Gino's East Of Chicago

(312) 943-1124

633 N Wells St (at W Ontario St)
Chicago, IL 60610 41.8935 -87.6339

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

www.ginoseast.com

Hours:

M-Th 11-9, F-Sa 11-11, Su 12-9

Price:

$$

Last updated 4.14.11

Category:

Restaurants, Food & Dining, Chicken Wings

Payment Methods:

American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Lunch Spot, Bar Menu, Casual Date Spot, Family Style Dining, Group Dining, Carry Out, Private Parties

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Pizza, Italian

Smoking Permitted:

At Bar

What People Are Saying About Gino's East Of Chicago

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Customer-inscribed graffiti covers every inch of this casual restaurant--which thrives on its reputation for handmade, deep-dish pizzas. Catering to cheap dates, quick work lunches, family feasts and school outings, the eatery dishes up crispy pies built for sharing and taking home for leftovers later. Every plump pie starts with a signature buttery crust topped with plump tomatoes, thick cheese and a variety of optional toppings. For time-strapped diners, pasta, salad, stromboli and sandwiches answer hunger pangs. Dessert cravings lead to Gino's Mitchell's ice cream parlor, which is…

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
Daily from 11am to 3pm, get a miniature pizza, soup or salad and a drink for $5.99.
Know Before You Go:
Pizza takes 45-60 minutes to cook but call ahead and it will be delivered piping hot shortly after arrival.
Parking:
The restaurant offers $7 valet parking in its underground garage for up to three hours--so enjoy your meal and explore the neighborhood at one of the best parking deals in that area.
Save Money:
Try the lunch express special Monday through Friday from 11am to 2pm and includes either mini deep-dish pizza or a Nathan's hot dog with fries. Each lunch express comes with salad, soup or pasta salad and a fountain drink.
ambiance
92.30999946594238% positive
  1. The atmosphere is casual and a little dark, they also don't clean up as much as they should - the place is a little dirty.
  2. The atmosphere is comfortable; you feel welcomed.
  3. The pizza was awesome when we got in, the atmosphere was casual and comfortable.
  4. The ambiance is great.
  5. order Gino's frequently, for deliver and at the Wells street location.
  6. was very impressed by the wonderful and fun atmosphere and of course the mouthwatering pizza.
  7. Not only was the "legal" graffitti fun, but the pizza is EXCELLENT!
  8. This was a fun place and the food was tasty and plentiful.
  9. The best tasting crust, and freshest toppings in a friendly atmosphere.
  10. As if writting on the walls wasn't fun in high school, now my kids can enjoy the doodling too!
  11. The location on Rush Street is the best!
  12. The atmosphere is unbelievable and the food is incredible.
  13. The atmosphere is fantastic as is the service, I just wish it could save the less than inspired pie.
  14. Great time with wonderful food and fun.
  15. Fun atmosphere horrible service
  16. The ambiance is good and any pizza you choose is great!
  17. The decor is interesting.
  18. The ambience was entertaining because of all the graffiti.
  19. What a great place - not only is it the best (and most popular) Chicago pizza place, it's got the best atmosphere.
  20. The atmosphere makes the experience fun and interesting, but it gets old after a few visits.
  21. It has great atmosphere, and is nice to eat in if you don't mind a lot of people.
  22. Not only is the food excellent, but what's more fun than writing on other people's walls?
  23. Went there on our honeymoon and WOW what fun - the service is great, pizza phenomenal and we had more pizza than we could eat and easy on the pocket book.
  24. The atmosphere, pizza, staff are all great!
  25. The atmosphere is fun, I mean where else can you go and grafitti on the walls ?
  26. The pizza here is outstanding, but the atmosphere is a little bizarre.
dessert
80.0% positive
  1. My hands down fave is the deep dish spinach pie--to die for.
  2. although the move from superior was not really good the proof is in the pie.
  3. also like cheesecake for dessert.
  4. The atmosphere is fantastic as is the service, I just wish it could save the less than inspired pie.
  5. However, if you like the crust this is one amazing pie.
drinks
75.0% positive
  1. Too, we like the scene at Gino's so, for these reasons and the reason that the pizza is always excellent, we've driven over 150 miles several times, enjoyed the evening, usually starting out with a pizza and some wine at GE then going on to other attracti
  2. The place isn't that great - dive bar theme.
  3. And they've got a nice variety of draft beers on hand to keep your thirst quenched.
  4. We got seated quickly and the beer I ordered tasted good.
food quality
88.29999923706055% positive
  1. Went there on our honeymoon and WOW what fun - the service is great, pizza phenomenal and we had more pizza than we could eat and easy on the pocket book.
  2. This is the best pizza I have ever had.
  3. Awesome pizza
  4. This is THE MOST amazing pizza ever!
  5. Well I ate there a few weeks ago with a few friends before we had gone to six flags, and I thought the pizza was really good, I had gone one time before and got the ravioli, my opinion is that the cheese filled ones are the best, I love Gino's.
  6. The pizza here is great!
