Giordano’s is the deep dish most visitors to Chicago end up eating, and the one thing nobody tells you before you sit down is that the pizza takes 45 minutes. Everything else about the meal follows from that.
We went after a morning at the Bean and 360 Chicago, with two boys who were already hungry. Here’s what’s on the menu, what it costs, and how to order so the wait doesn’t ruin the meal.
Quick answers
- Stuffed deep dish takes about 45 minutes — it’s baked to order, not reheated.
- Order the pizza the moment you sit down, before you read the rest of the menu.
- Order a starter at the same time. Garlic bread and a salad while you wait is the difference between a good meal and forty-five minutes of “when is it coming”.
- In a hurry? Order the thin crust. Same kitchen, out in a fraction of the time. Almost nobody tells visitors this.
- Share. One slice is a meal. A large feeds four with leftovers.
Where to stay in Chicago with kids — our quick picks
We haven’t stayed at these three — they’re what I’d shortlist based on where they sit and who they’re built for. Our three real Chicago stays are further down. Some links are affiliate links, which may earn us a small commission at no cost to you.
Why it takes 45 minutes, and how to handle it
Stuffed deep dish is assembled and baked from raw when you order it. There is no way to speed it up, and there is no point being annoyed about it — it’s how the pizza is made.
What you can control is everything around the wait:
- Order first, read later. The pizza goes in the oven the second you order it. Every minute you spend deciding is a minute added to the wait.
- Get a starter in at the same time. We had garlic bread and a fresh salad, and it turned a long wait into a normal meal with two courses.
- Watch the kitchen. The open kitchen is genuinely interesting to children for the first ten minutes, which is ten minutes you don’t have to fill.
- Or skip it entirely. If you’re between attractions with under an hour, the thin crust comes out far faster and is from the same kitchen.
How big is it, really?
Bigger than the photographs suggest. One slice of stuffed deep dish is effectively a full meal — it’s a pie with a lid, not a pizza you fold.
A large feeds a family of four with leftovers. Ordering one pizza per person is the most common mistake visitors make, and the most expensive one.
What to order
We had the classic stuffed deep dish with pepperoni and mozzarella, which is the thing the restaurant is known for: layers of cheese sealed between two sheets of dough, with a slightly tangy tomato sauce spread over the top rather than under it.
The menu also runs to thin crust pizzas, pasta, salads and desserts.
Which Giordano’s, and what to expect
We went to the branch near 360 Chicago on the Magnificent Mile.
Expect a queue at the tourist locations at lunch and dinner. The dining rooms are family-friendly, with an open kitchen and Chicago-themed decor, and staff are used to children.
A short history, accurately
The first Giordano’s opened in Chicago in 1974, when brothers Efren and Joseph Boglio began making stuffed pizza from a family Easter-pie recipe. The family story traces the recipe back much further, to their mother in Italy — that part is the company’s own telling rather than documented history, but the 1974 opening and the Easter-pie origin are firm.
Stuffed pizza is now what Chicago is known for internationally, and Giordano’s is the name most closely attached to it.
Is it worth it with kids?
Yes, with the 45-minute caveat handled. It’s one of the two or three things that are genuinely specific to Chicago, the portions mean a family can eat well without ordering four mains, and children who have never seen a pizza cut open like a pie tend to remember it.
If your children are small, tired, or already hungry, the thin crust or a trip to Portillo’s is the better call that day.
How it compares to Lou Malnati’s
The difference is the crust. Giordano’s makes stuffed deep dish — two layers of dough with the cheese sealed between them. Lou Malnati’s makes buttercrust — a single, flakier, butter-rich crust with the toppings on top. Lou Malnati’s opened first, in Lincolnwood in 1971; Giordano’s followed in Chicago in 1974.
Which is better is a preference, not a fact, and anyone who tells you otherwise is from Chicago.
Plan the rest of the day around it
- Our full 3 days in Chicago with kids — where this meal fits
- Where to eat in Chicago with kids — everywhere else we went
- What our Chicago trip cost — we spent more on supermarkets than restaurants, which is what made meals like this affordable
- 360 Chicago — a ten-minute walk away, and where we’d been that morning
- Chicago with kids: our complete guide
Frequently Asked Questions about Giordano’s Pizza
What is Giordano’s famous for?
Giordano’s is world-famous for its stuffed deep dish pizza — a Chicago classic filled with layers of cheese, tomato sauce, and a buttery crust.
How long does it take to make a Giordano’s deep dish pizza?
Giordano’s deep dish pizzas are baked fresh and typically take around 45 minutes to prepare, so plan accordingly.
Does Giordano’s offer other menu items?
Yes, Giordano’s also serves thin crust pizzas, salads, pasta, and desserts — great options if you want a lighter or faster meal.
Where is Giordano’s located in Chicago?
There are several Giordano’s locations throughout Chicago, including one conveniently located near 360 Chicago on Magnificent Mile.
Can I order Giordano’s pizza for delivery?
Yes, Giordano’s offers delivery and even nationwide shipping through their official website so you can enjoy deep dish pizza at home.
How long does Giordano’s deep dish take?
About 45 minutes, because stuffed deep dish is baked to order. Order it the moment you sit down rather than after reading the whole menu, and order a starter at the same time. If you do not have 45 minutes, the thin crust pizzas come out far faster and are from the same kitchen.
Is Giordano’s good with children?
Yes, with one caveat: the 45 minute bake time. The restaurants are family friendly and one slice of stuffed deep dish is effectively a full meal, so a large pizza feeds a family of four with leftovers. Plan a starter to cover the wait, and expect queues at the tourist locations at lunch and dinner.
What should you order at Giordano’s?
The classic stuffed deep dish is what the restaurant is known for. We had it with pepperoni and mozzarella, with garlic bread and a salad while we waited. Order the thin crust instead if you are short of time, and share rather than ordering one pizza each, because the portions are much larger than they look.
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