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When we planned our recent trip to Chicago, there was one thing we all agreed on: we wanted the full Chicago deep dish pizza experience.
Sure, you can find pizza almost anywhere, but when you’re in Chicago, trying deep dish at one of the city’s most famous pizza restaurants feels like a must. So when we met up with friends during our weekend in the city, we headed to Gino’s East – Magnificent Mile near the Magnificent Mile for dinner and a few drinks.
From the moment we walked in, it felt like exactly what we were looking for—classic Chicago atmosphere, walls covered in signatures and messages from past visitors, cold local beer, and the smell of deep dish pizza baking in the kitchen.
Here’s everything we ordered, what we thought, and why Gino’s East remains one of Chicago’s most famous pizza destinations.
A Little History of Gino’s East
Part of what makes Gino’s East so special is its place in Chicago food history.
The original Gino’s East opened in 1966 when two Chicago taxi drivers, Sam Levine and Fred Bartoli, partnered with George Loverde to create a pizza restaurant just steps from Michigan Avenue. They hired Alice Mae Redmond, a talented pizza chef who helped develop the dough recipe that would become one of Chicago’s most recognizable deep dish pizzas.
The restaurant quickly became a favorite among both locals and visitors. Over the decades, Gino’s East earned a reputation for its distinctive golden crust, hearty toppings, and the tradition of guests leaving their signatures and messages on the walls.
Today’s location sits at 162 East Superior Street, just a short walk from the Magnificent Mile and near the site where the original Gino’s East first opened its doors nearly 60 years ago. The restaurant returned to its historic Superior Street location in 2006 after temporarily relocating during redevelopment of the original building.
When you visit, you’re not just grabbing pizza—you’re experiencing a piece of Chicago food history.
The Atmosphere
One of the first things you’ll notice when you walk into Gino’s East is the walls.
Nearly every inch is covered with signatures, drawings, messages, and memories left behind by visitors over the years. It immediately gives the restaurant a fun, lived-in feel and reminds you just how many people have made Gino’s East part of their Chicago experience.
The atmosphere feels casual and welcoming, making it a great place to meet friends, grab a beer, and settle in for a long meal. Deep dish pizza takes time to bake, but honestly, that’s part of the experience. We spent the wait catching up with friends, sharing appetizers, and enjoying a cold beer before our pizzas arrived.
One of the coolest parts of visiting Gino’s East isn’t just the pizza—it’s the chance to become part of the restaurant’s history. The famous graffiti-covered walls have been a tradition for decades. Legend has it that customers originally started carving their names and initials into the restaurant’s wooden tables and booths. Rather than constantly replacing furniture, Gino’s East embraced the idea and encouraged guests to leave their mark on the walls instead.
Today, visitors from around the world add signatures, drawings, messages, and memories to the walls, creating a one-of-a-kind dining experience that feels uniquely Chicago. If you’re visiting for the first time, don’t be surprised if you find yourself looking for an empty spot to leave your own mark before you head home.
What We Ordered
Mozzarella Sticks
We started with an order of mozzarella sticks to share.
These were exactly what you want from a classic pizza restaurant appetizer—crispy on the outside, gooey melted cheese on the inside, and served with marinara sauce for dipping.
They disappeared quickly from the table and were a great way to hold us over while waiting for the deep dish pizza to finish baking.
Deep Dish Pizza
If you’re visiting Gino’s East for the first time, ordering deep dish pizza feels like a requirement. Since we were meeting up with friends and wanted the full Chicago pizza experience, we decided to order two different deep dish pizzas to share.
The first was a classic pepperoni deep dish, which is exactly what many people picture when they think of Chicago-style pizza. The second was a supreme-style pizza loaded with pepperoni, onions, green peppers, and mushrooms.
When the pizzas arrived at the table, they looked more like savory pies than traditional pizzas. Gino’s East’s famous golden crust is thick, buttery, and flaky, creating the perfect foundation for layers of melted mozzarella cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce.
The pepperoni pizza was rich, cheesy, and wonderfully simple, allowing the crust and sauce to really shine. The supreme pizza added even more flavor and texture, with the onions, green peppers, and mushrooms balancing out the richness of the cheese and pepperoni. Having both options at the table was the perfect way to experience two different takes on Chicago deep dish.
One thing first-time visitors should know is that deep dish pizza is filling. A slice or two goes a long way, especially when paired with appetizers and drinks. But that’s part of the experience. Deep dish isn’t fast food—it’s a meal meant to be shared, enjoyed, and savored with friends.
If you’re looking for an authentic Chicago deep dish experience while visiting the city, Gino’s East delivers exactly what you’d hope for.
Thin Crust Cheesy Legend Pizza
While deep dish gets most of the attention, we also wanted to try something different.
The Cheesy Legend thin crust pizza turned out to be one of the surprises of the meal.
The crust was crispy and light, creating the perfect base for plenty of melted cheese and toppings. It offered a completely different experience from the deep dish and reminded us why Chicago’s thin crust pizza often gets overlooked by visitors.
If you’re dining with a group, ordering both styles is a great way to experience two sides of Chicago pizza culture.
Original Gino’s Lager
To wash everything down, we ordered the Original Gino’s Lager.
The beer paired really well with the rich pizza. It was crisp, easy-drinking, and refreshing enough to balance out the heavier deep dish slices.
