This would be a 3.5 for me. Gem is not the best pizza or Mexican food you'll find. But it's mostly good! But larger than the food, there is such a charm that it has. It's a spot that I feel I always need to go to whenever I'm visiting my friends in Quincy. The servers are always kind. The ambiance lets you know that the place is a main fixture of the community. There is a bit of inconsistency in the food. Some nights items taste much better than other nights. But, you do get a heck of lot of chips and salsa! I think no trip to Quincy is complete without a trip to Gem. read more

Gem City Pizzeria - Create Your Own Pizza - Pizza Near Me - Quincy, Illinois

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Gem City Pizza is always a quick and affordable dinner option when family is in town. My pregnancy cravings demanded a half pepperoni and half Hawaiian pizza for myself the balance was perfect although a little greasy on the top but overall the flavor and structure of the crust was there. Not soggy not crispy but a perfect curve read more

It honestly bums me out to write this review. I moved to Quincy 4 years ago and everyone local has raved to me about Gem City. I love pizza. I love Mexican. The unique combination of both had me excited. Unfortunately I've been 5 times over the last few years and I've been disappointed each time. Let me start by saying that the service is excellent. The waiters are always very friendly and quick to address any needs. If I was rating only based on service- this place would be 5 stars. They are very accommodating to our kids as well- which is why we've returned. Unfortunately I don't go out to local restaurants just for their service- I go for the food. And the food here, is what has fell short for me. I've had nachos, many different pizzas, taquitos, and fajitas. The pizzas are good. But good as in average. Nothing unique or interesting or flavorful. Just average ole' pizza. My kids like it- so that's a win. All of the Mexican items I've tried have been lackluster, at best. The nachos have routinely been sparce on toppings- especially if you order an option with meat. The steak fajitas are also served with a very small serving of meat. The taquitos were the most disappointing thing I've ordered; flavorless, doughey on the inside, burnt on the outside, with a dry mixture of beans and meat within. I can eat and enjoy almost anything- but couldn't bring myself to finish even half of one taquito. I've also found that the table areas are kept clean- but the booths often are not. There's crumbs and dirt in the creases of the seating. With small kids who have wandering fingers, this was a bit of a concern for me. This place is almost always busy- so this may just be a product of the amount of traffic vs the amount of staff. Perhaps an employee dedicated just to clean-up would help mitigate this issue? With all of that being said, this is a staple establishment in Quincy that is very loved by loyal locals. So I also want to point out a couple very positive things. The salsa and chips here are fantastic. The hot salsa (green salsa) is so unique with a fun pickled jalepeno flavor that I absolutely love. Their wings are a huge hit with many of my family members- although I've never tried them myself. And they are always very patient and accommodating to my small children (who most parents can agree can be a bit of a challenge to bring out to eat). read more

Favorite pizza joint for me. The pizza is thin and crispy. Highly recommend the Jeff Special.

The pizza was fresh and made to order as it was ordered. It was delicious. The chips and salsa were great. The drinks were kept full as we enjoyed our dinner. The service was super. The waitresses were on the ball and took good care of us. It was packed and the dining areas were a little crowded. (A person tends to overlook all of that when the food and service is so good). A well managed business! Looking forward to going back again soon. read more

The taco pizza was great they need bigger pizza plates so it can hold all of the toppings. My son had 5 sweet teas and the waiter was so nice bringing them over, she was quick about it to. The place looked fantastic and was clean. Chips are awesome! read more

Gem City Pizzeria - Taco Pizza - Pizza Near Me - Quincy, Illinois

This place has a charming feel to it. It seems like it's the type of place that has been part of the community forever, and is sentimental to many generations of locals. It was very busy when we went, but they got us right in, and our food was ready pretty quick too. The staff was friendly. They start you off with a basket of warm chips, and a bowl of salsa. I enjoyed both, the chips and salsa. My wife ordered the margherita pizza and I ordered Jeff's Special. The Margherita pizza was not good. It was drizzled with an olive oil, and I'm fairly certain the oil was rancid. The whole pizza had a stale crayon like flavor to it. Jeff's Special was just ok, but most of what I didn't like about it was a matter of preference. There is huge slices of ham throughout the pizza. Slices as big a yellow sticky note. The sausage was crumbly and dry. I'd be willing to give it another shot, because clearly it's a local favorite. For now, it's 3 stars. read more

The waitresses at Gem City work their tails off and provide fast friendly service, even on crazy crowded nights. I love these the thin but crisp pizza crusts. The chicken nachos are always so delicious. read more

