On a recent road trip into Michigan, I found myself with one goal – don’t go home without tasting authentic Chicago style pizza. On the first part of our trip, the timing just didn’t line up, but on our way back, we hit our time goals just right to have us rolling past Orland Park, IL on the outskirts of Chicago where we could make a lunch stop and get the real deal Chicago pizza as we drove past the windy city. Giordano’s in Orland Park was that lunch stop. Recommended by local family in the area we knew this would be our spot for pizza on this trip.
What Makes Giordano’s Pizza Worth A Stop
Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza vs. Deep Dish
If you’re like me, you may have first experienced Chicago pizza in your own home town, or nearby city, far away from Chicago. Before I had my first Chicago pizza at a restaurant here in Tulsa that subsequently shut down, I always thought of Chicago pizza as the same thing as deep dish pizza. Boy was I wayyyy off. They couldn’t be more different types of pizza.
Deep dish pizza, that you may find at a place like Lou Malnati’s or Pizzeria Uno in Chicago is a single, thick crust pressed into a pan like a bowl with cheese on the bottom and sauce on top.
Giordano’s stuffed deep dish pizza has more layers. Starting with a bottom crust, then cheese and toppings, then a second thin layer of dough laid over top and then finally the sauce above that.
The result is one dense, flavor packed pizza experience and it left me savoring every bite.
What We Ordered
I wanted to make sure that everyone could enjoy this experience so I went for the large, veggie stuffed pizza.
As a family of 4, we couldn’t even finish it. I ended up freezing a few slices to save.
Pizza Cost
The cost of our 14″ veggie stuffed pie was about $40.
Yes, it was completely worth it.
Cook Time
It took about 45 minutes, and they told us that up front when we placed our order. That’s just how long it takes for a Chicago stuffed pizza to cook.
The Giordano’s Experience
I’m sure the crowd varies depending on a lot of factors, but for us, we arrived on a stormy Sunday afternoon, well after the lunch rush, and way before the dinner crowd. There was no wait to place our order at the take out counter, and plenty of seating if we had wanted to dine in.
The restaurant was very clean, and family friendly and it really feels like a pizza restaurant. They’re not trying to be anything else here and I think that’s great.
The staff were friendly and helpful and thankfully emphasized the cook time of 45 minutes to us so we were able to hit some local stores while we waited.
What We Learned: This is Not a Grab and Go Type of Pizza Meal
We definitely could’ve planned a lot better, called way ahead and had our pizza waiting for us, but the biggest takeaway was that this is not the type of pizza you eat in a vehicle while driving. You need a fork at the very least, and if you’re determined to use your hands, you’ll need both of them to manage a slice without dumping debris on your lap.
What To Do
- Call ahead at least 45 minutes
- Dine in – plan on taking the time to enjoy the pizza dining experience.
- Pack up leftovers and take them with you.
Not Going Anywhere Near a Giordano’s Location? They Ship Pizza to You
A friend once did this for a birthday, I’m not 100% certain it was from Giordano’s, but it was from a Chicago Pizza company, and it turned out amazing. I’m certainly going to be ordering a few pies for our next celebration in the family. You can order online at their website here.
Getting There From I-80
Giordano’s is not directly off of the interstate, once you exit I-80, you’ll have a very short 5 minute drive before arriving.
Parking
They’ve got a parking lot – no street parking, plenty of parking available.
Address, Phone & Hours
14325 S La Grange Rd
Orland Park, IL 60462
Monday – Thursday 10:30 am-10:00 pm
Friday – Saturday 10:30 am-11:00 pm
Sunday 10:30 am-10:00 pm
If you’re on your way through Chicago and want to make sure you grab a slice or an authentic pie, I highly recommend giving Giordano’s a try.
Do you have a pizza place we need to visit on our travels? Let us know!
We’ll see you out there.
