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Gio's Cafe & Deli
Categories: Restaurants Delis Restaurants Italian Event Planning & Services Caterers Delis, Italian, Caterers [Edit]
2724 S Lowe Ave(between 26th St & 28th St)
Chicago, IL 60616
Neighbourhood: Bridgeport
(312) 225-6368
- Nearest Transit:
-
Halsted-orange (Orange Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 8 am - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
92 reviews for Gio's Cafe & Deli
Review Highlights
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"my absolute favorite dish is the rigatoni vodka." In 9 reviews -
"the BYOB w/o corking fee is an excellent bonus." In 24 reviews
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"4* Tortiglioni Carbonara." In 6 reviews
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92 reviews in English
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Review from Jacob G.
Chicago, IL
4/10/2012
Gio's has great food. It's better than many of the other Italian restaurants in Chicago and the nearby suburbs. Their pasta dishes and sandwiches are delicious.
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Review from Diana G.
So, I've been back to give their pastas a try. There was only one waitress and about 4-5 tables so it took a little longer to get service, but she was nice.
Fried Mozzarella - Ok, nothing great.
Homemade Baked Cavatelli - My guy ate most of it, but I just sampled a little and didn't really care for it.
Side of Hot Sausage - He said it wasn't even hot as in flavor not temperature. =)
Tortiglioni Carbonara with Chicken - I ordered this and I thought the pasta was cooked nicely, but had to dig to the bottom to get to the sauce. The chicken was dry and for $4, not worth it.
Overall, I think there are tons of better options and for cheaper. I also think it's overpriced as portion is good, but not like how most Italian places where you can eat 2-3 meals out of 1. I think for what you get, they need to lower the prices by a few bucks.
Lunch with 1 appetizer and 2 pasta with the add on of the sausage and chicken and no drinks was $50 including tip. Sorry, but just not worth it.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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2/13/2009
Went here yesterday with my guy. Dined in and the bread they served was good. It was nice and soft… Read more »
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Review from Anthony M.
Chicago, IL
What a difference a year makes!!!
I have been to Gio's several times and I have had some great food but I am sorry to say I believe that run is now over.
I was taking my Dad out for a special lunch today and I was totally letdown with the food. My chicken parm was not hot at all and we were sitting right next to the kitchen. I believe that our food might have been sitting for a while, which is not acceptable. Now that I look back I may know why our food was just warm! The waitresses today were busy stocking and prices the sodas at the front of the store. (for those who have never been here this is a grocery store with tables in the middle...it is a cute novelty)
Also, It was not crowded for lunch today which is surprising because the last couple of times I have been here it has been hard to get a table.
Also the Cajun pork chop special today was killed and killed again...talk about cooking a piece of pork until it was dry and tasteless.
It is so sad because I have no idea what has happen here. I know that Gio's has new owners and things change but it is sad to see such an amazing place turn bad. I spent over 50 bucks for lunch today and it was terrible...some of the worse food I have ever had. I cant even call it an off day for the cook because the restaurant was almost empty...there was no pressure on the cook to get a large amount of orders out.
The last straw...I noticed there is a new 4 buck charge for a corkage fee. I have never had that fee in the past. And guess what? I opened my own bottle...if I could go back in time I would have made the waitress open the wine...she didn't even come around and fill up anyone's glasses. Now I know but it would have been nice if she would have said something to me about it in the beginning...so there wasnt that shock after getting the bill. I was also charge tax on it too...honestly if that charge is going to be on the bill it needs to fall under the service charge area and not as an item because I didn't actually order anything! Oh yeah and it makes the bill look even larger but don't worry I didn't tip on it. I am sure the waitress is mad when she did the math but hey enjoy your 4 bucks because it will be the last one I will ever spend here!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/17/2011
I have been here two times and this place is totally different. There is nothing like this in the… Read more »
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Review from stacy k.
