Exchequer Restaurant & Pub

Exchequer Restaurant and Pub has been serving deep dish in the Loop since 1969, in a space that (allegedly) used to be one of Capone’s favorite speakeasies. It's not the best pizza in the city, but this family-owned spot is a good alternative to the often-crowded Lou’s and Giordano’s. Different from a traditional Chicago-style pie, their 50-year-old recipe layers cheese on top of a slightly sweet tomato sauce, and it's all cradled in a soft, chewy crust. There’s a wide topping selection available, but our favorite combination is aptly named The Chicago: Italian sausage, Italian beef, onion, and giardiniera. Since the pizzas take a while to cook, checking out the pieces of historical memorabilia decorating the massive restaurant—from mobster mugshots to Bulls' newspaper headlines—is a great way to pass the time.