-6">severe winters</a>, but summertime Chi is a completely different story.Here's why I love Chicago summers.<h2 id="27481a54-4e6b-4eaa-8e95-2d63627b6835">I can spend hours exploring the river</h2><div type="image" title="view of the chicago skyline from the Chicago riverwalk" height="3024" width="4032" msid="112022333" hostid="261" sizebytes="970500"></div><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-visiting-chicago-first-time-from-la-2022-2">The Chicago River</a> runs through the city and offers some of the most picturesque views.I love taking the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise in the summer to learn the fascinating backstories of the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/most-beautiful-buildings-in-the-us-2018-7">beautiful buildings</a> along the route. But if you're looking for something more laid back, BBQ Pontoon rentals allow you to be your own captain — the boats are even equipped with gas-fired pizza grills.I also love renting a kayak from Urban Kayaks for a sightseeing workout with or without a guide.If you're not interested in going out on the water, the Chicago Riverwalk is a pedestrian-friendly path lined with restaurants, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/worst-wines-to-order-sommelier-what-to-get-instead-2024-4">wine bars</a>, and shops. Beat Kitchen and Chiya Chai are some of my favorite spots.The city even displays a free, illuminating art show every night on the Riverwalk.<h2 id="8e886cd1-8d6c-4505-9be6-d1cebe2dfa41">The food and drink scene is unmatched</h2><div type="image" title="hand holding a spinach empanada from cafe tola" height="569" width="758" msid="112022334" hostid="261" sizebytes="33360"></div>The city prides itself on being home to over 20 <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/michelin-star-restaurant-disney-world-victoria-and-alberts-review-2024-6">Michelin-starred restaurants</a> and having a diverse food culture. And things only get better in the summer when patios and rooftops flourish.If you're coming to the city for its famous <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/giordanos-and-lou-malnatis-deep-dish-pizza-compared-2020-1">deep-dish pizza</a>, look no further than The Art of Pizza or Lou Malnati's.I constantly find myself eating spinach and cheese empanadas at <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-restaurants-in-chicago-from-local-foodie-2024-5">Café Tola</a> and dining in awe at the artsy Michelin-starred Esmé.But nothing compares to Sifr's Middle Eastern-inspired dishes or its rooftop dining experience, and Indienne offers the most memorable tasting menu for Michelin-starred Indian cuisine.For drinks, Diego is my favorite neighborhood bar for a tasty cocktail and good tunes, and Swadesi is my go-to Chicago café.<div type="image" title="marios italian lemonade stand in chicago" height="2268" width="3024" msid="112022335" hostid="261" sizebytes="540228"></div>Of course, we can't forget about summer treats. I suggest Mario's Italian Lemonade, a walk-up stand that sells incredible Italian ice.<h2 id="d95cda80-c3e5-4cb2-8d36-383fd513b958">Boating culture in Chicago is an entire lifestyle</h2>Lake Michigan is huge, and boating on it feels like you're on the ocean since you can't see to the other side. There's a section of the lake called The Playpen where boats tie up to each other — it turns into a sort of floating day club in the summer.<a target="_blank" href="http://GetMyBoat.com">GetMyBoat.com</a>, essentially Airbnb for boats, is a great website to use if you don't have access to a boat.But if boating really isn't your thing, Chicago also has some <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/beautiful-beaches-photos-states-usa">great beaches</a>, like Oak Street Beach, where you can rent chairs and umbrellas for the day.<h2 id="38186fe2-877f-4a8a-94a7-04513eaed0a6">There are plenty of activities to match every interest</h2><div type="image" title="view of the chicago skyline from the lakefront" height="3024" width="4032" msid="112022337" hostid="261" sizebytes="736000"></div>Museum lovers will want to spend hours at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, or the Museum of Science and Industry.Outdoor enthusiasts can bike or walk along the 18 ½-mile Lakefront Trail along <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ferry-ride-michigan-lake-express-review-milwaukee-muskegon-2023-8">Lake Michigan</a> or the 2.7-mile elevated 606, which has paved paths, fun public art, and observation decks. The city's public Divvy bikes are easy to rent and a great way to see the city in the summer.I also love visiting Jackson Park, the main site of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, and Ping Tom Memorial Park, with its pagoda-style pavilion and Chinese-inspired landscaping.<h2 id="49d81264-16fa-428b-9c6e-b0a05dedfd09">Festivals and outdoor events are in full swing in the summer</h2><div type="image" title="sidewalk art at a street festival in chicago" height="746" width="994" msid="112022336" hostid="261" sizebytes="158740"></div>The Chicago streets absolutely come alive every summer with free and paid events.There are street festivals all summer long, like the Old Town Art Fair and Logan Square Arts Fest. Between Lollapalooza, Pitchfork, Sueños, and the Chicago Blues Festival, music opportunities are plentiful, too.For foodies, Windy City Smokeout, Lakeview Taco Fest, and Taste of Greektown are a must-visit.<div type="image" title="fireworks over the stage at suenos music fest in chicago" height="3024" width="4032" msid="112022331" hostid="261" sizebytes="844794"></div>One of my favorite summertime events is Jazzin' at the Shedd, a jazz performance held on the terrace of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/penguins-explore-empty-aquarium-that-was-shut-due-to-coronavirus-2020-3">the Shedd Aquarium</a>. The event offers incredible city views and access to the indoor aquarium, providing a cool respite from the heat.Millennium Park hosts several free weekly events, such as classical music performances and movie screenings under the stars. Fulton Market's Rooftop Cinema Club is also an incredible open-air cinema experience.If you're looking for more of a thrill, NASCAR takes to the streets of Chicago in July, and the Chicago Air and Water Show features spectacular aerial demonstrations above the lake each August.<h2 id="2392403d-dae0-4a74-a635-e48062a5315d">I never want to miss a summer in Chicago</h2>Between delicious bites, zen parks, rooftop mingles, artsy street festivals, plentiful outdoor activities, and some of the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hinterland-music-festival-review-better-than-lollapalooza-2023-8">best music festivals in the country</a>, summer in Chicago is such a blissful season.The upbeat summertime vibe also makes Chicago one of the friendliest cities I've ever been to.Chicago comes alive during Memorial Day weekend, and the fun in the sun lasts until the end of September, so be sure to make the most of the city's warm-weather offerings.