Chicago, IL
5/20/2012
This place is a must for anyone working, living or simply dining on the south side. I first discovered this place when seeking a good lunch place in the Bridgeport neighborhood. So glad I did. This is a great destination for great tasting food, especially the soups, which taste like they were made my my grandmother.
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Review from Sandra M.
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Have lived here for 6 years and have heard about Gio's, but just hadn't been able to make it there. We finally did after yet another recommendation from a friend following a kids sports game. Went there for lunch. The chicken parmesan was really good...the portion was big, so both kids split one order. There was plenty. I had the tortiglioni carbonera...delicious. My husband had some steak dish that he liked. The bread they served was so good...couldn't stop eating it. Crusty on the outside, soft and warm on the inside. Took a menu home for future deliveries. Will definately order from here again in the future. The restaurant is inside a grocery store with lots of Italian groceries as well as a deli with fresh cheeses and meats. I'll be back this week for that.
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Review from Karen N.
6/22/2011
It was a very enjoyable meal in our neighborhood. Everyone has described it perfectly already... mom and pop style, good food, byob, you are sitting inside a store, good prices.
We had the most excellent Italian salad, grilled calamari, and ricotta baked cavatelli. Chicken marsala was not that good, sauce was too watery and too sweet. But the entire experience was so good that the bad chicken marsala doesn't detract from my 4 stars review. -
Review from Matt K.
Chicago, IL
5/21/2011
I'm big on consumerism. You pump money into the wonderful Mom and Pop shops who provide you with great meals, strong service and affordable prices. You avoid the places that overcharge you for food that lacks the quality and the passion. If you, like me, support consumerism, then head down to Gio's at once.
The environment is quintessential old school. Gio's welcomes customers with open arms, but yet when you walk in, you know and they know that you're in "their" neighborhood joint. It's as if you've traveled abroad.
The dishes are outstanding. Bold and filled with flavor.
The prices are outstanding. Huge value here, and almost every dish provides a sizable leftover.
It's BYOB, too.
I can't endorse Gio's enough. -
Review from Elizabeth F.
Chicago, IL
Always excellent, every time.
Gio's is a very nice, neighborhood restaurant, deli & Italian specialty store all rolled into one.
I order carry-out from Gio's all the time as they are just down the road from my house. I usually order sandwiches & salads for carry-out... plus the occasional cannoli.
The staff are so friendly & attentive & have come to recognize me every time I stop in.
I am very much looking forward to going out & having a proper dinner at Gio's. Considering it is BYO wine, I am just dying to dine-in with a bottle of red wine & try yet another one of their amazing pasta dishes... & maybe a cannoli for dessert if I have been good. :) -
Review from Tim S.
Chicago, IL
12/21/2011
Such a cool set up...a little restaurant inside a deli. My panino di prosciutto was awesome and the BYOB is def something I'll take advantage of next time.
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Review from Allison G.
Chicago, IL
7/18/2011
Simple and delicious! This is a small grocer and deli. The bruschetta has a pop of flavor.
I had homemade baked cavatelli with mozzarella, marinara, and ricotta. It was comfort food at its best, and portions are HUGE.
This is a byob local neighborhood place. It's great fun. -
Review from Steve M.
Chicago, IL
1/13/2011
After reading all of these awesome reviews, and being new to the bridgeport area, I decided to give it a whirl.
Very low key and quaint. I enjoyed the home style atmosphere inside. I Hate when authentic Italian joints try and lean towards "fine dining" and make themselves look dumb. On to the food. I ordered the Grilled Calamari and to my surprise it most definitely had been frozen. Very tough. Another issue is the garnish it sits on is much too overpowering for a light seafood like calamari, ease up on the seasoning and keep it fresh!
I had also ordered the Linguine Diavolo and the shrimp was much better than the calamari. The button clams were cooked just right and the sauce was awesome. I will definitely be coming back for the pasta.
