I grew up in Chicago. I grew up eating real Chicago Pizza. I love that deep dish deliciousness. When I go back to visit I undoubtedly have to stop to get the real deal. I would be kicked out of my former neighborhood of Bridgeport if I didn't.

That was the one thing I miss about home is the pizza. Yes, Amarillo has a lot of great pizza places but I can't find anything like I did back home. My mom every so often will have real Chicago pizza sent to my home as a gift. I savor those pizzas

credit: Melissa Bartlett, TSM
credit: Melissa Bartlett, TSM
loading...

If you haven't had a pizza from Chicago you really are missing out. Even if you have to have it ordered and shipped to Amarillo you need to do it.

credit: Melissa Bartlett, TSM
credit: Melissa Bartlett, TSM
loading...

Or try this. I had to. I discovered that Big Jim's Pizza Co. - 3801 Olsen Blvd has a Chicago Pizza. What? How did I not know? From what I read Big Jim is also from Chicago. So a real Chicago pizza from someone who lived there as well.

Of course, I had to try it out.

How Does the Big Jim's Pizza Co Chicago Pizza Compare?

First, you have to know that if you order this pizza you will have to wait. It is the same thing when you are in Chicago. So they have it right. I called in the order and they told me an hour and ten minutes. Which I knew to expect.

I just ordered the straight-up cheese pizza. You can add any other additional toppings but I was good with just cheese. The mozzarella makes the pizza anyway. I was excited to try my first Chicago pizza in Amarillo.

As a native to Chicago I will say that this is the real deal. The pizza looks just like the pizza I get in Chicago. The taste? Yep, it was tasty. I made sure I got the larger pizza so I could have leftovers for the rest of the week. That was a smart decision on my part.

If you have had pizza from Chicago and miss it I do recommend getting one from Big Jim's. You will not be disappointed. The mozzarella, the tomatoes, the sauce, the crust. It was pretty much all on point.

If I had to come up with one thing negative I think the crust was just a tad too doughy but not anything that ruined my pizza. Nope, not at all.

This is a pizza I look forward to letting my daughter try next time she is in town. She got to watch me try it while we were on Facetime and she was a bit jealous. So next time she is in town I will order again.

Big Jim's Chicago PIzza

Amarillo has a Chicago Pizza at Big Jim's Pizza Co.

Gallery Credit: Melissa Bartlett/TSM

Ready For Some Pizza in Amarillo?

Gallery Credit: Melissa Bartlett

.

More From 101.9 The Bull