Pequod's pizza has been serving extraordinary deep-dish pizza in the United States since 1971. Built on the love of real ingredients, bold flavors, and the pequods tradition, we bring every guest an unforgettable dining experience rooted in decades of dedication.
Pequod's pizza was founded in 1971 in Morton Grove, Illinois, by Burt Katz — a visionary pizzaiolo who believed pizza could be more than a meal. It could be an experience. Named after the legendary ship in Moby-Dick, Pequod's set out to sail uncharted culinary waters with a deep-dish recipe unlike anything the United States had ever tasted.
What makes Pequod's truly special is our signature caramelized crust — a dark, crispy ring of cheese baked directly onto the pan. This distinctive style, paired with chunky San Marzano tomato sauce and hand-stretched dough, gave birth to the pequods pizza legend that has drawn food lovers from across the country for over five decades.
Today, Pequod's continues to honor that original vision: serving every guest with the same care, quality ingredients, and bold flavor that made us an institution. Whether it's your first slice or your thousandth, we craft every pizza as if it's the most important one we've ever made.
We source from trusted local farms and suppliers to ensure every bite bursts with genuine flavor.
Our iconic pan-baked caramelized cheese crust remains unchanged — a secret perfected over 50 years.
From Morton Grove to Chicago and beyond, we're proud to feed and support the communities we call home.
Every pizza we make is guided by a clear purpose — to bring people together through extraordinary food.
To craft deep-dish pizza that honors our 50-year tradition while embracing the evolving tastes of our guests — always made with fresh ingredients, genuine care, and relentless passion.
To be the most beloved pizza destination in the United States — a place where memories are made over shared meals, and where every guest leaves with a story worth telling.
We promise to never cut corners. Every dough is hand-stretched, every sauce is made from scratch, and every pizza is baked to order — because you deserve nothing less than the best.
Explore the milestones that shaped pequods pizza into the iconic institution it is today.
Burt Katz opens the original Pequod's in Morton Grove, Illinois, introducing his now-famous caramelized crust deep-dish pizza to a handful of loyal neighborhood regulars. The small dining room fills up on opening night — and hasn't been empty since.
After 15 years of word-of-mouth reputation, the Chicago Tribune names Pequod's the city's best deep-dish pizza. The recognition sparks a citywide surge in visitors and establishes the Pequod's name as a true Chicago icon.
Demand grows beyond Morton Grove. Pequod's opens a second location in Lincoln Park, Chicago — bringing the legendary small-batch recipe and caramelized crust to the heart of the city. Both kitchens maintain the exact same standards.
Food Network and Travel Channel both feature Pequod's in nationally-aired episodes about America's greatest pizza destinations. Overnight, the wait time doubles — and we couldn't be prouder. Guests fly in just to try a single slice.
Embracing modern convenience without sacrificing quality, Pequod's launches online ordering with a purpose-built delivery system designed to get our deep-dish to your door in perfect condition. Same great pizza — now easier than ever to enjoy.
Pequod's launches a full catering program and announces a nationwide franchise initiative, making the beloved pequods pizza recipe accessible to food lovers across the United States. The legacy of Morton Grove is going nationwide.
Our passionate team of culinary experts and hospitality professionals is what makes every visit to Pequod's truly special.
With 18 years in the kitchen, Marco oversees every recipe at Pequod's, ensuring the caramelized crust tradition is upheld in every single pie that leaves our ovens.
Sarah has been orchestrating the Pequod's dining experience for over a decade, ensuring every guest feels welcomed from the moment they walk through our doors.
David's mastery of fermentation and dough science keeps our hand-stretched crust perfectly chewy, crispy, and absolutely consistent across every location.
Angela leads our full-service catering division, bringing the authentic Pequod's experience to weddings, corporate events, and private parties across the United States.
At Pequod's, everything we do is rooted in six guiding principles that have shaped our culture since 1971.
We never sacrifice quality for speed or cost. Every ingredient is chosen for its flavor, freshness, and integrity — because our guests deserve the best version of every recipe.
We treat every guest like family. From your first hello to your last bite, our team goes above and beyond to make your experience at Pequod's warm, welcoming, and memorable.
We are committed to responsible sourcing, reducing food waste, and supporting local agriculture. Good pizza should be good for the planet too.
While we honor our roots, we never stop exploring. Seasonal specials, new topping combinations, and creative techniques keep the Pequod's menu fresh and exciting year after year.
Our dining room is a place for everyone. We celebrate diversity, support local causes, and believe that great food has the power to bring people of all backgrounds together.
We are honest about what goes into our food, how we operate, and who we are. No hidden additives, no shortcuts — just straightforward, honest pizza done right.