The argument between flatbreads and deep dish pizza has been going on so long, it seems as old as America itself. But which pizza is actually better? The following could sway your opinion and turn you into a deep dish or flatbread lover for life.
Flatbread
If you want to technical about it (as most pizza lovers often do), flatbreads are not pizzas. We talked with Naples Flatbread & Wine Bar who explained, “Though many agree there is no difference between a flatbread and a pizza, there is a subliminal difference. Flatbreads tend to be served in high-end restaurants, and while they have similar ingredients to pizzas, flatbreads generally do not have cheese. A flatbread is a thinly rolled piece of dough that is cooked until it’s the consistency of a cracker. It’s topped with a variety of veggies and meats, including sausage, caramelized onions, mushrooms, chicken and soft cheeses like ricotta and béchamel.”
Flatbread pizzas have been making the rounds on upscale pub menus and wine bars. Since they’re easy to make and take little time to cook, flatbread pizzas are also relatively inexpensive. They are often compared to the typical New York style thin-crust pizza. These pizzas, which are sometimes referred to as flatbreads by non-New Yorkers, are just as thin as flatbreads but have traditional sauces and cheese.
Deep Dish
Deep dish pizza, which is usually equated with the city of Chicago, is a pizza that has a thick, doughy crust. It’s cooked in a deep pan (sort of like a pie pan), and the dough is brought up on the sides of the pan (also like a pie). The fillings are piled in: sauce, parmesan, sausage, mozzarella and other goodies are layered into the pan; meat, sauce, cheese, meat, sauce, cheese. A layer of sauce tops the pie. The cheese helps to bind all the other ingredients together. When the pizza is cut, the layers are piled high within the crust.
Since this pizza comes from Chicago, everyone who lives in the windy city has their favorite deep dish pizza place. Burt’s Place and My Pie generally top the Chicago lists. It’s worth it to note that while some people refer to Chicago-style pizza as Midwest pizza, Midwest pizza is actually more closely linked to a flatbread. This pizza, that’s popular in St. Louis, boasts a thin cracker crust.
East Coast Vs. Chicago
While flatbread pizzas tend to grace Italian and French menus, the flatbread style is more in line with the East Coast or New York style pizza. New Yorkers will swear on their mother’s mother’s grave that New York pizza is the best. Their argument? That it’s something in the water. New York City water is considered the best filtered city water in the country, leading to the unique flavor New York City pizza crusts, bagels and corned beef boasts.
Residents of Chicago will not only swear that Chicago-style pizza is the best—they will swear their favorite neighborhood place is the best pizza in the world. It’s an age-old argument that won’t be won anytime soon.
The Verdict
East Coasters love flatbreads and Chicago residents love deep dish; who is right? It’s a matter of opinion—though everyone has a great argument. That flatbread crust crisps between your teeth, is easily folded to fit the whole slice in one’s mouth and boasts a nice balance of topping, cheese and sauce. Deep dish pizza has loads of toppings and tons of layers of cheese and a thick, hearty sauce. The verdict? The heartier the pizza you enjoy, the more likely you are to choose deep dish. If you enjoy a thinner slice with more delicate toppings, you’ll love a good flatbread.