If you’re looking for a local option rather than a standard domestic beer, it’s worth trying alongside your meal.
Gino’s East Chicago Location
Address:
Gino’s East Magnificent Mile
162 E Superior St
Chicago, IL 60611
Located just one block east of Michigan Avenue, Gino’s East is an easy stop while exploring Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. The restaurant is within walking distance of popular attractions, hotels, shopping, and other downtown Chicago landmarks, making it a convenient place to grab an authentic deep dish pizza during your visit.
Is Gino’s East Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
There are plenty of opinions when it comes to Chicago pizza, and everyone seems to have their favorite spot. But Gino’s East has remained one of the city’s most iconic pizza restaurants for a reason.
Between the historic location, decades of tradition, unique atmosphere, and consistently good pizza, it offers exactly what many visitors are looking for when they want a true Chicago deep dish experience.
Meeting up with friends here made the experience even better. Great food, good conversation, cold beer, and a restaurant packed with history—it checked every box for us.
Tips for Visiting Gino’s East
- Plan extra time if you’re ordering deep dish pizza.
- Consider ordering appetizers while you wait.
- Try both deep dish and thin crust if you’re dining with a group.
- Bring a marker and add your name to the walls.
- Visit before or after exploring the Magnificent Mile.
- Come hungry because portions are generous.
Why Do People Write on the Walls?
One of the coolest parts of visiting Gino’s East isn’t just the pizza—it’s the chance to become part of the restaurant’s history. Nearly every inch of the walls is covered with signatures, drawings, and messages left by past visitors. The tradition began decades ago when customers started carving their names into tables and booths.
Rather than fight it, Gino’s East embraced the idea and encouraged guests to leave their mark on the walls instead. Today, adding your name to the graffiti-covered walls feels like a rite of passage and makes the experience even more memorable.
Final Thoughts
If you’re visiting Chicago and looking for an iconic deep dish pizza restaurant, Gino’s East deserves a spot on your list.
The combination of nearly 60 years of history, a fun and memorable atmosphere, excellent pizza, and a prime downtown location makes it easy to understand why so many visitors make this a stop during their Chicago trips.
Our deep dish pepperoni pizza delivered the classic Chicago experience we were hoping for, the Cheesy Legend thin crust offered a delicious contrast, and the Original Gino’s Lager was the perfect pairing.
Most importantly, it gave us the chance to slow down, catch up with friends, and enjoy one of Chicago’s most famous food traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gino’s East located in Chicago?
The original Gino’s East is located at 162 E Superior Street, just off the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago.
How long has Gino’s East been in business?
Gino’s East has been serving Chicago-style pizza since 1966.
Is Gino’s East known for deep dish pizza?
Yes, Gino’s East is one of Chicago’s most famous deep dish pizza restaurants and is known for its signature golden crust.
Does Gino’s East serve thin crust pizza?
Yes. In addition to deep dish, Gino’s East offers Chicago-style thin crust pizzas and other menu items.
Is Gino’s East good for tourists?
Absolutely. Its downtown location, rich history, and classic Chicago atmosphere make it a popular stop for visitors looking for an authentic Chicago pizza experience.
Are There Other Gino’s East Locations?
Today, Gino’s East operates several locations, but the two Chicago restaurants are:
- Gino’s East – Magnificent Mile – the flagship location at 162 E. Superior Street, just off Michigan Avenue and closest to the original 1966 restaurant.
- Gino’s East – South Loop – located in the South Loop neighborhood near downtown Chicago.
Outside of Chicago, Gino’s East also has locations in Wheaton, Illinois, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and Los Angeles, California.
For visitors looking for the classic Chicago experience, the Magnificent Mile location is generally considered the flagship restaurant because it’s located just steps from where the original founders opened Gino’s East in 1966.
More Midwest Restaurants Worth Visiting
If you’re exploring Chicago or looking for more great places to eat throughout the Midwest, here are a few other restaurant experiences we’ve enjoyed:
- Olive’s Fresh Pizza Bar in Excelsior, Minnesota – If you’re a pizza lover, Olive’s Fresh Pizza Bar is another spot worth checking out. From creative specialty pizzas to shareable appetizers, it’s a fun stop in one of Minnesota’s most charming lake towns.
- Stan’s Donuts in Chicago, Illinois – Looking for dessert after your deep dish pizza adventure? Stan’s Donuts has become a Chicago favorite, serving creative donuts, coffee, and other sweet treats that are worth the stop.
- Ralph’s Coffee Chicago – Located near the Magnificent Mile, Ralph’s Coffee is a stylish place to grab a latte, pastry, or quick break while exploring downtown Chicago.
- Minervas Restaurant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota – A longtime Midwest favorite, Minervas is known for its welcoming atmosphere, excellent steaks, seafood, and classic American dishes. It’s a great option for a special dinner while visiting Sioux Falls.
- Dino’s Pizza in Mankato, Minnesota – For a more local pizza experience, Dino’s Pizza serves up delicious pizzas in a small-town setting that keeps both locals and visitors coming back for more.
Whether you’re trying an iconic Chicago deep dish pizza, grabbing coffee along Michigan Avenue, or discovering hidden gems throughout Minnesota and the Midwest, some of the best travel memories are made around the table.
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