I’m posting this review after a lot of back and forth wether it was a good idea or not but I feel like I should share my experience as a local since this is a place that gets a majority of their traffic from people visiting.
Me and my fiance were at this location on 7/22 around 4:30pm (arrived). It was decided we would go here after not being able to go in last week due to an extremely long wait time and us celebrating something special. Jokes on us this day wasn’t going to be any better.
We ended up arriving and being seated fairly quickly especially since it was only two of us. When they brought us to the first set of seats they were going to sit us at I asked kindly if we were able to get a booth instead because this table was very close to another and we wanted to be able to be comfortable while we ate. We ended up being sat at a booth and our initial server was AMAZING and very sweet. We initially talked about tipping her before the food even got there because she was attentive and told us she had just gotten engaged.
Anyway, by this time we had already placed our order of mozzarella triangles and a salad along with our drinks and were told the deep dish we wanted to order was going to be an hour. we were planning on taking our time and relaxing anyway so the wait was never an issue. We ended up getting our two starters before our drinks (two pops) and before we could catch our waitress to ask about them she came out with a male and informed us of a shift change and that he would be grabbing them for us. After she left he proceeded to go by the pop section and hide for a good 8 minutes. At this point half of the starters were gone and we were already searching for the waiter. Now at this point throughout the hour of course we were asking for refills on our pops but when we did it was like a search and rescue mission with the waiter even though he made sure to check on the booths on either side of us numerous times. Asking them how their meals and drinks were. Making sure their refills were done instantly and just over all going above and beyond for them. At one point he came up to our table moved a plate off of the pizza holder and took the ranch off of the plate, placing them separately not saying anything to us and walking away. That was about 35 minutes before the pizza had even came out.
By the time the pizza came out we were kind of full off of starters and pops and just over all not that hungry anymore so we ate a little bit and decided we would just grab the bill and go. We ended up asking for the check and two boxes so we could add some slices to one and give to a person who needed it and some to take home. His snarky responses and lack of attention to us made us decide he did not deserve a tip so we grabbed boxes and packed up.
Here’s the main part. As my fiance was paying he turned the machine around fast when it got to the tip screen like he was going to tip himself but she was able to reach and select no tip like we had agreed. That prompted him to say “hope you’re tipping in cash” and we respectfully responded with “no, we don’t believe our service deserves a tip” which then made him say “pathetic, you’re pathetic”. That made my fiance upset and it ended up becoming verbal in the middle of the restaurant so we got his manager involved. She was very understanding and upset along with us. We explained to her what happened and she made sure to make it right. So thank you Pam!
I won’t be returning to this location but I had to share my experience.
KC
kevin centeno
3 days ago
We had to wait a few minutes even though there were plenty of empty tables inside everywhere. The waiter was very nice and gentle at us, we ordered for entrance some triangles cheese that were a little cold and a classic Chicago style pizza pie, we waited more than 40 minutes just to get informed that our order was delivered by mistake and was eaten by the table NEXT TO US, we didn’t want to make any scene but let them know it was not all right, some lady showed up saying she’s a human and makes mistakes like everybody without any empathy about the situation. The pizza finally arrived like 15 more minutes later some parts of it extremely hot and some other cold (it seems they are premade frozen pizzas). The guy offered us a discount or something else to eat but that’s not something to be asked, if they really felt bad they would have just proceeded with whatever discount or extra food without asking for our consent. At the end they didn’t bring us any food or gave us any discount, the only positive thing was getting a tiny little picture for free from them (we paid for 3 full size and colored pictures that were pretty cute memory). At the end, not as good as we expected for an emblematic and historical place, very disappointed.
Stopped in here and waited in line to order. It’s a bit confusing when it’s busy as you order first, they tell you a time estimate for the table, and then you go into another line at the time you were told to get seated. It was crowded (a bit of a madhouse that day) and loud and the process was not explained very well, but we figured it out. Once you finally get to a table then you give the server the order ticket. Pizza is started while you wait, and didn’t take long to get once you’re seated. Pizza was quite good - 2 of us didn’t finish a 10” pie, so don’t worry about ordering a big one unless you are a much larger party with big appetites! I’m not a deep dish pizza fan, I prefer true Neapolitan style, but it was good and very indulgent. The crust was better than what I’d had before in deep dish pizza. Tasted like quality ingredients and I enjoyed the sauce on it. Still not my pizza preference but happy to know that their pizza is an option next time I’m in Chicago.
