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Giordano's - Rush Street
Master Critic Review
Giordano's - Rush Street
8.4
The Boglio brothers' 1974 creation features double-crusted stuffed pizza with roots tracing back 200 years to their Italian grandmother's Easter pie recipe. This Gold Coast flagship delivers maximum cheese pull and the signature flaky upper crust.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicago Classic Stuffed, Meat & More Meat, Giordano's Sampler
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Double-crusted stuffed pizza with fluffy layers of mozzarella
Who should go: Cheese lovers, families, groups wanting shareable pies
When to visit: Allow 45 minutes cook time; arrive hungry
What to order: Chicago Classic stuffed, add Italian sausage, start with sampler
Insider tip: Full bar makes the wait enjoyable—people watch on Rush Street
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site parking. G.O. Parking garage at 750 N. Rush (steps away, ~$17). Chicago Place Condos Garage valet 131 ft away (~$18). Street parking extremely limited in Gold Coast. Pre-book via SpotHero.
Dress code: Business casual to casual. Come as you are from shopping the Magnificent Mile - jeans, comfortable clothes all welcome. This is a lively tourist-friendly pizzeria.
Noise level: Lively to loud - classic bustling Chicago atmosphere, especially weekends. Good for groups and families, less ideal for intimate conversation. Bar area great for people-watching on Rush Street.
Weekend wait: 60-90+ min for tables (no reservations accepted), plus 45 min pizza cook time. Peak weekends like holidays can exceed 90 min.
Weekday lunch: 15-30 min typically, much shorter waits. Pizza still takes 45 min to bake - order apps first.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - clearly marked on menu. Super Veggie stuffed pizza (mushrooms, peppers, onions, broccoli, olives, spinach), cheese pizzas, pasta dishes, and salads.
Vegan options: Very limited - GF thin crust is dairy-free and can be ordered without cheese. No vegan cheese available. Salads without cheese work. Deep dish is not vegan-friendly.
Gluten-free options: Yes - gluten-free thin crust available. Shared kitchen - cannot guarantee 100% GF environment. GF pasta available (note: alfredo sauce not GF). Not suitable for severe celiac.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you both embrace the experience. The atmosphere is casual and can be loud/crowded, especially weekends. Better for fun, adventurous dates who want iconic Chicago food over romance. Long waits test patience - use the full bar strategically. Try weekday evening for calmer vibes.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes - reservations aren't accepted. Walk-in only. Expect significant waits during peak times (45-90+ min weekends). Pro tip: Put your name in, grab drinks at the bar, and pre-order your pizza so it starts cooking while you wait for a table. Weekday lunch is your best bet for minimal wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Absolutely - this is a family favorite. Roomy interior with booths downstairs, accessible tables upstairs via platform lift. Kids love the cheese-pull spectacle. Order appetizers immediately since stuffed pizza takes 45 min. The casual atmosphere means no stress with little ones.
Best For
Better for: Maximum cheese pull and the double-crusted stuffed experience that differs from Lou Malnati's butter-crust style, families and groups wanting shareable portions, tourists wanting the quintessential Mag Mile deep dish experience, and anyone who appreciates the 200-year Italian family recipe heritage.
Skip if: You're impatient (no reservations + 45 min bake time), want an intimate quiet meal, need strict vegan options, have severe gluten sensitivity, or prefer thin-crust artisan pizza over the heavy stuffed style.