Another good thing is the portions, they don't try and nickel and dime you here, they know that an $18 pasta entree can't be skimped on. Overall I feel it could have been much better, but am definitely not complaining; but who knows, maybe the chefs had a bad day in the seafood department, it happens.. -
Review from PJ S.
New York, NY
2/28/2011
It's hard to find real Italian in the Midwest, even in Chicago, but Gio's does the trick. It's basically a corner grocery with a few tables and a kitchen and wait staff. Prices are great. Fun with a group. Definitely try the sausage and pepper appetizer if you are a sausage lover.
You'll be back. (You have to come back, everything else in town is casual-dining chain restaurants with ketchup for sauce.)
Note: one review commented, "I ordered the Grilled Calamari and to my surprise it most definitely had been frozen." Come on now, you are 900 miles from where the squid live. Snap out of it; it's all frozen!
Another note: I have the same name as a local politico who was doing time in Joliet. I called in a large order to be delivered for a meeting once and when it was delivered, the driver kept quizzing me about who I really was -- he needed to see my photo id. It turns out, they had thrown in platters of free deserts for their friend, who was so friendly that a judge had decided to send him away. Just sayin' -
Review from Maram K.
Chicago, IL
4/8/2011
The quaint neighborhood place has a beautiful family feel.
It's like you're eating in a little shop in Italy somewhere (don't know where, I've never been, but only imagine).
We always have excellent service (for lunch or dinner) and there are new specials every day.
My other half usually goes for the chicken parmigiana and I will usually share that (because it's HUGE) and split an appetizer. I'd recommend the grilled calamari, with lemon and with or without their house hot sauce.
I keep telling myself that one day, I will walk out of there after a great meal with some of their pasta, sauces or other items they sell in their shop. I never do ONLY because I feel so incredibly full, the very last thing I want to think about is eating! -
Review from Aaron L.
Chicago, IL
1/30/2011
4* Panino Italiano
4* Tortiglioni Carbonara
3* Pasta Fagioli
3* Rigatoni with Vodka cream sauce -
Review from amanda g.
Chicago, IL
11/13/2011
this place was delicious.
super casual, neighborhoody, and delicious.
we had the vodka rigatoni and the cavatelli. yum. both were great. we also had the tiramisu for dessert. and it was very good as well.
the atmosphere is very casual, almost like you're eating in the middle of a casual italian grocery.
the byo aspect is really nice as well.
thumbs up gio's. see you again soon. -
Review from Shannon S.
Chicago, IL
1/13/2011 3 Check-ins Here
A friend of mine originally recommended this place to me stating the pasta was amazing, the bathroom is interesting and the sauce is good but not as good as his moms. It wasn't until I started driving my son to school at Mark Sheridan that I actually noticed it in the neighborhood and decided to give it a shot. Boy, am I happy I did!
This place has all of the elements I love about eating out. Although Gio's is a deli and a grocery store as well as a restaurant, the dining experience still has a very nice level of intimacy. The service was fantastic, the food was great and it's BYOB!
I stopped in for late (and carb-o-licious) lunch one day after picking my son up from school. We were greeted by the door and left to choose a table for ourselves. The walls were lined with Italian goodies such as cookies, breads and sauces. There were freezers stocked with pastas and gelatos and a deli counter full of cheeses and italian meats.
Normally I am of the mind set that it's not worth it to go out to eat at an Italian restaurant since I can make a lot of the food in my kitchen of equal or greater value. This is not the case with Gio's. I would eat there every day and be thrilled about it if I wasn't concerned about my waistline.
Some of my favorite dishes include the arancini (a must have), the rigatoni vodka and the tortiglioni carbonara. I've also ordered a bunch of dishes from the specials menu and they have delivered every time.
I am in love with Gio's and I have a sneaking suspicion Gio's is in love with me too.Listed in: Bridgeport: Not Only for…, Bring Your Own…
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Review from Erica E.
