River North in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Pizzeria Uno

Birthplace of the Original Deep Dish Pizza, 1943

— Historic Landmark —

Pizzeria Uno Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Phyllis Prats, April 23, 2015

1. Pizzeria Uno Marker

Marker is to the left of the rightmost door, facing East Ohio Street.

Inscription. Ike Sewell invented Deep Dish Pizza in this building in 1943, which began a Deep Dish pizza revolution.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Landmarks. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.

Location. 41° 53.544′ N, 87° 37.617′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in River North. It is at the intersection of East Ohio Street and North Wabash Avenue on East Ohio Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26 E Ohio St, Chicago IL 60611, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tree Studios (within shouting distance of this marker); William Butler Ogden (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hotel Cass (about 500 feet away); Ransom R. Cable House (about 600 feet away); Daniel Chester French (about 600 feet away); John B. Murphy Memorial (about 700 feet away); Headquarters of the Chicago and Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters (about 700 feet away); Ruth Page (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for Chicago-Style Pizza.

According to Tim Samuelson, Chicago’s official cultural historian, there is not enough documentation to determine with
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certainty who invented Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. It is often reported that Chicago-style deep-dish pizza was invented at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago, in 1943, by Uno’s founder Ike Sewell. However, a 1956 article from the Chicago Daily News asserts that Uno's original pizza chef Rudy Malnati developed the recipe, and Michele Mohr from the Chicago Tribune reports that Saverio Rosati’s descendants say that the menu is still the same today (including deep-dish) as when Rosati’s Authentic Chicago Pizza opened in 1926.

(Submitted on February 14, 2021.)

2. Pizzeria Uno, downtown Chicago, Illinois (YouTube, 4:59). “ Chicago deep-dish pizza is a popular favorite for those who visit the Windy City, as they have a number of places to choose from - but it was Pizzeria Uno in downtown Chicago that lays claim to making the first deep-dish pizza. A plaque was installed on the outside (and the inside) of the building.” (Submitted on March 27, 2025.)

Historical Location Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 23, 2015

2. Historical Location Plaque

This plaque is inside the restaurant. It reads “Pizzeria Uno — The Original Pizzeria. Founded on this site December 3, 1943. The first pizzeria in the world to serve pizza-in-the-pan or deep-dish pizza, now known as ‘Chicago style pizza.’ This was the first place to serve pizza as a full meal. This is where it all began!”

Pizzeria Uno, 26 E Ohio St, Chicago, Illinois image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 23, 2015

3. Pizzeria Uno, 26 E Ohio St, Chicago, Illinois

Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,766 times since then and 119 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 14, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.