If one were to launch the “2023 Chicago Deep Dish Challenge”, where should one aspire to begin? While pondering that question I was overcome by the following epiphany: the question isn’t where to begin, but with whom?
And like the ease with which the winds blow across Lake Michigan, our team’s course became clear. We should embark upon this journey with a brave soul upon whom the breezes of good fortune have yet to whisper in this manner. That’s right. Someone who has never yet experienced a Chicago deep dish pizza!
Fortunately Review Team Member @cjlittlebrown agreed to serve as our Chicago pizza muse!
Before sharing some of the details of her maiden voyage into these pizzeria waters, a few housekeeping items:
*You often wait in line to place your order at Giordano’s before being seated and the wait to actually receive your pie after ordering is often 60-75 minutes.
*Thin slice orders can take only 45 mins, but why cheat yourself like that while in Chicago? 🤦♂️
*Patience is truly a virtue and being kind to the staff seemingly got us seated much earlier than others.
When our pizza did arrive it was summarily devoured so completely that the experience motivated a HT Team Member to ask Jasmine (A+ Giordano’s Associate) how “such pizza greatness can be achieved?” To her credit, she was only willing to reveal that the 20 year old oven and pans utilized at this particular location have much to do with the favorable outcome.
My favorite comments submitted by various HT Review Team Members included:
“I am totally stuffed, but with only the good stuff.”
“Go hungry. Don’t have anything but a salad and pizza, and then be sure to WALK back to your hotel.”
“The pizza crust actually tasted like pie crust, it just flakes apart.”
“I’ve just had enough cheese for the rest of the year.”
“Hey, Henry. Make sure you get a pic of the crust butt side up!”
(Yeah, it truly is hard to find good employees nowadays. And when I say “employees” I clearly mean “unpaid interns.”)
If you’re wondering how our pizza muse faired, be sure to scroll through all the pics and I think her reaction will be clear to all.
And that’s…Henry’s Take.
Giordano’s
130 East Randolph Street
Chicago, Illinois
(312) 616-1200
www.giordanos.com
