So apparently this is where the true Evanstonians go. Last night, at Evanston's Holiday Bash in the downtown area, I have to say this place did a great job of keeping our family toasty warm and our hungry tummies full. I ordered a slice of cheese pizza to keep it quick, my hubby a slice of veggie pizza, and the kids had cheeseburgers and onion rings. Daphne L's right about the pizza having a lot of flour on it. I think it has something to do with helping that crust have a special crispy crunch. It probably keeps the dough from sticking to the pan, which aids in helping that pizza coming out quickly - who knows. The pizza was just what I needed. Basic, but reliable. My hubby's slice was fully loaded with tons of green peppers - yum! Beyond generous in size, and I have to say it reminded me of Boston style pizza. Thin and loaded up. Cheeseburgers here are nice and hearty in size and cooked to perfection. Not overly cooked but nice and juicy. The onion rings were what I expected, and you sure to get a lot! Ask for a side of BBQ sauce, it's sweet and not too spicy. We had excellent service from the second we walked in the door. They brought our food to the table, which was unexpected considering how busy they were. Great bar food and lots of seating. Half of the room has picnic tables, which offers that indoor/outdoor type of atmosphere. Bathrooms...I'd probably hold it and hope to make it somewhere else. I do like that they have a key for the bathrooms, discouraging public use, but it was still a little on the gritty side. Sure, I'd come back again if I was in the area, because the value is terrific! read more

Close your eyes and let me magically transport you to Gigios! 1. Picture an Emilio's toaster oven personal pizza 2. Now imagine losing a slice of it under the couch and leaving it there all day 3. Now envision coming home, finding that slice under the couch and paying $2.50 plus tax to eat it Gigios! read more

After my significant other and I ended up getting stranded in Evanston one evening. We decided to grab a bite to eat at this pizza joint. We would pass by this place when we'd visit Bennisons across the street but never really thought of trying the place out. I regret not coming sooner. Our first visit we got a slice of pepperoni and a slice of sausage. We also got a thing of Mozzarella sticks. The pepperoni pizza was superb. However, the sausage out shined it in every way. Both slices are decently big and easy to fold. Much like New York style pizza. The meats were absolutely delicious. That sausage... It had a nice spice to it and you got a good amount of it on your slice. It was honestly probably the best sausage pizza that I had in a long time. The mozzarella sticks really surprised us. Not for the fact that they were good. They shocked us by how much they give you. We're used to places just giving you a small portion of sticks but this place? They give you a basket. The price is fantastic for the amount you get. Overall, I can definitely say you got to at least come once. At least for that sausage pizza. read more

This is an anomoly - it's sort of like New York style, in that it's thin-crust, large, and by the slice. But dare I say it's better than anything NYC has to offer. Chicago does sausage better than anywhere, and a sausage slice and a fountain coke is as good as it gets. read more

A friend who grew up in Evanston told us we couldn't be considered true Evanstonians until we had Gigio's. I am happy to report that I am now an official Evanstonian. Please, please, no applause. The pizza is good. Thin crust, nice seasoning, not too greasy, and a good value. My beef, however, is with the amount of flour, I guess, on the bottom of the crust. It was almost hard to eat it was so powdery. The crust is a nice balance of crispy and chewy, and not soggy. Hopefully the 2nd time will be the charm. read more

Guilty pleasure? Totally. Cop-out dinner? Yep. Ashamed? Not at all. I dig the big, droopy slices of greasy pizza from Gigio's. Not exactly New York style, but much better than the pie found at the local roller rink. Its good-ish. Hits the spot when you don't feel like cooking dinner and you want something honest, simple and good, but not necessarily good for you. So much better than the chain pizza options though a very similar format. The restaurant is not much to talk about. You can eat there at one of the indoor picnic tables. I have. But its a total dive. You don't go there for the ambiance or the service. Perfect for a college town. read more

The cashier took money by hand and without washing hands or use gloves, put pizza in the oven with the same hands. The same issue happened 1.5 years before. I stopped going to this place due to this unprofessional way of handling clients safety. 1.5 years later, I thought that I would give it a try. The same issue. I will not return to this place. read more

