# The 'Tavern-Style' Pizza Takeover
Brittany and Brennan Grosvenor grew up in Chicago suburbs where pizza ordering followed a simple formula. Families chose between thin-crust, deep-dish, or double-dough for Friday nights, according to Brittany's recollection of her family tradition. The couple now operates Proof in Portland, Oregon, where they serve thin-crust pizza.
Tavern-style pizza, the thin-crust variety associated with Chicago's casual dining culture, has gained traction beyond its Midwestern origins. This rectangular, crispy-edged format represents a departure from the deep-dish dominance that defined Chicago pizza's national reputation for decades.
Proof's presence in Portland signals broader shifts in how American pizzerias approach regional styles. Rather than clustering around established pizza capitals like New York or Naples, restaurateurs increasingly draw from Chicago's tavern tradition, which emphasizes accessibility and casual consumption over the ceremonial quality associated with deep-dish pies.
The tavern-style format offers practical advantages for operators. The rectangular shape maximizes oven efficiency compared to round pies. Thin crusts require less rising time than deep-dish alternatives. The style suits contemporary dining preferences for shareable, grab-and-go consumption in informal settings.
Brittany and Brennan Grosvenor's decision to spotlight thin-crust pizza at Proof reflects how regional pizza traditions transcend geographic boundaries. Their Chicago childhood shaped their menu philosophy, but their Portland location demonstrates that tavern-style pizza appeals beyond its native market.
The expansion of tavern-style pizza restaurants across the country suggests that American diners recognize pizza styles beyond the New York and Neapolitan templates that dominated conversations for years. Chicago's thin-crust tavern tradition, once confined to neighborhood bars and casual joints near