Chicago, IL
1/11/2011
This review is only about their catering, I have not been to the restaurant. My meeting got a wide variety of food:
The good:
caprese salad: thick slices of mozzarella with huge tomato slices, onions and basil. delicious
Italian salad: Had a lot of good flavors that melded together well. I particularly liked the garbanzo beans and roasted peppers.
tiramisu: mmm this was a nice end to the meal. Would definitely eat again
The not as good:
cheese ravioli: did not taste homemade, was pretty bland. I thought the marinara sauce was nice though.
chicken marsala: the chicken was not very moist. The sauce was ok.
gnocchi: a little soggy, but it had been sitting out for a bit. Definitely not fluffy pillows that I normally think of gnocchi.
Lasagna: tasted nice, again, nothing special
I think my overall impression was: OK. I've experienced better. However, I admit that the experience may be much different in a restaurant vs. serving myself out of an aluminum tub. -
Review from Brian T.
Chicago, IL
7/24/2011
Rad plus Awesome multiplied by Cowabunga. Did I just blow your mind? I don't have enough positive adjectives to describe this place. Unfortunately, the ladyfriend thinks it's awkward eating inside of a half-a$$ed supermarket and it's a trek if I plan on eating alone. I vow to return!
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Review from Melanie S.
Chicago, IL
4/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
After an aborted attempt to eat at Han 202 last night, and discovering it was closed on Mondays ( I edited Yelp business info page), my friend and I ventured into Gio's Cafe. She's eaten here before and liked it so I was happy to go as we have similar taste in food and restaurants.
Gio's is one part deli, one part grocery store, and one part sit-down restaurant. Cans of San Marzano tomatoes and jars of giardinera line the shelves. The menu is huge for being a relatively small place. You half expect a little Italian grandma to come out of the kitchen. It just feels like someone's house. I love little places like this as you just know the food will be good.
We were both going to start with a house salad but the waitress talked us instead into splitting the Italian salad. She was spot-on in her recommendation. It was a great salad, chock full of crispy iceberg lettuce ( I like iceberg; don't judge me), cucumbers, tomatoes, garbanzo beans and shredded fresh mozzarella, and topped with the just the right amount of vinaigrette dressing. It was the perfect start to the meal.
I ordered the chicken vesuvio for my entree and my friend ordered the tortiglioni carbonara. The chicken vesuvio was really good; it had a light white wine sauce that was not overly garlicky and came with vesuvio potatoes and peas as any chicken vesuvio worth its salt should.
I was really jealous of my friend's pasta dish. It was what looked like fusili in a light cream sauce with mushrooms, proscuitto and peas. I was hoping she would offer me a taste, and bless her heart, she did. It was delicious and I actually liked her entree better than mine. I am definitely going back and getting that.
We sat there sipping our red wine and I just absorbed all the activity in this little gem. Orders were flying out the door; the waitress was chatting with everyone, and all were enjoying their food. You won't find this kind of camaraderie at Olive Garden, folks.
I don't venture into Bridgeport all that often, but I'd definitely make a special trip to come to Gio's.Listed in: The Italian Job
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Review from Carolynne M.
Chicago, IL
2/25/2008
Ah Gio's, mi amore, you are one fabulous place. Everything I have ever sampled has been just pure perfection. From your Arancini to Pasta Fagioli to Capellini Alle Scoglie (seafood pasta) I have never been disappointed. If I had two wishes it would be this: #1 that you were a tad larger and #2 that you moved to be a block away from my house.
Oh who am I kidding you are awesome just as you are. I cant wait for the next time I find myself on the South Side so I can order a Caprese Salad and some Peach Ripieni Di Frutta! Baci Gio's! -
Review from G R.
Chicago, IL
7/30/2009 1 Check-in Here
If I were just reviewing the food, this would be a solid four star review. Everything was very good, I had the Chicken Vesuvio, and my friend had the Chicken something else...I don't remember, however I remember she did approve. We also had one of the tomato salads as an appetizer. The bread was warm and had a crispy crust.