I've been to 48 states, but there's one US city I want to visit every summer

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I visited <keyword id="11922327" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="chicago" source="Orion">Chicago</keyword> for the first time, and there was a lot to love about the Windy City.</li><li>The city felt bigger than I expected, and I found the art and architecture all around fascinating. </li></ul><a href="https://www.insider.com/review-noodles-and-company-for-first-time-photos-midwest-chain-2022-2">As a Californian</a>, I knew Chicago was an international metropolis. But I was pretty blown away by the Windy City throughout my first visit.Read on for the things that surprised me most.<h2>My first impression was that Chicago really felt like a huge city</h2><div type="image" title="molly at the sears tower in chicago" height="1633" width="2178" msid="89548978" hostid="261"></div>Before my visit, <a href="https://www.insider.com/things-youll-know-if-youve-been-to-the-midwest-2020-3">I associated Chicago</a> with architecture, railroad history, baseball, Lake Michigan, and, of course, pizza. But I wasn't expecting it to feel like such a huge city. In <keyword id="12021660" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="la" source="Orion">LA</keyword>, the buildings are on the newer side because the area didn't really become a populated destination until the 1900s. Chicago's population and skyline, on the other hand, have been growing since the 1830s. My first impression of the city was at O'Hare airport. It was clear how enormous the hub was when it took our plane more than 20 minutes to taxi to our gate after landing.Then in the car on the way to the hotel I thought, "Holy moly, this city skyline is the biggest I've ever seen."It's nothing like New York or San Francisco, which are geographically constricted, or <a href="https://www.insider.com/surprising-things-i-noticed-moving-from-nyc-to-la-2020-3">Los Angeles</a> where there's technically a downtown neighborhood but the city itself is so sprawling.<h2>I knew Chicago was known for its architecture, but there were so many layers to the history</h2><div type="image" title="portion of the chicago skyline from the river at sunset" height="2274" width="3024" msid="89548980" hostid="261"></div>Architects are like celebrities in Chicago. My mouth was literally hanging open at the beauty of the buildings that surrounded me.To really soak in the culture, I went to the <a href="https://www.architecture.org/">Chicago Architecture Museum</a> to learn more about the city's skyline. Then, I went to the <a href="https://www.chicagohistory.org/">Chicago History Museum</a> to learn how much of this city was rebuilt after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Finally, I went on an <a href="https://www.architecture.org/tours/detail/chicago-architecture-foundation-center-river-cruise-aboard-chicago-s-first-lady/">architecture-focused tour</a> on the Chicago River, where I gained a "new perspective" on these towering buildings from the water. No buildings in <a href="https://www.insider.com/things-that-surprised-brit-visiting-la-for-first-time-2020-2">Los Angeles</a> come close in height to <a href="https://www.willistower.com/history-and-facts">Chicago's Willis Tower</a> (formerly known as Sears Tower). The 108-story building is the third-tallest in North America.<div type="image" title="molly on the sky deck at the sears tower in chicago" height="2592" width="1944" msid="89548983" hostid="261"></div>If you're not afraid of heights, be sure to check out the <a href="https://theskydeck.com/">"Skydeck" experience and "The Ledge,"</a> where you can hover over the city at 1,353 feet. Go as soon as it opens up at 9 a.m. because the lines can get long on weekends. <h2>The 77 neighborhoods in Chicago offer a diverse expanse of culture to explore</h2><div type="image" title="map of chicago's 77 neighborhoods" height="4032" width="3024" msid="89548985" hostid="261"></div>If you're trying to get around a single neighborhood in Chicago, the city is pretty walkable. Otherwise, there's a train system that can take you to pretty much wherever you need to go. Even though I was visiting from <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2015/05/21/american-diversity-cities-where-it-works.html">LA, which is very diverse</a>, I was enthralled with the different sites and scenery within <a href="https://www.choosechicago.com/blog/arts-culture-entertainment/world-in-a-city-chicagos-culturally-diverse-neighborhoods/">Chicago's 77 distinct neighborhoods</a> — each boasting its own impressive history and background.Our hotel was located on the border of the Loop district within the New Eastside community. <h2>I had no idea Chicago's flag had so much