Founded in 2002 by Brian Coli, Georgio’s Chicago Pizzeria & Pub brings authentic Chicago-style pizza in South Barrington to life using a recipe dating back to 1943. 🍕
This family-owned establishment serves award-winning deep dish and crispy thin crust pizzas crafted with a secret recipe created by Alice Mae Redmond and Ruth Hadley—the legendary sisters who invented Chicago-style pizza at Pizzeria Uno.
Voted Best Pizza at the Chicago Pizza Fest and ranked among the Top 50 independent pizzerias in the nation by Pizza Today Magazine, Georgio’s has served over a million pizzas while earning a devoted following. 🏆
How Georgio’s won South Barrington’s hearts
The journey to becoming a beloved institution began with a 10-year-old boy learning pizza-making from two humble legends.
When Brian Coli’s father Michael, opened Old World Pizza in Elmwood Park in 1989, he hired retiring sisters Alice Mae Redmond and Ruth Hadley, who had worked at Pizzeria Uno and Gino’s East for 46 years. 🌟
When Brian opened the first Georgio’s location in Crystal Lake in 2002, he brought that authentic recipe and passion to the suburbs, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of historic downtown Chicago.
What truly captured hearts was the restaurant’s unwavering commitment to authenticity and quality that honored Mae and Ruth’s legacy. ✨
The deep dish pizza—made exactly as the sisters taught—features hand-pressed dough in seasoned pans that create that signature buttery crust customers rave about.
The restaurant’s success allowed expansion to the South Barrington location in The Arboretum, bringing the same award-winning, authentic deep-dish pizza to new communities. 🔥
Beyond pizza, the scratch-made pasta, craft cocktails, and homemade desserts demonstrated Georgio’s commitment to quality across the entire menu.
The combination of a 60-year-old secret recipe, gourmet pizza offerings, award-winning recognition, genuine hospitality, scratch-made everything, and deep community roots transformed Georgio’s from a new pizzeria into a Chicago-area institution that food critics and foodies alike celebrate. 🎯
Food Highlights
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Papa Georgio Deep Dish: Sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, onion, green pepper, bacon, and tomato sauce layered in the signature hand-pressed crust create this customer favorite that showcases authentic Chicago-style pizza loaded with quality ingredients.
- Mama Primavera Deep Dish: Spinach, tomato, mushroom, onion, green pepper, garlic, and tomato sauce layered in the signature crust deliver fresh vegetable flavors in every bite.
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Spin-Art Deep Dish: A mixture of spinach, artichokes, mozzarella, cream, and parmesan cheeses with tomato sauce delivers a rich, creamy vegetarian option that proves meatless pizzas can be just as indulgent and satisfying as meat-loaded versions.
- Mama Primavera Thin Crust: Spinach, tomato, mushroom, onion, green pepper, and garlic on the restaurant’s signature crispy thin crust offers a lighter option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or quality.
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Spinach & Cheese Deep Dish: An abundance of Georgio’s special spinach and cheese mix with tomato sauce creates a classic Chicago favorite that customers consistently order again and again for its perfect balance of flavors.
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Build-Your-Own Deep Dish: The authentic 1943 recipe crust allows customers to create their perfect pizza with up to three toppings, ensuring the integrity of the hand-pressed dough and sweet tomato sauce shine through.
- White Pizza Thin Crust: Olive oil, garlic, cream, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and fresh basil combine on a crispy thin crust for an elegant Italian-inspired creation without traditional red sauce that showcases the quality of Georgio’s cheese selections.
Atmosphere
The warm, family-friendly environment reminiscent of classic Chicago pizza joints features cozy interiors adorned with nostalgic decor that invites relaxation and memorable dining. 🏙️
The bright, clean dining room offers booth seating and tables with views, creating versatile spaces perfect for family gatherings, date nights, or group celebrations.
A full bar serves craft cocktails, wine, and beer, while the restaurant accommodates everyone with wheelchair accessibility, high chairs, free WiFi, and ample free parking at The Arboretum of South Barrington location.
Bottom Line
Experience authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza from the original 1943 recipe; taste award-winning pizza voted best at Chicago Pizza Fest; enjoy scratch-made pasta, desserts, and craft cocktails; support a family-owned business ranked Top 50 in the nation; celebrate a restaurant that’s donated thousands to community causes since 2002. 🌟
Address:
100 W Higgins Rd, South Barrington, IL 60010
📞 (847) 844-1988
🕔 Mon-Thu 11 AM–9 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM–10 PM, Sun 11 AM–9 PM