Chicago’s best deep-dish pizza spots near RSNA 2020 lodging
For delegates staying in central Chicago hotels, the strongest deep-dish choices cluster around River North, Streeterville and the Magnificent Mile. RSNA 2020’s programme dates were 29 November to 4 December 2020, although the scientific assembly moved online during the pandemic. Hotel and group-booking services were still offered for Chicago stays, making nearby dinner stops useful for pre- and post-trip plans.
These picks focus on classic downtown rooms. Whole pies are generous, so plan for two to three hungry adults rather than comparing prices as if ordering individual slices. Figures are indicative 2020 prices; opening times, indoor seating and take-away arrangements should be confirmed for the relevant night because pandemic-era rules affected Chicago restaurants.
Compare downtown pizza classics
Start with these established downtown addresses. Prices are approximate 2020 amounts before tax and gratuity, and availability should never be treated as guaranteed.
| Downtown location | Style to order | Indicative whole-pie price | Best choice for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pizzeria Uno, 1 E Ohio St, River North | Stuffed crust with chunky tomato on top | US$18–30 | First-time visitors wanting the classic |
| Giordano’s, 2 E Huron St, River North | Stuffed, buttery crust with a crisp finish | US$20–30 | Groups sharing a pie with a salad |
| Lou Malnati’s, 2 E Huron St, River North | Stuffed crust and a pronounced crisp edge | US$18–28 | Crust lovers and take-away orders |
| Pequod’s, 664 N St Clair St, Streeterville | Deep-pan with tangy tomato over the cheese | US$20–30 | Guests staying near the Magnificent Mile |
| Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder, 730 N Rush St, Magnificent Mile | Deep-dish with a substantial base | US$18–28 | Counter service and informal group meals |
Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s face each other on East Huron Street, making an easy comparison after a busy day. Pizzeria Uno is close by on East Ohio Street, while Pequod’s offers a narrow pan, fried edge and tomato above the cheese. The Oven Grinder is the more informal option. For five-star bookings, the five-star stay trade-offs help balance comfort against neighbourhood access, cost and time travelling to dinner.
Match pizza to your hotel base
The RSNA 2020 information hub is the practical starting point for checking the dates, venue details, programme information and accommodation enquiries. Streeterville and River North place leading pizzerias within short walks of major hotels. A Loop base may still require a train or bus to the South Loop meeting campus, so compare the exact property with your session schedule.
Australian delegations benefit from one hotel block, since a shared address makes meal times and transport easier to coordinate. Even so, check the building’s exact entrance against the restaurant route. Chicago’s November wind can make a 30-minute walk feel long, and a short train journey may preserve more energy for the scientific programme.
The 3-star, 4-star and 5-star room blocks offered different compromises. A central mid-range property may suit attendees at several sessions; a five-star stay may prioritise sleep, workspace and concierge support. Weigh those benefits against the nightly rate, cancellation terms and dinner distance. For a group splitting up for meals, one well-located base can still be more useful than several unrelated bookings.
Budget and order with local expectations
Take-away pizza is familiar in many Australian households, and supermarkets such as Woolworths and Coles stock convenient versions across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Chicago deep-dish is slower-baked, thicker and more filling. Decide between stuffed crust and deep-pan before ordering, then choose one distinctive pie rather than several nearly identical ones. A salad can balance the richness without another lengthy wait.
Prices are in US dollars. Chicago restaurant tax and state sales tax are added to the bill, and gratuities around 18–20 percent are customary on restaurant meals. Read the receipt before adding a tip, particularly where service is included. An Australian credit card may carry a foreign transaction fee, so compare the final AUD charge with the delegation’s meal budget and watch exchange-rate changes between booking and payment.
Allow 40–60 minutes because a deep-dish order is often cooked to order. Call ahead for large groups where reservations are accepted, and ask about take-away collection. Check the menu and seating policy directly; an old review or third-party app may not reflect pandemic-era availability.
Make free evenings a Chicago break
Leave room for the city beyond the meeting. River North, Streeterville and the Magnificent Mile place recommended restaurants within short walks, while the lakefront, Millennium Park and Chicago Architecture Center offer a change of pace. A midweek lunch or early dinner is often calmer than a Friday peak, and the saved time can turn a pie stop into a genuine visit.
If you enjoy comparing city breaks with active holidays, Serra dos Órgãos hiking offers a vivid contrast. Brazil’s Atlantic forest and highland trails demand different shoes, weather preparation and travel planning from Chicago’s restaurant scene and transport grid. The RSNA lesson is modest but useful: comfortable footwear, a light jacket and a saved shortlist make an unfamiliar city easier to enjoy.
Local rules deserve attention. Chicago’s indoor-smoking restrictions have applied to restaurants since 2016, whereas smoke-free dining laws differ across Australian states and territories. Delegates also had to follow Chicago’s pandemic capacity limits and venue requirements, affecting reservations and walk-in queues. Australian Consumer Law, contained in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, may help clarify rights when a travel package is cancelled, but it does not replace booking terms or travel insurance. Check the relevant night rather than an older guide.
Build a reliable dinner plan
With the hotel address confirmed, turn the shortlist into a practical plan rather than a long list of favourites:
- Choose a style together: stuffed for a rich, buttery crust or tomato-topped for sharper contrast.
- Budget for a whole pie, taxes, a customary tip and any delivery fees.
- Keep one backup with a different style in case the preferred room has a long queue.
- Allow 40–60 minutes for cooking and collection; set a meeting point at the hotel entrance.
- Confirm opening hours, seating, group bookings and dietary requirements directly.
Assign one person to handle restaurant contact and another to coordinate payment and collection. This division helps when delegates arrive from different sessions or when an Australian team is ordering in Chicago for the first time.
Complete the RSNA 2020 accommodation booking, check its dates and cancellation terms, then save the chosen restaurant beside your session itinerary. Give the delegation a collection point, expected US-dollar cost and backup option, turning the deep-dish stop into a manageable part of the Chicago experience.