As the other reviews say, yes the place is a little corner grocery store setup, only instead of shelving in the middle, you have a grouping of tables. So the setting is a bit tight, but in a nice homey way.
What earned the fifth star, and I'd add more if I could was our waitress, friendly and professional. Very attentive without being overbearing. The plus was that this place is a BYOB, we did bring a bottle and when we polished it off, she brought over a bottle with a bit left in it and asked if we wanted it, she also had another bottle that she offered to the next table. What a nice touch.
I recently moved into the area and I'll be adding this place to my list of regular places. My thanks go out to my favorite cookie place in the area, Biscotti's Galore and More, I asked them for some ideas being that this area is restaurant challenged. So when one Italian business owner tells you about good food at another Italian place, it's a recommendation you can't refuse.Listed in: Things South of the "0"…
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Review from Hector M.
Chicago, IL
11/25/2007
This has been my hidden gem for a few years now but I know the secret is out. This is probably my favorite restaurant. I have eaten just about everything off the menu and I have yet to have a bad meal.
Their specials are always right on! I love their seafood and it always comes out fresh with lots of flavor. The sausage & peppers appetizer is so big that you could have it as your entree. Also try the pasta fagioli its the best in the city.
I have a new position at work and I was relocated and one of deliveries spots has become Gio's.
+BYOB+ -
Review from Dane K.
10/27/2007
Imagine a small neighborhood Italian grocery store, then take out the inside aisles of shelves and replace them with tables...Then put together all of grandma's recipes and cook good food. That's pretty much what this place is. The place lacks a little ambiance but makes up for it in the food.
It's very very good... Went on a Friday night and though every table was full there wouldn't have been a wait really... Had the carbonara, which was delicious.
Fairly inexpensive, most of the pasta meals are around $10, with the seafood being a little more.
They also have a good deli selection and cheeses to go...
It's also BYOB. -
Review from Mike B.
Chicago, IL
5/29/2010
Gio's cafe, I would be so thin if I never discovered you.
Gio's is the greatest secret bridgeport holds. I'll go on the record as saying this is the best italian food in all of Chicago, and nobody would expect it to be if they caught a glimpse of it from outside. Tucked away at the corner of 27th & Lowe, and resembling a co-op, most would expect it to be utterly run of the mill.
Never judge a book by it's cover. Everything this restaurant serves is exquisitely prepared, reasonably priced, and delicious to the last bite.
They give you fucking free bread and olive oil too!
It's just.. really good. Though, I do not like the plastic cups they give you if you order a drink. They should probably get some nicer glasses.
So.. do that, Gio.. assuming you're a real person & still alive.
Blessings to your restaurant. If you ever close, I'm jumping off the 24th street bridge. -
Review from Double L.
Chicago, IL
8/27/2007
I'm tempted to write a bad review of this place just so people don't find out about it, it was that good. I'm mean really, really good. You would have to be blind, dumb, deaf and hard of smelling to not realize how good Gio's is going to be the minute you walk into the place. It screams "You just came up real big, you lucky bastard. Now sit down and get ready to eat some good food."
Screw Taylor Street, 3 day old leftovers from Gio's is better then anything you are going to find on that street. But if you feel the need to overpay for average food, Taylor is one block north of Roosevelt, restaurants start west of Halsted.
Gio's is equal parts neighborhood cafe, deli, sandwich shop and amazing homestyle, fresh, tasty Italian cooking.
It is BYOB, so that is a plus.
We had one of the special appetizers for Saturday, Crabcakes, they were real good. Fried Calamari is great too and we shared some Ravioli. Everything was excellent, best Italian food I have had in a very, very long time and that probably was made in one of my family's kitchens. This place is by far the best Italian food restaurant I have been to in Chicago.
Take a trip down to the Southside and check it out.
RrL -
Review from David W.