symbolism</h2>I've never been to a city where people are as passionate about <a href="https://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/august-2013/chicago-city-flag/">their flag</a>. I didn't even know what LA's flag looked like before I sat down to write this.Chicago's design has an impressive amount of historical significance. The three white stripes represent the North, West, and South sides. The top blue stripe represents Lake Michigan and the north branch of the Chicago River. The bottom blue stripe represents the south branch of the river and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The four six-pointed red stars represent major historical events: <a href="https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/December-2009/The-True-Story-of-the-Deadly-Encounter-at-Fort-Dearborn/">Fort Dearborn </a>(the origin of the modern city), the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, and the Century of Progress Exposition of 1933–34.<h2>Deep-dish pizza is worth the hype, but there are so many other Chicago delicacies</h2><div type="image" title="chicago deep dish pizza" height="1461" width="1944" msid="89548987" hostid="261"></div>You simply can't go to Chicago without <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-foods-to-try-when-visiting-chicago">eating deep-dish pizza</a>.I went to <a href="https://www.loumalnatis.com/about">Lou Malnati's Pizzeria</a>, where each pie is handmade. There are multiple locations, so you can't miss it.I ordered "The Lou" deep-dish style, and it was heavenly. My taste buds were seriously singing as I took my first bite.They definitely don't make pizza like this in <keyword id="11940480" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="los-angeles" source="Orion">Los Angeles</keyword>. <div type="image" title="italian beef and a hot dog from portillos in chicago" height="1461" width="1944" msid="89548989" hostid="261"></div>There's also <a href="https://www.portillos.com/index.html">Portillo's</a>, which serves authentic Chicago-style hot dogs (no ketchup allowed) and Italian-beef sandwiches.For something sweet, head to <a href="https://www.garrettpopcorn.com/">Garrett Popcorn</a>. The sugary smells drifting from the shop can lure people from streets away.But if you're looking for something fresher, I was impressed by a trendy convenience store-type shop called <a href="https://foxtrotco.com/">Foxtrot</a>. It sold tasty goodies like premade salads, sushi, and warm bowls and also crafted espresso drinks and smoothies on-site. <h2>You can't go anywhere without running into famous artworks </h2><div type="image" title="shot of the &quot;bean&quot; or the cloudgate statue in chicago" height="1944" width="2592" msid="89548991" hostid="261"></div>It's not just the buildings in Chicago that are well-designed and nice to look at. There are impressive indoor and outdoor art scenes here.Perhaps the most famous destination to check out is the <a href="https://www.artic.edu/">Art Institute of Chicago</a>, which is an absolute can't-miss for art lovers.Famous works like "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte," have been featured in movies like "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." The museum also houses classics, like "American Gothic," and rotating contemporary exhibits.<a href="https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/tours-and-attractions/the-bean-chicago/">The Bean</a> — or Cloud Gate, as it's more formally titled — is a famous work of urban art.Luckily, it's very close to the Art Institute for those who are interested in saving a trip. Plus, it's totally free to visit and take pictures, just head over to <a href="https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/parks-outdoors/millennium-park-campus/">Millennium Park</a>.Though I thought the Bean was cool, I can see how some might find it underwhelming if their expectations are too high. But it was much larger than I expected, and the way it reflects the city skyline on a clear blue day is beautiful. <h2>I definitely needed more than 3 days to explore the whole Midwestern city</h2><div type="image" title="molly sitting on a slice of chicago style deep dish pizza" height="1944" width="2592" msid="89548993" hostid="261"></div>I was only <a href="https://www.insider.com/things-people-get-wrong-chicago-2018-2">in Chicago</a> for three days, and I had the chance to do and see a lot. But there was still so much left to explore.It's the kind of city where you can always find something new each time you visit.I only really explored the Loop area, where many of the city's famous attractions are, but I was grateful that it made my trip so walkable, which is nothing like where I live in Los Angeles. Overall, I can't wait to get back and see different parts of the city.

