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CHICAGO LEGENDS LOU MALNATI’S AND PORTILLO’S TEAM UP TO CREATE THE ULTIMATE ITALIAN BEEF DEEP DISH PIZZA

Exclusively Available for a Limited Time on TastesofChicago.com, the Unique Collaboration Marries Lou Malnati’s Award-winning Deep Dish Pizza and Portillo’s Homemade Italian Beef to Create a Mouthwatering Must-Have for the Season

CHICAGO, October 3, 2022 – Lou Malnati’s – the cherished Chicago pizza brand known for its buttery-crust deep-dish pizza – has teamed up with fellow Windy-City giant, Portillo’s – the famed fast-casual restaurant known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites – to create the most iconically Chicago, yet universally delicious pizza ever to hit your home oven: the Lou Malnati’s x Portillo’s Italian Beef Deep Dish Pizza. Whether you are a fan of Lou’s, Portillo’s or just have an appetite for greatness, this one-of-a-kind mash-up from two of Chicago’s most beloved brands is a culinary masterpiece that will have you shouting, “Now, dat is one delicious deep dish.”

Now available for shipping nationwide only through Tastes of Chicago, the new Italian Beef Deep Dish Pizza features Lou Malnati’s flaky, buttery pizza crust, vine ripened plum tomatoes and Wisconsin cheese, topped with Portillo’s slow-roasted, thin-sliced Italian Beef. Available with either Portillo’s homemade sweet peppers or its hot giardiniera, each nine-inch deep dish pizza is made from scratch by Lou Malnati’s, then flash frozen to preserve its hot-out-of-the-oven freshness before it’s shipped directly to your doorstep, ready to bake and enjoy whenever you want it. With more than 100 years of combined culinary history between the two Windy City staples, it simply doesn’t get more Chicago or more delicious than this.

“For more than 50 years, Lou Malnati’s has been serving up the very best deep dish pizzas Chicago has to offer, handmade from scratch using the finest and freshest ingredients. The only way we knew to top ourselves was to top our pizzas with the famous flavors of Portillo’s,” said Marc Malnati, owner of Lou Malnati’s. “Lou Malnati’s and Portillo’s are taking two Chicago signatures to the next level with this inspired collaboration.”

“As two of the most iconic Chicago brands, we’re proud for Portillo’s to partner with Lou’s to bring this craveable Italian Beef Deep Dish pizza to life,” said Michael Osanloo, Portillo’s President & CEO. “It combines flavorful homemade signatures from both brands, resulting in pure Chicago deliciousness. When we tasted the Italian Beef Deep Dish for the first time, we knew we had created something special. We can’t wait for our fans and fans of all-things Chicago across the country to taste it for themselves.”

The Lou Malnati’s x Portillo’s Italian Beef Deep Dish Pizza with sweet peppers or hot giardiniera is available exclusively for online ordering and shipping nationwide via Tastes of Chicago. Pizzas are available to ship in packs of two, four or six, or in combination with other Portillo’s offerings. For more information on this limited time offering or to place an order, please visit TastesOfChicago.com.

ABOUT TASTES OF CHICAGO

Established in 1997 by Lou Malnati’s, the most legendary family name in Chicago deep dish pizza, Tastes of Chicago curates Chicago’s best food offerings from restaurateurs and brands and delivers them nationwide through its website. Spanning famous food categories such as Deep Dish Pizza, Hot Dogs, Italian Beef, Seafood & Pasta, Steaks, BBQ, Desserts, Gourmet Popcorn and more, Tastes of Chicago delivers hometown heroes like Lou Malnati’s, Portillo’s, Eli’s Cheesecake and Garrett Popcorn Shops, as well as rising local favorites like Brown Sugar Bakery and Wow Bao. With curated packages and subscriptions to suit any palate and budget, Tastes of Chicago brings the Windy City’s rich history, proud culture and iconic eats directly to your doorstep. The perfect gift for your favorite foodie, Chicago lover, client or yourself, Tastes of Chicago allows everyone to conveniently create a special moment at home that only the best Chicago food can offer. For more information, visit https://www.tastesofchicago.com/.

ABOUT LOU MALNATI’S

Considered the oldest family name in Chicago pizza, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is a family-owned company famous for deep dish pizza and staying true to the original Chicago-style pizza recipe. The company stresses consistency in quality, service, and food, offered in a unique environment by a staff that is committed to one another, the customer, and the community. Lou Malnati’s is passionate about pizza, people and proud to support the local communities they serve one deep dish at a time. There are more than 75 locations in the Chicagoland area, Arizona, Indiana and Wisconsin. A member of the Malnati family has been running the business since it started in 1971. The Malnati’s signature deep dish is made from a secret family recipe that has been handed down through four generations. The Passion Runs Deep. For the latest dish, visit https://www.loumalnatis.com/.

