Gino's East - Magnificent Mile

Gino's East on East Superior Street is the Magnificent Mile dining room of one of Chicago's classic deep dish pizza brands, a few steps from Michigan Avenue in the Streeterville and Near North Side area of the Illinois city. The restaurant is known for two things: a cornmeal-dusted crust that gives the pie a golden color and a slightly crisp, sandy texture, and a dining room whose walls, booths and tables are covered with diners' handwritten graffiti. Writing on the surfaces has long been part of the experience, and many first-time visitors leave their names alongside the thousands already there. The signature dish is the Chicago deep dish with cornmeal crust, built the traditional way with cheese against the dough, toppings in the middle and chunky tomato sauce on top. The Meat Lover's deep dish, loaded with sausage and other pork toppings, is the other staple. Since each pie is baked to order in a deep steel pan, the kitchen needs about 45 minutes for a full-size pizza, and the staff typically advise ordering immediately and sharing starters while waiting. The atmosphere is casual, noisy and crowded with a mix of tourists, shoppers from the nearby retail strip and local families; there is no dress code, and the room is better suited to groups than to quiet conversation. Beer, wine and soft drinks accompany the pizzas, and the menu also includes salads and appetizers for those who do not want a whole pie. Reservations are generally not the norm here; the restaurant is primarily walk-in, though groups are encouraged to call (312) 266-3337 in advance, particularly during summer and holiday periods when Michigan Avenue is crowded. The restaurant is open Sunday to Thursday from 11AM to 9PM and Friday and Saturday from 11AM to 10PM, so it closes earlier than many downtown restaurants. Pricing is moderate for the location, and a large pie serves several people, which keeps the cost per person reasonable for this central Chicago address.