Detroit vs Chicago Pizza: Revealing the Difference 

Wondering about the difference between American pizzas: Detroit-style and Chicago style pizzas?

Both are different in two main ways: the crust and how they layer their cheese.

• Crust: Detroit’s is fluffy like focaccia, with crispy edges. Chicago’s is flakey and buttery, like a deep-dish pie.
• Cheese: Detroit hides tangy Wisconsin brick under the sauce. Chicago shows off gooey mozzarella on top!

Want to learn more about the differences between Detroit and Chicago-style pizzas in detail?

Keep reading this article.

What is Detroit Style Pizza and its key Characteristics?

Forget circles, Detroit’s pizza is a square! This American wonder, born in the city of cars, has a thick, chewy crust baked in deep metal pans.

These pans, once used in auto factories, are now pizza heroes! They let the toppings spread out wide and give the crust a toasty, golden edge you can’t resist.

Here are some characteristics that make Detroit-style pizza special:

Crust that Cuddles with Chewy and Crunchy Paradise

Forget cardboard crusts! Detroit-style dough is high in water, making it airy and chewy inside with a golden-brown, crispy bottom. It’s like a fluffy focaccia meets a pizza party, ready to soak up all the cheesy, saucy goodness.

Edge-to-Edge Cheesy Bliss

Detroit pizza often features Wisconsin brick cheese, thickly spread all the way to the edges. The cheese melts and bubbles, creating a caramelized crust you can’t resist tearing off.

Tangy Sauce Surprise

Unlike most pizzas, Detroit-style sauce takes a backseat. Instead of drowning the pie, it gets drizzled on like racing stripes after the cheese. This way, the sauce keeps its tangy punch without making the crust soggy.

Pepperoni Toppings that Take Center Stage

Detroit style is all about bold and generous toppings. Heavily stacked pepperoni cups curl up with juicy oil, while other favorites like sausage, vegetables, and even mac and cheese find their way onto the canvas. Every bite is a flavor explosion.

More Than Just Food: A Detroit Story

Detroit-style pizza isn’t just a meal; it’s a piece of history. Invented in the Motor City using industrial pans, it’s a reminder of resourcefulness and a taste of Detroit’s unique spirit. So next time you grab a slice, savor the crunchy crust, cheesy edges, and the story baked into every bite.

What is Chicago-style Pizza and its Key Characteristics?

Chicago-style pizza is like a deep pot of flaky and buttery pie filled with gooey cheese, chunky tomato sauce, and your favorite sausage toppings.

Forget thin crusts – this one’s thick and buttery, with a crispy golden edge. The cheese is piled high, melting into a delicious river that coats everything. It’s a fork-and-knife kind of pizza, best enjoyed with friends and family. So grab a slice, dive in, and experience the Chicago deep-dish magic!

Here’s what makes it so unique:

Canyon-Like Golden Crust

Forget your average crust. Chicago style, thick and tall, like a mini canyon holding all the good stuff inside. It’s buttery and crispy on the outside but soft and chewy in the middle, ready to soak up any sauce that spills over.

Baked in special pans, the crust gets a golden-brown, caramelized edge that’s crunchy and bursting with flavor. It’s like a protective armor for the delicious filling inside.

The Mozzarella Cheese Magic, Like Molten River

Chicago-style goes all out with a thick layer of cheese that stretches from edge to edge. It melts down into a gooey, golden river, blanketing everything in cheesy goodness.

Some pizzerias mix it up, but most Chicago deep-dish stays true to tradition with a mountain of mozzarella. It’s creamy and stretchy and adds a mild, milky flavor that complements the tangy sauce and savory toppings.

The Bright Tomato Sauce on the Top

Unlike the flood of some styles, Chicago sauce is applied with a light hand. It’s a bright tomato sauce, seasoned just right, adding a burst of acidity and sweetness without drowning out the other flavors.

Here’s the twist! 

The sauce gets poured on top of the cheese, creating a layer of flavor trapped in the molten goodness. It’s like a surprise party waiting for every bite.

Irresistible Cured Meat Toppings

Chicago deep-dish shines with Italian sausage. It’s crumbled on top, adding savory notes and a bit of crunch to every bite.

Don’t be fooled by the sausage. Chicago deep-dish is open to all kinds of toppings, from veggies to peppers to meats. Go wild and create your own pizza masterpiece!

The Happiness-filled Communal Experience

This Chicago style pizza is a fork-and-knife job. Embrace the slow-food experience, savoring each bite of gooey cheese, crispy crust, and juicy toppings shared with everyone.

Grab your friends and family, gather around the table, and dig in. It’s a culinary adventure meant to be shared and enjoyed.

So, next time you’re in Chicago, skip the thin crust and dive into the deep dish. It’s a unique pizza experience that’s sure to leave you saying, “Cheese, please!

Detroit vs. Chicago Style Pizza: Taste Difference

Detroit and Chicago, both thick-and-cheesy titans, offer totally different taste trips.

Detroit’s like a fluffy focaccia party! Imagine airy bites with a tangy Wisconsin brick cheese surprise hiding under the sauce. It’s a savory adventure with a focaccia kick.

Chicago?

Think deep-dish canyon, filled with a gooey mozzarella river that’s creamy and rich. It’s a fork-and-knife indulgence, a velvety cheese dream come true.

So, which one’s your pizza quest? 

The choice depends on your taste buds’ quest: light and tangy or deep and decadent.

Detroit vs. Chicago Style Pizza: Calories Difference

Detroit and Chicago pizzas differ in calorie count due to their contrasting builds. Detroit’s thick, airy crust and edge-to-edge cheese layer-up pack it with a hefty ~600 calories per slice.

Chicago’s deep-dish rich buttery crust with molten cheese river translates to a whopping ~800 calories per slice.

So, Detroit offers a slightly lighter indulgence as compared with Chicago’s commitment to cheesy heaven.

Concluding the Difference between Chicago and Detroit Style Pizzas

Feature	Detroit Style	Chicago Style
Crust	Thick, airy focaccia with crispy edges	Deep-dish pie crust, buttery and flaky
Cheese	Wisconsin brick, spread edge-to-edge under sauce	Mozzarella, piled high on top of sauce
Sauce	Tangy stripes drizzled after cheese	Brighter tomato sauce, poured over cheese
Toppings	Bold and generous, pepperoni cups a highlight	Italian sausage a classic, but open to variations
Experience	Casual, focaccia-like base for exploration	Fork-and-knife affair, a celebration of cheesy depth
Fun Fact	Baked in repurposed auto pans, a Detroit story	Deep canyon of crust, a true pizza monster

So, next time you’re craving pizza, choose your adventure:

Opt for Detroit pizza if you love fluffy focaccia crust, tangy cheese surprise, bold toppings. Or lean towards Chicago style deep-dish canyon crust, gooey cheese river, fork-and-knife fun.

Both are delicious and unique, so grab a slice and see which one you love!