No. Neither the pizza or Mexican are great. It's a favorite of locals but I am convinced that they just haven't had pizza or Mexican anywhere else. I have been asked to dine here on a couple occasions and there is nothing I would order twice. read more

Jeff's special is always a favorite, plenty of toppings and a nice crispy thin crust! Homemade corn tortillas chips with awesome green sauce and excellent salsa. Service is always impeccable and exceptionally nice waitresses that are prompt to serve you, Style is cool with old time jukebox located at your table. Mexican decor and exceptionally clean. read more

Love Jeff's Special his signature pizza, hard to beat this pizza. The Service Staff is excellent and very helpful. Interesting restaurant with unique decor. read more

Don't get carry out from them. They get the order wrong every single time. You call to report it, they offer you a credit on a future order, then when you try to use it, they act like it's a hassle, when THEY are the ones that messed up in the first place. They tie the carry out bags shut so you can't check the order for accuracy. Twice, I've ordered the stuffed steak fajitas and the meat has been overcooked to the point it's burned dry and can't be chewed. How hard is it to see that and realize it shouldn't be served? Gem City has gone downhill massively since COVID. They don't care about accuracy, quality, or customer service anymore. After 25 years of being a customer, I'm finished. read more

Got to come here if your in Quincy. Pizza is still my favorite. Particularly sausage and onion. Husband is from NY so he doesn't like the square pizza part but does like the sausage. Not a big fan of the Mexican (we live in Texas). Still , I try to get here whenever I'm in Quincy. read more

Great neighborhood pizza restaurant. I love the Jeff special plus the all American pizza.

Well the salsa taste as though it was made with a can of tomato paste but it looked delicious. Maybe it's me but I was expecting the taco pizza to come with crushed hard shell taco as a layer somewhere in the mix. OMG the waitress was great and put our leftovers in the to go boxes like a majority of restaurants should do. I first noticed that service dinning at a pfchangs in Austin Texas. The stars are not to represent the service, but the taste of the product tonight. I'm sure it isn't often this location comes across a foodie that is as complicated like me. read more

Gem City Pizzeria - Taco Pizza - Pizza Near Me - Quincy, Illinois

Horrible food. Bad pizza canned cheese in and on cheese enchiladas. Cheese enchiladas made me sick.

Taco Tuesday Yums! I'm not much for consistency when it comes to dining...I tend to try different places and different meals all the time. But then there is my walk from home to Gem City every Tuesday for tacos. I've been going for about five months now and found Aryn to be the best server in town! Occasionally there have been some old tasting taco shells, but the margaritas make it all better. I love me some Gym City and the great service from Aryn. Thank you! read more

Disgusting why serve Mexican if your gonna serve me a big as she'll for a taco and throw canned chicken in it it was cold ah d to call cause they got everything wrong and then it was cold the second time around read more

Gem City Pizzeria - Chicken taco? - Pizza Near Me - Quincy, Illinois

Gem City is a Quincy tradition! Best margaritas in town hands down, while Jeff's special is extremely popular we simply enjoy sausage or ham on Thursday nights when you can get a large pizza and pitcher of margaritas on special for around $15! Service is always top notch! Personally not a fan of their Mexican offerings but pizza is always available so I give it 5 stars read more

Best pizza in the area. Jeff's special. Order it a couple times a month. Delivery service is fast and friendly.

It's sad that we come in and the waitress burns my friend and doesn't apologize at all. Throw in the fact that her only response was "We don't use sleeves on cheap Mexican night." Not to mention she misinformed us when it came to pricing. As a former restaurant manager myself, the fact that no one checked to see if she was ok after initially treating it is frankly a joke. Are your staff not trained in how to handle a customer incident, or filing an incident report? Who are we supposed to contact if this needs to be treated at the hospital as it is already starting to blister? Or is there no one capable of handling that either? "Our establishment is safe because we are wearing masks, but hey we don't care if we burn them instead." Learn how to take care of your guests, not just serve them mediocre food after a 45 minute wait. read more

I grew up in a neighboring town and this place was always my favorite pizza place to eat at. If you get anything other than Jeff's Special you're doing it wrong. The sausage they use is heavenly, and I haven't had it at any other pizza place. The building is neat and the beer is cheap. It's a must-eat anytime I'm in Quincy. read more

Great place for thin crust pizza cut in squares not wedges! They also serve Mexican food that is not so good. Carry out or delivery is the best as the restaurant is very busy read more

