SW
Scott Warmbein
Oct 3, 2025
When you come to Chicago, everyone tells you that trying an authentic deep dish pizza is a must, and Giordano’s is one of the most popular names that comes up. With thousands of reviews, it’s a spot you can’t miss if you want the “classic Chicago pizza experience.” We decided to give it a try while visiting the city, and overall it was memorable, hearty, and very filling!
Our group was just a party of two, which worked in our favor since we were seated fairly quickly compared to the larger groups we saw waiting. There isn’t a huge waiting area in the front, so if you’re coming with a bigger party, be prepared to stand or wait outside until your table is ready. When our name was called there was a little confusion—the hostess asked if we had received a text, but we never gave a phone number. It was quickly sorted out, but it was a slightly odd system.
Once we were seated, service moved along smoothly. We started with the bruschetta appetizer, and I have to say it was excellent—loaded with fresh, juicy tomatoes and topped with creamy, flavorful cheese. It was generous in portion and honestly one of the highlights of the meal. I’d definitely order it again.
For the main course, we went with the classic deep dish pizza, since it was our first time and we wanted the authentic experience. Important tip: deep dish pizzas here take about 45 minutes to cook, so plan ahead and don’t come if you’re pressed for time. When the pizza arrives, it’s usually brought out by a food runner rather than your server, and they often offer to cut into it for the famous “cheese pull” photo moment. Personally, I preferred to cut into my own pizza—it felt less intrusive and more enjoyable to serve it myself—but I know some people love the dramatic presentation.
The pizza itself is exactly what you’d expect from a Chicago deep dish: extremely hearty, thick, and absolutely loaded with cheese. Honestly, one slice was enough to fill me up. It’s the kind of pizza where you pace yourself, because it’s so dense and rich. I ended up taking the rest home, but I’ll admit it doesn’t reheat as well the next day. The layers of cheese can trap the toppings so sometimes the crust and cheese heat up while the inside is still cool. If you’re not a fan of cold or unevenly heated leftovers, I’d suggest ordering just enough for your table and enjoying it fresh.
The atmosphere at Giordano’s is lively and family-friendly, with lots of people clearly excited to try their pizza. There was even a section off to the side that looked like it was set up for larger gatherings or possibly business/corporate events. Everyone around us seemed to be having a good time—except for one thing that stood out: the photographer.
In the middle of dinner, a photographer came around snapping photos of tables, and it felt awkward. He didn’t really ask or give time to prepare—just quickly took pictures, sometimes when people were mid-bite. Later, another employee came by with the printed photos in Giordano’s frames, offering to sell them. If you declined, they tried lowering the price or adding extras, essentially bargaining while you were trying to eat. Watching other tables, I noticed a lot of people gave forced smiles for the photo and then immediately commented on how unnecessary it felt. Many refused to buy the pictures altogether. From my perspective, it disrupted the dining experience. The photographer’s time and energy would probably be better spent supporting the restaurant floor, especially since most guests didn’t seem to want the photos in the first place.
Overall, Giordano’s delivered on the deep dish pizza experience—it’s rich, filling, and definitely worth trying at least once if you’re in Chicago. The bruschetta appetizer was outstanding, and the service was friendly and efficient. Be prepared for the wait time on the pizza, the limited seating area upfront, and the random photo sales pitch, which took away from the otherwise enjoyable experience.
If you want a true Chicago style pizza experience, Giordano’s is one of the iconic stops.