A beloved pizza spot is shutting down after 50 years—did you ever get to try it?
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Chicagoans, get your tissues—and your napkins.
After more than five decades of serving up golden, bubbling, deep-dish dreams, My Pi Pizza is officially closing.
Come the end of June, one of the city’s most beloved pizzerias will turn off its ovens for good.
And for many, it’s not just a restaurant closing—it’s like losing a friend who always showed up with a hot slice and a warm welcome.
It all started on August 24, 1971, when founder Larry Aronson opened the very first My Pi across from Loyola University in Rogers Park.
His goal? To share the deep-dish recipe he’d been perfecting since the ’50s.
The result? A flaky, buttery crust, a tangy tomato sauce that tasted like an Italian summer, and a generous helping of ooey-gooey cheese.
My Pi was an instant hit.
Read next: Heartbreaking: Iconic store closes, locals react!
And it didn’t stop at Chicago’s borders—My Pi became the first deep-dish brand to expand outside Illinois, winning over pizza lovers nationwide.
The story of My Pi is also a story of family. Rich Aronson, Larry’s son, started working in the shop as a teenager.
Later, he trained at the Culinary Institute of America and restaurant management school before taking the reins.
Under Rich’s leadership, My Pi navigated food fads, economic downturns, and a rapidly changing restaurant industry.
But through it all, one thing never changed: that unmistakable My Pi flavor—and the feeling that this wasn’t just a meal, it was a memory.
In a heartfelt message posted to the company’s website, My Pi cited an unpredictable economic climate as the main reason for shutting down.
The closure of My Pi echoes a national trend: family-owned restaurants are disappearing, edged out by rising rents, supply chain chaos, and the fierce competition of delivery apps and fast-casual chains.
Read next: A historic fast-food spot is going dark—why this closure hits differently
Did My Pi play a part in your life story? Got a favorite memory, photo, or go-to order? Do you have another hometown gem that’s still holding strong? Drop your tributes, memories, and thoughts in the comments below. Let’s celebrate the family-run places that feed not just our bellies—but our hearts, too.
After more than five decades of serving up golden, bubbling, deep-dish dreams, My Pi Pizza is officially closing.
Come the end of June, one of the city’s most beloved pizzerias will turn off its ovens for good.
And for many, it’s not just a restaurant closing—it’s like losing a friend who always showed up with a hot slice and a warm welcome.
It all started on August 24, 1971, when founder Larry Aronson opened the very first My Pi across from Loyola University in Rogers Park.
His goal? To share the deep-dish recipe he’d been perfecting since the ’50s.
After more than five decades of serving up golden, bubbling, deep-dish dreams, My Pi Pizza is officially closing. Image source: Big Review TV / YouTube
The result? A flaky, buttery crust, a tangy tomato sauce that tasted like an Italian summer, and a generous helping of ooey-gooey cheese.
My Pi was an instant hit.
Read next: Heartbreaking: Iconic store closes, locals react!
And it didn’t stop at Chicago’s borders—My Pi became the first deep-dish brand to expand outside Illinois, winning over pizza lovers nationwide.
The story of My Pi is also a story of family. Rich Aronson, Larry’s son, started working in the shop as a teenager.
Later, he trained at the Culinary Institute of America and restaurant management school before taking the reins.
Under Rich’s leadership, My Pi navigated food fads, economic downturns, and a rapidly changing restaurant industry.
But through it all, one thing never changed: that unmistakable My Pi flavor—and the feeling that this wasn’t just a meal, it was a memory.
In a heartfelt message posted to the company’s website, My Pi cited an unpredictable economic climate as the main reason for shutting down.
The closure of My Pi echoes a national trend: family-owned restaurants are disappearing, edged out by rising rents, supply chain chaos, and the fierce competition of delivery apps and fast-casual chains.
Read next: A historic fast-food spot is going dark—why this closure hits differently
