Papa Del’s. Champaign, IL.
For a long time, I thought deep dish pizza was terrible. Ok, “terrible” is maybe harsh. I thought it was misguided. Is this a pizza or a tomato sauce bread bowl? Is the mozz about to go bad so we have to use all of it tonight? On this one pizza? Deep dish has left me scratching my head and turning up my nose for 30 years. That is, until 2021, when Con convinced me to split a pie with him from Papa Del’s in Champaign, IL. I don’t know why I agreed. I was probably very tired and hungry and too weak to Google an alternative. And I am so thankful for that. Papa Del’s changed my entire opinion of deep dish pizza. The crust is Baywatch bronze and light, not dense, despite its namesake depth. The sauce tastes incredible and holds its own against a weighted cheese pillow top. And you can pick up a slice and hold it. Hold it! Such is the structural integrity and perfect balance of this ‘za. And best of all? It was just as delicious the next morning pulled cold from the hotel mini fridge.
Price: Depends on the number of toppings. But it’s worth the price, especially if you get pizza breakfast out of the deal.
Health: I did order a side salad to go with my pizza and it was very tasty. But you’re eating the pizza, c’mon.
Speed: There was a bit of a wait when we placed our order on the phone. Call right after soundcheck!