Good pizza is a really tough find in the land of cracker thin crust and provel cheese. The locals in Saint Louis love their style of pizza, and that’s all fine and dandy, but when it comes to a good pie, I want my pizza to be just that. A pie with a thick tasty crust, melted mozzarella, and sweet Sicilian sauce blanketing the top in true Chicago style is my ideal pizza. I can even taste it in my mouth as I write. Unfortunately, this style is a lost art in a city that is only a five hour drive from the town that makes my quintessential quality pie. I asked around and started to search out this dish around the area and a few pointed me towards a joint that was making their attempt at Chicago Deep Dish, Louie’s in South Hampton (5406 Hampton).
I googled this joint and discovered that they only did carryout. So, I dialed them up (314-832-8200) and ordered up a large spinach with sauce on top (wierd that you have to choose that), and was told that my pie would be ready in 30 minutes. This, initially, made me skeptical as true deep dish requires at least a 45 minute bake time. 30 minutes elapsed and I arrived at Louie’s to find my order was ready. As I was waiting for them to corral my pie and ring me up, I checked in via Yelp to discover my offer for a free 32 oz. drink. Winning!
I made the drive back home with the aroma of a beautifully crafted sauce filling the cabin of my car. Anxious, I rushed into my kitchen an opened the box containing this seductive smell. At first appearance my pie looked amazing. I lifted the first slice out as cheese gripped to outlying pieces stretching in true deep dish fashion. There was one disappointing quality to this Chicago style pie. As I set my slice down on the plate, I could instantly tell that the crust was less than deep and a little dry. Brushing that off, I sank my fork into my slice and devoured my first bite as the sauce that seduced me earlier pleased my palate erasing my disappointment over the lack of a thick crust. Before I knew it, three more slices were consumed and I was quite satisfied with my selection.
So, if you’ve ever had this great pizza debate in your circle of friends, give Louie’s a ring. Although not true Chicago Deep Dish, it’s still pretty close and really FORKing good.
Fork U 