The influence that family has had on my cooking and eating preferences has been no big secret. As I’ve already established here on the blog, family recipes make up a significant portion of my go-to cooking repertoire.
It should therefore come as no surprise to learn then that with parents who spent significant time in Chicago, either growing up or going to school, that I’ve been influenced by the cuisine of that fine city. And while there could perhaps be some debate about what one specific food item is most closely identified with the city (Italian beef? Chicago-style hot dogs?), no one would disagree if your pick was Chicago-style deep dish pizza.
It certainly is mine. I still remember my first encounter with pizza in Chicago. While visiting my aunt in the suburbs, we had gone downtown for the day. My folks led us to the original Gino’s East on Superior Street. I can’t remember how old I was at the time, but what I do remember waiting in line for what seemed like forever. And then we were led into a darkened space, with walls, tables, chairs—everything—covered in writing. The idea that they encouraged you to write on anything your eye could see seemed so subversive to my young mind.
Pie are Round 