Only Two of America’s Best Pizza Places are in Illinois

I always thought Illinois was the pizza capital of the world.

Obviously, born and bred in Chicago, I have a small bias toward the pizza that is produced in the Land of Lincoln.

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Heck, when my family and I moved out to Rockford I found that the pizza is just as good here as it is in the Windy City.

So how can I explain on a list of 25 that only two pizza joints in the entire state are tasty enough to be considered the best in America?

Just like I mentioned my bias toward Illinois pizza, the writer of the 25 Best Pizza Places in America on 24/7 Tempo must be pro-East Coast pizza.

That's all I got. Because the top 5 on the list are either New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.

Only one pizza joint in Chicago made the list and this place has pizza that's so popular, they're setting up shop in states across America.

Lou Malnati's comes in at #9 and 24/7 Tempo says:

Pizza purists like to say that Chicago-style deep-dish pizza isn’t pizza, it’s a casserole.

It's a casserole? Even when an Illinois pizza joint does get listed, there are nitpicks. C'mon 24/7 Tempo, Lou Malnati's is the truth and you know it.

The last restaurant on the list is one you may have never heard of before. At #21 is Burt's Place in Morton Grove.

24/7 Tempo:

Revered writer and TV personality Anthony Bourdain called the pies here “the only deep dish pizza I ever loved.” Staking a claim to serving “Chicagoland’s finest pan pizza,” Burt’s does a pretty good job of living up to its boast.

Another dig toward Chicago deep dish but 24/7 Tempo qualifies it with a Bourdain quote. In case you're wondering, Bourdain was an east coast guy. Not sure if he had an east coast bias, but I can tell you this list certainly does.

What is the best pizza in Illinois? Tell us.