Deep Dish Dreams & Amaro Nights: Lou Malnati's Gets Bigger in the Sloop — and Buttercup Brings Cocktail Chic to the Neighborhood

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/South Loop · June 7, 2026

South Loop residents have two fresh reasons to celebrate this week, and both of them involve showing up hungry.

First, a neighborhood staple just got a serious upgrade. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria at 805 S. State Street has completed a major expansion, growing by approximately 2,400 square feet to reach over 8,400 square feet total. The beloved deep-dish destination added a brand-new full-service bar, additional dining room seating, and a private events space that can accommodate up to 50 guests — all while staying open throughout construction. Whether you're planning a birthday dinner, a work happy hour, or just a long-overdue deep-dish night, the new Lou's has more room and more reasons to gather.

And if you're in the mood for something a little more cocktail-forward, Buttercup has officially arrived in the South Loop. The café by day and amaro bar by night brings bold, amaro-focused renditions of classic craft cocktails to the neighborhood — a chic new addition to the Sloop's rapidly evolving dining and nightlife scene, courtesy of Israel Idonije's Pangea Restaurant Group. Between Lou Malnati's leveling up and Buttercup pouring its first rounds, the South Loop's eat-and-drink scene is firing on all cylinders this summer. Have you stopped by the expanded Lou's or pulled up a stool at Buttercup yet? Tell us what you think in the Socialhood community!

Sources:
1. https://whatnow.com/chicago/restaurants/lou-malnatis-completes-south-loop-restaurant-expansion/
2. https://www.modernluxury.com/most-anticipated-chicago-restaurant-openings/