I'm a Californian who visited Chicago for the first time. Here are 7 things that surprised me most.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>We searched Yelp reviews and asked locals for their opinion on the best <keyword id="6358351" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="pizza">pizza</keyword> place in every <keyword id="6355728" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="state">state</keyword>.</li><li>Styles of pizza vary greatly depending on <keyword id="780434" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="crust">crust</keyword>, shape, <keyword id="165783" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="toppings">toppings</keyword>, and baking method.</li><li>Although popular, national chains like Pizza Hut and Domino's Pizza were not included in this list.</li></ul>Following is a transcript of the <keyword id="21654" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="video">video</keyword>.Narrator: From clam-covered pizza in Connecticut to tater tot toppings in Missouri, here is each state's best pizza place.Alabama - Post Office PiesPost Office Pies sources its ingredients locally, and its mozzarella is made in-house. The pies are cooked in a brick oven, which gives the crust a charred, crispy texture.Alaska- Moose's Tooth Pub and PizzeriaMoose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria is popular for its wide variety of specialty pies with toppings such as apricot sauce and reindeer sausage.Arizona- Pizzeria BiancoIn 2015, chef and owner Chris Bianco was hailed as "America's Best Pizza Maker" by Eater. One of his most popular pizzas, The Wiseguy, is topped with wood-roasted onion, house-smoked mozzarella, and fennel sausage.Arkansas- Damgoode PiesDamgoode Pies is a local legend in Arkansas. The <keyword id="6371025" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="restaurant">restaurant</keyword> is famous for its eight, hand-crafted, savory sauces. One of Damgoode's most popular sauces is its pink sauce, which combines its original red sauce with its signature spicy white sauce.California- Antico Italian RestaurantAntico Restaurant is popular in LA for its focaccia pizza. The tomato pie is sprinkled with caramelized garlic, fresh sauce, and quality cheese, and the olive-oil-laden crispy crunch you get with each bite will keep you coming back for more.Colorado-Pizzeria LocalePizzeria Locale is a fast-casual restaurant that specializes in Neapolitan pizza. Simplicity is key, as the cooks use only four ingredients in the dough. The wood-burning ovens cook pizzas within minutes, so you get your pizza fast.Connecticut- Frank Pepe Pizzeria NapoletanaFrank Pepe's Pizzeria has been around for nearly a century. These coal-fired pizzas provide a crust that is crispy and charred. Most importantly, the shop is known for its white clam pizza. Yes, seafood on pizza! Trust us, it's delicious.Delaware- The Wood Fired Pizza ShopRight next to the University of Delaware campus, The Wood Fired Pizza Shop is a popular restaurant for both locals and college students. The Spicy Italian and Besto Pesto specialty pizzas are two favorites.Florida- Old Greg's PizzaOld Greg's Pizza is a hot commodity down in Miami, with customers having to wait up to a few weeks to get a pie. These square pies feature a sourdough base and are loaded with delightfully oil-laden pepperoni cups.Georgia- Antico Pizza NapoletanaAntico Pizza Napoletana is about as close as you can get to authentic Italian pizza in Georgia. The tomatoes, mozzarella, and olive oil are all flown in from Italy. Even the restaurant's wood-fired ovens are shipped in from Naples!Hawaii- J Dolan'sJ Dolan's brings New York-style pizza to Honolulu. The thin-crust pizza is light, crispy, and loaded with cheese.Idaho- The WylderAt The Wylder, you can choose between red pizzas and white pizzas. The red pizza is made with organic tomatoes, and the white pizza is made with Parmesan cream. The Honey Badger is a favorite and features sausage, caramelized onions, and spicy honey.Illinois- Lou Malnati's PizzaLou Malnati's is the place to go when it comes to Chicago deep dish. The restaurant has a secret family recipe for its buttery, flaky crust.Indiana- Jockamo Upper Crust PizzaJockamo Upper Crust allows customers to choose from a large assortment of toppings and cheeses. Their cheese list features a whopping twelve cheeses, including goat cheese, pepper jack, and smoked gouda.Iowa- Wig &amp; Pen Pizza PubWig and Pen gets its name from a longstanding London establishment that survived the 1666 Great Fire of London and the WWII Blitz. The restaurant is renowned for both its Chicago-style deep dish and its thin-crust pizza.Kansas- AJ's NY PizzeriaAJ's NY Pizzeria brings authentic New York pizza to Kansas. The sauce is extra garlicky, and the cheese is a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan.Kentucky- Impellizzeri's PizzaAt Impellizzeri's, it's all about the cheese-pull. With three locations in Louisville and The Original Impellizzeri's in Elizabeth town, make sure you stop here for the best pizza in Kentucky.Louisiana- Pizza DeliciousPizza Delicious started in a small alley in New Orleans, but the restaurant has expanded over the years because of the demand for its New York-style pizzas. Customers rave about the thin crust and love the cheese-to-sauce ratio.Maine- Slab Sicilian Street <keyword id="6181" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Food">Food</keyword>Slab is famous for its Sicilian-style pizza, which is made fresh with hand-mixed dough. Although the slabs appear to be thick and heavy, the dough is surprisingly light and fluffy. The cheese is spread to the edges and caramelizes as it bakes, giving the slab pie a beautiful crust.Maryland- Joe SquaredAll pizzas at Joe Squared are made with sourdough and baked in a 900-degree oven, which gives a nice crisp to the thin-crust pizza.Massachusetts- Regina