I can hardly go to downtown Evanston without getting a slice of sausage pizza. Excellent value and flavor. Been going here since I was a kid and that was a long time ago so I'm speaking from dozens and dozens of slices consumed probably more. They always have several variations of pizza slices available at almost any time. Two slices and a pop and your good for the day. read more

Frankly, the only time I've enjoyed their pizza was when I had it somewhere else as a carry-out or delivered pizza (and then before I knew where it came from. In this "blind" setting - I've actually found the pizza to be quite tasty. I know some people claim that this location in this pizzaria chain is actually the CLEANEST of the bunch. Another friend says "Pizza at Giogio's? - I thought they only sold drugs in there..." read more

Pizza Good, when the employees aren't "cutting" it to feed themselves...I've caught these guys taking an inch off the edges several times at night,,,they use their roller knife to cut an inch off the sides, then stuff it in their face! You wind up with a smaller slice. uggh! read more

I've been eating this pizza for over 30 years. Sometimes 2 slices a day during my 1st year or 2 working in the area (oh, my fatness!). I was worried about the ownership changeover, but I noticed the staff has stayed the same. Guess what, so has the menu, so has the recipes. This is my favorite pizza in the world, and I am resistant to change. Imagine my surprise that it's still awesome. Unsure of these recent reviews saying they changed, talk to this expert. I say it hasn't. I've had 90% of the menu and it's all good. I've never been disappointed in my neighborhood pizza place except for the hours change. But that just tells me stop there after work, not go home and walk back. Become Enlightened and grab a slice of their new daily specials, I like the spicier ones, myself. I used to love Gigios, and I still love Gigio's. Did I mention cheese-tots? Yup. You're welcome world. read more

My son and i became extremely ill after eating this pizza i developed a headache then nausea and vomiting he also vomited . The pizza had sausage that may have been under cooked as it had a funny taste i attributed to seasoning sometimes found in sausages it is now my belief that it was undercooked or poorly stored pork . The rest of the day was horrible for us both unable to function due to pounding headache and upset stomach. read more

I used to go to Gigio's as a boy growing up in the area all the time with my friends. I have my own family in the area now, and we would go at least several times a month minimum. New ownership took over a few years ago. They are rude, expensive, and slices and portions got smaller. We now go once or twice a year strictly out of convenience. Last time I was there the guy passing out the slices gave me a mangled small little slice. I asked for a different one, he gave me attitude and said if I wanted to buy another. I tossed my mangled slice back at him and left. Haven't been back since. Keep up ur shi!!y attitude guys, sounds like from reviews it's working well for you..... A former supporter... read more

After watching a deep-dish pizza Throwdown with Bobby Flay some months ago, I found myself no longer able to eat Chicago deep-dish-- the sole reason being that all the Chicagoans on the show were huge assholes. I do not believe this extends to the entirety of Chicago, nor should it have anything to do with my enjoyment of a dish revered by the entire Midwest-- but you must understand that my reaction is visceral, and (at least temporarily) immutable. So, I'm pretty glad that Gigio's exists near the ol' apartment while I am displaced 800 miles from my hometown. Their pizza has much of what I like in a New York slice-- distinctively tomato-y sauce, a greasy layer of cheese on top, and most importantly, a crust that is just the right level of crunchiness: not soggy, not oily (cough "buttercrust"), not floppy, but nicely floured and with real toasty flavor. All considered, my perfect slice, when laid flat, should have a center of gravity about 3 inches from the crust. So thank you, Gigio's. The difference between Gigio's and a GOOD classic NY slice is that Gigio's cheese slice has almost too much cheese (and therefore just a bit too much salt, worse as the degree of meltedness varies). Also, NY slices are generally visibly larger. Still, not bad, especially for a random Chicago suburb. For the location, I'll pay the $2.30, even if absolute pizza brilliance costs the same back home. The establishment itself isn't the cleanest or most attractive, and actually even gives bad vibes (in part because it is awkwardly spacious and people are not friendly). And it's got nothing on classic New York pizzerias. But you know when the guy uses his bare hands to produce a slice from under the counter and stick it into the oven? I LIKE THAT. read more