We had the opportunity to visit Giordano’s during our recent trip to Chicago, as it is one of the city’s most well-known pizza restaurants. We were excited to try their famous pizza after hearing so many positive reviews and recommendations.
For our meal, we ordered French fries, cheesy breadsticks, a 16-inch veggie pizza, and a few lemonades. The service was good, and our order arrived in a reasonable amount of time. The restaurant had a nice atmosphere and was quite busy, which added to the overall experience.
The French fries were the best part of our meal. They were hot, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and well-seasoned. We really enjoyed them and would definitely recommend trying them.
The cheesy breadsticks were decent but nothing exceptional. They had a good amount of cheese, but the flavor was fairly average. The lemonades were refreshing and complemented the meal well, although they were also quite ordinary.
The biggest disappointment was the 16-inch veggie pizza. We had high expectations because Giordano’s is famous for its pizza, but it didn’t quite meet them. While the toppings and cheese were fresh and generous, the bottom crust was very hard, making it difficult to cut and chew. The hard crust affected the overall texture and enjoyment of the pizza. We expected a softer, more flavorful base that would match the quality of the toppings.
Overall, our experience was average. Although the restaurant has a great reputation and offers a pleasant dining environment, the food did not completely live up to our expectations. The French fries were excellent, but the cheesy breadsticks and lemonade were just okay, and the hard pizza crust was disappointing.
We are glad we had the chance to try this iconic Chicago restaurant, but based on our experience, we feel there is room for improvement in the quality and consistency of the pizza. If we visit again, we might choose different menu items or hope for a better-prepared pizza. While many people love Giordano’s, our visit left us with mixed feelings, making it an average dining experience overall.
PS
Prince Sarmad
Jul 4, 2026
Some places become part of your travel bucket list long before you ever visit a city. For me, Giordano’s was one of those places. Before arriving in Chicago, I had heard countless recommendations about its famous deep-dish pizza. I had watched videos, read reviews, and seen it featured on almost every “must-try” Chicago food list. Naturally, my expectations were incredibly high—and when expectations are that high, it’s usually difficult for any restaurant to live up to them.
I’m happy to say that Giordano’s didn’t just meet those expectations—it exceeded them.
We visited the downtown location, just a short walk from Millennium Park, making it a perfect stop after exploring the heart of the city. We arrived during the busy lunch rush, and the restaurant was packed, which is exactly what you’d expect from one of Chicago’s most iconic dining destinations. Despite the crowd, the experience was impressively well managed. We waited only about 15 minutes for a table, and the staff made excellent use of that time by taking our order while we were still waiting.
Although we were told that deep-dish pizzas typically take around 45 minutes to prepare—which is completely understandable given the care that goes into making them—the staff’s efficient process meant that we had already placed our order before being seated. We waited about 15 minutes for our table, and the pizzas arrived approximately 30 minutes after we sat down, meaning the total time from ordering to serving was exactly as promised. It was an excellent example of thoughtful planning and efficient service, especially during one of the busiest lunch hours.
As a family looking for vegetarian options, we were equally impressed by the variety available. We ordered two classic deep-dish pizzas: a Margherita and a Cheese pizza. Both were outstanding, but the Margherita was the clear highlight. Every bite was packed with rich tomato flavor, perfectly melted cheese, fresh basil, and a beautifully baked buttery crust that tied everything together. It was hearty without feeling overwhelming and delivered exactly what authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza should.
What stood out most was that the entire experience—not just the food—was exceptional. The welcoming atmosphere, efficient service, and unforgettable pizza combined to create one of the highlights of our Chicago trip.
If you’re visiting Chicago, Giordano’s deserves a place on your itinerary. It’s easy to understand why it has earned its legendary reputation over the years. I would happily give it full marks for taste, service, efficiency, and overall experience. Some places become famous because of clever marketing; Giordano’s is famous because it consistently delivers an experience that not only lives up to the hype but, in my case, surpasses it.