PizzeriaSince 1926, Regina Pizzeria has been a favorite in Boston. The shop is beloved for its all-natural, fresh ingredients and tasty pizzas.Michigan- Buddy's PizzaBuddy's is the birthplace of Detroit-style pizza. These square-shaped pies are cooked in steel pans, making the crust thick and crispy with crunchy bits of cheese on the corners.Minnesota- Black Sheep PizzaIn Minnesota, there's no better pizza than Black Sheep. Their coal-fired brick ovens ensure a crispy crust.Mississippi- Lost PizzaLost Pizza Co. was founded in 2007 by former college roommates. The dough is made from scratch and the sauce is made from - you guessed it - a secret recipe.Missouri- Grinders PizzaGrinders' Famous Chili Bomb Pie features a centerpiece of tater tots, chili, Cheez Whiz, and green onions. Some of the restaurant's Fancy Pants toppings include smoked salmon and crab meat.Montana- Biga PizzaBiga Pizza follows the Italian tradition of using biga, rather than commercial yeast, as its dough starter. The local hot spot is known for its weekly specialty pizzas, scrumptious salads, and hand-tossed dough.Nebraska- Zio's PizzeriaAt Zio's Pizzeria, the crust on this New York-style pizza isn't too thin, and there is a perfect sauce-to-topping ratio. The shop also offers a variety of specialty pizzas to choose from, like The Original Thai or 5th Ave. Cheeseburger.Nevada- Pin-Up PizzaKnown to have the largest slices on the Vegas strip, Pin-Up Pizza is no joke. These 30-inch pies are available in seven different varieties.New Hampshire- Tilton House of PizzaTilton House of Pizza is a go-to if you're in the Northeast area. The Greek-style pizzas have a thick crust that is light and airy.New Jersey- Carmine's Pizza FactoryCarmine's Pizza Factory in Jersey City has a geometric pizza that was inspired by ceramic tiles. The geometric pizzas contain up to four different pizzas along with a salad or dessert centerpiece.New Mexico- Cafe Rio PizzaSince 1993, Cafe Rio has brought East Coast pizza to the Southwest. The ingredients are made in-house and from scratch. It even sources ingredients from local farms in New Mexico.New York- Di Fara PizzaDi Fara Pizza is a must when it comes to New York pizza. All ingredients are imported from Italy, and the pies are drizzled in olive oil both before and after baking.North Carolina- Trophy Brewing Co.Trophy Brewing Company has several specialty pizzas. The lamb sausage topping and the spicy fire-roasted tomato sauce are popular among customers.North Dakota- Fireflour PizzaFireflour is known for its gourmet personal pizzas. The mozzarella is hand-stretched, and the organic sauce has thick chunks of tomato.Ohio- Harvest PizzeriaHarvest Pizzeria is known for its gourmet pies. The sauce is made in-house, and all the ingredients are sourced from local farmers. The wood-fired ovens provide a crust that is crispy, airy, and bubbly.Oklahoma- Hideaway PizzaIn 1957, Hideaway Pizza first opened its doors near Oklahoma State University. There are a variety of specialty pizzas to choose from, or you can even build your own.Oregon- Dove ViviDove Vivi is a family-owned pizzeria that is famous for its cornmeal crust. The cornmeal provides a sturdy bottom while giving the pizza a crunchy edge.Pennsylvania- Sarcone's BakerySarcone's Bakery has been around for more than 90 years. Even without cheese, the tomato pie is one of the most popular items on the menu.Rhode Island- Al FornoAl Forno uses products from New England farms to create Italian dishes. It's known for its wood-grilled pizzas, which are charred to perfection and have a light, airy crust.South Carolina- EVO PizzeriaEVO Pizzeria started as a food truck in 2005 and has since become one of the most popular brick-and-mortar establishments in South Carolina. All of its ingredients, including black cherry tomatoes, butternut squash, and Carolina bacon, are locally sourced.South Dakota- Grille 26Grille 26 has the best thin-crust pizza in Sioux Falls. Customers can choose between regular crust or cauliflower crust.Tennessee- Five Points PizzaFive Points Pizza in Nashville is known for its hand-tossed, New York-style pizzas. Customers love​ Dave's Pie, which is dressed with prosciutto and basil.Texas- Home Slice PizzaLocated in Austin, Home Slice brings New York-style pizza to the Lone Star state. Pepperoni is a favorite, and you can also get a kit-to-go to make your favorite Home Slice pie at home.Utah- The Pie PizzeriaLocated just off the University of Utah campus, The Pie Pizzeria is always buzzing. The ApocalyptDough uses different spices from around the world, giving the crust a slow-burning sensation.Vermont- The Parker Pie Co.The Parker Pie Co. is nestled in the back of Lake Parker Country Store in West Glover. Be sure to stop in for the freshest ingredients in town and a great selection of Vermont craft brews.Virginia- PupatellaPupatella is a local staple, with four locations in the northern Virginia and Washington, DC, area. Its menu currently offers 25 different Neapolitan pizzas, though our favorite is the eggplant and red pepper pizza, which is topped with eggplant, roasted red peppers, provola cheese, and tomato sauce.Washington- The Flying GoatThe best pizza in Washington can be found at The Flying Goat in Spokane. With a great variety of toppings and sauces, The Flying Goat is the perfect spot for a date or family dinner. And, on Mondays, all pizzas are only $12. While they aren't technically states, here are the best pizza places in Washington, DC and Puerto Rico.Washington, DC- 2Amys2Amys is the perfect pizza date spot in Washington, DC. The restaurant offers a wide selection of Neapolitan pizzas, and for the classic-pizza lover, we recommend the 2Amys pie.Puerto Rico- Pirilo Pizza RusticaPirilo Pizza Rustica is a popular place among locals and tourists in Puerto Rico. The thin-crust pizza has a light sauce and is covered with exquisite toppings like shrimp and calamari.

