Chicago Deep Dish O.G. Gino’s East Is Headed for Nashville

Some major action today in the pizza world, as Gino’s East, the venerable Chicago pizza joint that has been serving up deep dish pies for over 50 years, is expanding to Nashville.

The iconic eatery has signed a long-term lease with Sole Mio owner Giancarlo Agnoletti, according to The Tennessean. Agnoletti earlier this week announced that he would be closing his 23-year-old Italian restaurant on Sept. 3. The property, located at 311 Third Ave. S, will undergo a major renovation with a summer 2018 opening planned.

First opened in 1966, Gino’s East has long been a Windy City favorite, serving up the signature dish along with a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. In Eater Chicago’s guide to the city’s ‘25 Iconic Pizzerias,’ the restaurant’s legacy is summed up succinctly: “Little introduction is needed for the venerable pizza purveyor. You know what to expect—quality, traditional deep dish with a large helping of cheese and sauce—and it’ll never let you down.”