Great Pizza Recommendation Needed -- Near Deerfield/Lakeview-- Do they Deliver to Hotels?

[Jodie]

I'm at a 5 day conference next week near Deerfield/Lakeview (wherever that is). Need excellent pizza recommendations, preferably within walking distance? Or, a pizza place that delivers to local hotels.

Thanks!

[nsxtasy]

I'm guessing you mean Deerfield, the suburb 25 miles north of downtown Chicago, which has numerous chain hotels, and not Lakeview, 4 miles north of downtown, which does not have many chain hotels. But I'll answer the question for both.

Deerfield is in the delivery zone for the Highland Park location of Lou Malnati's, one of the very best places for delicious Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. Yes, they deliver to hotels. That location is carry-out and delivery only, so don't go there with plans to be seated to eat.

Lou Malnati's
1890 First Street
Highland Park, IL 60035
847.266.9000
www.loumalnatis.com

Lakeview is in the delivery zone for the Malnati's location in Lincoln Park on Chicago's North Side, where you can also dine-in:

Lou Malnati's
958 W. Wrightwood
Chicago, IL 60614
773.832.4030
www.loumalnatis.com

If you want a recommendation for a place within walking distance, you'll need to tell us which hotel you're walking from.

[Mobiusring]

Although Lou's is my favorite, other excellent deep dish pizza places that deliver to Deerfield are Piero's and Moccio's, both in Highland Park.

[JMFLD]

Piero's for thin Lou's for deep. just sayin'

[Jodie]

Well, in addition to being geographically ignorant it looks like I'm also pizza ignorant. How to order, thick or thin? How to order and not identify myself as pizza tourist? Thanks!

[Mobiusring]

The Deerfield Hyatt has a Gino's East in it. Gino's has a cornbread crust that's yummy. Order by saying thick crust or Chicago style.

-----
Gino's East
2801 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

[ferret]

As a caveat, I was never a big fan of Gino's and my last visit will likely be my last visit. Malnati's is far better.

[nsxtasy]

>> The Deerfield Hyatt has a Gino's East in it.

NO IT DOESN'T!!! Gino's East is NOT in the Deerfield Hyatt! It is in the Deerfield EMBASSY SUITES, which is about 1/4 mile east of the Hyatt on Lake-Cook Road.

>> Gino's has a cornbread crust

I don't think there is any corn in Gino's crust. They sell their deep-dish pizza frozen in the supermarket, and the list of ingredients has no corn, but it does have artificial coloring, which gives it its yellow color.

That being said, while I do prefer Malnati's, I think Gino's East is also pretty darn good. If I were staying at the Deerfield Hyatt and had a choice between walking five minutes to the Embassy Suites and having Gino's East pizza right out of the oven, or Malnati's that sits in a delivery car for 15 minutes or more, the choice would be easy for me. I'd go for the Gino's East. Note that deep-dish typically takes 30-45 minutes to bake, and you can call ahead with your pizza order if you want to eat it there, and they'll have it ready for the time you specify. I'm sure they can also deliver to your hotel, although as long as it's not raining/snowing, I'd be more inclined to walk there so I could have it hot out of the oven.

As for ordering, the big thing that most people don't already know is the portion size. A large deep-dish pizza can satisfy four people with good appetites, and a small can satisfy two people. When ordering, ask for "deep dish" - that's what everyone calls it, including the Gino's East menu which you can find on their website at www.ginoseast.com (although if you look at the website for the Deerfield location - www.ginoseastdeerfield.com - they call it "pan"). Gino's East also has thin crust, but stick with the deep-dish; when in Rome, ... :) Get whatever toppings you like. Personally, I think deep-dish is best without going overboard on toppings; 2-3 items is sufficient, and don't get extra cheese or extra sauce or it will upset the balance IMHO.

-----
Gino's East
1445 Lake Cook Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015

[camusman]

I imagine Mobius meant cornmeal, not cornbread. Many pizzerias lay their crusts out on a thin layer of cornmeal.

[nsxtasy]

>> I imagine Mobius meant cornmeal, not cornbread.

I assumed that's what he/she meant.

>> Many pizzerias lay their crusts out on a thin layer of cornmeal.

It's possible that they do that in the pizzeria, but not for the frozen product.

However, a lot of people think that the yellow color that is a unique characteristic of the crust of Gino's East deep-dish is from the use of cornmeal in the dough, whereas the ingredient list of the frozen variety indicates that there is none.

[Mobiusring]

Although the Hyatt has a lot of ammenities, in-room ovens are not among them. Frozen pizza would do Jodie no good. Cornbread is made from corn meal. Check with Gino's restaurant re ingredients.

[nsxtasy]

>> Although the Hyatt has a lot of ammenities, in-room ovens are not among them.

Are you sure you aren't thinking of the Embassy Suites? :)

>> Frozen pizza would do Jodie no good.

Huh??? I did NOT suggest buying frozen pizza! I was pointing out the ingredients on the *frozen* package to note that the pizza she orders *fresh* from Gino's East does not have ANY corn meal in the crust. Gino's East pizza does NOT have a "cornbread crust" or a crust made from corn meal (to correct one of the two mistakes in your two-line post above).

I still recommend getting Gino's East deep-dish pizza from their location at the Deerfield Embassy Suites while she is staying at the Deerfield Hyatt (where Gino's East is NOT located).

[camusman]

I did some checking, and the best I can tell is that Gino's East uses corn oil and yellow food coloring in its crust, which gives the impression of a cornbread crust. Fermenting the dough also contributes to the flavor profile.

[lbs]

Deerfield is a suburb and Lakeview is a neighborhood. They are probably 45 to an hour apart. Are you staying in Deerfield?

[weinstein5]

what hotel are you at? either spot lakeview or deerfield you will be able to get good pizza delivered to the hotel

[Jodie]

Staying at Deerfield Hyatt, activities in Glenview and NOrthrboork. Thanks!