The best pizza in every state, from pepperoni in New York to giant slices in Nevada

<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/category/starter-kit"></div></div>Lou Malnati's is known for serving pizza that is a ceremony in and of itself. The hefty pie comes out in a cast-iron pan with a flaky crust and a colossal amount of cheese - demanding a knife, fork, and your full attention. 
But the most crucial part of the business, says CEO Marc Malnati, is taking care of the relationships between the 2,400 people in the organization.
It requires a separate kind of ritual. 
Every other Thursday, the Lou Malnati's leadership team meets. But they don't immediately launch into an agenda. 
Like <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-elon-musk-jeff-bezos-run-meetings-2014-4">other forward-thinking CEOs</a>, Malnati uses a signature technique when running these meetings.
"We'll start our meeting in one room," he says. "It's a room with couches and softer chairs, and we'll be in a circle and we'll check in - and we'll react and we'll clear." 
Clearing, Malnati explains, is the process of talking through any emotional baggage that may have collected in a team. It prevents backbiting, sarcasm, and other behaviors that can make people start resenting one another. 
He gives us an example of what one employee might say to another. 
"I hated when you said this the other day; I'm still carrying it, and I want you to know," he says. "Part of what I need is for you to just hear me, and I want to know if you really think this. If you're really saying this, I want to understand."
Everybody on the team has the chance to voice their concerns. It might take an hour, or even two, for everyone on the team to speak, react, and clear. 
They take a 10-minute break to drink water, check email, or go to the bathroom, and then they get to the "business part" of the leadership meeting. 
At that point, "the agenda is just like other leadership teams would follow, but we always do the relational part first," Malnati says. "It's every bit as important and oftentimes more important." 
The return that comes with that time investment is profound. 
"I get to know where everyone's at," he says, "and they get to know that I'm on their side."
The pre-meeting provides a space for disagreement to be voiced and to slowly, surely, and precisely be turned into agreement, or at least mutual understanding. 
"We get to share our deepest emotions with one another," Malnati says, "because it's a family." 
That provides a huge advantage in the marketplace. <a href="http://cmr.berkeley.edu/articles/2002_44_3_4776.pdf" target="_blank">As research from the Stanford Graduate School of Business has found</a>, companies where employees feel a family-like commitment to their organization are the most likely to succeed over the long term. 
The business has grown nicely. Lou Malnati's expanded from two restaurants in 1981 to 20 in 2001. By the end of next year, it plans to have 44 locations.
For Malnati, it's intuitive. "Most of the time, we have nothing to do with Chicago pizza," he says. "The biggest job is to maintain relationships and care about people."

