Georgio’s Passion for Pizza and People in 15th year

After 15 years in business, it is time to articulate why Georgio’s Chicago Pizzeria & Pub is such a success. Founder, Brian Coli opened the business in 2002 to share his passion for authentic, Chicago-style pizza. Brian’s passion for pizza started when he was 5 years old, his dad his dad would bring him to a friend’s pizza place and Brian was able to play with pizza dough, and make his own pizza. Five years later Brian’s dad opened his own pizza place. Week’s before opening, he was fortunate to hire two ladies who were retiring from the pizza business after 46 years. They were sisters Alice May Redmond and Ruth Hadley, who created the first ever Chicago-style pizza back in 1943. May and Ruth taught Brian and his dad how to make authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza, and instilled a passion in Brian for pizza and for giving back to his community. Brian has been sharing both passions with others for 15 years with plans to continue for many more.

May and Ruth worked at Pizzeria Uno and Gino’s East for a total of 46 years. They decided to hang up their aprons in 1989; at that same time Michael Coli co-founder of Georgio’s was opening Old World Pizza in Elmwood Park. May and Ruth were gracious enough to work at Old World, while sharing their secret pizza recipe.

Brian recalls learning how to make a perfect deep dish pizza at the age of 10, from the legendary Alice May Redmond. “She showed me how, step by step, explaining with passion why each step was important. I caught her passion, a passion I share with others through Georgio’s to this day.

“The recipe starts with an authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza dough (made with water treated to match water from the City of Chicago), hand-pressed into a well-seasoned pizza pan, thick slices of mozzarella cheese layered right on top of the dough, and topped with your favorite ingredients and a sweet tomato sauce. Georgio’s makes every pizza with the same authenticity and passion as May and Ruth did with every pie they made since 1943.”

Serving the community is another passion for Georgio’s and founder Brian Coli. Beyond serving award-winning pizza, community service includes:

• Contributions to sport teams
• Nonprofit events
• Fundraisers for local folks in need
• Donations of frozen pizza to local food pantries
• School groups, clubs and community programs

Being involved on boards and committees, Brian Coli serves the chamber of commerce, Main Street, Leadership Greater McHenry County, service clubs and more. Why? “To make the places where we live and work the best they can be,” he states.

Georgio’s Pizza is proud to support the communities where they have a restaurant. “We are passionate about pizza, we care about people and our community,” says Brian Coli. “Giving back to the community is more than something we do; it is the foundation for who we are at Georgio’s. We would not have a business without the support of the community. And, we would never have learned to make this one-of-a-kind deep dish pizza if it wasn’t for two selfless ladies teaching us how, without expecting or accepting anything in return. It’s our duty and pleasure to serve this authentic Chicago-style pizza recipe, and to serve our communities while providing opportunities for others.”

Georgio’s Chicago Pizzeria & Pub has two locations; 75 E. Woodstock Street in Crystal Lake and in The Arboretum of South Barrington at 100 W. Higgins Road. Voted best pizza at the Chicago Pizza Fest and Best of the Fox, Georgio’s continues to be recognized for the genuine Chicago-style pizza by amateurs and experts. For more information visit the website www.GeorgiosPizza.com or Facebook.