Lou Malnati's Menu Prices 2026
Quick answer
Lou Malnati's is a family-owned Chicago pizzeria known for deep dish with a flaky Buttercrust, plus thin crust, salads and sandwiches. A medium Cheese Deep-Dish typically costs about $24.49, The Malnati Chicago Classic about $28.49 and a large Thin Crust Cheese about $19.99. In-restaurant items on our list run from about $3.49 to roughly $33.
Lou Malnati's quick facts
| Founded | March 17, 1971, Lincolnwood, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Founders | Lou and Jean Malnati |
| Headquarters | Buffalo Grove, Illinois (central office) |
| Parent company | Family-owned by the Malnati family; does not franchise |
| U.S. locations | 77 (60 Chicagoland, 6 Arizona, 6 Indiana, 5 Wisconsin; company FAQ, 2026) |
| Countries | 1 (United States) |
| Known for | Buttercrust deep dish with Lou's own sausage |
| Estimated price range | $3.49–$30.49 (est.) |
| Menu items listed | 23 |
| Menu last checked | October 2026 |
The Lou Malnati's menu at a glance
Lou and Jean Malnati opened their first pizzeria in Lincolnwood, Illinois, on St. Patrick's Day 1971, and that original building still serves pizza. Lou had learned deep dish at Chicago's first deep-dish pizzeria in the 1940s. The family still owns the company, does not franchise, and has spread from Chicagoland into Arizona, Indiana and Wisconsin. Most of its pizzerias are carryout and delivery only, while others have full dining rooms.
Deep dish is the reason to come: a flaky, buttery crust, Wisconsin mozzarella, Lou's own seasoned sausage and a sauce made from California vine-ripened tomatoes. It is a thick pizza, so plan ahead on busy nights and order early for pickup. Prices here are typical estimates and can differ by store. Lou's also ships frozen deep dish nationwide through its Tastes of Chicago mail-order business.
Lou Malnati's orders that give you the most for the money
- Thin Crust Cheese (Large)$19.99 est. · 300 cal / sliceAbout $19.99 for a large thin crust, roughly $4.50 less than a medium cheese deep dish.
- Meatball Sandwich$12.49 est. · 910 calAbout $12.49, the lowest-priced entrée on our in-restaurant list.
- House Salad$8.99 est. · 117 calAbout $8.99 for a side that rounds out a pizza night for two.
- Garlic Bread$6.49 est. · 395 cal / serving (2 per order)About $6.49 for a starter that keeps everyone happy while the deep dish bakes.
What people order most at Lou Malnati's
- The Malnati Chicago Classic (Medium)$28.49 est. · 670 cal / sliceLean sausage, extra mozzarella and tomato sauce on Buttercrust, and the pizza featured first in Lou's shipped packs.
- The Lou (Medium)$29.49 est. · 550 cal / sliceThe namesake pie with spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes, for anyone who wants a meatless deep dish.
- Cheese Deep-Dish (Medium)$24.49 est. · 530 cal / sliceThe simplest way to taste the crust, cheese and sauce that built the brand.
- Chocolate Chip Pizza Dessert$11.99 est. · 805 cal / serving (2 per order)A warm cookie baked in a deep-dish pan and big enough to share.
Lou Malnati's nutrition and menu highlights
Calories and protein on this page come only from Lou Malnati's official nutrition information; the lowest-calorie pick leaves out drinks, sauces and add-ons. Items without an official figure show a dash. Where the official guide names an item a little differently, the note says which item the figures are for. Where the official guide gives figures for only part of an item, such as one slice of a pizza or a few pieces of an order, the calorie and protein columns say so (for example "/ slice"); those are not whole-item totals.
Lou Malnati's allergen information
Lou Malnati's posts an Allergen Information page and a Nutritional Information page on its website. It says its pizzerias use no peanuts or tree nuts in homemade products, though some purchased items come from facilities that do, and the gluten-free crust contains egg and may contain almond or coconut. Wheat is present in every kitchen, so speak with a manager.
When Lou Malnati's is open
- Typical hours
- Hours vary by pizzeria, and most locations are carryout and delivery only. Check the locations page or the Lou Malnati's app for your store.
- Breakfast hours
- Not served
- Holiday hours
- Holiday hours are set by each pizzeria. Check your store's page on loumalnatis.com or in the app before ordering on a holiday.