This Innovative Meeting Hack Helped A Chicago Pizza Business Grow Into An Empire

<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"></div></div>The better you can recognize emotions, the more you'll get paid. 
That insight comes care of Gerhard Blickle, a psychologist at the University of Bonn in Germany. 
A <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/job.1975/full" target="_blank">study</a> his team just published shows how being able to read emotions helps you navigate the workplace - and thus make more money. 
<a href="http://www3.uni-bonn.de/Press-releases/it-pays-to-have-an-eye-for-emotions">According to Blickle</a>, people who excel at recognizing emotions "are considered more socially and politically skilled than others by their colleagues. Their supervisors also attribute better social and political skills to these people. And, most notably, their income is significantly higher."
In the experiment, 142 adults were asked to look at pictures and listen to recordings of actors and children expressing their feelings.
The participants were asked to say what emotion - sadness, anger, happiness, etc. - was behind the expression.
The average success rate was 77%, with the "really good" recognizers identifying 90% of emotions and the poor recognizers hitting 60%.
After the test, researchers followed up by asking the participants' colleagues and supervisors how politically savvy they were - if they seemed sincere, influential, and formed relationships quickly at work.
The team replicated the study with 156 different participants and controlled for sex, age, training, working hours, and title. 
"We controlled for all these variants," Blickle <a href="http://www3.uni-bonn.de/Press-releases/it-pays-to-have-an-eye-for-emotions">reports</a>. "The effect of the ability to recognize emotions on income still remained."
The business case for emotional intelligence is so strong that some forward-thinking companies have started to incorporate it into hiring and management. 
In the 1990s, L'Oreal started using emotional intelligence in its hiring of salespeople. Those hired with consideration of their emotional know-how sold <a href="http://www.eiconsortium.org/reports/business_case_for_ei.html">$91,370 more on average per year than their peers</a>, for a net revenue increase of over $2.5 million. 
More recently, Chicago pizza empire Lou Malnati's has been putting emotional intelligence at the center of its business. 
"It has nothing to do with Chicago pizza, but most of the time, we have nothing to do with Chicago pizza," <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lou-malnatis-relationship-management-2014-11">CEO Marc Malnati told Business Insider</a>. "There are 2,400 people in the company, and the biggest job is to maintain relationships and care about people."

