A Legacy Born from Passion

Since 1971, Lou Malnati's has been serving Chicago's finest deep-dish pizza, carrying on a tradition that began with our founder's unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity. What started as a small pizzeria in Lincolnwood has grown into a beloved Chicago institution, yet we've never forgotten our roots.

Our story is one of family, tradition, and an unyielding dedication to perfecting the art of deep-dish pizza. Every pizza we serve is a testament to our founder's vision: to create not just food, but an experience that brings families and communities together.

From our signature buttery crust to our vine-ripened tomato sauce and Wisconsin mozzarella, every ingredient is carefully selected and prepared with the same attention to detail that made us famous over five decades ago.

Historic Lou Malnati's restaurant interior

Our Mission & Values

The principles that guide everything we do

Quality First

We source only the finest ingredients and prepare each pizza with meticulous care, ensuring every bite meets our exacting standards of excellence.

Family Tradition

We believe in the power of food to bring people together. Every pizza we make is crafted to create memorable moments with family and friends.

Community Impact

We're proud to be part of Chicago's fabric, supporting local communities and giving back to the neighborhoods that have embraced us for generations.

Meet Our Team

The passionate people behind Lou Malnati's success

Michael Torrino

Executive Chef

With over 20 years of culinary expertise, Michael oversees all kitchen operations and maintains our legendary recipe standards.

Sarah Chen

Operations Director

Sarah ensures every location delivers the exceptional experience our customers expect, managing operations across all our restaurants.

David Rodriguez

Quality Manager

David maintains our rigorous quality standards, ensuring every ingredient meets our specifications and every pizza is perfect.

Lisa Thompson

Guest Relations Manager

Lisa leads our customer service initiatives, ensuring every guest feels welcome and leaves with a smile.

Our Journey Through Time

Major milestones in our five-decade history

1971

The Beginning

Lou Malnati opens the first restaurant in Lincolnwood, introducing Chicago to his unique deep-dish pizza recipe with a buttery crust and fresh ingredients.

1978

Family Expansion

Lou's sons join the business, bringing fresh ideas while maintaining the traditional recipes and quality standards that made us famous.

1985

Suburb Growth

We open our fifth location, expanding throughout Chicagoland while keeping our commitment to handmade quality in every restaurant.

1996

Award Recognition

Lou Malnati's receives its first major culinary award, cementing our reputation as Chicago's premier deep-dish pizza destination.

2005

Nationwide Shipping

We launch our mail-order program, allowing pizza lovers across America to enjoy authentic Lou Malnati's deep-dish at home.

2020

Digital Innovation

Embracing technology while maintaining tradition, we launch enhanced online ordering and delivery services to serve our community safely.

Our Story