About us

Our Story

When I moved to Chicago in 1999, I was chasing life—something new and exciting. One of my first memories? A trip to the grocery store. I was so overwhelmed and intimidated that I had groceries delivered for months. Small-town boy meets big city.

But like so many others, I fell in love with Chicago, its quirky neighborhoods, each one feeling like its own small town, full of pride, character, and…characters. I landed in Bucktown, in a corner pizza shop, living and breathing pizza for the next two decades.

My Pi was one of Chicago's most beloved spots for deep dish and tavern-style pizza since the early '70s. While there, I was lucky to work with Chef Rich. Rich was an award-winning chef who had left fine dining to return to his roots in the family pizza business. From him, I learned not just how to make great pizza, but why it matters. My Pi wasn't just deep dish or thin crust—it was pride, passion, and tradition.

Chicago-style pizza has always been more than one thing. There's deep dish, created in the 1940s (often credited to Pizzeria Uno) where the crust rises tall like the city skyline, loaded with layers of cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce. Then there's tavern-style, the real hometown favorite: a thin, crisp, square-cut pie born in South Side bars, made to be shared with a cold beer and good company. Both styles are rooted in the same Chicago spirit—unpretentious, bold, and built to satisfy.

Chi-Pie is my way of sharing that legacy with you. So whether it's your first time trying deep dish or you grew up eating tavern-style on the South Side, I hope you enjoy a slice of what Chicago means to me.

Corey James Godbey