Chicago is known for Ferris Bueller’s playing-hooky-to-catch-a-ball-game antics, its intense crosstown rivalry between sports teams, and somewhat erratic cab drivers, but we’d argue its best attribute is the unparalleled pizzas. Luckily, you can find a good ol’ slice of Chicago pie sans dairy (and other animal ingredients) in the Windy City. Follow us on a cheesy tour of the 312, vegan-style.
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1. Chicago House of ‘Za, Lakeview neighborhood
The all-vegan Chicago House of ‘Za operates at a level that would make you think they’ve been dishing out pizzas for decades (even though it’s only been two years). The husband-and-wife duo offers four signature pizzas plus a build-your-own menu where you can create your own vegan masterpiece with a choice of crust (thin, extra thin, or stuffed deep-dish), their signature cashew mozzarella cheese and house-made seitan sausage, along with 20 other topping options. Don’t forget their late-night offerings on weekends, when you can grab a slice post-party.
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2. Paulie Gee’s, Logan Square (and other locations)
Some of the best Chicago pizza is inspired by a little-known New York pizza-maker by the name of Paulie Giannone. The single Chicago location of Paulie Gee’s offers Neapolitan-style pizza and Detroit-style square pizza that might just put your deep-dish pie to shame. The chain, which hails from Brooklyn, serves up plenty of plant-based varieties with house-made vegan pepperoni, fennel sausage, cashew ricotta, classic parm, and mozzarella. Stop in and try some of their finest gems: the Notorious VLT (vegan bacon from Upton’s Naturals, lettuce, and cherry tomatoes) and the Rabbit Pie (vegan fennel sausage, pickled pineapples, greens, and soy chili glaze). Dairy-free mozzarella caramelizes underneath the crust while it bakes, giving you a perfect, ooey-gooey slice.
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3. Dimo’s Pizza, Wicker Park and Wrigleyville
Dimo’s Pizza is a classic choice and a local favorite. It sits in the heart of the Wicker neighborhood right off North Avenue and boasts plenty of plant-based pies. Culinary curator Steve Hofstad says their goal is to make good food that just happens to be vegan, and it often ends up being off-the-beat choices like their special, the Argyle—made with peanut sauce, sriracha, bean sprouts, red cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, and tofu, and garnished with chow mein noodles, and fried onions. Act fast because this fan favorite only makes an appearance one month out of the year.
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4. Kitchen 17, Lakeview
If you’re into deep-dish covered in meatless ground beef and spicy mac and cheese, stop by Kitchen 17. This iconic vegan favorite will surely get you out of your foodie comfort zone. While they offer traditional dairy-free deep-dish and New York-style options such as the Fully Loaded (piled high with peppers, vegan sausage, spinach, olives, giardiniera, vegan mozzarella, and basil), they also love to serve more experimental options, such as the Mediterranean, spicy Fireball, and bestselling Cheeseburger Pizza. Their mindset is that the food should always be fun and fresh and give natives and visitors from afar the opportunity to try something new.
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5. The Boiler Room, Logan Square
If you ever struggle with finding a satisfying vegan slice at the end of a long Saturday night, look no further than the Boiler Room, which offers the perfect everyday slice. This simple, no-strings-attached daily menu item doesn’t try to be something it’s not. The Always Vegan slice sits perched on the top of their menu and comes with peppers, onions, mushrooms, and dairy-free cheese atop a beautifully thin crust. When you just want a piece of pizza, this should be your top choice. Grab it to-go, or sit-in at restaurant—full of salvaged boiler plates, airplane parts, and repurposed New York Metro car doors—where they also offer up whole-pie specialty pizzas that rotate seasonally. It’s like your usual happy hour pizza, but better.
Samantha Miller is a native Chicagoan who is always on the lookout for a good oat-milk latte, the perfect running trail, or cheap tickets to a late-night comedy show.
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