Viral Tweet Sparks Furious Internet Debate: Is Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Great… Or Responsible For The City’s Violence?

As the internet was being created, I doubt the brilliant minds who spent countless hours building a network that allowed people from every corner of the globe to communicate and share limitless information near instantaneously had any idea that it would be used mainly to post cat videos and argue with strangers about the merits (or lack there of) of food, but alas, here we are.

If you’ve been on Twitter/X today than you might have noticed a passionate debate over Chicago Deep Dish pizza. Now, I’ve only had it once and it was at some chain (Giordano’s I think) outside O’Hare airport as I made my way back from Green Bay, so I’ll take myself out of this after saying that it was… fine. It was fine. Sure, there’s probably some local joints that make some way better pizza but even during the meal I saw it as nothing special, though I was happy to have tried it.

Well, an account aptly titled “my stummy hurt” posted a video of some deep dish pizza with a pretty benign caption and as things tend to happen on the internet, it absolutely blew up.

“If yall never had Chicago deep dish pizza I feel bad for yall”

If yall never had Chicago deep dish pizza I feel bad for yall pic.twitter.com/cHdj07Dmz9

— my stummy hurt (@almightyyypapi) February 13, 2025

Not going to lie, as far as an advertisement for deep dish pizza, this does a pretty good job. If you like cheese and sauce (and do you really trust anyone who doesn’t?) that tray looked like an absolute dream.

But, if you have a brain (and again, do you trust anyone who doesn’t) it’s pretty clear that you can eat one slice of that before you’re hunched over the toilet sweating bullets and praying to the Lord for mercy.

Pretty quickly sides were formed and the war began. Turns out you’re either completely in love with Chicago deep dish pizza or you’re completely against it, and most locals find themselves against it.

Chicagoans much prefer “tavern style”, a thin crust tray cut into small pieces perfect for sharing at a bar.

Chicago’s street grid system was inspired by the square cut tavern style pizza pic.twitter.com/mFPEqKttrR

— Chicago Urbanist (@chi_urbanist) November 9, 2024

Not going to lie, the deep dish debate is objectively hilarious so here’s my favorites from both sides of the aisle. Stick around for the haters because that’s where the real gold is:

Pro Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

Anyone from Illinois who hates on deep dish is a loser, it is and always will be S tier.
We get it you want to prove you’re a “real” Chicagoan. You probably live in Oak Lawn or Naperville tho. Grow up. https://t.co/sxV3SLPHD4

— Thunder Bandit (@A2avelis) February 14, 2025

Ive never had deep dish but i want to so badddddd https://t.co/LbBVBAxdYr

— Lesbian Rod Serling (@LesbianRod) February 14, 2025

This post is the reason I'm a Chicago style truther. Looks at this pizza dawg I just cummed https://t.co/f1JIdgL6Yh

— guy who says supposably (@fancypantsberni) February 14, 2025

Stop it.

Now my mouth watering. I haven’t had deep dish for years.

— Peifc (@Peifc75) February 14, 2025

i could finish the whole thing in a single sitting lol

— Thomλs (@NO_H8) February 14, 2025

Thats art

— jesus jones jr (@mexillentJunior) February 14, 2025

Anti Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

This why they be killing each other so often. Imagine eating a slice of this shit , your stomach going crazy, you sweating and irritated and a nigga fuckin ya bm walks in 7-11. https://t.co/QYcCZ7U5Tw

— KAMI (@ZoDontTreadOnMe) February 13, 2025

I’d be glued to the toilet until 2026 https://t.co/WcHCFyzu36

— Ignacio Nacho (@ByJew44) February 14, 2025

People from Chicago be like: "Try the pizza" https://t.co/e4kpVzfd9p pic.twitter.com/QbyoVt63w3

— Warren Wilhelm (@War_Wilhelm) February 14, 2025

Is that why all of the rappers in Chicago are severely obese with a side of diabetes?

— Question Everything (@needtoquestion) February 13, 2025

Explains why Chicago is so violent because your pizza is DISGUSTING

— Face Full of Knives (@DemogorgonFluff) February 14, 2025

Like I said, if nothing else it’s incredibly entertaining.

I’m always down for a good food debate (be sure to let us know what you think about deep dish) but before I go I’m going to stir the pot myself…

The best pizza in America is not in Chicago. It’s not in Detroit, or New Jersey, or Connecticut, or even in New York. The best pizza in America is in a small Pennsylvania town called Old Forge.

Don’t believe me? Do a quick Google search for “pizza capital of the world” and let me know what comes up…

I’ll admit, I’m a bit biased because I grew up the next town over but it honestly is the best pizza I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot of pizza. It’s thick but light, with a crispy, airy crust. The blend of cheese and sauce is perfectly balanced and you can eat multiple cuts without feeling like a zombie. Also, if you do find yourself in Old Forge, you better not order a pie. They’re trays of pizza, not pies; pies are apple or pumpkin, pizza is a tray.

Seriously, if you call up Arcaro & Genell, Revello’s, Rinaldi’s, or Salerno’s and ask for a pie there’s a solid chance they’ll just hang up and an even better chance you’ll be getting fresh saliva as a topping…

Wow, I’m so hungry for some hometown pizza… Mom, I’m coming home soon!

.@realDonaldTrump looks over a pizza he bought during a surprise visit to Arcaro and Genell Takeaway Kitchen, a pizza shop in Old Forge, PA. pic.twitter.com/ROYRornKGK

— Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) August 20, 2020