I'm a total kid, but I LOVE this place. If my girlfriend wasn't reminding me that I might have a coronary I would probably eat there at least 3 times a week (God, that would be heaven). New York style slices without the attitude or rats and excellent EXCELLENT pizza. If I was filthy rich I would buy the joint and have it in my bathroom next to a XVT42S Vizio television (apparently I can't get that either :-(). Meal of choice: 2 slices of cheese pizza and a can of sprite at 11:30pm after a concert. Mmm... Keep it up guys! read more

I took a train from O' Hare and endured a 2 hour commute during rush hour to eat here for lunch on a purposely overextended layover in Chicago. This place always beats out Buffalo Joe's by just a little bit every time I'm in town. Something about the soda selection, the many pizza ovens, and the fat guy behind the counter with the greasy apron makes me feel right at home. I skipped the pizza this time and went for a Italian Combo with hot peppers, cheese fries and fruit punch instead. I love how they assume you'd want cheese on your combo Italian. Of course you want melted cheese on pork, beef, and peppers! And melted fake cheese on the thick cut fries that guarantee your arteries are getting clogged with every bite. I personally like to try to shove the cheese fries in the sandwich somehow like how people in Pittsburgh do it. They know how to save time on consumption, those people do. A word of warning about Gigio's sausage though-it's flat like a piece of Jimmy Dean's breakfast sausage and not at all like a hot link. It's still spicy, greasy and complements the beef well anyhow so I can overlook the funny shape. The decor, the sign, and the prices haven't really changed much from the last time I visited so it's always good to see the local business thriving. read more

Food, service, staff, location, all top notch! Excellent steak and pork tacos, seasoned well, very tasty n filling! Their black angus burger, amazing! Pizza and turkey burger are also prepared well! Can not miss on any of those choices! Two "thumbs up", guys!!! read more

I'm not upset, just annoyed. Gigio's menu is on their website and GrubHub. Prices are different on both. I tried ordering a pan crust pizza which costs less than $14 on both menus. The employee tells me that the pizza is over $17. Even with delivery fee included (and there's nothing on their website about delivery fees), the pizza should still be $16 or less. I went back online to double check the price and called back. "The pizza is $17+ dollars". Not on two websites it is. I tell him that the menus need to be updated and he aggravatedly says, "I'll TELL the owner".... and hangs up on me. Granted, it was a Friday night, but that tone of voice is always inappropriate. Pizza good-ish, customer service bad (from this and past experiences). read more

Delicious pizza!!!!! Gigio's special is a great choiice (sausage, green peppers, onions, and mushrooms). People here are very nice. I've only done carryout but when I think about needing to get some really good pizza I think about going to Gigio's. read more

$2.50 for slice of OK pizza. It would take 3 of these for a meal. I ordered a hot dog with everything on it, and it never came out. 15 minutes later I asked the guy for it and he made it with his bare hands and put ketchup on it. Terrible. I hate Evanston. read more

Damn, all you haters need to STEP OFF! I've been going to Gigio's for many years now, and despite a minor tiff in middle school (in which my stepmom blacklisted the place for not allowing her inside with rollerblades), have been nothing but satisfied. To debunk the myths: 1. "It's too greasy" Well, nothing to debunk really, but who doesn't want greasy pizza? They have salads too, if you're into that kind of thing. 2. "It's Chicago--we can find better pizza" Yeah, if you're looking for deep dish (if you're in Evanston, check Carmen's), but this is thin crust. Delicious thin crust too. 3. "The only good thin crust pizza is in New York" Please, don't get me started. Pizza is as good as how you make it, not where. And it may not be the same as Ray's or whatever, but does Ray's also serve fries? Didn't think so. There you have it. Personally, I go for the sausage or mushroom. Or both. read more

Stopped in for a slice of sausage pizza and 1) this is NOT NewYork style pizza--not by a mile! 2( the pizza crust was dry and burnt tasting 3) there wasn't that juicy/cheesy goodness you get with NY slices 4) the sausage was plain gross So I tried it again just in fairness and the bottom line is: if you want NY style pizza, you'll just have to go to NY. read more

I won't make any claims about this being the best pizza ever. I find it very good and very reliable, but more importantly, it's the pizza that Evanstonians grow up on (there are plenty of other good, arguably better, pizza places in Evanston, but Gigio's is downtown and sells by the slice). So Gigio's always gets top honors no matter what. read more

