Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

Love Lou’s, one of my safe places to eat downtown! They are very experienced. I ask them to not cut it in the back and note that it’s a severe allergy and everything is safe! They are very aware and experienced in making sure I’m safe! I always get the deep dish gluten free, it’s not as good as the regular but amazing for gluten free pizza!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

First time here. Had the crustless deep dish! The waitress was very very nice and knowledgeable about gluten allergies. She made it a point to let the manager know and then alerted the kitchen and the cooks, made sure the message was made down the line! The deep dish is full of Roma tomatoes which was honestly the only thing we didn’t like haha! Also ordered I think it was called the Maltini salad, really good! All and all didn’t get sick and will try the gluten free thin crust next time!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

I’m so happy with their pizzas!! Love a Gf deep dish alternative- and for those that don’t want a GF crust, they have the sausage crust pizza! Both are tasty

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Gf deep dish pizza was decent, although slightly gummy like many others I've had. My gluten eating spouse tried mine and said it didn't taste much different from the regular. I didn't get sick and am quite sensitive to cross contamination.

Took off a star because they don't have any gf appetizers or desserts, I would have loved to be able to have those with the rest of my party.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Call ahead and spoke to manager before going in. They staff is trained on GF Allergy procedures, just mention it to your server.

The GF dough is prepared off site, and they have a dedicated gluten free prep area, pans, and utensils.

Server took things very seriously, and was even wearing gloves when she brought the GF pizzas. The pizza arrived uncut to further avoid cross contamination risks.

Menu wise they offer GF thin crust, GF deep dish, and a crust less option (the dough is replaced with a sausage patty).

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers delivery
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

Love this place, grew up on Lou’s GF cheese pizza. For me, at least, I loved the taste. Perfect amount of crust and cheese.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

They make the GF pizzas in the same prep area, in the same oven as all the other regular pizzas. They don't seem to be at all good with cross contamination.

I have gotten sick every time I've gone here over the last 2 years. My family loves the place and won't give it up, so I bore with it on occasion but I'm never eating here again - they simply don't have the right cross-contamination procedures in place and show no sign of ever getting better.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Average

This chain was recommended to us, but we were highly disappointed. We did not like the gf pizza at all—taste or texture—and we felt ill afterward. (Even the non-gf deep dish was not as good as other local spots according to those who could have it.)

Celiac friendly?

No

Barraccos in evergreen Park's pizza kicks the poo out of any of these pizzas. Trust me.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

GF pizza is cooked in same oven as regular pizzas, so cross-contamination is highly possible. However, the GF sausage-crust pizza is made in a separate deep dish pan so cross-contam. is unlikely in their ovens. We’ve had this many times with no issues. Sausage crust is not on the menu so you have to ask for it. Tell them you have the “allergy” and they will be careful.

The past two times I had their “gf” pizza I felt sick...

This location does a great job with GF pizza & we also love their spinach salad with pears & goat cheese.

Ordered my wife the GF pizza, she said it was the best GF pizza she's ever had. The crust looked handmade and tolled, not something straight out of a plastic bag/freezer. Very impressed!

I ordered a gluten-free pizza for lunch but forgot to ask for no croutons on my salad. The server had the presence of mind to bring me a salad with no croutons on it. impressed.

GF pizza that tastes great! I had cheese and sausage; enjoyed every bite. Buttery crust is fantastic and nothing like the standard frozen GF crust used by many pizza places. Only available in one size which is perfect for one happy GF person.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Best gf crust ever!! No problems with cross contamination in DT Naperville. Can't wait to go back, I have missed them. Now if you could make that skillet cookie GF, that would be amazing!!

My favorite GF pizza!

This is my absolute favorite gf pizza! Amazing buttery crust. Just note that the small (which is the only size it comes in) is only big enough for one person. Awesome price too. Way cheaper than a lot of places.

Love the GF sausage crust pizza!!

Delicious. Have had the "no dough" option a few times, and now an actual GF crust! Best GF pizza I've had in the Chicagoland area!

This review based on take out at Carol Stream location:

Small is only size choice. It is very good GF crust. Maybe most close to original of any pizza place I've found. Price is also good -- small is under $10. BUT NOTE THAT IT IS SMALL. Not exactly deep dish and very light. When i pocked up my box I knew i was not carrying enough for two people. Two pizza will serve three people. I can eat a small by myself even if I shouldn't.

Among the best GF pizza I've ever tasted. Just make sure you order enough.

Gluten free crusty also available

Crustless pizza is available. The "crust" is made from sausage. I loved it! I did have some slight discomfort from the cross contamination, but I would do it again! I am so glad to know that I don't have to give up my favorite pizza.

Heed the warning of the other reviewer — the crust tastes and looks under cooked! While the toppings were good, the crust is certainly subpar and not worth it. They need to partake it more to give it more structure and firmness.

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Poor

I have incredible news for all of us. The problem of flavorless, boring gluten free crust is now behind us. They have a sausage crust! Instead of chewing away at a lifeless apology crust that is actively sucking away hope and humanity, you can savor a perfect Italian sausage crust that gets out out of the way when you need to taste the cheese, the tomato sauce, the pepperoni (or what you like). This is redemption. I ate this yesterday after telling myself it would be another disappointment and man, I was so wrong. Unreserved recommendation. It was there all along.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

It’s been a while since I had glutenated Lou’s, but the GF buttercrust tastes enough like my memories to make me happy!

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

I ordered the thin crust gluten free pizza with spinach and tomatoes. Servers were very knowledgeable. The choices are limited to pizza or salad, but lots of topping choices for pizza.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

A’mazing pizza! I didn’t think I could ever have “real” pizza again. The deep dish is the real deal.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent