With an abundance of concerts, neighborhood festivals, parades, and events taking place in Chicago this spring and summer, we thought we’d get the fun started by highlighting a few of the upcoming events. Ready, set… go!

You have probably heard of the Taste of Chicago and Lollapalooza, but the lesser known neighborhood festivals are a chance for each neighborhood to show off its unique character and a true opportunity to get to know the city. May 17-19 Mayfest kicks of the city’s festival season in Lakeview. Following up Mayfest is another North Side tradition, the Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest on May 25-26, or for another neighborhood vibe head to Wicker Park for Do-Division Street Fest May 31-June 2.

If you didn’t get your fill of parades over St. Patrick’s Day, your next opportunity is the annual Memorial Day Parade taking place on May 25th. The parade, one of the largest Memorial Day parades in the nation, will start at 12 noon at State and Lake and head south to Van Buren on State (not far from Lou Malnati’s South Loop or River North).

If it’s music you’re after, the options (many free!) are abundant. The local festivals often feature local bands, and are awesome opportunities to see some of Chicago’s most talented yet unknown bands. Millennium Park offers a concert series throughout the summer. Lawn seats are free, so bring a blanket and picnic basket and enjoy! In Highland Park, a northern suburb of Chicago, sits Ravinia. Known as Chicago's "sound of summer" since 1904, Ravinia offers nightly concerts and a schedule packed with variety. Tickets are available to sit in the pavilion, but the true Ravinia experience is found on the lawn with a blanket, a picnic, candles, and friends. An added bonus: if you are coming from the city, the Union Pacific North Line that goes from Chicago to Kenosha stops right at the front gate of Ravinia!

If it’s food you’re after, well…just click here.

Contributed by Meggie L.

Lou Malnati's employees put their green thumbs to work this morning and participated in our yearly planting party at the Home Office in Northbrook. The planters that were assembled will go on display at our restaurants on the patios. With a little sun and some water, these planters will be overflowing with colorful flowers in the weeks to come.

According to the Chicago Botanic Garden's May Checklist, this is the perfect week to "plant warm-season flowering annuals, vines, herbs, and vegetables." If you're itching to plant your garden but need some help with a design, check out Better Homes and Gardens' Garden Plans for a little help. They have recommendations for vegetables, shady areas, and more.

What flowers/vegetables will you be planting for the summer?

Mother's Day is coming up on May 12th and we're on the hunt for the perfect gift. In addition to spending the day with Mom, Tastes of Chicago has some delicious delicacies that Mom is sure to love... not to mention, they are the perfect compliment to her favorite deep dish pizza!

Carol's Gourmet Chocolate Chip Cookies Carol's Cookies offers gourmet chocolate chip cookies that are absolutely delicious. Carol started making these cookies in her own kitchen over 30 years ago! She still carries on the tradition today (in a bigger kitchen, of course) and her homemade cookies are irresistible.

Long Grove Confectionery's Chocolate Covered Strawberries A succulent treat, chocolate covered strawberries were rumored to have been invented in the 1960's by Chicago shop owner, Lorraine Lorusso. No matter how they came to be, they're here to stay. Treat Mom to Long Grove Confectionery's juicy strawberries that are hand-dipped in milk chocolate. Pair it with a nice glass of wine to bring out even more of the berry's sweetness! (Check out eHow for some pairing pointers.)

Lou's Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookie & Pizza If you've ever had dessert at one of our restaurants, then you know what this cookie is all about. This cookie uses the same recipe we use in the pizzerias but this one is shipped all over the US. This 9" cookie is beg enough to share, but Mom may not want to give it up because it tastes so good!

Kay's Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls If your Mom likes peanut butter, then she's going to love these peanut butter balls from Kay's Candies. Known for their homemade chocolates, Kay's is a Chicago institution when it comes to chocolate and they have been making them the old-fashioned way for more than 50 years.

Wildfire's Keylime Pie Wildfire might be known for their steaks, chops and seafood, but you wouldn't know it when tasting their keylime pie. Perfectly tart and creamy, this homemade pie will make you want to head to the Florida Keys for some beach time!

Lezza's Triple Layer Chocolate Cake Beware: this chocolate cake has the power to make you forget about breakfast, lunch, and dinner and only focus on dessert. Mom will want seconds after she digs into this perfectly moist yet fluffy cake with creamy chocolate frosting. Who's counting though? It's her day to indulge!

Which sweet treat do you think Mom would love the most? In addition to a tasty surprise, I know that Mom's love spending time with their loved ones. It's tradition in our family to let Mom choose what she wants to do and where she wants to go on Mother's Day. Last year we explored the city at her pace and enjoyed walking around some of the newer parks and attractions that she hadn't been to before.

Whatever you choose to do, we hope you enjoy the day. Time is the most precious gift of all so cherish the moments and have some fun! If you decide to explore Chicago and get hungry, you can always stop by our place for lunch :).

There are more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, and 8.9 million people working in various administrative support roles. And today, we salute you! Administrative professionals are invited to dine with us from 11am-2pm and receive a free dessert on the house.

*Dine-in Dessert Offer: Valid for administrative professionals only. Dine-in only. Minimum purchase of $10 required.

At Lou's, we strive 365 days a year to research, recognize, and implement the most environmentally conscious restaurant practices developed so that we can reduce our impact on the environment.

What steps have you taken to reduce your "footprint"? Check out our infographic below to see some of the steps we've taken.

This past week, we had new Managers in Training at our home office in Northbrook for office training. Through this, Managers learn about responsibilities ranging from working with the store's management team to achieve all budgeted financial goals, including income, sales and costs, to learning how to assist with ordering to ensure inventory maintenance and appropriate receiving procedures are being followed. The rigorous training these Managers go through doesn't stop with the hands-on, strategic training though - it goes even deeper. What I've learned from working at Malnati's is that procedures and practical training only take an employee so far. It is your personal growth and emotional competence that are the key factors for progress.

A lot of time is dedicated to help employees identify their strengths and how to best leverage these strengths given their environment. At the same time though, weaknesses are discovered and blind spots are brought to light. This is one of the biggest steps in learning how much you can grow on a personal level. In the same way a family comes together to help guide and offer their support of a family member, Malnati's provides trainees with the support and tools they need in order to grow.

I believe this is what sets Malnati's apart from other companies and what sets us up for success. I am more motivated and happy knowing that I work for a company that cares not only about the product they serve to their customers, but also the person that is serving that product. If you are looking for a job, or know someone who is, make sure to check out our current job openings – we would love to have you be part of our family.

Today is National Deep Dish Pizza Day and we're celebrating the only way we know how... by making pizza! Have you seen a deep dish pizza being made before? It really is a sight worth seeing...

You can also watch how it's made by clicking here.

Out of the whole process though, the best part is the finished product.

While I don't remember the first time I ever had Lou Malnati's deep dish, I do have many fond memories of going to River North with my family for special occasions. There's nothing like having a slice from a pan that just came out of the oven. The aroma, the gooey cheese, the fresh taste - second to none.

Do you remember the first time you had Lou's deep dish?

Photo courtesy of mlblogscubden.wordpress.com

So even with the grass still brown, the trees still leafless, and snow still on the ground, I have hope. I hope that spring is just around the corner. I hope that the Cubs will be better than last year. I hope for hot, fresh Lou’s pizza tonight for dinner. I close my eyes and think about the warm sun shining down on me sitting in the bleachers, the crack of the bat, and a baseball going back, back, back to the green of the ivy on the Wrigley Field wall. I smell green grass, flowers, a warm lake breeze, and the best aroma of all... Lou Malnati’s pizza. And I hope.

Spring has arrived. Well, let me rephrase that: meteorological spring has arrived. We’re still waiting for the first 70 degree day of the year and I’m sitting here wondering when I can officially put my down coat away. If this is Mother Nature’s idea of a good joke, I’m not amused.

Will we see any spring weather or rush right in to the scorching summer heat? We’ll have to wait and see, but I’m in the mood for wishful thinking with 3 ways to welcome spring even if it the weather hasn’t cooperated.

Hit the Market
Got a taste for your seasonal favorites? Stock up on spring essentials at the Green City Market. You will find a diverse range of high quality foods that are sustainably grown. And as a plus, until Mother Nature decides to cooperate the market is held indoors!

Grow Your Own Indoor Herb Garden
Herbs are great fun to grow indoors and easy too! To get your indoor herb garden going, park a planter filled with quality potting soil and your favorite herb seeds in front of a window that gets lots of natural sunlight. Make sure the spot you choose will get six hours of sunlight each day and not be so hot in the afternoons.

Spring Cleaning
The origin of spring cleaning is debatable but one thing is for sure, it sure feels good to have it done. Hop to it before the warm weather arrives, so when it does you can get outside and enjoy it!

Lou Malnati's may be known for its deep dish pizza but if you take a close look at the full-service restaurant menu, you will see some newer items that are definitely worth a try.

First up is the Trio of Dips and Pizza Chips appetizer. We first tested this dish at an employee townhall meeting and it was a huge hit! It comes with three housemade dips - roasted garlic, artichoke, and giardiniera-topped hummus (my personal favorite) - and is served with crispy pizza dough chips. The dips are delicious but the pizza dough chips are what make this appetizer irresistible.

Next is the Spinach Salad. This is a delicious low-calorie option that is packed with flavor. Spinach with fresh seasonal fruit, red onions, and crumbled goat cheese lightly tossed with our housemade Balsamic Vinaigrette. The smooth taste of the goat cheese is a savory compliment to the tartness of the dressing.

Another new addition to the menu is the Tilapia Piccata entrée. The perfect choice if you're looking to try something a little different. Served on a bed of sautéed spinach and mushrooms, this delicate white fish is lightly crusted and pan-seared in white wine, garlic and olive oil then topped with tomatoes and capers.

I'll admit, the thought of coming into Lou's and not ordering deep dish feels a bit weird but don't be afraid to take a walk on the wild side the next time you stop by - these new items are sure to please.

Have you nominated Lou's for the Shorty Awards yet?

The Shorty Awards honor the best of social media, recognizing the people and organizations producing real-time short form content across Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube, Foursquare, and the rest of the social Web.

We have really enjoyed interacting with you - our customers and fans - on a daily basis through social media and now we get the chance to show the rest of the blog-o-sphere that there's more to Lou Malnati's than deep dish pizza.  You have until February 17, 2012 to nominate your favorite pizzeria in the #Food category on Twitter and ShortyAwards.com!

You can nominate us by:

- Filling out the nomination form at ShortyAwards.com

- Sending a tweet like this:

I nominate @LouMalnatis for a #ShortyAward in #food because… [must add reason here].

Thank you so much for your support!

Enjoy an annual tradition and ring in the New Year a little early with your family at one of Lou Malnati’s full-service restaurants. The Lakewood, Lincolnwood, Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove and Naperville pizzerias are hosting a family celebration, including pizza, soda, a mock count down, sparkling cider toast and a balloon drop.

Each location will have two seatings around 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm, but times vary at each location so please call the restaurant directly for specific times or click here for details.  All locations will be open until 9pm on New Year's Eve.

Lou’s pizzerias will be open on New Year’s Day. Happy Holiday’s from Lou Malnati’s!

The tree is up, the stockings have been hung, and preparations for holiday feasts have begun.  Why not let us help out a little – whether you want a hot and ready-to-serve meal or you would like a signature dish prepared to be reheated later, we have just what you need to add a little something extra to your holiday spread.  A number of our homemade entrees can be prepared and delivered to you partially baked or fully prepared on Christmas Eve so you can reheat them on Christmas Day.  Items include par-baked pizzas, lasagna, beef sandwiches, meatballs, salads, antipasto trays, bruschetta trays, fruit trays, and veggie trays.  Check out our Catering Menu to view our other options.

If Christmas dinner is already taken care of, what about lunches and dinners in the days leading up to Christmas?  Cut down on the chaos and let our catering department help you provide a hot and fresh meal for you and your loved ones so you can concentrate on spending time with your family instead of slaving over a stove.  Contact our Catering Department today for menu ideas and suggestions to help make the holidays a little easier and definitely more delicious!

Every year, we're reminded that the holidays are a time to give back. What better way to give back and show someone you care than with a package from Tastes of Chicago?  Certainly unique, all packages are guaranteed to put a smile on a loved ones face and fill their stomach with delicious Chicago-style food.  To help you with your holiday shopping, we've compiled a list of our Top 10 Tastes from Tastes of Chicago.

Garrett Popcorn Shops Christmas Popcorn Tin & Lou Malnati's Pizza
Add a festive touch this holiday season by combining two Lou Malnati's pizzas with a 1-gallon Christmas tin of Garrett Popcorn Shops' famous Chicago mix. Also available in quarts.
Eli's Cheesecake Holiday Sampler & Lou Malnati's Pizza
Celebrate the season with one Lou Malnati's pizza and an Eli's 8-inch holiday sampler cheesecake.  The holiday sampler contains three slices of these popular holiday flavors: pumpkin, eggnog, peppermint, and white chocolate raspberry. Also available with four Lou Malnati's pizzas.
Six Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Pizzas - Best Value!
There is no better way to celebrate the holidays than with six authentic Lou Malnati's deep dish pizzas!  We use only the finest ingredients available to make our Chicago-style pizzas. Also available in packs of 2 or 4.
Chicago-Style Hot Dogs
The Chicago-style hot dog has not changed in 115 years and we offer the two best Chicago dogs you can find. Send your loved ones a real taste of Chicago this holiday season with Portillo's or Vienna Beef hot dogs.
Holiday Pie Trio
Despite all the delicious foods available at Tastes of Chicago, sometimes all you want is the sweet taste of home.  Enjoy the delightful combination of Long Grove's brown bag apple pie and Wildfire's famous key lime and pecan pies.  Makes a great gift for the holiday host/hostess!
Kay's Chocolate Rum Balls & Lou Malnati's Pizza
This holiday indulge in the delightful decadence of Kay's Candies.  Combine two Lou Malnati's pizzas with a half lb. box of Kay's rum fudge balls.  Each of these creamy rum flavored fudge balls is hand dipped in rich milk chocolate and rolled in nuts.
Candy Cane Mint Meltaways & Lou Malnati's Pizza
Say Happy Holidays with candy cane mint meltaways and deep dish pizza.  Wrapped in a holiday box is 8-oz. of Long Grove's famous mint meltaways with smooth chocolate mint centers enrobed in dark chocolate and creamy white chocolate topped with crushed candy cane, and includes four Lou Malnati's pizzas.
Ultimate Tastes of Chicago Combo
When you crave it all, go for the Ultimate Chicago Combo Kit!  One Lou Malnati's cheese or sausage pizza, one slab of Carson's ribs, a Vienna Beef hot dog kit, and one Eli's plain cheesecake.  The perfect gift for your favorite out-of-town Chicago food lover!
Chicago Sports Team-Themed Packages
These packages are the ideal gift for any Chicago sports fan, and the perfect supplement to go along with a couple delicious deep dish pizzas. Combine two 9" Lou Malnati's pizzas with team logo'd mugs, flags, or grill covers to create a unique gift for your Chicago-sports-fan friends and family!
Traditional Gift Gard with a Long Grove Chocolate Gift Box
Having trouble deciding which gift to get?  Let the recipient choose their own Taste of Chicago with a traditional gift card.  Make this gift extra festive by sending the gift card enclosed with a holiday inspired Long Grove Confectionery 2 oz. box of Milk chocolate mint meltaways.

As always, prices include the cost of shipping so there are no surprises when it comes time to checkout. Not only are gifts from Tastes of Chicago a unique way to show someone you care, they also encourage coming together to share a meal with friends, family and Chicago food-fanatics alike. In the end, though, time with loved ones is probably one of the greatest gifts you have to give - it's irreplaceable, priceless and you're always left with warm and happy memories. Happy Holidays!

