Lou Malnati's Calls Out Lily Collins' 'Heartless' Joke In 'Emily In Paris'

As the saying goes: if you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

Netflix’s new series Emily in Paris drew heat from Chicago pizzeria Lou Malnati’s for a “heartless” blow to the chain’s deep-dish pizza.

“While the writers of Emily in Paris may not be fans of Deep Dish Pizza or Lou Malnati’s in particular, generations of Chicagoans would strongly disagree,” Lou Malnati’s said in a news release in response to the show’s jab. “Malnati’s is always the first to participate in good-natured banter with pizza lovers from New York or California. However, it feels especially unkind to disparage anyone during these difficult times, given that most restaurants are struggling to hang on.”

The restaurant chain also took to Instagram to respond to the show’s remarks, using part of its statement issued in the press release.

“We've been serving Chicago's favorite Deep Dish since 1971,” Marc Malnati said in a statement on the restaurant’s Instagram account Thursday (October 8). “When Netflix’ Emily in Paris writers chose to take a shot at Chicagoans and our pizza to try to get a laugh, it felt heartless and not humorous in the midst of Covid-19.”

In response, Lou Malnati’s is offering discounts on orders placed by October 14 with the code TCXCHISTRONG. It included details in the Instagram post.

Lou Malnati’s serves Chicagoans in 57 locations, not to mention its Arizona, Wisconsin and Indiana restaurants, Fox Business reported Thursday, also describing the scene that prompted the restaurant’s strong response.

Released October 2, Emily in Paris follows Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins, as she navigates a new marketing role in Paris.

Emily, from Chicago, gets the job so she can offer an American perspective.

And apparently, that American perspective is that her colleague whose impression of deep-dish pizza is a “quiche made of cement,” “must have gone to Lou Malnati’s.”

Netflix subscribers can watch the exchange in the first episode of Emily in Paris.

Lou Malnati’s also tweeted multiple times in response to the show, ultimately extending Collins an olive branch.

“We’ve simmered down some & we’re thinking this was all a big misunderstanding, right @lilycollins?” Lou Malnati’s tweeted. “We know you were just delivering your lines. Let’s call it a truce over some deep dish. Tell us where to send it!”

Photo: Getty Images