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Attempting New York style pizza in Los Angeles is always a contentious effort. But what about the rarer find that is Chicago style deep dish pizza? BJ's attempt at it is a fallacy and Yelpers are mostly "meh" for Taste Chicago in Burbank (they like Dino's in Burbank a little more). On a recent taste journey, LAist tried NY+C Pizzeria and Bar in Santa Monica (we haven't tasted the NY part, yet), where the above photos are from.
A lot of reviews on the internet seem disappointed with NY+C, and we agree to a point, but we're not going giving up. The pizza is good for what it is and if the owners of the recently opened joint keep listening (they also own South), they may accomplish a perfect Chicago pie for the West Coast.
What's needed? The pie needs to be deeper and a more cheese is desired (Chicago is no health food town). Lastly--and this may be weird to say--the tomatoes feel too fresh. The advantage of living in California is access to amazing food straight from the farmer, but in Chicago, you don't get that year round. Perhaps, a less fresh, more tomato pastey version might be the fix, perhaps not. All we know is that we wouldn't mind having a slice of their deep dish again as they continue to improve their recipe.
Of course, those who want the read deal direct from the source, Chicago restaurants like Giordano's and Lou Malnati's will send you a pie on dry ice for a price. If you've found the best Chicago deep dish pie in the Los Angeles area, let us know in the comments.
Related: Chicago's Rick Bayless to Open Eateries in L.A., Santa Monica
