Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
Encyclopedia
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria is an American
family-owned Chicago-style pizza
restaurant chain headquartered in Northbrook
, Illinois. It was founded by the son of Rudy Malnati, who was instrumental in developing the recipe for Chicago-style pizza, and it has become one of the Chicago area's best-known local restaurant chains.
. Lou and his wife Jean opened the first Lou Malnati's Pizzeria on March 17, 1971, in Lincolnwood, Illinois.
The Lincolnwood restaurant was successful, and the family subsequently opened another store in Elk Grove Village, Illinois
. After an initial rocky start, the second restaurant proved profitable and the company continued to grow. As of October 2011, Lou Malnati's owns and operates 33 stores in the greater Chicago area. The chain participates in the Taste of Chicago
and has been active in local charities.
On July 4th, 2011 Lou Malnati's opened their biggest pizzeria in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago.
After Lou Malnati died of cancer in 1978, his wife and sons Marc and Rick took over the business and they continue to operate it today. The main competition for "Lou's," as it is often called, are Pizzeria Uno, Giordano's Pizza and Gino's East
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
family-owned Chicago-style pizza
Chicago-style pizza
Chicago-style pizza is a deep-dish pizza style developed in Chicago. Chicago-style pizza has a buttery crust up to three inches tall at the edge, slightly higher than the large amounts of cheese and chunky tomato sauce, acting as a large bowl. The term also refers to "stuffed" pizza, another...
restaurant chain headquartered in Northbrook
Northbrook
Northbrook may refer to:Places named:*Northbrook, Illinois, USA*Northbrook Island, a Russian island*Northbrook , a railway station in Illinois, USA*Northbrook, Ohio, USA*Northbrook, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom*Northbrook, Ontario, Canada...
, Illinois. It was founded by the son of Rudy Malnati, who was instrumental in developing the recipe for Chicago-style pizza, and it has become one of the Chicago area's best-known local restaurant chains.
History
Lou Malnati began working with his father Rudy in the 1940s making deep-dish pizza. In the 1950s they co-managed Pizzeria UnoUno Chicago Grill
Uno Chicago Grill, or more informally as Unos, is the title for a franchised pizzeria restaurant chain under the parent company Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation...
. Lou and his wife Jean opened the first Lou Malnati's Pizzeria on March 17, 1971, in Lincolnwood, Illinois.
The Lincolnwood restaurant was successful, and the family subsequently opened another store in Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Elk Grove Village is a municipality located in northeastern Illinois adjacent to O'Hare International Airport and the City of Chicago. Elk Grove Village encompasses in land area with located in Cook County and located in DuPage County, Illinois. The population was 32,745 at the 2010 census...
. After an initial rocky start, the second restaurant proved profitable and the company continued to grow. As of October 2011, Lou Malnati's owns and operates 33 stores in the greater Chicago area. The chain participates in the Taste of Chicago
Taste of Chicago
The Taste of Chicago is the world's largest food festival, held annually for ten days in Grant Park, in Chicago starting the Friday before the 4th of July and ending the Sunday after . The event is the largest festival in Chicago...
and has been active in local charities.
On July 4th, 2011 Lou Malnati's opened their biggest pizzeria in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago.
After Lou Malnati died of cancer in 1978, his wife and sons Marc and Rick took over the business and they continue to operate it today. The main competition for "Lou's," as it is often called, are Pizzeria Uno, Giordano's Pizza and Gino's East
Gino's East
Gino's East is a Chicago-based restaurant chain, notable for its deep-dish pizza , and for its interior walls, which thousands of patrons have covered in graffiti and etchings.-Cuisine:...
.