Considered the oldest family name in Chicago pizza, Lou Malnatis is as rich in history as its pizza is in flavor. Lou got his start in the 1940s, working with his father Rudy, in Chicagos first deep-dish pizzeria. Lou Malnati took his pizza expertise to Lincolnwood, a northern suburb of Chicago, where he and his wife Jean opened the first Lou Malnatis Pizzeria on March 17, 1971. Lou was known for his fun-loving character as well as making Chicagolands best pizza. Loyal patrons lined the streets on opening day for a taste of his delicious deep-dish creations. Lou always thought it was funny that an Italian should open a pizzeria in a Jewish neighborhood on an Irish holiday. But that was Lous style, he loved all types of people and didnt care much about what people thought. After meeting with an enormous success in Lincolnwood, Lou decided to open another pizzeria in a little northwestern suburb by OHare Airport, Elk Grove Village. Unfortunately, the Elk Grove location had a tough beginning. A major road construction project began a few months after the restaurants opening and for 14 months business suffered immensely. At one point the accountants advised Lou to close the doors before it ruined him. But Lou would have nothing to do with that idea and persevered. Sure enough, once the construction ended, people came in droves to Lou Malnatis Pizzeria in Elk Grove. In 1978, Lou Malnati met with an untimely death when he fell victim to cancer. Lous oldest son Marc was just graduating from college and joined his mother in the family business. A few years later Marcs younger brother Rick finished his basketball career at downstate Illinois Bradley University and he joined the family business as well. The company has continued to grow by building on the loyalty of their dedicated employees. Lou Malnatis is unique in the fact that people come to work for Malnatis and dont leave! Not only do they stay around for a long while, they recruit their family members to come work for Lous. There are some cases of three generations of one family working for the Malnatis. Not long ago, the Malnatis recognized over 25 employees that had been part of the Malnati restaurant family for over 20 years! Quite a milestone for the restaurant business. This elite group consisted of managers, cashiers, waitstaff, cooks, and even bus boys. The longstanding tradition continues with almost 80 staff members that have been with Lou Malnatis for over 10 years. Carrying on Lous vision of providing great food at reasonable prices Lou Malnatis has grown to include 25 family-owned Chicagoland pizzerias. In recent years the Malnatis have felt blessed by their success and wanted to do something to give back to the community. In the fall of 1995, the Malnatis opened a restaurant on the West side of Chicago in an effort to help rejuvenate a neighborhood that has not had much success in recovering from the riots of 1967 which ravaged the area. Lou Malnatis Lawndale pizzeria is unique in that any profits are given back to the community to benefit childrens educational and recreational programs.

Address: 3685 Woodhead Dr Northbrook, IL 60062
Telephone: (800-568-8646)
Website: http://www.tastesofchicago.com/