ABOUT PORTILLO’S

In 1963, Dick Portillo invested $1,100 into a small trailer to open the first Portillo’s hot dog stand in Villa Park, IL, which he called “The Dog House.” Years later, Portillo’s has grown to include more than 70 restaurants across 9 states. Portillo’s is best known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads and famous chocolate cake. Portillo’s ships food to all 50 states via Portillos.com. Portillo’s Home Kitchen is the company’s fast-growing catering business.

Plan the Perfect Big Game Watch Party Menu

Hosting for the Big Game on February 13th? We’ve got the goods. With crowd-pleasing favorites from deep dish, to salads, to a stacked lineup of mouthwatering appetizers, there’s something for everyone in your game day crew.

Make life easy (and cheesy) with our party packages!

Forget cooking and make cleanup a breeze. We’ll prep a winning feast and get you everything you need to serve it up! (Plates, forks, knives, napkins, and serving utensils are included in all packages.)

CROWD PLEASER

Top pick for small gatherings – perfect for groups up to 10!

• Large Deep Dish Cheese
• Large Deep Dish Sausage
• Small Pan of Malnati Salad
• Small Tray of Cookies & Brownies

BIG GAME EATS

Big Game, big appetites – best for groups up to 20!

• Medium Deep Dish Cheese
• Medium Deep Dish Sausage
• Medium Deep Dish Pepperoni
• Half Tray of Wings
• 20 Italian Beef Sandwiches

*These packages are available for pick-up only before 4PM on Game Day, Sunday, February 13th, and orders must be placed by 3PM on Saturday, February 12th.

START MY ORDER

Want to build a custom menu or are not sure how much food you’re going to need? Contact our Catering Crew, and we’ll take care of it! (847) 562-1918

Hosting a small gathering? Visit order.loumalnatis.com on Sunday, February 13th to place your order!

Love is in the air…and it smells like pizza!

Heart shaped pizzas will be available in all Lou Malnati’s pizzerias starting Monday, February 7th through Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14th.

Cupid’s best tip: Save some time by grabbing a frozen heart shaped pizza from our freezer case before Valentine’s Day, or order your pizza half-baked and finish it in your oven at home!

In a long distance relationship? Ship a Lou Malnati’s heart shaped pizza to that special someone!

Send a heartfelt sentiment right to their doorstep with the help of our shipping division, Tastes of Chicago. Heart shaped pizzas are available in quantities of 2, 4, or 6 pizzas, and can be paired with other Valentine’s Day gifts and treats from Chicago like Eli’s cheesecake, Garrett Popcorn Shops® gourmet popcorn, and Portillo’s chocolate cake, to name a few!

Fire up the grill and head to the backyard for your next pizza night!

We’ve teamed up with our friends at Weber Grills to show you just how easy it is to grill a frozen Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizza.

When the grilling experts and the pizza experts get together, you know the results are going to be exceptionally delicious!

Watch as Weber Head Grill Master, Kevin Kolman, shows you step by step how to grill a Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizza.

How to Grill a Frozen Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Pizza on a Gas Grill

1. Prepare the grill for indirect cooking over medium heat at 375-400° and preheat on high for 10-15 minutes. The outside burners should be on medium to medium low and the inside burner(s) should be off.
2. Place pizzas on the center of the grill, close the lid, and cook for 40-45 minutes for cheese pizzas, or 50-55 minutes for sausage or pepperoni pizzas. Be sure to set a timer!
3. Use a thermometer to check for a temperature of at least 165° with a nicely browned crust and some gooey cheese.
4. If pizza is not done, close the lid, set a timer for 5 minutes, then check again.

To grill your pizza on a charcoal grill, using ¾ of a chimney, preheat your grill by placing the charcoal evenly around the outside of the charcoal grate in a complete circle. You’ll be targeting temps at 375-400°. The dampers should be set to about half way open. Place pizza in the center of the grate and use same cooking times as above.

To grill your pizza on a pellet grill, set your Weber SmokeFire up to be anywhere between 375-400° for 10-15 minutes. Place pizza on the top rack, directly in the center of the grill and use same cooking times as above.

Cooking a half-baked pizza from your local Lou’s?

Use the same instructions as above, but cook pizzas for 20-25 minutes, again checking for a temperature of at least 165°.

Ready to give it a try?

Order a half-baked pizza online from your local Lou’s or ship frozen Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizzas nationwide at TastesOfChicago.com!

Let us know what you think! Tag your grilled pizza pics on social with #LousxWeber for the chance to be featured on our pages!

At Lou’s, all of our pizzas are handmade from scratch using only the freshest ingredients! 

There are so many ways to enjoy a pizza from Lou’s and we’re committed to making YOUR pizza, YOUR way. Like our sausage but want easy sausage on your deep dish? No problem! Half spinach and half pepperoni? Done! Extra cheese? You got it!

Hungry yet?

First comes love, then comes…deep dish?

Who has a pizza your heart?

Show them with a heart shaped pizza!

Heart shaped pizzas will be available in all Lou Malnati’s pizzerias starting Friday, February 7th through Valentine’s Day weekend, Sunday, February 16th. Surprise your Valentine with a gift from the heart!

Order online or ship heart shaped pizzas nationwide at TastesOfChicago.com.