  7. Now when I am back in Chicago, I make sure to order a pizza (the lasagna kicks butt too) and i eat it real slow, enjoying every bite.
  8. We drove up from Missouri to have great Chicago style deep dish pizza.
  9. The pizza was awesome when we got in, the atmosphere was casual and comfortable.
  10. The pizza itself isn't my favorite (great crust, but a HUGE amount of cheese) but the graffiti and celebrity-photo packed walls make it a must for any visitor.
  11. really like pizza, so it was perfect for me.
  12. Still a great pizza, but the new locations lack of the charm of the old Superior Street place.
  13. Its the best pizza I have ever had.
  14. The deep dish pizza we had was the best I have ever eaten.
  15. best pizza i have eaten next time I visit more ginos pizza for me
  16. But don't go there expecting the best pizza of your life.
  17. This was a fun place and the food was tasty and plentiful.
  18. The stuffed spinach and mushroom is great.
  19. The wait is worth it this is the best pizza ever !
  20. Some of the best pizza I have eaten
  21. (Quick - which tastes better right out of the oven, fresh bread or cornbread?)
  22. My favorite food is Pizza.
  23. When you order a pizza and it comes without Oregano (of all spices to be missing) you look back and appreciate what you had.
  24. It is worth standing in line for who knows how long to take the first bite of the famous Gino's pizza.
  25. My friends and I were looking for the best pizza in Chicago when we actually stumbled over Gino's.
  26. Great time with wonderful food and fun.
  27. Best pizza ever!
  28. Not only was the "legal" graffitti fun, but the pizza is EXCELLENT!
  29. terrible service only so so pizza
  30. wonderful pizza
  31. am not a professional food critic, so I am sorry for the lack of eloquence here, but this is the yummiest most flavorful pizza I have ever had!
  32. The service was only ok, the food was a bit pricey for what you got.
  33. The atmosphere is unbelievable and the food is incredible.
  34. What's not to like about delicious deep dish pizza [unless you don't like grease!
  35. The cheese does not taste fresh.
  36. The best pizza I've ever had there was one they accidentally burned.
  37. Pizza and garlic bread is awesome!
  38. Its the best pizza in the city.
  39. This is the best pizza in town!
  40. Excellant food and very good service.
  41. Fantastic pizza.
  42. The patty sausage would be great if it were of the spicy italian variety, but it tastes more like jimmy dean.
  43. What a great place - not only is it the best (and most popular) Chicago pizza place, it's got the best atmosphere.
  44. You get plenty of fresh veggies in the sauce, but if you are a big meat lover you will be disappointed with the "Supreme
  45. This is the best pizza not only in Chicago but Nationwide.
  46. The pizza isn't as good as I remembered it from a year ago.
  47. Suggestions, if you want to go to a good Chicago chain pizza go to Giordanos or Unos, they are so so so much better!
  48. Good food that tastes good and is good -- really good.
  49. Gino's is the best pizza in Chicago.
  50. The best pizza in all of Chicagoland!
  51. went there with a large group of friends - it was the perfect place to enjoy awesome food!
  52. like the food, The place looks great and the service seems nice.
  53. great food
  54. The pizza was sub-par, the water was slimy, the plates were dirty, and the soup was cold.
  55. The CRUST of the pizzas are really good.
  56. It is hard to put into words, but the crust melts in your mouth, and the veggies are fresh!
  57. loved the deep dish, and their cheese sticks.
  58. their pies are the best from the scrumptious crust all the way down to their loads of fresh ingreidents!
  59. The calamari was so so and served with a cold seafood sauce, spinach sticks were ok.
  60. also recommend the Spinach Sticks, or-if available-the breadsticks are very good.
  61. have had several type pizzas around the us and this is one of the greatest pizzas and friendly service.
  62. The pizza was great!
  63. recommend the cheese and crumbled sausage pizza.
  64. The kids enjoy drawing on the walls while waiting for the food.
  65. like all types of pizza, in fact.
  66. Great service, great food and they make you feel right at home.
  67. Back in the hotel, I can honestly say it was one of the worst pizza's I've ever had.
  68. Excellent pizza.
  69. Ginos East is by far one of the best pizza places around!
  70. Their pizza has a taste that is "unique
  71. At Ginos, the sausage comes in one big slab the exact dimensions of your pizza.
  72. The pizza is great and perfect for introducing Chicago-style crust to an out-of-towner.
  73. This pizza is so mouthwatering, it's ridiculous!
  74. If you're in Chicago you have to visit Gino's East for pizza -- it's a wonderful experience.
  75. Their deep dish is outstanding!
  76. Pretty good pizza
  77. The salad was also excellent with a house Italian dressing.
  78. My hands down fave is the deep dish spinach pie--to die for.
  79. The food here is great but it does fill you up and is not exactly health smart.
  80. While I'm not a fan of the deep dish anywhere (other than the funky version at Chicago Pizza Co), I do enjoy good thin crust.
  81. My boyfriend doesn't like deep dish, so we opted for the hand tossed.
  82. Amazing pizza.
  83. The atmosphere, pizza, staff are all great!
  84. Overall, this is the best pizza in Illinois.
  85. The pizza also wasn't as good as the one that I had at Pizano's the night before (better service too!)