Chicago, IL
10/25/2007
I Heart Gios! Gio's is a hard core old fashioned Italian joint that I was in love with at first bite. The portions are ginormous and they just don't focus on quantity, their primary focus is quality. Gio's sits on the corner of 27th and Lowe in Bridgeport about a mile or so from Comiskey, which for some makes it geographically undesirable. I ensure you that it's worth the drive or bus or train you will take to get there. Oh, did I mention that Gio's is BYOB!
If you eat encased pork products, like me, you must order the sausage and peppers. The sausages are grilled to absolute perfection and served with a healthy dose of grilled red and green peppers. The actual sausage has a bit of a kick, but I would not call it spicy. Be sure to sop up some of the sausage juice that coats the bottom of the plate, it's to die for. In addition to the sausage and peppers, we typically order an Arrancini. An Arrancini is basically a ball of rice, stuffed with meat, cheese, or spinach dusted in breadcrumbs and deep fried. They also bring out a lil gravy for you to dip her in. Yummy!
When it comes to entrees, I have had just about everything, but 9 out of 10 times I order the Tortiglioni Carbonara. It's heavy, it's rich, it's abnormally large in size, and I finish my plate every time. You know you can't reheat a cream sauce! Other can't go wrong dishes include the Penne Melanzana, the Rigatoni Vodka, and the Chicken Parm. The tiramisu is delicious and the espresso is espressolicous! A perfect end to a perfect meal.
Gio's is unique in that it's half Italian grocery store and half Italian restaurant. It's one of the few places in Chicago that makes you feel like you're on the east coast. When you enter the wall to your left is lined with stand up freezers and fridges that contain drinks, desserts, and plenty of take home frozen pasta options. The wall to your right is filled with canned and dried goods. Finally the back wall is where you will find the deli counter. You may be thinking, "Where is the restaurant?" It's smack dab in the middle. Roughly ten tables sit in the middle of the equivalent of one really wide grocery store isle. Every time we go I end up roaming around and picking up something to bring home.
The service is always excellent! After your fist visit you feel like part of the family. If you are Sox fan, which I am, when they are playing you can watch the game on a small set that sits atop one of the freezers. Is there anything better than watching the White Sox while devouring a plate of sausage and peppers?
1 Sausage and Peppers
1 Arrancini
1 Tortiglioni Carbonara
1 Penne Melanzana
1 Tiramisu
1 espresso
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$45Listed in: Chicago Under $15
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Review from Jessica C.
Chicago, IL
10/10/2008
I will personally get physical on anyone who dares to diss this restaurant.
Because this is my favorite FAVORITE restaurant in the city. And I am very experienced in eating (no, really, I'm on Weight Watchers).
The waitstaff and Gio himself know me and my posse personally because we are regulars. JoAnn is my homegirl, she's like a family member. Funny I say that because I often see people who know each other reconnect at Gio's. It's that kind of place.
They try to predict what we're going to order (which is typically rigatoni vodka. delish). It's BYOB without a corking fee and the cuisine is absolutely superb. Being a first generation Italian American, might I say that the food is delicioso, or, for those of you who don't speak eye-italian, super yummy. Mama like.
The bathroom is down a shady flight of stairs and you have to walk through the kitchen to get to that flight of stairs. It's reminiscent of walking through the kitchen on a Sunday afternoon as your Nonna slaves over a pot of simmering gravy and threatens to knock you out with her wooden spoon. Ok, just kidding, my Nonna would never do that and neither would the cooks at Gio's.
The setting itself (an Italian grocery store) is hilarious and original. I oft joke about buying my cereal or laundry detergent after dinner. One time, I actually needed to buy 2 lightbulbs, but they don't sell those.
I would recommend the calamari, rigatoni vodka, penne mellenzana and the italian sausage. They deliver too and offer an online coupon. Gio once gave me a free Baci candy during Christmastime after we talked about regions of Italy. Now I'm just bragging.
In conclusion, Gio's = my favorite. -
Review from Lupe d.
