A limited-time deep dish that debuted inside Lou Malnati's restaurants this past May is now available to pizza fans anywhere in the country. The Italian Combo Beef-Za — developed in partnership with Food Network host and Chicago chef Jeff Mauro — went live on tastesofchicago.com and will ship nationwide through August 26.
What's on the Pizza
The build translates the classic Chicago Italian combo sandwich into deep-dish format. Toppings include Italian beef sourced from Mauro Provisions and produced exclusively with Certified Angus Beef, plus the brand's exclusive sausage blend, vine-ripened tomatoes, and Wisconsin mozzarella — all on Lou Malnati's signature Buttercrust. A Honey G Pepper Relish, made with finely diced Mauro Provisions Medium Craft Giardiniera and Grade A honey, adds crunch and sweetness. Each pizza ships as a Small Deep Dish, handmade, flash-frozen, and ready to bake at home.
The LTO first rolled out during Italian Beef Month in May across Lou Malnati's 70 locations in the Chicagoland area, Arizona, and Wisconsin. Strong guest response prompted the operator to extend its reach through the Tastes of Chicago e-commerce platform — a playbook that regional chains with loyal diaspora audiences have increasingly leaned on to monetize LTO enthusiasm beyond the four walls.
Operator Takeaways
"When we introduced the Italian Combo Beef-Za in May, we knew Chicago food fans would appreciate the combination of two local favorites," said Marc Malnati, owner of Lou Malnati's. The decision to move a hit LTO to direct-to-consumer shipping, rather than simply pulling it from menus, reflects a broader trend in restaurant e-commerce and branded food products — operators capturing incremental revenue from guests who can't access physical locations.
Mauro, who founded Mauro Provisions in 2020 and is Emmy-nominated for his Food Network work, noted the collaboration as a natural extension of his Chicago roots: "This pizza keeps the heart of what makes the sandwich special while giving people a whole new way to enjoy it." The partnership also gives Mauro Provisions added distribution exposure, as the brand's Craft Giardiniera and Honey G Pepper Relish are available for separate nationwide purchase through the same platform.
For operators tracking celebrity chef collaborations and limited-time offer strategy in full-service dining, the Lou Malnati's model is worth noting: a structured, date-bound LTO built around a credible culinary partner, tested in-unit first, then extended via direct shipping with a clear deadline to drive urgency. Lou Malnati's has operated for more than 55 years on a platform of ingredient quality and Chicago-style authenticity — and this collaboration layers a recognizable media personality onto that foundation without diluting the core product.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
