Another Chicago institution, Giordano's features all the best (and the worst) of the other 'institutional' pizzerias, including a kitsch ambient, an extenuating (and unbelievable, if compared to what you get) waiting line, a series of distorted stereotypes concerning Italy and Italians (including tons of garlic, as if we were fed by garlic only in the peninsula), and other common characteristics I have found elsewhere in Chicago, such as non-smiling waiters, and thick pizza. We went for the 'pizza special', which was pretty much as expected, but which also featured (if compared to other Pizzerias) a well cooked crust. The digestion was then challenging but not impossible, and this is already a good plus for the area. To this place, one day, I would come back. Perhaps, plan to sign up for the waiting list long before you expect t... (read more)