Chicago Classics – Giordano’s Deep Dish Pizza
Surprise, Surprise!
Time for a classic Chicago Dish – Deep Dish Pizza. Yes. Again. This time, it’s by a real Chicago Classic, Giordano’s.
Is it still one of the best entry points into Deep Dish Pizza out there?
In this surprise-laden adventure
- We all know the drill by now… don’t we?
- The early morning road to nowhere (and Heathrow Terminal 3 first thing in the morning, with an equipment change shock)
- Morning Lounging at the Cathay Pacific and American Airlines Lounges
- AA87 London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare – Main Cabin Extra
- Into the USA and The Crowne Plaza O’Hare
- Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- Airplane Art Special from the Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- Various nibbles around Chicago
- An Instagram Trap? Coffee at Brü
- Chicago Classics: Giordano’s Deep Dish Pizza
- Enjoying a Chicago River tour… in the rain
- Back to O’Hare and the British Airways lounge
- BA296 Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow – Club World (Club Suites)
- Racing across Heathrow… but where’s the coach?
- To onward surprises
It’s time for this trip reports “Chicago Classic”, and yes, we’re going to Giordano’s. Why?
Why not. It’s one of the more popular Chicago Deep Dish Pizzas.
And Deep dish pizza haters…. Click off now, so the rest of us can enjoy this.
Still here? Let us continue.
I could have gone to the branch near the airport – but where’s the fun in that? I headed to the big one downtown, just off North Michigan Avenue. I was walking in the area in the evening, stretching my legs after catching up with people.
Sunday evenings are best done with as few voices that I know, so I can spend time in my own little happy world. And sometimes that world needs to be fed.
Heading in, I was fully expecting to be sat at a bar – but thankfully I was assigned a table.
Whilst I arrived around 8:30, I knew that deep-dish pizza takes 40+ minutes to cook. As such, I ordered some cola and some french fries as a starter.
I could have skipped the french fries, but my eating patterns were odd during the weekend, and decent carbs were needed at this point of the game.
For the Pizza, I chose one with “Pepperoni, salami, sausage & bacon.”. To cut through the fat, and add bite, I added some giardiniera.
I’ve found it also adds a nice spicy bite to the pizza too.
So first up is the fries. Or rather, Garlic Parmesan Fries for the few cents extra they charged.
The fries were crispy and fresh, with a good dusting of parmesan and garlic, with a quantity of ranch dressing. That’s one thing you don’t see too in Europe (to the point I bring a bottle back with me on most trips… even if it’s basic Target Ranch Dressing).
To fill in the time, I hopped onto the local wi-fi network. I almost wish I didn’t.
What is the point of 1 MB data caps in a restaurant?
The pizza finally arrived. As usual – I got a large one, as I would be consuming it for a few days after at home. Again – a Chicago home comfort after a long flight. As well as tasty edible memories.
As always with a freshly baked pizza like this, it’s full of cheesy goddesses, with the perfect amount of crunch.
Unless you’re a magician good luck folding a deep-dish pizza – it’s food for use with a knife and fork when hot, as opposed to fold and shove.
As for me? It’s a chance to slow down and enjoy the food. The weekend in the city, is fast-paced, so having those physical moments to say “stop” and “enjoy” sometimes has to be forced on me
The pizza choice was a good one – I normally go for a “classic” style one, with meat feast living up to expectations Having the giardiniera as a topping was an excellent move – I suspect just having the meat pizza would have finished me after one slice. At least I could enjoy two slices of pizza without feeling like I was also an imposition on the staff, given it was now 21:30 in the evening, and it was nearing closing time.
Because only a narcissistic idiot stays beyond closing time in any venue.
You can’t tell I worked in the catering industry at all, can you?
With my Pizza boxed up and ready for long-distance travel, I paid the bill – even with Chicago City prices – and headed out.
Overall:
I had no issues with the bill and to be honest, it was nice just to do my own thing when it comes to food in Chicago. For a traditional style deep dish pizza, Giordano’s ticks all the boxes I like – a lovely warm pie, excellent toppings and a comfortable atmosphere to relax after a busy weekend.
It’s still an excellent entry point into Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza (along with Uno). For those who want something a little more fun Peaquods is one way to go.
Next time, I’m planning to go a way of piste. You’ll have to hang around till October for that.
Next:
Time to get wet on the Chicago River, with an architectural boat tour of the city.
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