Deep Dish Cooking Class at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago

Chicago deep dish has a story as well as a hefty crust. At this class, held at Pizzeria Due, a block from the listed meeting address, you make an individual pizza connected to Pizzeria Uno, which is known as the birthplace of deep dish.

I like that you get to shape and top your own pizza, then eat it with salad and a drink. I also like the central location and the option to ask the instructor questions during the class.

One point to know before booking: the dough is already prepared and proofed. You’ll work with a dough ball in an oiled pan, rather than starting from flour and yeast, and the room can feel crowded if attendance is higher than expected.

• Your pizza is personal-sized: You spread the prepared dough in a pan, then add cheese, sauce and your choice of toppings.
• The meal goes beyond the pizza: You also make a garden salad and learn to prepare Ike’s vinaigrette.
• The class lasts about 90 minutes: It starts at 6:00 pm and finishes back at the meeting point.
• Dietary options are available: Gluten-free and vegan options are offered.
• The setting may be communal: The class is described as private, but the setup can involve long shared tables, and crowding has sometimes been an issue.

A short walk from the listed meeting address

The class meets at 619 N Wabash Ave, then takes place at Pizzeria Due, Pizzeria Uno’s sister restaurant about a block away. That’s useful if you want to fit the class into an evening downtown without arranging a ride across town. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

The location is also an advantage if you’re planning to explore the city before or after dinner. The class itself runs around 90 minutes, so allow extra time if you have a tight evening schedule. The start time is 6:00 pm.

The experience is offered in English, and your instructor leads you through the steps and gives a brief account of how the restaurants got started. No instructor names are provided, so you can’t choose a particular teacher when booking.

What making deep dish actually involves

You’ll get a ball of dough in an already oiled deep dish pan. The instructor explains how the dough is made and prepared, but you don’t mix or knead it yourself. The dough needs time to proof, so it is prepared in advance rather than made from scratch during this short class.

Your task is to spread the dough in the pan, then add cheese, sauce and your chosen toppings. That’s hands-on, but it is a focused introduction to assembling deep dish, not a full lesson in bread making or restaurant kitchen work. If you want to learn how dough is mixed and proofed, this class won’t take you through those stages from beginning to end.

That distinction matters when setting expectations. You still get a clear role in making the pizza and a chance to see how the parts come together, but the most time-consuming preparation happens before class. For a 90-minute meal and activity, that trade-off makes sense. For a serious cooking student seeking a complete dough-making lesson, it may feel limited.

The salad and pizza make this a proper meal

The main dish is an individual classic cheese and tomato deep dish pizza, with a choice of toppings. You make your own, then eat what you’ve assembled. The finished pizza is part of the appeal: this isn’t a demonstration where you watch someone else cook and leave hungry.

The salad adds another small cooking task. You learn to make Ike’s vinaigrette and use it to dress a garden salad. It’s a modest extra, but it gives the class more variety than a pizza-only activity.

A drink is included in the experience description, with soda, beer or wine listed as options. The included-items details specifically name soda, so if you’re counting on beer or wine being part of the price, check that point when booking. Lunch is included as well. Come hungry: salad and a personal pizza amount to a full meal, not just a tasting.

A social class, with some limits on privacy

The class is described as a private activity, with only your group participating. But the seating arrangements described for the class include two long rows of tables, and ingredients may be presented family-style. That can make the session feel more like a shared cooking event than a private kitchen lesson.

A communal setup can be fun if you’re travelling solo or enjoy meeting people over a meal. One solo participant can be seated near other people making pizza, and the class format gives you something to talk about without needing to arrive with a group. Couples and friends can also make the activity a relaxed evening outing.

There is a caveat: crowding has been an issue on some occasions, including a report of a couple squeezed into a tight spot and another class held beside diners who were not taking part. The provider has acknowledged that busy sessions can get crowded. If a quiet room or generous personal space is important to you, confirm the expected setup before booking.

What you get for $59

At $59 per person, the price covers a 90-minute activity, an individual deep dish pizza, a garden salad and a drink. You also get instruction, time to assemble the pizza yourself and a short introduction to the restaurants’ origins. Put together, that’s a substantial dinner and an activity in one.

The value depends on what you want from a cooking class. If your priority is a meal you help prepare, a central address and an easy evening plan, the price is reasonable. You’re paying for the food as well as the instruction, so it’s more useful to compare it with a casual dinner plus an activity than with a lengthy, from-scratch culinary course.

The class is not a bargain for someone who mainly wants detailed training in dough preparation. Much of the basic dough work is done ahead of time, and your hands-on part centres on shaping and topping. If that sounds like enough cooking for a fun night out, the combined meal and lesson offer good practical value.

Dietary choices and food expectations

Gluten-free and vegan options are available, which makes this class more flexible than a standard pizza session. Since the menu’s named main is classic cheese and tomato deep dish, tell the operator about your needs when arranging your place rather than assuming every topping or salad ingredient suits your diet.

The class is also a good fit for a mixed group with different levels of enthusiasm for pizza. The activity does not require prior cooking skills, and the central task is straightforward: spread, top and enjoy. Even a picky eater can choose toppings, though the menu details do not specify every available option.

Who will enjoy this class most

I’d consider this class if you want a fun evening activity that also solves dinner. It works especially well for couples, friends, solo visitors who are comfortable at shared tables, and families or groups with different food preferences.

It also suits anyone curious about Chicago’s signature pizza but not looking for a formal culinary course. You’ll get some context about the restaurants, a simple practical task and a meal that you helped assemble. The setting and central address make it easy to add to a day of sightseeing.

It may be less satisfying if you expect to make dough from scratch, want a quiet one-on-one lesson or need a guaranteed uncrowded room. The experience is best approached as a guided pizza-making session, not a full professional cooking class.

Booking details worth checking

The class is typically booked about 35 days in advance on average, so it’s sensible to plan ahead if you have a particular evening in mind. It uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking.

The listed price is $59 per person. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time; changes made later than that are not accepted, and cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded. If the minimum number of participants is not met and the class is cancelled, you’ll be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Private transportation and an air-conditioned vehicle are not included. The venue is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

Should you book the Pizzeria Uno class?

Book it if you want to make and eat your own Chicago-style deep dish, enjoy an easy central location, and are happy with prepared dough. The strongest reasons to go are the complete meal, the chance to shape and top your own pizza, and the flexible gluten-free and vegan options.

Think twice if your main goal is learning dough preparation from the first ingredients, or if crowded shared seating would spoil the evening. If you’re unsure about the seating or whether beer and wine are included, check those details before you pay. For a relaxed dinner with a little hands-on cooking, this is a practical way to add a taste of Chicago pizza culture to your evening.

FAQ

Where does the class take place?

The listed meeting address is 619 N Wabash Ave in Chicago. The class is held at Pizzeria Due, a sister restaurant about a block away, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the class start?

The start time is 6:00 pm.

How long does the class last?

It lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

What will I make?

You’ll assemble an individual cheese and tomato deep dish pizza with your choice of toppings. You’ll also learn to make Ike’s vinaigrette for a garden salad.

Is food included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with an individual pizza and garden salad listed as the meal.

Is a drink included?

A drink is included in the experience description, which lists soda, beer or wine. The included-items details specifically name soda, so check with the provider if you want to confirm beer or wine.

Are gluten-free and vegan options available?

Yes. Gluten-free and vegan options are available.

Is the class suitable for a solo participant?

The class can suit solo participants. The seating may be communal, with long rows of tables, so you may be seated near other people.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation and an air-conditioned vehicle are not included. The location is near public transportation.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.