Pizza City, USA

“There is no more mouthwatering, more well researched, more authoritative book on pizza than Steve Dolinsky’s Pizza City, USA. Even if you want to pick a fight with him, you have to admit one thing: his methodology and arguments are rock-solid. The guy knows pizza like no one else and is damn convincing as he takes you on his exploration of a hundred plus pizzerias, ultimately crowing Chicago our nation’s Pizza City. It’s a book I keep by my back door, easy to grab when I’m headed out for a good dinner.” —Rick Bayless

"Chicago pizza is always a popular topic, but no one has ever done a deep dive like this into it. From old school to modern pies, Dolinsky defines the many forms Chicago pizza takes today—and eats his way through the city to establish a pizza pantheon for our time." —Michael Gebert, editor of Fooditor

"Pizza City, USA delves deep into the pizza culture celebrating one of the most flavorful and popular styles in the world, Chicago. I don't know of another book that has rated neighborhood pizzerias and restaurants on this level." —Tony Gemignani, 12-Time World Pizza Champion and author of The Pizza Bible

"Exhaustively researched and refreshingly candid and honest, this book is the most compelling argument for why Chicago's pizza scene is the best in the nation. Dolinsky's passion is palpable, his research intensive, and his appetite seemingly endless. Don't read on an empty stomach." —Matt Kirouac, author of Unique Eats and Eateries of Chicago

"Finally! Someone has stood up to say what we dedicated pizzologists have known all along—Chicago is more than just deep-dish, dammit! Intrepid food-hound Dolinsky is just the guy to take up the mantle of spreading the word about this town's pizza diversity." —Chris LaMorte, food and travel writer and founder of Urbandaddy.com

"Pizza City, USA gives you the full Monty of delicious Windy City pizza diversity. Deep-dish is just the tip of the Willis Tower." —Chris Bianco, chef and owner, Pizzeria Bianco, Bar Bianco, Pane Bianco, Tratto and author of Bianco: Pizza, Pasta, and Other Food I Like

"One of the nice things about being a food person in Chicago is that Steve Dolinsky does the legwork for us, in this case, diligently hitting bars, restaurants, and slice joints in every corner of the city and suburbs to find the best crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings. I was compelled to go out for pizza twice while reading this book, and will continue to use it as my guide for finding the best 'cheese lava' in Chicago." —Chandra Ram, editor of Plate magazine and co-author of Korean BBQ

"I wish I could eat this book. Pizza City USA provides irrefutable evidence of why Steve is one of the best in the business. Honest and not afraid to question conventional wisdom, Dolinsky provides unmatched expertise topped with a layer of detail that lets the reader almost feel the sauce and cheese oozing from every page. If you thought you knew everything about Chicago pizza, think again. Caution: may cause pizza craving." —Jay Gentile, freelance food & drink/travel writer for Thrillist and the Chicago Tribune

"Steve Dolinsky digs into the Chicago pizza scene with the rigor of a scientist and the insatiable appetite of a true obsessive." —Julia Kramer, deputy editor, Bon Appétit

"Nothing makes me more pissed off than reading a well-reasoned, thoughtfully constructed essay filled with reliable and insanely useful history for winning dinner party arguments, smart food writing, a brilliant cultural capture, and piles of pizza recommenders that left me drooling. Why? Because I'm a born and bred New Yorker living in Minnesota (hello Shakey's!) who immediately dismisses any argument that doesn't firmly and irrevocably leave my hometown on top of any other in the best pizza category. And along comes my friend Steve Dolinsky . . . Pizza City, USA. I think you might be on to something big here! Thanks for exposing the mythology surrounding all the inedible deep-dish casserole pretending to be pizza. And, for the record, in taverns in New York, we can hold a real slice and a beverage at the same time. Pizza City, USA is a brilliant gallimaufry of Chicagoland's finest pies, and proof that you can both deftly silence one of the greatest food arguments in history and start new ones all at the same time." —Andrew Zimmern, host, "Bizarre Foods" on Travel Channel

“I tremendously admire Steve Dolinsky’s relentless pursuit of truth in food, even if it’s something as humble as pepperoni.” —Alan Richman, former Food Critic, GQ, 15-time James Beard Award-winner