Best Pizza Place In Evanston: Readers Pick Malnati's, Panino's

EVANSTON, IL — The results are in from last week's Evanston Patch reader survey of the best pizza place in town.

Out of dozens of responses, four local pizzerias emerged as favorites and a pair of pizzerias were practically tied for the top number of reader recommendations.

Find a countdown below of the top four vote-getters in our unscientific poll.

Number 4

Gigio's Pizza, 1001 Davis St., began as a pickup and delivery operation in 1968 and identifies itself as the oldest pizza place in Evanston. It was recommended by about 12 percent of respondents.

What makes it the best?

"Pizza quality. Menu options. Kind service," according to one reader.

"The deep richness of how it tastes," said another.

"The slices are huge and I can order two different types and it is not expensive," another reader pointed out.

"They never change! I have been going to them since they opened I was in high school then," one reader recalled. "I still go when I come home to Evanston to visit."

Number 3

Union Pizza, with wood-fired Neopolitan pizzas as 1245 Chicago Ave., and Union Squared, with Detroit-style pizzas and a beer garden across the street at 1307 Chicago Ave., were recommended by 14 percent of respondents.

What makes it the best?

"High quality ingredients, delicious flavor combos, cool venue," said one reader, of the 1245 Chicago location, which adjoins Evanston Space.

"As a Detroit girl, I'll tell you that this is the best Detroit-style pizza around," one reader said of the 1307 Chicago location. "They get all the details right, from the lacy cheese crispies on the airy crust to the tomato sauce on top of the pizza. The little pepperoni cups, the brick cheese. Just delish."

"They put the perfect crisp on the crust and so much great topping. Literally salivating as I think about it," one reader said, recommending the Burrata Margherita. "The cheese makes the perfect pull and omg, so good"

Number 2

Panino's Pizzeria, 1968 Dempster St., was the top pick of about 19 percent of respondents in our reader's survey. Gino Rago of Panino's, the culinary coach of the U.S. Pizza Team, took home 2nd place in the Pizza Classica division in the 2018 Spanish Pizza Championship and 6th place overall at the 2019 European Pizza Championship.

What do readers love about it?

"The crisp crust and perfect amount of toppings reminds me most of pizza in Italy," said one.

"They are so friendly, and the topping to cheese ratio is perfect. The crust has a great crunch, but chewy enough that it doesn’t crumble everywhere," another respondent said.

"The sauce and the perfect ratio of ingredients & cheese is consistently excellent," a reader said.

"Thin, crispy crust. Delicious sauce and plenty but not too much cheese," echoed another.

Number 1

Lou Malnati's, 1850 Sherman Ave., Evanston, received the support of more than 20 percent of respondents. The first Lou Malnati's location opened 50 years ago in Lincolnwood, with the downtown Evanston location opening in 2014.

What makes it the best?

"The cheese, the sauce and the butter crust. Nuff said," a reader pointed out.

"The ingredients are always fresh, especially the exclusive sweet tomatoes. These tomatoes are the base of the sweet yet savory sauce," one reader said. "The crust is always perfect crust, and there's always just the right amount of cheese. I love both the thin crust and the deep dish"

Another reader praised the "great crust, fresh ingredients and variety, also a great salad to match."

About half of the Evanston Malnati's faithful said their go-to order was a deep dish.