The Lincoln Park cult favorite famous for pan-style deep dish with a ring of caramelized, blackened cheese around the crust. Casual, dark, and beloved by locals who argue it's the city's best. Expect a wait; reservations and the overflow bar help. Open daily, very late.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM Tue 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM Wed 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM Thu 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM Fri 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM Sat 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM Sun 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | CTA Red/Brown/Purple to Fullerton (12-min walk); bus 74 Fullerton, 9 Ashland |
| Time needed | 1-1.5 hours including bake and wait |
| Best time to go | Off-peak weekday afternoon; or reserve for weekend dinner |
| Last verified | July 15, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.2/10- Value8.0
- iconic8.0
- Freshness9.3
- excellence8.5
- Crowd level5.5
- Authenticity8.8
- Accessibility6.5
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the wait?
- Weekend evenings can mean a substantial wait. They've expanded into the neighboring Whale Tale bar for overflow seating and drinks, and reservations via Tock help. Weekday afternoons are easiest.
- Should I make a reservation?
- Yes, reservations are recommended for dine-in, especially weekends. You can book through their site or Tock. Walk-ins wait, often with a drink next door at Whale Tale.
- Is Pequod's better than Lou Malnati's?
- Different styles. Pequod's is pan with the caramelized crust; Lou's is buttery classic deep dish. Many locals rank Pequod's their top pizza in the city, but it's a friendly rivalry.
- What should I order?
- The pan-style deep dish with sausage is the icon; get the caramelized crust (it's standard). A small feeds one to two. Note the pan pizza order cutoff is 1:40am (11:40pm Sundays).
- What makes Pequod's pizza different?
- The signature is the caramelized crust: cheese is packed against the edge of the pan so it melts, sticks, and blackens into a crunchy, savory ring. It's pan-style, not classic Chicago deep dish.
- How late is it open?
- Very late: 11am-2am Monday through Saturday and 11am-midnight Sunday. It's one of the better genuinely-good late-night food options in the city.
- Can I get thin crust too?
- Yes, Pequod's does a thin-crust pizza as well, but the pan-style with the caramelized crust is the reason to come. First-timers should order that.
- Is there parking in Lincoln Park?
- There's some street parking and it's a hike from the Fullerton 'L' stop. Rideshare is often easiest given the neighborhood parking crunch.
Nearby in Ask Chicago
- Lincoln ParkNeighborhood1.05 km · 13 min walk
- GalitRestaurant1.3 km · 16 min walk
- Ipsento 606Café1.79 km · 22 min walk
- The 606 TrailAttraction1.8 km · 22 min walk
- Collectivo CoffeeCafé1.93 km · 24 min walk
Where to stay near Pequod's Pizza
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