People can be obsessed with any number of things: status, wealth, an object of desire… a deadly white whale, even. But in Morton Grove, it’s a singular concoction that is the pan pizza at Pequod’s Pizzeria that has sparked a fierce passion among its ardent fans.
Locals know the key to the pan pizza at Pequod’s - named for the whaling ship in Moby-Dick - is the carmelized crust: the darkened cheese around the edge of the pizza. It complements the thick, golden crust and the sweet, tangy sauce. Baked in a cast iron pan, the finished pie is served tableside and – if you’re lucky – set on a whale-shaped cutting board. The restaurant itself has a cozy, log cabin-like feel to it, with wood paneling, strung Christmas lights, and the décor on the walls. The mystery is why the whale logo sports a thong on its head.
The formula has, over the years, earned Pequod’s many plaudits (pizzagasm?) and landed it on many “Best Of” lists, including Chicago Magazine’s 25 Best Pizzas in Chicago (2010). The honors are deserved. And just who am I to say so? Call me Ishmael.
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Pequod’s Pizzeria, 8520 Fernald Ave., Morton Grove (847) 470-9161
