USA Today readers have spoken and have resoundingly chosen UNO Pizzeria & Grill, the inventor of deep dish pizza, as the best Chicago-style pizza throughout the state of Illinois. Founded in Chicago in 1943, Pizzeria Uno is the birthplace of the UNO Deep Dish Pizza and, along with Pizzeria Due, topped the list of area restaurants serving Chicago-style pizza after a four-week voting period.

Pizza purveyor nominees were chosen by a panel of relevant experts which include a combination of editors from USA TODAY; editors from 10Best.com; relevant expert contributors; and sources for both these media and other Gannett properties. The nomination panel for each award category is displayed on its associated contest page. All voting is digital and the 10Best Readers’ Choice Award contest is accessible on the 10Best.com website.

“For 75 years, UNO has been continuously perfecting its deep dish pizza recipe and this recognition from the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards makes us incredibly delighted knowing our commitment to Chicago-style pizza continues to satisfy our guests’ cravings for delicious deep dish pizza,” said Jim Ilaria, Chief Executive Officer of UNO Pizzeria & Grill. “It’s no secret that one of our most important ingredients is passion.  That’s why we make our dough fresh every morning, shred blocks of mozzarella and chop fresh produce daily to deliver flavors, unlike any other restaurant. The Chicago-style pizza is our heritage and we’re proud to carry on with that tradition after 75 years.”

Ike Sewell developed deep dish pizza and opened his first restaurant at the corner of Ohio & Wabash, Pizzeria Uno. It was here he served a pizza unlike any served before. With a buttery crust that stands tall like a fruit pie, he created a recipe that combined authentic Italian spices and quality tomatoes with unimaginable amounts of cheese. When people tasted it, they wanted more of the same and Sewell then opened Pizzeria Due to accommodate them. Today, the signature dish – with all its varied toppings – is served in 100 UNO locations.

In 2019, the most popular and best-selling deep dish pizzas at UNO are the Numero UNO, Cheese & Tomato, Prima Pepperoni and the Create Your Own.