Pizza lovers, rejoice!
Chicago-based pizzeria Lou Malnati's is expanding and opening a location in Arizona, its first location outside Illinois.
It officially opens to the public on May 16 and will be located at the Uptown Plaza Shopping Center--100 E. Camelback Road in Phoenix--which has undergone a large renovation project for the last several months, the company announced Friday in a media release.
The restaurant will be 6,800 square feet inside and a 1,500-square-foot patio, and seat a total of 240 people.
The pizzeria has been a staple in Chicago since its first location opened in 1971. Last month, it opened its 45th location in the Chicago area.
"It's a big deal to be expanding outside of Chicago" said owner Marc Malnati last November in a media release when the expansion was officially announced. "We are eager to bring our authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza to Arizona and we're committed to bringing the same level of quality, atmosphere and hospitality that we are known for in Chicago."
The pizza joint prides itself on making its dough every day from scratch and using premium ingredients. Its mozzarella cheese comes from a small farm in Wisconsin and its tomatoes from California.
The restaurant will offer carry-out, delivery and catering.
<img data-cke-saved-src="http://media2.abc15.com/photo/2016/04/15/KNXV%20Pre-1971%20L-R%20Rudy%20Malnati,%20Lou%20Malnati_1460748048909_36293570_ver1.0_640_480.jpg" src="http://media2.abc15.com/photo/2016/04/15/KNXV%20Pre-1971%20L-R%20Rudy%20Malnati,%20Lou%20Malnati_1460748048909_36293570_ver1.0_640_480.jpg" style="width:" 100%"="">
Lou Malnati worked in a pizzeria throughout the 1940s with his dad and opened up his first location in Lincolnwood on March 17, 1971, according to its website. He died in 1978 from cancer.
IF YOU GO:
Lou Malnati’s Phoenix Grand Opening
When: May 16
Where: Uptown Plaza, 100 E. Camelback Road, Suite 152 (Camelback and Central)
Website: www.loumalnatis.com