10/6/2010
I love this place and am so happy my boyfriend took me here, I thought it was so romantic - for a restaurant set in a deli! It's so charming and the food is so delicious! The pasta is amazing, the caprese is fresh and delicious, I love their chicken vesuvio and the potatoes are soooo good - there is nothing here that I have had that I did not like! Such a cute place nestled in between this little deli.
We've also come in to pick up sandwiches from the deli to take to Sox games and they are also really good. Do yourself a favor and give this place a try, you will not regret it! -
Review from Nicole B.
Chicago, IL
9/6/2008
BYOB, and bring lots of it, 'cause the service is slow! The food makes up for it, though. It's hard to find good pasta in Chicago and Gio's has got it!
The atmosphere at this place is... unusual. Basically, you're dining in an Italian grocery store. It's a little brightly lit and less cozy than other places, but it's charming in it's own way. Plus, as I said, the food makes up for it! -
Review from Nick L.
Chicago, IL
2/3/2011
I've been in Bridgeport for about 6 months now and I just found out about this place a couple of days ago. It was a great. They have a pretty extensive menu of nothing but Italian food. It also doubles as a deli and grocery store. The deli consisted of a wide variety of italian meats and cheeses and against the walls are shelves with anything you could possibly need to make a homemade Italian meal. I glanced at a few price tags and it didnt seem outrageous, but its definitely not a cheap as a Food For Less, but you can't get a majority of this quality of food at a FFL either. I had the chicken marsala the first time I was there and it was amazing. The pasta was cooked perfectly, the mushroom sauce was terrific, and the two 4-5 oz chicken fillets were tender and juicy.
They don't serve alcohol but you are allowed to bring your own in with you, and they charge you a small few. ( Im not sure how much.)
This seems like a great place to go to lunch or dinner with a girlfriend or wife. Its not too fancy, but it has an authentic Italian feel to it, which I loved.
Get service. Everyone was polite.
I think my bill for the chicken marsala and a coffee came out to about 14 bucks. A little steep for a lunch but the food was well worth it.
They also have sandwiches, apetizers, pasta, sea food pasta, chicken and steak dinners. -
Review from Victor O.
Chesterton, IN
9/4/2011
Very good food, with perfect portions. I would go there whenever I'm in the neighborhood. Delicious!!!!
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Review from Tom C.
Chicago, IL
2/1/2008
Let is snow, let it snow, let it snow. And when you get hungry call Gio's. Their food is great and if you are in delivery range it is probably the best delivered Italian food that I know of. The restaurant has so much character too. You really feel like you are in an Italian Deli. This place always has amazing specials and the delivery guy pretty much knows me by name. Tell him hi next time you order.
P.S. Get the grilled calamari for an appetizer. -
Review from Luis L.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 2/9/2009
At the suggestion of another Yelper, who actually emailed me to complain about my low rating of Gio's Cafe, I tried their Arancini.
http://en.wikipedia.or...
This is the only dish I've actually enjoyed here. It's an appetizer, but the thing is just so big, I eat it as a meal. Yum!
I still don't go here to dine in. It's a strange place; VERY "South Chicago." You have to experience it to know what I mean. I actually believe that most of the people that rate this place highly do so because they're biased in favor of it for reasons that I can't decipher, like maybe the food is very much like what their mom or granny used to make. Or maybe the vibe in the restaurant is such that SOME people simply feel more comfortable in a place like........ that.
Whatever, maybe I'm too used to frou-frou Italian food to really appreciate the home-style stuff, which I suspect is what they serve here. Aside from the Arancini, the other dishes I've tried here are uninspired and uninteresting. So if you've never had Arancini, and are hungrily wandering the neighborhood, try the Arancini.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/27/2008
I can only say a few good things about this place. They sell some pretty darn good desserts. Italian… Read more »
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Review from Jeffrey H.
Chicago, IL
9/18/2011
Went to Gio's last night and had another great meal. I tried the Shrimp Diablo and the dish was outstanding. The dish was spicy and the shrimp were great. Definately recommend the dish and the restaurant.