All three of my three stars are for the taste of the pizza, which should be the most important factor in evaluating a hole-in-the-wall pizza place, especially one that is going for New York-style slices. No matter what I order, I'm pretty satisfied with the taste. What we have here is an example of how a dose of healthy competition could be beneficial to customers. Those who work at Gigio's know that this is THE place in Evanston for great thin crust slices. There aren't any other options in downtown Evanston. If you want Chicago style, there are many different choices, so the establishments need to stay on top of their A-game. Due to the fact that the customers will keep coming back to get what they want from Gigio's, the service is severely lacking. I am not the type who expects a whole lot from a hole-in-the-wall joint, but it irritates me how the guys make it clear that they really hate their jobs and could care less about their customers. The guys often touch the pizza after it comes out, so it retains the bacteria the hands have from all of the money exchanges and cleaning. If the guy forgets that I wanted my slice to go, I'll mention that it's to go, and he'll slam it in the bag without asking what I wanted on top...so I have to take it back out again to add the oregano and parmesan cheese. Sometimes I don't even get a simple "thank you" when I order. Most of the guys who worked in New York City were way more friendly and didn't hesitate to serve. They enjoyed their jobs. I think another place like this in downtown Evanston could do really well. I find myself dropping by Gigio's only occasionally...when I'm really craving that thin crust slice. It's annoying that I can't take my business (within walking distance) elsewhere. read more

Hungry? This place is perfect for a quick bite on the go. Pizza not too greasy, fold and go. Clean place. Love the neighborhood it's great area and slowly becoming a very foodie destination... read more

When I was a little kid, my dad would take me over to the Tom Thumb to race slot cars. They had a big slot car track in the back room, like a giant-sized version of the little race tracks kids would have at home. Afterwards we'd head over to Gigio's for a slice. Gigio's thin crust tastes different when you eat it in the restaurant than when you order it for delivery. I'm not sure how or why they bake the pizzas differently, but the real Gigio's experience is eating a slice or two right there in the store. See? Chicago can do a thin crust. After Gigio's we'd head over to Deacon's, the dime store, and pick up some candy. read more

Memories!! When I was attending ETHS back in the day lol (10yrs ago) we would come in crownds and order pizza and just have a great time. I love the pizza and cheese burgers!!! The twin cities is soo lame; cant wait to move back read more

Use to be a fan of the pizza But the delivery and Customer service provided has earned them this review, yesterday my pizza was requested at 538pm, I was told that it would be delivered around 6:30 the latest , it was delivered at 710, last pizza with the delivery guy and it was cold Not good , not a happy fan, will look for another pizzeria. read more

Good for a cheap bite, over and over again. A friend of mine says this is some of the best thin pizza in the Chicago area. I don't know what he's smoking, but it's not bad. The crust is powdered and crisp on the bottom, thin, and doesn't tear apart even though the slices are relatively huge. For about two-fiddy, you can have a quick lunch on the way to the ace hardware down the road. The basics are covered, from standard sausage, pepperoni and cheese pizza, to hotdogs, cheesedogs, and chilidogs, and other random appetizers priced average and smaverage. But don't let these other reviews fool ya; this place ain't got the chops for serious pizza-ing, and it definitely isn't a dirty hole in the wall. It's somewhere inbetween, and there's nothing wrong with that. read more

I couldn't decide whether to go with 2 or 2.5 stars for this corner pizza joint. Pizza slices are the only thing I've tried here and they are so-so. The thin-crust slices here are reminiscent of NY-style street slices but not nearly as good. On occasion I'll get lucky and the pizza will be decent but usually the sauce on the pies is weak and the crust lacks any real flavor. At $2.50 a slice it's not a bad deal though if you've got the munchies. Stil it's nowhere near as good as my current NY pizza favorite, Jimmy's in Lincoln Square. The inside of the restaurant is sketchy. Grimy walls and floor and a thick stench of burnt grease that hangs in the air. I recommend takeout only if eating here. read more

I have found it close to impossible to get thin-crust NY-style pizza in Chicago. Everything is either Chicago-style or still has a pretty thick crust and I feel like all you taste is bread! Gigio's service is definitely crappy and it looks like a total hole-in-the-wall BUT their thin-crust pizza (extra well done) is the only pizza my friends and I have ordered in Chicago that hits the spot for a ny-style pizza craving! They're open late and have discount coupons on their website that you should check out. read more

