About US
The oldest family name in Chicago-style pizza, Lou Malnati’s pizza is rich in history and flavor.
A Chicago Original
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Luciano Malnati got his start in the 1940s working at Chicago’s first Deep Dish pizzeria. Lou then decided to open his own restaurant and took his expertise to Lincolnwood, a northern suburb of Chicago, where he and his wife Jean opened the first Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria on March 17, 1971. Lou was a fun-loving character and wanted his restaurant to be a model for hospitality, a place dedicated to family. After enormous success in Lincolnwood, Lou decided to expand the business. In 1978, Lou Malnati’s life was tragically cut short when he fell victim to cancer. Lou’s two sons, Marc and Rick, then joined their mother Jean to continue the family business and carry forward what Lou began. The Malnati’s commitment to family, hospitality, and exceptional Deep Dish pizza transformed Lou’s vision into a lasting legacy. Through generations of families and visitors from around the world, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria has become one of Chicago’s most important and enduring institutions—a symbol of the city’s culture, resilience, and unmistakable Chicago-style pizza.
What makes Lou Malnati’s so special?
Malnati’s success comes from a steadfast commitment to quality. Each pizza is handmade from scratch with the finest ingredients—California vine-ripened tomatoes, our exclusive seasoned sausage, and mozzarella from the same small dairy we’ve partnered with for over 40 years. The family’s secret flaky, buttery crust recipe has been passed down for generations, ensuring every bite is made with care.
Legendary Pizza Since 1971
Chicago’s BEST deep dish pizzeria
It’s all in the ingredients and the care. Our signature flaky, buttery crust, exclusive sausage blend, California tomatoes, and Wisconsin mozzarella create the unmistakable flavor of Lou’s—handmade, baked to perfection, and served with the same love that’s been part of our recipe from day one.
Our People Are Just as Important
The key ingredient to Lou Malnati’s is our dedicated staff and loyal customers. Chicago Tribune has recognized Lou Malnati’s as a top workplace for 16 years in a row and over 15% of Lou Malnati’s employees have been with the company for ten years or more. Want to join our team? Take a look at our open jobs.