This article was inspired by content originally published on ABC7 Chicago
Introduction
Valentine’s Day in Chicago comes with the chill of February winds and the warmth of deep-dish love stories. For the folks at Lou Malnati’s, the city’s iconic deep-dish pizzeria, it’s not just about serving up a slice of Chicago’s best it’s about spreading love in more ways than one.
This season, Lou Malnati’s is turning its famously hearty pies into heart-shaped deep-dish wonders, with a portion of the proceeds going to local food banks. According to ABC7 Chicago, every pizza ordered helps feed a neighbor in need proof that pizza, once again, can be the hero we crave.
A Slice of Love That Gives Back
When Lou Malnati’s started baking heart-shaped pizzas over a decade ago, it was a fun, romantic twist for couples across the city. But the idea quickly grew into something bigger a symbol of community care. This year, each heart-shaped pizza sold will benefit local food banks in the Chicagoland area, helping thousands facing food insecurity.
It’s a powerful reminder that pizza shops big or small have the unique power to turn a beloved comfort food into a force for good. If you’re a local pizza shop owner, Lou Malnati’s campaign is an inspiring example of how a simple seasonal menu item can double as a meaningful community fundraiser. Consider creating your own heart-shaped or themed pies for holidays or local causes and don’t forget to share your story with local press and social media. A heartfelt story can drive traffic and deepen customer loyalty.
Bring Heart-Shaped Pizza Magic Into Your Own Kitchen
Pizza enthusiasts, you don’t have to live in Chicago to get a slice of this Valentine’s Day tradition. With the right tools, you can bake your own heart-shaped pizza at home and share the love with your friends, familyor that special someone.
Pro Tip: Invest in a quality heart-shaped pizza pan. These non-stick pans like this one on Amazon make shaping easy, and they’re fun for more than just Valentine’s Day think anniversaries, birthdays, or even a ‘just because’ surprise dinner.
Looking to up your home pizza game? A portable pizza oven, like the Ooni Karu 12, lets you fire up restaurant-quality pies right in your backyard. Pair it with a pizza stone for perfect crust, and don’t skimp on quality ingredients. Specialty sauce, premium cheeses, and cured meats elevate your creation from homemade to pizzeria-level deliciousness.
Suppliers: Is Seasonal Gifting on Your Menu?
If you’re an ingredient or packaging supplier, Lou Malnati’s success story is a nudge to think creatively with your clients. Heart-shaped pizza boxes, seasonal toppings bundles, or branded Valentine’s Day kits can help your restaurant partners tap into holiday sales. Consider offering customized packaging solutions or co-branded promotional materials small touches that make big memories for customers.
Food service tech providers can also help shop owners market these specials efficiently. If you’re a pizzeria without online ordering, now’s the time to check out all-in-one POS systems like Square for Restaurants. They make managing limited-time offers easy, and robust marketing features help spread the word.
From Chicago, With Love
Lou Malnati’s shows us that even a classic deep-dish can evolve to meet the moment. Their heart-shaped pies aren’t just cute Instagram fodder they’re a delicious tradition with real community impact.
So whether you’re a pizza lover looking to surprise your Valentine with a homemade heart-shaped masterpiece, a supplier brainstorming seasonal packaging ideas, or a pizzeria owner plotting your next big give-back event, let this Chicago story inspire you to lead with love and maybe a little extra cheese.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article was inspired by content originally published on ABC7 Chicago. This article also contains affiliate links, which means Pizza Magazine may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them.
