Marcus Rivera
Executive Head ChefWith 22 years at Pequod's, Marcus is the guardian of the original recipes. His mastery of the caramelized crust technique is unmatched in Chicago.
50+
Years of
Excellence
Excellence
How It All Started
The Story Behind Pequod's Pizza
Pequod's pizza was born in 1971 when founder Burt Katz opened a small, unpretentious pizzeria on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. Inspired by the famous white whale in Herman Melville's Moby Dick, Katz named the restaurant after Captain Ahab's ship — a nod to his own obsessive pursuit of the perfect deep dish pizza.
What made pequods pizza different from day one was Burt's secret technique: pressing cheese directly against the pan so it bakes into a crispy, caramelized ring around the crust. That dark, crackling edge became the restaurant's signature — and the detail that still draws Chicagoans and tourists alike to our door at 2207 N Clybourn Ave today.
- Hand-crafted deep dish dough, proofed fresh every morning using the original 1971 recipe
- Signature caramelized cheese crust technique that no other Chicago pizzeria has replicated
- Premium locally-sourced toppings and house-made chunky tomato sauce with whole peeled tomatoes
- Family-owned and operated — the same values and recipes passed down through generations
1971
Year Founded
500K+
Happy Customers
40+
Menu Items
4.8
Average Rating
Our Mission
At Pequod's pizza, our mission is simple: serve the most authentically delicious deep dish pizza in Chicago using time-honored techniques, the freshest ingredients, and a relentless commitment to the craft that Burt Katz started over five decades ago. Every pizza we bake is a tribute to that original vision — bold, satisfying, and unmistakably Chicago.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
The principles that have guided Pequod's pizza since day one and continue to define every pizza we make.
Fresh Ingredients
We source the finest local produce, premium cheeses, and fresh meats — no shortcuts, no frozen shortcuts.
Handcrafted Always
Every dough ball is hand-pressed. Every pizza is built layer by layer. Machine-made pizza? Not here.
Community First
We're proud Chicagoans. We hire locally, source locally, and give back to the neighborhoods that made us.
Respect Tradition
The original recipes from 1971 are sacred. We evolve thoughtfully while honoring what made us legendary.
Our Journey
A History of Pequods
From a single pan of deep dish in 1971 to Chicago's most beloved pizza institution — here's how pequods pizza became a legend.
1971
The Beginning
Burt Katz opens the original Pequod's on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. The first caramelized crust deep dish emerges from the oven, and nothing is ever the same.
1979
The Cult Following Grows
Word spreads beyond Lincoln Park. Food critics and loyal regulars begin calling Pequod's "Chicago's best-kept secret." Weekend wait times stretch to 90 minutes — and no one minds.
1986
New Ownership, Same Soul
Keith Cooper takes the helm after Burt Katz moves on. Committed to preserving every recipe and technique, Cooper signs on to keep the caramelized crust tradition alive forever.
1994
Move to Clybourn Avenue
Pequod's relocates to 2207 N Clybourn Ave — a larger space that could accommodate the growing crowds, with the same worn-wood charm and dimly lit atmosphere that regulars love.
2005
National Recognition
Food Network and major national publications name Pequod's among the top deep dish pizzas in America. Tourists begin flying to Chicago specifically to eat here.
2015
Online Ordering Launch
Pequod's embraces the digital age with online ordering and delivery — bringing the legendary caramelized crust to Chicagoans who can't make it to the restaurant.
Today
Still Going Strong
Over 50 years after Burt lit the first oven, Pequod's pizza continues to serve Chicago's most iconic deep dish — the same recipe, the same care, the same unmistakable caramelized edge.
The People Behind the Pizza
Meet Our Team
Our dedicated team brings decades of passion and expertise to every pizza we make at Pequod's pizza.
Sofia Nguyen
General ManagerSofia has run the front of house for 14 years with warmth and precision. She's the reason regulars feel like family the moment they walk through the door.
Daniel Kowalski
Dough MasterDaniel wakes before dawn every day to proof and press the deep dish dough by hand. His Chicago upbringing and culinary school training make him the perfect keeper of the crust.
Priya Patel
Catering & EventsPriya leads our catering division, bringing the Pequod's experience to weddings, corporate events, and private parties across Chicagoland with impeccable attention to detail.
Interested in joining the Pequod's pizza team?
Get In TouchInside Pequod's
The Place You'll Love
Our Location
2207 N Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
Call Ahead
Hours
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm
Fri–Sat 11am–11pm
Sun 12pm–9pm