Reviewing Big Z’s: Bringing the flavor of traditional Chicago deep-dish pizza to the people of Katy, TX.
Big Z’s Pizza House & Brew has been proudly serving the people of Katy, TX since 2019. This pizza bar is owned by brothers Bob Zincoris and Tony Perry who are both from the South Side of Chicago. Their mother taught them useful culinary skills, including how to prepare dishes from both the north and south of the country. This was a durable base for them to learn how to prepare food as well as enhance their passion for it. The two brothers came to Texas to make a new life, but also deeply missed and loved authentic Chicago pizza. Therefore, they decided to make it a specialty while living here. Big Z’s sells Chicago favorites such as deep-dish and thin crust pizzas, along with a variety of sandwiches, wings, and sweets.
The outside of Big Z’s is small and humble with its location in a modest shopping center in a suburban area. The sign is eye-catching with its big, bold red letters and simple name. The joint bar and pizza parlor has a safe, clean look to it. Unlike most bars that are intended for adults, Big Z’s is very much a place for families desiring great food. The owner is often present watching over customers and assisting his staff. The employees are attentive to both orders over the phone and to patrons dining in. Big Z’s tends to be much quieter in the daytime and busier in the evenings, especially when a special game is televised, such as the Super Bowl, World Series, playoffs, or a local team’s divisional rivalry.
During my last visit to Big Z’s, I ordered a takeout of their small size Chicago deep-dish pizza with mushrooms. It was large enough for two people and supremely delicious. It had a unique flavor and had a lot more crust, cheese, and sauce than any other pizza I have had around here. The crust had a buttery and grainy flavor, and the cheese was stretchy and buried under the sauce. The sauce was savory, and the aromas of oregano, olive oil, and other spices perfumed the meal. Drenched in the layer of red sauce, the mushrooms were abundant and cooked well into the pizza. Although the style was different, the pizza tasted similar to typical, narrower pizzas. Every bite was consistently rich and juicy.
My most recent visit received the same excellent service as my earlier ones. The drive from my place to this location is far, but the pizza and the hospitable service from employees made it worth spending some extra gas money. The owner, who I have met twice, is welcoming and sincerely friendly. He is the kind of owner who would remember you even if he had only seen you at the establishment once prior. The owner behaved like a great teammate to the other staff members, who all seemed genuinely content with both the environment and with the owner.
The pizza order came out very fresh and in a timely manner of about 20 minutes. Chicago style pizza is almost nonexistent in the Houston region, and Big Z’s is one of the only businesses to sell it out here at an authentic level. My high school wrestling coach, who is from Chicago, told me that this restaurant serves some of the most authentic deep-dish around Houston. For those who prefer less crust and sauce, the thin crust here has minimal sauce with a soft crust like pita bread.