Ordering at Lou Malnati's and rewards
- Official app
- Lou Malnati's app (order carryout or delivery, track Lou's Rewards)
- Rewards program
- Lou's Rewards: earn 10 points for every dollar spent, get a free pizza for signing up and a small pizza on your birthday, with more than 25 reward options (terms apply).
- Delivery
- Lou's delivers from its own pizzerias through order.loumalnatis.com and the app, and ships frozen pizzas nationwide through Tastes of Chicago.
Tips for ordering at Lou Malnati's
- Order deep dish ahead for pickup; it takes longer to bake than thin crust, and most stores are carryout only.
- Join Lou's Rewards before your first order to collect the free pizza offered for signing up.
- During football season, Lou's Rewards members in Chicago and Arizona can earn free medium wings after a home-team win on a $30-plus order.
- Ask for no Buttercrust and no romano on top if you want a deep dish without dairy in the crust; Lou's says the dough and sauce are otherwise egg- and dairy-free.
- Reheat leftover deep dish in the oven or a covered skillet instead of the microwave to keep the crust crisp.
Lou Malnati's menu questions
How much is a Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza?
A medium Cheese Deep-Dish typically costs about $24.49 at Lou Malnati's, a medium Pepperoni about $26.49 and a medium Malnati Chicago Classic about $28.49. The Lou, with spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes, runs about $29.49. Prices vary by pizzeria, and extra toppings or larger sizes cost more.
Does Lou Malnati's have gluten-free pizza?
Yes. Lou Malnati's offers gluten-free deep dish and thin crust pizzas in a small size, and the company says the crusts are tested and confirmed gluten-free. They are finished in kitchens where wheat is present, though, and the crust contains egg and may contain almond or coconut. A Crustless pizza is also listed in the gluten-free section.
How does Lou's Rewards work?
Lou's Rewards members earn 10 points for every dollar spent and can choose from more than 25 reward options. You get a free pizza for signing up and a small pizza for your birthday, with terms that apply. You can check your points on the ordering website or in the Lou Malnati's app.
Where are Lou Malnati's locations?
Lou Malnati's lists 60 locations in the Chicago area, 6 in Arizona, 6 in Indiana and 5 in Wisconsin, according to its website in 2026. Most are carryout and delivery only. If you live elsewhere in the U.S., the company ships frozen deep dish through its Tastes of Chicago mail-order division.
Can Lou Malnati's pizza be shipped?
Yes. Lou Malnati's ships frozen deep dish pizzas nationwide through Tastes of Chicago. In October 2026, two Malnati Chicago Classic pizzas cost $79.99, four cost $123.99 and six cost $144.99, with shipping included. Thin crust packs were also available. Check the Tastes of Chicago site for current prices and delivery dates.
Who owns Lou Malnati's?
Lou Malnati's is owned and run by the Malnati family. Lou and his wife Jean opened the first pizzeria in 1971, and after Lou died in 1978, his sons Marc and Rick joined Jean to run the business. The company does not franchise, and its central office is in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
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Sources
Price note: Prices are estimated typical U.S. prices (October 2026) and vary by location. Official prices, where shown, are labeled with where they came from.
- Lou Malnati's: About Us — used for Founding by Lou and Jean Malnati on March 17, 1971, Lou's 1940s start, family ownership, ingredients
- Lou Malnati's: The History of Lou's — used for Carryout-only model, expansion to Arizona, Indiana and Wisconsin, Tastes of Chicago
- Lou Malnati's FAQ — used for 77 locations by market, no franchising, original Lincolnwood building, rewards points lookup
- Lou Malnati's menu — used for Current pizza, pasta, salad, sandwich and dessert names; data flags
- Lou Malnati's Rewards — used for 10 points per dollar, sign-up and birthday pizzas, 25+ rewards, game-day wings
- Lou Malnati's Allergen Information — used for Gluten-free crust, nut policy, egg and dairy notes, Buttercrust
- Lou Malnati's Nutritional Information — used for Nutrition page location
- Lou Malnati's Contact — used for Central office in Buffalo Grove, IL
- Tastes of Chicago: Lou Malnati's shipped — used for Shipping pack prices
- Lou Malnati's app (Apple App Store) — used for App availability (linked from loumalnatis.com)