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Finding Authentic St. Louis and Chicago Style Pizza in St. Louis

Chicago and St. Louis are known for being rivals in everything from sports to culture to cuisine. These two great American cities have heated debates over which has the greatest influence in the Midwest. Both have historic jazz traditions, loyal baseball fans, and plenty of local musicians who achieved international acclaim.

But outsiders may be surprised to learn that one of the biggest fault lines of these two rivals can be found on a dinner plate. Nearly everyone has heard of Chicago deep dish people, but few outside of Missouri have enjoyed the crisp deliciousness of a St. Louis style pizza. Here at Southwoods, one of St. Louis premier apartment communities, we are fans of both pizza styles and won't play favorites just yet. Still, we wanted to create a helpful resource for people looking to try one or both of these uniquely Midwestern cuisines. Get ready to discover the best Chicago or St. Louis style pizza in the St. Louis area.


What Is St. Louis Style Pizza?

A St. Louis style pizza will be defined by its crust, sauce, cut, and cheese. The foundation of this regional delicacy is built on an ultra-thin, cracker-like crust. The dough doesn't use any yeast, ensuring that each bite of St Louis style pizza will have a satisfying crunch.

The sauce on St. Louis style pizza will be a bit on the sweeter side. Some people will debate what type of cheese belongs on St Louis style pizza, but many would agree that Provel is needed for authenticity. This is a blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone. This cheese is slightly smoky and extra gooey.

Lastly, a St. Louis style pizza must be cut into squares. This is sometimes called a "party cut" or "tavern cut" and makes the pizza slice a snackable size that's easy to share.
A pizza with pepperoni and sausage toppings on a wooden board.

What is Chicago Style Pizza?

St. Louis style pizza and Chicago style pizza are polar opposites. While the St. Louis variety is portable, snackable, and crisp, the Chicago version is massive and indulgent.

The Chicago style pizza is kind of like a pie, but instead of a sweet filling, it's stuffed with pizza deliciousness. Imagine a pie with layers of cheese and toppings with a cheesy upper crust. With the Chicago style pizza, the sauce is usually poured on top of this abundance of flavor. This helps ensure that the bottom crust will never be soggy. As you can imagine, a Chicago Style pizza should be eaten with a fork and knife.

Cheese is another sticking point between these two midwestern pizzas. While St. Louis uses Provel, Chicago purists demand mozzarella only.

While the rivalry between these two pizza types is fierce, you can still easily find a great Chicago Style pizza in St. Louis.

A pizza with a slice missing, topped with cheese and meat.

Where to Find St. Louis Style Pizza


Imo's Pizza

Every recipe has an origin, and the St. Louis Style Pizza was born at Imo's Pizza. Imo's originally opened in 1964, but their unique take on pizza became so popular that they now boast about a dozen locations across the St. Louis area. Famed for the slogan "The Square Beyond Compare," Imo's is the purest distillation of St. Louis' unique pizza style.



Farotto's Pasta & Pizzeria

Located in Rock Hill, Farotto's Pasta & Pizzeria offers a more elevated, yet still authentic, St. Louis style Pizza. Farotto's biggest claim to fame is the premium toppings that patrons can choose from. Diners can indulge on fresh, high-quality toppings like shrimp, house made sausage, artichokes, house made meatballs, Giardiniera, and more.



Monte Bello Pizzeria

For those who are seeking a square of St. Louis pizza in a nostalgic, no frills, Italian diner, we recommend Monte Bello Pizzeria. Originally opened in 1950, Monte Bello has made little changes to their recipes, interior, or location. This pizzeria prides itself on tradition, and all the pizza dough is made in-house daily. If you seek authentic St. Louis style pizza with little alterations, you can't go wrong with Monte Bello Pizzeria.
A man and a woman are sharing pizza in a restaurant.

Chicago Style Pizza in St. Louis

Blackhorn Pub and Pizza

Few Pizzas can go deeper than the pies served up at Blackhorn Pub and Pizza. This establishment opened in 1986, and their quality Chicago style pizzas have kept them in business over the decades. The atmosphere is bar-like and casual, making it a great place for a relaxing evening. Do note that all pizzas are cooked fresh, so wait times may exceed 30 minutes.



Salvage Yard Bar and Grill

Should you prefer your Chicago deep dish to meet traditional standards, we recommend Salvage Yard Bar and Grill. The pizzas are deep, dense, and full of flavor. If you want to try both pizza styles in one sitting, the St. Louis style pizzas at Salvage Yard are just as delicious.



Talayna's Italian Restaurant

If you want a Chicago pizza so deep that a fork and knife are mandatory, we recommend Talayna's. Located in Chesterfield, Talyana's prides itself on using fresh ingredients to serve the best possible pizza.



Move to the Best Pizzerias in St. Louis and Move into Southwoods Apartments

If you’re ready to make the move to St. Louis so you can live to the tastiest pizza restaurants in the Midwest, then visit us at Southwoods Apartments. Our 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments are carefully designed with a balance of comfort, style, and spaciousness to create an unmatched living experience. Residents gain access to exclusive amenities like an outdoor swimming pool, an enclosed dog park, a community garden, and more. Schedule your tour today and discover your home among the woods.

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