  86. Their pizza, in my opinion is the best anywhere, as well as their other items on the menu, I had only stumbled across this treasure on a visit downtown and was lured in by the huge line, a definite sign that something good was on the other side of the wal
  87. The crust is heavenly and the sauce is perfect!
  88. great chicago pizza
  89. AM a Chicagoan, and I never understood why everyone loves that pizza so much.
  90. Good food but bad service
  91. The "dish" is simply this; I've eaten at many of Chicago's pizzeria's and though many of them have their own claim to fame, Gino's East is the MOST at a reasonable price.
  92. If you want to have a great dining pizza experience then GO to Gino's,great food, great service,lot's of laugh's, great price's.
  93. Sometimes throughout the year we will even order a Gino's pizza to be delivered to us on the East Coast (pricey but worth it)!
  94. Too, we like the scene at Gino's so, for these reasons and the reason that the pizza is always excellent, we've driven over 150 miles several times, enjoyed the evening, usually starting out with a pizza and some wine at GE then going on to other attracti
  95. wouldn't have minded paying a little extra for a good pizza but this was definately not worth the money.
  96. Chicago's best deep dish
  97. The pizza is great.
  98. If this is one of the best Chicago pizza places, I'll stay in Missouri and doctor up a frozen pizza from the grocery store.
  99. To say the least, Gino's East has the best pizza and one of the best atmospheres of any pizza place I've been to.
  100. Every year we stop at Gino's East for the best pizza in the world.
  101. The pizza here is outstanding, but the atmosphere is a little bizarre.
  102. especially love the sausage pizza (one big piece of sausage all over the pizza)!
  103. Great value, and great food!
  104. If you like alot of sauce, there it is.
  105. It was probably the best pizza I have ever eaten in my life.
  106. Gino's is a great pizza joint.
  107. This was quite possibly the best pizza I have ever had.
  108. They have a great pizza and no matter how you top it, you can't top it!
  109. The ambiance is good and any pizza you choose is great!
  110. The service sucked, the food was nasty and when we said something to management, they did nothing about it.
  111. We were looking for authentic Chicago pizza last weekend, and several locals suggested Gino's East.
  112. The restaurant was crowded as is to be expected with great food.
  113. this is the best pizza place in the world for sure
  114. We ordered the small famous Sausage and Cheese pizza, and we could only eat 2 slices of the 4 slice pizza.
  115. For those complaining about time spent waiting for their pizza to cook, go home and order Domino's.
  116. Not only is the food excellent, but what's more fun than writing on other people's walls?
  117. The whole time the man that was seating and my waiter were swearing at each other in a different language and it was so loud that my date and I couldnt enjoy our food.
  118. Gino's East has,by far,the best pizza in the world!
  119. This is the BEST pizza I have ever had.
  120. happen to like the corn bread crust and the sausage patty.
  121. This is the best pizza in the world!
  122. Honestly, their pizza wasn't fabulous.
  123. have lived here my whole life and this place is always and will forever be the best pizza in the world.
  124. Gino's pizza tends to be a bit saucy and runny, but it's a good deal and not a bad place to eat.
  125. was very impressed by the wonderful and fun atmosphere and of course the mouthwatering pizza.
  126. By far the peperoni with sausage patties deep dish style was the best pizza I have ever had!
  127. News Flash, pizza isn't good for you but tastes damn good.
  128. Awesome, awesome pizza.
  129. My least favorite dish pizza
  130. best chi town pizza!
  131. Since moving to Florida in 1980 and then California in 1986, I have failed to find a pizza as delicious as Gino's East.
  132. Delicious deep dish pizza with lots of cheese, fried calamari also very good.
  133. Outstanding pizza
  134. Not bad pizza, but not New York style
  135. This pizza is totally overrated.
  136. It was very bland and tasted like a bad taste of bread.
  137. Gino's East does have pretty good and unique pizza.
  138. don't like the cornmeal crust on the stuffed pizza, very bland - but the thin pizza is great.
  139. The pizza was great.
  140. But its good pizza for an appropriate price.
  141. The service was slow this time around (and I'm not talking about the normal wait for the pizza).
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. The patty sausage would be great if it were of the spicy italian variety, but it tastes more like jimmy dean.
  2. And they've got a nice variety of draft beers on hand to keep your thirst quenched.
  3. Their pizza, in my opinion is the best anywhere, as well as their other items on the menu, I had only stumbled across this treasure on a visit downtown and was lured in by the huge line, a definite sign that something good was on the other side of the wal
  4. Great menu!
overall
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. If this is one of the best Chicago pizza places, I'll stay in Missouri and doctor up a frozen pizza from the grocery store.
  2. Still a great pizza, but the new locations lack of the charm of the old Superior Street place.
  3. this is the best pizza place in the world for sure
