I55 American Bar & Restaurant – the pioneers of deep dish pizza in Hungary

A little USA in the heart of Europe

Among lots of other things, Budapest has become widely known for its exciting and diverse food scene. And while these statements are usually said in the context of street food – just think of the recent craft burger revolution, or the rising popularity of traditional lángos places in the city (by the way, if you’re a true foodie, be sure to check out Fat Boy’s food tour) – Budapest surely upped the ante on the restaurant (and bar) front as well. One of the most refreshing additions to the capital’s colorful palette of eateries is I55 American Bar, a place that’s American through and through as much in its selection of food as in its appearance.

How I55 brought a little Chicago to the heart of Budapest

Yes, Chicago. Because let’s be honest: Budapest – like probably all bigger cities on Earth – has its fair share of American restaurants, so today a restaurant needs a little more specificity to make noise and stand out from the crowd. In our case, I55 decided to show Hungarians that the US isn’t just California, American restaurants don’t only come with checkered tiles, and ‘American cuisine’ isn’t just about burgers and BBQ (although they do cherish them and have them on their menu). No, I55 pulled a daring move, and put another US city on the map for the citizens and visitors of Budapest: Chicago. And what is it about Chicago that makes it so special, you ask? They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so we’ll go ahead and let this photo speak for us:

Yes, it’s the mind-numbing, cheese-fueled piece of heaven called deep dish pizza, which is a staple food in the US (especially around Chicago), and which – for whatever unholy reason – had been completely unknown to Budapest eateries before I55 opened its gates. Now, let’s get back to the venue for a bit, but we promise we’ll discuss the pizza more thoroughly a bit further down.

In addition to the unique flagship food, what differentiates this place from all the American restaurants in Budapest is the sensible attention and affection it was made with. Having been to the states multiple times, the owners admittedly have a huge crush on the country, as well as its spirit, people, and gastronomy, and spent a lot of time roaming its highways in search of the best burger joints, barbecue pits, and, most importantly, deep dish pizza restaurants. When they managed to soak in every bit of knowledge, expertise, and love they could, they came home and went out of their way to convey this sentiment with their place.

And the name? I-55 is a major interstate highway in the US running across the country vertically connecting Louisiana in the south and – you guessed it – Chicago in the north. What can we say, a restaurant featuring as many American dishes as I55 could hardly find a more fitting name.

The Chicago deep dish pizza – I55’s heavy weaponry

Now back to I55’s biggest selling point: the deep dish pizza. If you’ve had it before, you don’t need an introduction, but for those who have just heard about it, we’ll share a few facts:

• It’s unlike any pizza you’ve ever had – in fact, it’s more like a combination of pizza and pie both in terms of the filling (yes, we feel ‘topping’ just doesn’t describe it well enough anymore) and the crust.
• It’s incredibly filling, so don’t expect to eat as much of it as you would eat of a usual pizza. Even the smallest ones are hard to finish for two (!) people
• If you like cheese, you’ll find yourself in heaven. Cheese is like the glue that holds this magnificent love child of a pizza and pie together, and the chefs don’t hold back with it either.
• It comes in a lot of flavors from humble to completely loaded ones, including a meat-free, vegetarian option.

The deep dish pizzas come in three sizes (small: 1.4 kgs for 2-3 people; medium: 2.25 kgs for 3-4 people; large: 3.4 kgs for 4-5 people) and the prices range from 4,490 Ft to 14,900 Ft (approximately $15-50) depending on the size and filling.

Find out more on the flavors and prices on their menu by clicking here.

What else to eat and drink at I55 American Bar & Restaurant

If, for whatever reason, you feel a deep dish pizza wouldn’t be right for you, there are tons of other delicious dishes that can make you feel like you’re in the US: burgers, steaks, traditional BBQ dishes, Tex-Mex classics such as quesadillas, and more! Check out I55’s menu to get a full picture on their dishes.

As for drinks, I55 doesn’t have anything to be embarrassed about either. The choice of drinks is just as abundant and diverse as the food assembly, ranging from many types of soft drinks and hot beverages to an impressive selection of beers, liquors, and cocktails. Check out the full list here.

Should you go to I55 when in Budapest?

In one word: absolutely! I55 American Bar & Restaurant is the perfect place for lovers of the American cuisine and spirit, hardcore (but open-minded) pizza aficionados, and even sports fans, as the place generally holds screenings for sports events, like other sports bars in Budapest, especially for US events, such as the Super Bowl. And, to put things into a more practical perspective, it’s in a perfect location, too, situated on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street between Nyugati railway station and Deák Ferenc tér , the central transportation hub of the city (closer to Nyugati, though).

So, if you happen to roam the streets of Budapest, by all means stop by I55 and get some first-hand deep dish pizza experience – it will be one to tell the grandkids about.

Q & A

What is the best American bar and restaurant in Budapest?

Budapest has its fair share of American restaurants, but there is one that stands out from the crowd: I55 American Bar & Restaurant. In addition to the usual American classics such as burgers, steaks, and BBQ dishes, I55 is the one and only place in Hungary that specializes in the famous Chicago-style deep dish pizza, making it one of if not the best American restaurant in the city.

Does Budapest have deep dish pizza?

I55 American Bar & Restaurant is the only place in the whole country that has Chicago-style deep dish pizza. With a broad range of flavors including simple, completely loaded and meat-filled, and even vegetarian options, I55 is a must-go place for hardcore foodies and open-minded pizza lovers.

Where is I55 American Bar & Restaurant located?

I55 is located on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street between Nyugati Railway Station and Deák Ferenc tér, but closer to Nyugati.