The restaurant is nothing fancy and is BYOB. The food is outstanding!!
A true neighborhood gem. -
Review from Jean C.
4/17/2010
My friend at worked wanted to order out for lunch since she didn't bring anything. I brought my usual peanut butter and jelly sandwich and thought I might want to eat something else. This place was recommended to us by another lunch buddy. He had just recently dined here and enjoyed the food. I looked at the reviews on Yelp, found their menu and ordered the hot pepper and egg sandwich.
When that sandwich arrived, I took a bite and burned my tongue. It was still very hot! That immediately was a good sign to me. The sandwich was delicious! Great Italian bread too. The sandwich was huge and was around $5. Great addition to our lunch delivery rotation! I now need to just get over there so I can try other items on the menu! -
Review from Doug C.
Chicago, IL
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Service was kind of weird but the food was great.
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Review from Kate D.
Chicago, IL
9/4/2011
We take out from Gio's when we want some good italian food. The fried mozzarella is amazing. Super-chill atmosphere, great neighborhood place!
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Review from Amanda S.
Chicago, IL
9/19/2010
I'd give the deli 5 stars and the restaurant 3 stars.
The deli has the most AMAZING fresh mozzarella cheese that you'll ever find. It's slightly more expensive than your average grocery store mozzarella balls, but definitely worth the money to make delicious homemade caprese salads. They also have a nice selection of gourmet meats, other cheeses, and a freezer full of delicious homemade pastas and sorbets.
The restaurant itself leaves a bit more to be desired. I guess you can call it charmingly cute and cramped, but to me it feels awkward. Even when you are buying groceries, you're forced to stand amongst the tables of diners since the space is so tiny.
I had the seafood cappellini, which was good, but comparable quality found in almost any other Italian restaurant in Chicago- I expected more in Bridgeport! The pasta portion was large, but I got 2 shrimps, 2 mussels, and 2 clams in my entire plate and I guess I expected a bit more for the price.
Typically I'm OK with no-frills places (see Heart of Italy restaurants) but I do wish they'd spruce up/expand a bit to improve the ambiance. Until then, I'm doing take out here! -
Review from Katrina B.
Chicago, IL
2/2/2008
After all of the great reviews we were excited to try Gio's. Then we found out it isn't open Sundays when we tried to go for lunch. Armed with this knowledge, we recently tried it on a Saturday for lunch. It was pretty tranquil, but I'm sure dinner is as busy as people say. They do have a great array of meats, pastas and other Italian culinary items. We sat down for lunch and enjoyed the bruschetta before a sandwich with pasta.
The ambiance is definitely deli, with stark decor. But it's definitely a comfortable and friendly place to eat. The bruschetta was tasty with toasty bread and a cool mix of the usual toppings. I'd like to try the grilled calamari that others have mentioned. We did see the calamari that looked like it had a lot of batter on it, a style I don' like. I had a hot chicken sandwich that was simple with wonderful flavor. My companion had a special, pesto with checken and fettucini. The pesto was creamy and had too much oil on it, but a ton of great flavor. We'll be back. -
Review from Carl B.
Chicago, IL
12/20/2008
Fantastic little place for a relaxed, cheap BYO meal. The staff is very friendly, helpful with everything, eager to recommend and describe menu items for you, etc. I've tipped 30% because the food is underpriced and you have to reward effort like that. Granted, I've only been twice, don't want to oversell it.
I've had the focaccia sandwich that's the size of the plate. I want to say it was 7 bucks, but it's been quite a while. Arrancini, chicken scampi, hot bread, herb olive oil on the table. All good, homestyle stuff.
They have some good things to buy as well. Frozen ravioli, various Italian specialty type items that you can't necessarily get at Dominick's.
I'd go every few months but I'm no longer in the neighborhood. Bridgeport has three or four real gems and this might be the best one.