  4. To say the least, Gino's East has the best pizza and one of the best atmospheres of any pizza place I've been to.
  5. Gino's pizza tends to be a bit saucy and runny, but it's a good deal and not a bad place to eat.
  6. It's a great family restaurant.
  7. What a great place - not only is it the best (and most popular) Chicago pizza place, it's got the best atmosphere.
service
62.160000801086426% positive
  1. terrible service only so so pizza
  2. The server was really nice though.
  3. The service was only ok, the food was a bit pricey for what you got.
  4. Good food but bad service
  5. The service was friendly but our waiter seemed shocked that we didn't want to take a 'doggy' bag.
  6. The atmosphere, pizza, staff are all great!
  7. Many people consider Gino's the best, and though I have to disagree, I would still say it's pretty good.
  8. The service was great.
  9. agree with the person who wrote stating that, as minorities they had received terrible service.
  10. It has great atmosphere, and is nice to eat in if you don't mind a lot of people.
  11. The best tasting crust, and freshest toppings in a friendly atmosphere.
  12. The service was really great as well.
  13. Great service, great food and they make you feel right at home.
  14. Had a wonderful, friendly waiter.
  15. Being that we weren't familiar with the area the waiters were very helpful in giving us directions to our next destination.
  16. Mediocre service at best!
  17. However service was slow and pretty substandard and there is always a long wait.
  18. Never in my life have a I recieved such horrible service.
  19. Gino's is great for people of all ages and you won't be disappointed.
  20. The waiter was unbelievable bad and I would be embarassed if he worked for me.
  21. The service was good and darker appearance gave a special feel to this Chicago landmark.
  22. The service sucked, the food was nasty and when we said something to management, they did nothing about it.
  23. have had several type pizzas around the us and this is one of the greatest pizzas and friendly service.
  24. The whole time the man that was seating and my waiter were swearing at each other in a different language and it was so loud that my date and I couldnt enjoy our food.
  25. If you want to have a great dining pizza experience then GO to Gino's,great food, great service,lot's of laugh's, great price's.
  26. Not only is the food excellent, but what's more fun than writing on other people's walls?
  27. The service was slow this time around (and I'm not talking about the normal wait for the pizza).
  28. The service was excellent.
  29. The pizza also wasn't as good as the one that I had at Pizano's the night before (better service too!)
  30. Excellant food and very good service.
  31. like the food, The place looks great and the service seems nice.
  32. The atmosphere is fantastic as is the service, I just wish it could save the less than inspired pie.
  33. The bad attitude on the waitress was the worst.
  34. Our waiter was nice but overworked since the 4 tables he was working in our area all came in at the same time.
  35. Fun atmosphere horrible service
  36. Went there on our honeymoon and WOW what fun - the service is great, pizza phenomenal and we had more pizza than we could eat and easy on the pocket book.
  37. Most people just rave.
value
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. If you want to have a great dining pizza experience then GO to Gino's,great food, great service,lot's of laugh's, great price's.
  2. This huge space used to be Planet Hollywood, but now is Gino's -- and there's graffiti on everything to prive it.
  3. The wait is worth it this is the best pizza ever !
  4. The "dish" is simply this; I've eaten at many of Chicago's pizzeria's and though many of them have their own claim to fame, Gino's East is the MOST at a reasonable price.
  5. recommend a visit here, it sounds like a lot of money, but it is a good value.
  6. The service was only ok, the food was a bit pricey for what you got.
  7. Great value, and great food!
  8. wouldn't have minded paying a little extra for a good pizza but this was definately not worth the money.
  9. Sometimes throughout the year we will even order a Gino's pizza to be delivered to us on the East Coast (pricey but worth it)!
  10. Overall Gino's is an entertaining restaurant worth a visit.
  11. The toppings are generous and after a long day of shopping on Michigan Avenue it is the perfect delivery to the room!
  12. It is worth standing in line for who knows how long to take the first bite of the famous Gino's pizza.
  13. Their pizza, in my opinion is the best anywhere, as well as their other items on the menu, I had only stumbled across this treasure on a visit downtown and was lured in by the huge line, a definite sign that something good was on the other side of the wal
  14. But its good pizza for an appropriate price.
wait time
60.0% positive
  1. However service was slow and pretty substandard and there is always a long wait.
  2. It is worth standing in line for who knows how long to take the first bite of the famous Gino's pizza.
  3. The toppings are generous and after a long day of shopping on Michigan Avenue it is the perfect delivery to the room!
  4. The service was slow this time around (and I'm not talking about the normal wait for the pizza).
  5. Now when I am back in Chicago, I make sure to order a pizza (the lasagna kicks butt too) and i eat it real slow, enjoying every bite.
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/15/11

