Another Chicago dining favorite prepares for local summer debut

Posted on June 7, 2017

 

Giordano’s is scheduled to open in August on Veterans Parkway, near GE Road, in Bloomington.

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington-Normal restaurant-goers will get the chance to dig into one of Chicago’s favorite stuffed pizza brands about the same time another of the city’s best known restaurant franchises is set to open here.

Owner Aaron Uftring expects Giordano’s to open in August at what used to be Qdoba Mexican restaurant at 1505 N. Veterans Parkway, near GE Road.

Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner said Giordano’s has filed for a liquor license. The mayor noted the city is offering no financial incentives, an apparent reference to Normal’s government providing financial assistance to the developer of Portillo’s, which also scheduled an August opening.

Uftring said he’ll hire about 40 full-and-part-time employees to staff the 70-seat restaurant. It will feature the full Giordano’s menu of Italian food.

Uftring explained stuffed pizza is different than the deep dish variety because it has an extra layer of dough.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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