Whether you’re at John’s Incredible Pizza or the California Pizza Kitchen, it’s a topic that always comes up and debated. Which is better, New York pizza or Chicago pizza? It’s been called the food fight of the century but really, which one is better?
Needless to say both pizzas have their followers, and experts agree this debate will go on forever. Long time pizza lovers have been comparing the thin crust New York pizza and the deep dish Chicago pizza, with each camp saying one is better than the other.
Most of the time the debate turns into arguments that can confuse you. The truth is it’s hard to pick out a winner since Chicago and New York pizzas have a wide range of variants.
The Differences between New York and Chicago Style Pizza
That being said there are a lot of differences between the two. Let’s take a look at them.
Crust
- Chicago pizza has a thick crust. It is served in a plate with a fork as this is a full meal.
- New York pizza is the more traditional type, thin crust and handheld. It was originally consumed in a sandwich.
- Because Chicago pizza is thick it’s eaten at a deliberate pace just like a regular meal.
- New York pizza is for those who are on the go.
Oil
- Deep dish Chicago pizza is comparatively dry.
- New York pizzas drip with oil, even much more so than the typical thin crust pizza.
Cheese
- New York pizzas come in different styles, but all of them have a thin layer of mozzarella cheese.
- Because of its thick crust, Chicago pizza can have several layers of cheese.
Servings
- Deep dish Chicago pizza are sliced and served in pieces similar to a casserole.
- New York pizza is cut in triangular slices like a regular pizza.
Toppings
- Chicago pizza has a depth of several inches so it can have multiple toppings.
- New York toppings are similar to regular pizza, i.e. they are placed on top.
Eating Style
- Chicago pizza is eaten like a regular meal with utensils.
- New York pizza is compact enough to be eaten while you’re on the go.
Most people are familiar with the thin crust NY style pizza, and for many that’s the only type they know. But for those who haven’t tried deep dish pizza it’s really quite a treat. But taste aside there are a few other differences that we can point out.
- New York pizza is cooked in an oven just like regular pizza. Chicago pizza on the other hand, is cooked in a cast iron pan.
- NY pizza can be prepared in ten minutes or so. That’s no surprise given ovens can go up to 700 degrees.
- Chicago pizza on the other hand, takes 10 minutes to prepare the crust and another 30 minutes to cook the pizza. It is this cooking time that gives it a unique texture and taste.
So Which is Better?
To the uninitiated the only difference between the two is that New York pizza has thin slices while Chicago is thick. But as we have noted above, the difference between the two is far greater than that.
Not only are the basic styles different, but with an endless number of variants comparison becomes impossible. What’s more some Chicago pizzas have thin crusts and there are thick slice New York pizzas too.
But is a Comparison Valid?
A lot of pizza experts aren’t even sure if the two can be compared at all. Yes they’re both pizzas but it’s not just about thick vs thin pizza. The differences between the two includes the ingredients, and it seems like you’re comparing chocolate pie and chocolate cookies. They’re both chocolate but completely different. Some argue that is the case with New York and Chicago pizzas too.
Those who’ve tried both pizzas often say the two just don’t taste the same. It’s not that one is good and the other bad, only that they’re different.
Individual Preferences
It should probably come as no surprise that most New Yorkers prefer New York pizza and that folks from Chicago like Chicago pizza. This isn’t because they’re biased but it’s because it’s what they’re used to.
If you’re used to a thin crust pizza, then eating a thick pizza using a fork will be unusual. On the other hand if you’re used to thick pizza then feasting on New York pizza may not be to your taste.
Due to the thickness of the crust it should come as no surprise that most find it has more flavor. Those used to thin crust pizza will probably say otherwise. Thin crust pizza are more popular, but really when it comes to taste it is down to your own preference.
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