We are grateful and thankful for many things this holiday season. First and foremost, we are grateful for YOU. Your loyalty and patronage are the reason we love what we do and the reason we have come so far from where we started 40 years ago. We strive every day to give you the best service, food and overall experience because you deserve it. Thank you for your loyalty and for including us in your family's meal times and traditions.

Along with having the very best customers, we are also very fortunate to have an amazing staff that work hard day in and day out to provide and serve our customers with the very best. Operationally, Lou Malnati's runs like a well-oiled machine because of their dedication and hard work, and we are grateful beyond measure for them. Not only do they give their all while on the clock, but they find time to volunteer and help out in the community. This past Saturday, for the second year, Lou Malnati's employees gathered at the Northbrook headquarters and helped assemble Thanksgiving food baskets for 500 local families in need. With the help of over 150 employees, these baskets will help feed families that otherwise would not have had a Thanksgving meal tomorrow. Their generosity and attitude of gratitude make us proud to work with them, side by side.

From our family to yours, we hope you have a joyful Thanksgiving filled with love, delicious food, and lots of laughs and time spent with your loved ones.

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.”

-George Washington
President of the United States, 1789-1797

It has been 92 years since former President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Veterans Day. On this day, we recognize the members of the Military that sacrifice their lives on a daily basis for the good of our nation.  They leave behind their friends, family and loved ones to report to their duty stations and protect the United States from those that try to harm us.  Not only does Lou Malnati's stand behind these men and women, we salute you and your families for the sacrifices you all have made.  We are grateful for you and would like to thank you for your services.  Thank you for your courage, tenacity, bravery, selflessness and, above all, your dedication to your country, family and loved ones.

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."

-Elmer Davis

Photo courtesy of www.947wls.com

Dave Fogel and Marti Jones of 94.7 WLSFM got a taste of what their listeners will receive if they are the winners of Dave and Marti's Office Tour.  Lou Malnati's has teamed up with Dave and Marti to cater lunch for a Chicago area business each week until the end of October.

Whether you are bringing in food for your office, hosting an event, or celebrating with friends and family, Lou's catering is great food at a great value and more than just pizza! We also offer salads, pastas, sandwiches, party trays and desserts. Click here to register now for your chance to win lunch for your office, catered by us and delivered by Dave & Marti!  A winner will be announced every Friday!

Summer is a time for outdoor BBQ's, swimming, vacationing with family and enjoying the outdoors - apparently it's also a time for Mother Nature to wreak havoc and fill basements with water.  You have to take the bad with a grain of salt though, especially when we have a weekend coming up that's supposed to be filled with sunshine, milder temperatures and some soulful tunes - that's right, folks... Lollapalooza starts tomorrow and we're ready to have some fun!  Lou Malnati's is once again headed to Lollapalooza's Chow Town, August 5-7, where we will dish out slices of our legendary pizza to concert-goers.  We are setting up shop in Chow Town South, near Balbo and Columbus, and will be offering slices of cheese as well as cheese and sausage deep dish.  So if you're headed to the 3-day music festival, stop on by between sets to refuel and take a breather or stop by our Gold Coast location after the day is done - we'll be open until 2am, Friday and Saturday!

It's been one month since our newest location in Chicago's Gold Coast opened its doors and we have had a blast!  From the opening parties to seeing the looks of amazement on our regulars' faces when they walk in - it's great.  If you have stopped in recently, you have probably seen Marc Malnati himself running pizzas to tables and greeting diners.  Since this location is his new 'baby', Marc wanted to make sure that every diner has a great experience and really wanted to hear suggestions and comments from the source.  If you haven't stopped in yet, you're definitely in for a treat.  Featuring a special bar menu that's unique to this location, you can sip on one of Mamma Malnati's Signature Martinis or savor one of our Windy City Mojitos.  Along with specialty drinks, we also whipped up a few new appetizers that will satisfy any long time loyal Lou's fan.  Check out the slideshow for a peek inside!

We hope you come by and visit us soon!