Pizza is a beloved dish that has taken the world by storm. From New York style to Neapolitan, we have a plethora of options to choose from. But have you ever wondered about the difference between Chicago style and Detroit style pizza? While both are known for their thick crust and hearty toppings, there are some key differences that set them apart.
Chicago style pizza is famous for its deep dish crust, which is made with a generous amount of cheese and tomato sauce. On the other hand, Detroit style pizza has a crispy crust that is baked in a rectangular pan with toppings like pepperoni and cheese that are arranged in reverse order. So, which one is right for you? Let’s dive deeper into the world of pizza and find out!
Chicago style pizza is known for its deep dish crust that’s crispy on the outside and doughy on the inside. It’s typically baked in a round pan with high edges and loaded with cheese, sauce, and toppings. Detroit style pizza, on the other hand, has a rectangular shape and a thick, chewy crust that’s crispy on the bottom. It’s also known for its unique assembly, with toppings placed on top of the cheese instead of underneath it. Overall, the main difference between the two styles is the crust and shape.
Chicago Style vs Detroit Style Pizza: Which One Reigns Supreme?
1. History of Chicago and Detroit Style Pizza
Chicago Style Pizza, also known as deep-dish pizza, has been around since the 1940s. The iconic pizza was created by Ike Sewell in his Pizzeria Uno restaurant. On the other hand, Detroit Style Pizza was created in the 1940s by Gus Guerra. It was originally served in blue steel pans used to hold small parts in factories. The dough is cooked in a similar way to Sicilian-style pizza, but the cheese is spread all the way to the edges, forming a caramelized crust.
2. Crust
Chicago Style Pizza has a thick, buttery crust that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is typically made with a high-gluten flour and baked in a deep dish pan. Detroit Style Pizza, on the other hand, has a thick, chewy crust that is crispy on the bottom and edges. The crust is made with a special blend of flour, water, salt, and yeast.
3. Cheese and Toppings
Chicago Style Pizza is known for its generous amount of cheese and toppings. The cheese is usually a blend of mozzarella and provolone, and the toppings can range from sausage and pepperoni to spinach and artichokes. Detroit Style Pizza has a layer of Wisconsin brick cheese that is spread all the way to the edges, creating a crispy, caramelized crust. The toppings are usually placed on top of the cheese.
4. Sauce
Chicago Style Pizza has a thick, sweet sauce that is made with San Marzano tomatoes. It is usually placed on top of the cheese and toppings. Detroit Style Pizza has a tangy sauce that is made with California tomatoes. The sauce is usually placed on top of the dough and under the cheese.
5. Cooking Method
Chicago Style Pizza is baked in a deep dish pan for 30-40 minutes. The pizza is cooked at a high temperature, which ensures that the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. Detroit Style Pizza is baked in a rectangular blue steel pan for 20-30 minutes. The pizza is cooked at a lower temperature, which ensures that the crust is crispy on the bottom and edges.
6. Serving Size
Chicago Style Pizza is typically served in individual slices or small pies that can feed 2-3 people. Detroit Style Pizza is typically served in rectangular pies that can feed 4-6 people.
7. Health Benefits
Both Chicago Style and Detroit Style Pizza are not known for their health benefits. However, Detroit Style Pizza is slightly healthier than Chicago Style Pizza because it has less cheese and toppings.
8. Price
Chicago Style Pizza is usually more expensive than Detroit Style Pizza because it uses more cheese and toppings. Detroit Style Pizza is usually more affordable because it uses less cheese and toppings.
9. Popularity
Chicago Style Pizza is more popular than Detroit Style Pizza because it is more widely available. However, Detroit Style Pizza is gaining popularity in recent years, especially in the Midwest.
10. Final Verdict
In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. If you like a thick, buttery crust with a lot of cheese and toppings, then Chicago Style Pizza is for you. If you prefer a thick, chewy crust with a crispy, caramelized cheese crust, then Detroit Style Pizza is the way to go. Both pizzas have their own unique characteristics and are worth trying at least once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pizza is a favorite dish enjoyed by many people around the world. However, there are different styles of pizza, and two of the most popular styles are Chicago and Detroit. Here are some frequently asked questions about the differences between these two pizza styles.
What is Chicago-style pizza?
Chicago-style pizza is a deep-dish pizza that originated in Chicago, Illinois. It is known for its thick, buttery crust that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The pizza is typically made with a layer of cheese on the bottom, followed by toppings such as sausage, onions, and green peppers. A layer of tomato sauce is added on top of the toppings.
The pizza is usually baked in a deep, round pan, and it takes longer to cook than other pizza styles. Chicago-style pizza is often cut into slices that are more like squares or rectangles than traditional pizza slices.
What is Detroit-style pizza?
Detroit-style pizza is a rectangular pizza that originated in Detroit, Michigan. It is known for its thick, crispy crust that is similar to Sicilian-style pizza. The crust is baked in a rectangular pan, and the cheese and toppings are layered on top of the crust. The pizza is then topped with a layer of tomato sauce.
Detroit-style pizza is often cut into squares, and it is known for its crispy edges and soft, chewy center. The pizza is typically made with toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, and green peppers.
What are the main differences between Chicago-style and Detroit-style pizza?
The main difference between Chicago-style and Detroit-style pizza is the crust. Chicago-style pizza has a thick, buttery crust that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The crust is often made with cornmeal or semolina flour.
Detroit-style pizza has a thick, crispy crust that is similar to Sicilian-style pizza. The crust is usually made with a blend of bread flour and semolina flour, and it is baked in a rectangular pan.
Which pizza style is more popular?
Both Chicago-style and Detroit-style pizza are popular in their respective cities and across the United States. However, Chicago-style pizza is more well-known and has a wider following.
Chicago-style pizza has been around longer than Detroit-style pizza, and it is often featured in movies and TV shows. Many people consider Chicago-style pizza to be a classic American dish.
Can you make Chicago-style or Detroit-style pizza at home?
Yes, you can make both Chicago-style and Detroit-style pizza at home. However, they can be more challenging to make than traditional pizza due to their unique crusts.
To make Chicago-style pizza, you will need a deep-dish pizza pan and a recipe that calls for a thick, buttery crust. To make Detroit-style pizza, you will need a rectangular pizza pan and a recipe that calls for a crispy, chewy crust.
What is the difference between Chicago and Detroit style pizza?
In conclusion, both Chicago style and Detroit style pizza have their unique characteristics that set them apart from each other. Chicago style pizza is known for its thick, buttery crust and deep dish filling, while Detroit style pizza features a crispy, caramelized crust and a rectangular shape.
Despite their differences, both styles of pizza are beloved by many and have become staples in the American pizza scene. Whether you prefer a hearty slice of Chicago style or a crispy slice of Detroit style, there’s no denying that both are delicious in their own way.
So the next time you’re craving a slice of pizza, why not try both and see which one you prefer? After all, life is too short to limit yourself to just one type of pizza!