People Who Are Good At Recognizing Emotions Make More Money

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Jenn Durfey</div></div></div>One of the largest and most popular travel websites, <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/PressCenter-i7346-c1-Press_Releases.html">TripAdvisor</a>, recently ranked the top 10 cities with the best pizza in the country. The company based its rankings off of millions of reviews from its site.TripAdvisor considers, "the quality of pizza restaurant reviews, the quantity of pizza restaurants and their reviews, with more weight given to reviews in the past year, and the ratio of pizza restaurants and reviews compared to all restaurants for the city," according to a <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/PressCenter-i7346-c1-Press_Releases.html">press release</a>. Along with each city's ranking, the site also recommends three spots in each area to visit. Check out the top ten cities with the best pizza in the country along with restaurants to try in each. <h3>10. Miami Beach, Florida</h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image">Facebook/Giotto maestro della Pizza - Miami BeachGiotto maestro della Pizza in Miami Beach.</div></div>Although Miami Beach is a popular tourist destination with an eclectic variety of unique foods and restaurants, people still love the simple pizza the city has to offer. Spots to try: Visa-O1 Extraordinary Pizza, Giotto Maestro della Pizza, Blocks Pizza Deli<h3>9. Phoenix, Arizona</h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Facebook/Pizzeria BiancoPizzeria Bianco in Arizona.</div></div></div>Like Miami Beach, Phoenix is another place one wouldn't immediately look to for the best pizza, but natives will go to bat for the city. The area isn't known for one particular type of pizza, unlike Chicago.Spots to try: Pizzeria Bianco, Pomo Pizzeria Napoletana - Phoenix, The Parlor Pizzeria<h3>8. San Diego, California</h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Facebook/Pizza Port Ocean BeachPizza Port Ocean Beach in San Diego.</div></div></div>San Diego is another spot on the West Coast that also made the list. Thin-crust pizza is really popular at one of the restaurants TripAdvisor recommends, <a href="http://www.barbasic.com/">Basic</a>.Spots to try: Basic, Buona Forchetta, Pizza Port Ocean Beach<h3>7. Las Vegas, Nevada</h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Facebook/Project PieProject Pie in Las Vegas.</div></div></div>Vegas is also another great spot for pizza. With many pizza shops located in casinos and near local tourists sites, people often find it hard to steer away from the food.Spots to try: Project Pie, Pizza Rock, Secret Pizza<h3>6. Washington, D.C.</h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Facebook/We the PizzaWe, the Pizza in Washington, DC</div></div></div>The nation's capital is known for many things, including its vast number of museums and monuments, but a lesser known fact about the city is its amazing pizza. With such a large mix of people, from locals to students and politicians, D.C. has a diverse selection of pizza for all. Spots to try: We, the Pizza, Matchbox Pizza, Pizzeria Paradiso<h3>5. San Francisco, California</h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Facebook/Za PizzaZa Pizza in San Francisco.</div></div></div>With the Golden Gate bridge and countless other tourist attractions to find in San Francisco, grabbing a slice is a quick fix when exploring. Pizza can also be pretty cheap, which is a great thing in such an <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-true-cost-of-living-in-san-francisco-2015-5">expensive city</a>. Spots to try: Tony's Pizza Napoletana, Il Casaro Pizzeria and Mozzarella Bar, Za Pizza<h3>4. Orlando, Florida</h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Facebook/Anthony's Coal Fired PizzaAnthony's Coal Fired Pizza in Orlando.</div></div></div>Orlando's top ranking is probably surprising to some, but some of the spots that TripAdvisor recommends, like <a href="https://acfp.com/">Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza</a>, might convince you. Spots to try: Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, Via Napoli, Red Oven Pizza Bakery<h3>3. New Haven, Connecticut</h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Facebook/Frank Pepe Pizzeria NapoletanaPepe's pizza in New Haven.</div></div></div>Anyone in New Haven will direct visitors to the state's best and most well-known shop, Frank Pepe's pizza.Spots to try: Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Modern Apizza, Bru Rm At BAR<h3>2. New York City, New York</h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Flickr/Garrett ZieglerJuliana's Pizza in New York.</div></div></div>One can find pizza on almost every other corner throughout New York City, which means having to venture far for a slice is never an issue. Most of it is delicious, and people travel from all over the world to try it. Spots to try: Juliana's Pizza, Keste, John's Pizzeria - Bleeker St. <h3>1. Chicago, Illinois</h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Flickr/JamesGiordano's in Chicago.</div></div></div>Spots to try: Chicago Pizza &amp; Oven Grinder, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria - River North, Giordano'sChicago is the deep-dish destination of the world. There's simply no place like it. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pizza-hut-hot-dog-stuffed-crust-pizza-2015-6">Turns out Pizza Hut's new hot dog stuffed crust pizza is a 'horrible tragedy'</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="h4MTRwdTrgMpVx64-IYIF8OxThFmAGRk" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div>

You Searched For "lou malnati s" and got 11 results

A famous Chicago pizza joint called out 'Emily in Paris' over the Netflix show's 'heartless' dig at its iconic deep dish

Rachel Askinasi

Chicago's favorite deep dish pizza chain, Lou Malnati's, is shipping flash-frozen pizzas across the country as one way to combat the coronavirus shutdown

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Chicago's favorite deep dish pizza chain, Lou Malnati's, is shipping flash-frozen pizzas across the country as one way to combat the coronavirus shutdown

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Incredibly Frank Relationships Are The Secret To Building An Empire, Says Lou Malnati's CEO

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A food influencer in Chicago breaks down why the Windy City should be on every restaurant lover's bucket list

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I've been to 48 states, but there's one US city I want to visit every summer

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I'm a Californian who visited Chicago for the first time. Here are 7 things that surprised me most.

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Buying Guides

You Searched For "lou malnati s" and got 11 results

A famous Chicago pizza joint called out 'Emily in Paris' over the Netflix show's 'heartless' dig at its iconic deep dish

Rachel Askinasi

Chicago's favorite deep dish pizza chain, Lou Malnati's, is shipping flash-frozen pizzas across the country as one way to combat the coronavirus shutdown

Taryn Varricchio,Nicole Rauch…

Chicago's favorite deep dish pizza chain, Lou Malnati's, is shipping flash-frozen pizzas across the country as one way to combat the coronavirus shutdown

Insider

Incredibly Frank Relationships Are The Secret To Building An Empire, Says Lou Malnati's CEO

Drake Baer

A food influencer in Chicago breaks down why the Windy City should be on every restaurant lover's bucket list

Grace Dean

I've been to 48 states, but there's one US city I want to visit every summer

Latifah Al-Hazza

I'm a Californian who visited Chicago for the first time. Here are 7 things that surprised me most.

Molly O&apos;Brien

The best pizza in every state, from pepperoni in New York to giant slices in Nevada

Cameron Hussein,Dylan Brzezin…

This Innovative Meeting Hack Helped A Chicago Pizza Business Grow Into An Empire

Drake Baer

People Who Are Good At Recognizing Emotions Make More Money

Drake Baer

The top 10 pizza cities in America

Hayley Fitzpatrick

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides

Molly O'Brien