I went to Quincy for a family reunion at the beginning of August. After a family event, my dad took us to his favorite pizza place when he was a kid. He ordered an Italian sausage and hamburger pizza. OMG!! Talk a piece of pizza heaven. This was THE best pizza I ever placed on my taste buds. I cannot describe how the cheesy was ooy gooy goodness. The sausage and the hamburger and whatever Italian seasoning on the pizza combined together was so delicious. I am still dreaming about that pizza. I wish I had had time to go pick up one for the plane. Gem City, I will be back and I will have your tasty goodness once again. read more

Oh Gem City Nachos how I miss you. Half order is a deal (it's basically the same with less chips underneath. Cannot beat these nachos. I live on the Mexico border and would fly to Illinois for this food. Are you smoke free yet? Make your restaurant smoke free!!! Margaritas are not too bad for middle America either. read more

Gem city is amazing ! Salsa and chips are delicious as well as the wings ! Jeff's special is the bomb for sure ! Oh can't forget the best margarita in town ! read more

This is hands down one of the worst restaurants I've been to. The chips and salsa were very very subpar. I got the chimichanga and it was disgusting without any exaggeration and the rice was flavorless, hard, dry mice turds. I don't care if this place is a "tradition" so were slaves and as we all know it was wrong. I literally cannot stress enough how disgusting the chimichanga was and when I didn't eat it the waitress said she didn't blame me and the food caters to people who can't taste. And in the end they tried to charge me for it. read more

Gem City Pizzeria - Pizza Near Me - Quincy, Illinois

There is a serious identity crisis in this towns restaurants. Pizza and Mexican, again, with a different name and a different owner. Pizza is raw and soggy in the center and surprisingly well cooked on the outside. I cannot say I am a fan. read more

Without a doubt, Gem City Pizzeria is a true gem! With a proven history of well over 50 years serving Quincy customers, this fine establishment has perfected their culinary expertise. Try the All-American pizza.... try their Mexican menu... try their "make-your-own" pizza, you will not be disappointed! read more

Gem City as many of the reviewers put it is a Quincy tradition. Food is good, drinks are strong, and atmosphere is pleasant.

The chips and salsa are free and amazing! My favorite salsa around is their green salsa. The margaritas are on point and the wings are full of goodness. Oddly enough I don't really like the Mexican dishes here but everything else is dynamite !!! read more

Everything about this place is crap. The salsa tastes like onions & ketchup, the pizza is paper thin cut into brownie squares, the enchiladas are baked with liquid cheese sauce. I'm not kidding! The soft tacos are actully burritos. Service is less than attentive. Less than one star! Locals love it. Outsiders, beware! read more

Don't understand why people like it. Food below average and service worse than that. You can tell there is no manager there in the front helping. So many better options in town. read more

Not good. The salad was fine, but the pizza had a lot to be desired. The sause is light and bland. I'm not sure what kind of cheese they are using. Everything on top seemed to be canned or or frozen. How y'all rate this place a five for the pizza is beyond me. read more

Gem City has the BEST pizza in Quincy. Went there the Wednesday before Thanksgiving for a family reunion and the service from our waitress was great considering there was 27 of us! However, I will say I don't care much for their new "large groups" policy (which I noticed the owners also have posted at The Tower.) We arrived just a few minutes after they opened to ensure a table and they wouldn't seat us until about 20 of us were there meaning many, many smaller parties got ahead of us and we ended up waiting a long time. I understand the concept, however we would have ordered appetizers/drinks and several people in our party were frustrated. Overall though, it was a great night and again the pizza can't be beat! If it weren't for the group seating situation, I would give this place 5 stars. Their food is 5 stars for sure! read more

This place is strictly a Quincy thing, if you arent from this area you probably wont get whiy locals love it. As a native son I have a very soft spot for the Jeff Special read more

I placed an online order for their $5.99 wings. Their online menu says that they're $5.99. When I ordered, I said that I wanted the $5.99 wings. I sent my husband in to pick them up and they charged him $11.86. I showed him their menu. He went back in and they told him the menu price was wrong. He told them I had even said that I wanted the $5.99 wings and the girl said, "okay." They didn't even have wings that expensive on their menu! They literally charged me double what their menu listed. I NEVER leave a bad review, but that is ridiculous. read more

Food was Very Good... We Had both a pizzia and Mexican dishs ..both were very good .service was Great...be ready to wait a few they get very busy read more

Hands down best pizza in town! Jeff's Special Pizza is the way we ordered and every crumb was devoured with enthusiasm! Plenty of good cold beer to wash it down with also. Fri night was standing room only at 6:00 pm so I would suggest an earlier time or just chill as we did for 20 minutes and was seated promptly. This is one busy place a bit off the main drag, but well worth the trip. TCBY accross the street was a fine dessert also. read more

Both the pizza and service are top notch here. All in a very nice setting. A must try!