Gigio's is sacred ground: Evanston, home to Northwestern, was always a pretty nifty place to go for shopping and/or a cheap date. A lot's changed over the years, but gigio's is still consistent with their pizza slices and they're close to everything from the train to the bakery. So, grab a paper, buy a slice and mellow out. Gigio's is a local place that is or was, according to urban myth, where John Travolta liked to hang out when he was in town because his sister lived nearby. Spartan at best, it is pretty clean and the food's ---well--- fast and they did supply them little packs of chili sprinkles for the 'zza. Loved the beef, too. Expect the crew to heat the slice for you and it'll be crunchy enough to make up for any shortcomings. When I worked nearby, I haunted the place not for much more than the veggie pizza slice and, like somebody else said, a can of pop for four bucks. Now, combine that with a leisurely stroll through Evanston's nearby rose garden and the day is pretty good. For a guy on an hour's lunch break, a visit to the nearby Mexico Shop or recycled records and used CD stores kept me from wanting to die of crappy-day-job syndrome. To this day, I still shoot over to gigio's whenever I'm in Evanston, regardless of the reason for being there. read more

In an effort to avoid whole foods, I found myself venturing a bit past the Davis L Stop to see what options lay "just beyond the wall". Here I found this nice little spot with similar priced slices available for consumption. Not bad at all. The slices are NYC style thin and floppy. The sauce is decent and the sausage pieces are somewhat flavorful. Not spicy, however not bland either. The price is comparable to WF so for me to continue coming here will be situational. But a leisurely walk during lunch as the sole destination is not going to be one of them. read more

The delivery service of this place is awful. The customer service at the store is awful. If I could give it zero stars, I would. I had to wait 2 1/2 hours for a pizza and salad because, as I was eventually told, the delivery guy quit. I had ordered online and when I called after an hour an half demanded that they refund my tip that I had pre-paid for the driver. They refused. I asked to talk to a manager. They said there wasn't one. I asked to talk to the person in charge of the restaurant and they said there wasn't one. As a customer, I have never been treated this poorly. I really like the pizza from this place, but I will never order from them again. Stay away. read more

If you want a slice of thin pizza fast, this is the place. Nothing fancy, you go to the counter and order, barely a wait, and your pizza is ready - it's as simple as that. One slice is large enough for me. They offer other foods besides pizza, but I haven't tried them. Street parking is always available. And after I have a slice of pizza and a root beer, I go across the street to Bennison's for some macarons. read more

Pizza is generally good, but delivery has been inconsistent. Today was told 45min to 1hr for delivery time, I called at 1hr 10min and was told that the delivery driver just left. Faint apology for the delay but was obvious he really wanted to get back to taking orders. Didn't expect that based on past experiences. Disappointing. Will have to reconsider where we order from. Update: pizza was delivered cold at approx 90 min from time of order. read more

I'm trying to lower the grade inflation I've been having a problem with here on yelp--soooo, this 3 is not an F. It's a gentleman's C, a passing grade. Dinner for two: 2 slices, 2 drinks (I like RC in the can), a large order of fries=$8.50 eat in or take out. But then again, the only horrible pizza I ever had was the plasticy south suburban aurelio's of my youth, and this place is miles above that. I like their crust better'n papa john's. The bathroom though, just...just don't. read more

I'm still giving it four starts for the pizza, but I was reminded yesterday how bad the service can be. I ordered for a friend and between the two of us we got 3 slices of sausage and 1 slice of pepperoni. He put the sausage in the oven and it was outstanding, but I think he forgot about the pepperoni. We started eating the sausage then about ten minutes later we asked if the other slice was ready yet. Unapologetic, he took a small slice that had been sitting out for a while and threw it onto a plate. He could have at least thrown it back in the oven for a minute. I've been coming here my whole life (25 years) and the service has been hit or miss. read more

Consistently serving delicious food with fresh ingredients. Very reasonably priced and the service is fast, friendly and professional. I also like that they often do monthly fundraisers for community projects - that makes me want to support them even more! read more

Our favorite place, my kids love the pizza and meatball sandwich! The sandwich comes with three large meatballs and a delicious sauce. The pizza it's thin (which we love) read more