Best in Chow Season 1 Episode 9 Pizza Wars Chicago

In the ninth episode of Best in Chow's first season, we explore the famous pizza scene in Chicago, known for its deep-dish style pizza. The episode is titled "Pizza Wars Chicago" and takes viewers on a journey to find the best pizza in the city.

The host of the show, Cris Nannarone, begins by introducing viewers to the two most popular types of pizza in Chicago - the deep-dish and the thin-crust. He explains that while deep-dish pizzas are the most well-known and associated with Chicago, the thin-crust pizzas are just as delicious and deserve equal attention.

The episode features four pizza places that are known for their exceptional pizzas. The first stop is Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, which has been serving Chicago-style deep-dish pizza since 1971. The host meets with Marc Malnati, the owner of the chain, who gives him a tour of their kitchen and explains the process behind making their famous pizza. The host tries their signature Malnati Chicago Classic, a pizza with a buttery crust, sausage, and cheese, and gives it a thumbs up.

Next, the host visits Giordano's, a family-owned pizzeria that has been serving stuffed pizzas since 1974. The host meets with Jeremy Gallin, the CEO of Giordano's, who tells him about the history of their pizza and how it became a Chicago staple. The host tries their famous stuffed pizza, which has a thick crust and is filled with cheese and toppings. He loves the flavor and texture of the pizza and admits that it's unlike anything he's ever had before.

The third stop of the episode is Piece Brewery and Pizzeria, which is known for its thin-crust pizza and craft beer. The host meets with Bill Jacobs, the owner of the pizzeria, who takes him on a tour of their brewery and explains the process behind making their beer. The host tries their classic New Haven-style pizza, which is thin and crispy, and topped with tomato sauce, pecorino romano, garlic, and olive oil. He loves the balance of flavors in the pizza and admires the fact that the restaurant has its own brewery.

The fourth and final stop of the episode is Pequod's Pizza, which is known for its caramelized crust and deep-dish pizzas. The host meets with Keith Jackson, the owner of the restaurant, who gives him a tour of their kitchen and explains the process behind their unique crust. The host tries their classic deep-dish pizza, which has a crispy and caramelized crust, and is filled with sausage and cheese. He loves the flavor of the pizza, especially the crust, and admits that it's unlike anything he's ever tried before.

Throughout the episode, the host also talks to locals and food experts about the pizza scene in Chicago, and asks them which pizzeria they think makes the best pizza in the city. He also provides viewers with some interesting facts and trivia about pizza, such as the fact that Americans eat around 100 acres of pizza every day, and that the first pizzeria in America was opened in New York City in 1905.

Overall, "Pizza Wars Chicago" is an exciting episode that explores the different types of pizza and pizzerias in Chicago. The host's enthusiasm, combined with the mouth-watering visuals of the pizzas, makes for a delightful viewing experience. If you love pizza, or just appreciate good food, this episode is a must-watch.