Editorial Review of Gino's East (River North)

You can sum up Gino's East in three words: worth the wait. Though you may have to hang out for awhile before you indulge, the rewards are plentiful. The only rule at Gino's is to come hungry (starving, even). Because the deep dish is so delicious that you'll want thirds.

The menu boasts everyday Italian eats, from pastas to meatball sandwiches, but even your server will tell you that the deep dish is the crucial element of the ultimate Gino's experience. Popular choices include the Gino's East Supreme (sausage or pepperoni with mushrooms, onions and green peppers), which costs $23.95 for a six-slice medium. The Meaty Legend is a close second, with pepperoni, Italian sausage, Canadian bacon and bacon, $25.20 for a medium. Easy to please? Stick with the cheese, $15.95 for a medium.

Chock-full of its signature chunky tomato sauce, smothered in cheese and held together by a buttery, flaky crust, the pies arrive in two-inch-thick pans to house the hugeness of the slices. Feel free to write on the graffiti-covered walls while you wait for your pizza to arrive (45 minutes per order). But like we said, it's well worth the wait.