SKIP THIS PLACE

by customer no more at Citysearch

After waiting for 45 minutes we were served cold cheese sticks and then 15 minutes later came this horrible deep dish pizza. This place does not know how to make pizza!!

1 Star Rating: Poor

11/12/11

WORST DECISION EVER!

by Lindsey Marsh at Citysearch

traveled to Chicago during a business trip in September. We decided to eat at Ginos to experience Chicago pizza. WORST DECISION EVER!! 2 of my colleagues and I split the deep dish meat lovers pizza & antipasto salad and we all got food poisoning. I was the worst out of the 3 of us. I was so sick I missed my last day of training and had to change my flight to the following day; spending the last day of my trip deathly ill in a hotel room. It was horrible! DO NOT go to this restaurant!!!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/24/11

Everyone is right

by edwinmddw at Citysearch

Everyone is right about Gino's pizza. It has an unusual crust, with some cornmeal as part of the recipe. Most people just rave. However, there is no getting around the crust bit. If you dont like the heavy cornmeal crust this is just so-so. However, if you like the crust this is one amazing pie. The sausage patty version is a signature item. The stuffed spinach and mushroom is great. I love their pies.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/03/11

Best Pizza around

by jp1969 at Citysearch

This is the best pizza in the world!!! there's a ton of cheese and an awesome sauce to top it off, the crust goes with it well. This is by far my favorite pizza.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/02/11

best

by mildredan at Citysearch

The toppings are generous and after a long day of shopping on Michigan Avenue it is the perfect delivery

The Details on Gino's East Of Chicago

Place Categories:

  • best chicago pizza
  • great service
  • great good food
  • best gino
  • best atmosphere
  • best pizza place
  • like corn bread crust
  • not recommend place
  • not like deep dish
  • fun experience
  • nice friendly waiter
  • like sausage patty
  • overworked waiter
  • amazing pies
  • pricey food
  • delicious deep dish pizza
  • not like heavy cornmeal crust
  • enjoy good thin crust
  • enjoy kids
  • love cornbread crust
  • not recommend worst enemy
  • recommend cheese
  • bad taste
  • not as good pizza
  • unique corn
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