Gulliver's: User Reviews

Once Joe the Owner died, this renowned Chicago restaurant has gone to the dogs
By psyberking from elgin/carpentersville, July 19, 2009

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This landmark Chicago restaurant, with its unique art deco ambiance, used to serve very good deep dish pizza (its specialty) as well as a variety of well-made Mexican, Italian, and American fare. My family has dined regularly at Gulliver's since 1992. But then the owner Joe G. died ca. 2006, and with him went the rigorous quality control and meticulous attention to detail. After an absence of several months, we dined in Gulliver's just yesterday (19July09). The food was at best tasteless... often it was stale or inedible... my daughter's Italian sausage tasted like recycled cardboard. The deep dish pizza had barely any cheese on it, and the crust was old... The restaurant has also been gutted of some of its better / larger antiques and chandeliers--it seems they're selling them off to make up for the income shortfall. The largest dining section was dark and closed due to lack of customers. (This place used to be packed on Saturday nights!) The loss of reputation was bad enough, but the recession probably made things worse for Gulliver's.

Then end of an era... It's a tragedy.

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Outstanding Pizza Avoid the Calamari
By Louis Cyphere from Bridgeport, August 6, 2008

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Ordered the traditional pan pizza, chicken tenders for the kids and fried calamari for an appetizer. Let's start with the bad - the fried calamari was recommended by our server and was chewy, tasteless and not very good. The accompanying sauce was odd as it seemed to be a marinara with some Mexican spices. Not a big deal however, as the pizza was outstanding. Great crust, flavorful sauce and just the right amount of cheeze and toppings. Our kids enjoyed the chicken tenders which were far above the standard ones you get at most restaurants. Good experience overall and we will return.

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Great Pizza Near Evanston
By mdm719 from Evanston, June 13, 2008

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Gulliver's pizza is very good! They know what they're doing!

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While this restaurant is interesting...
By rose from Chicago, IL, September 3, 2007

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While this restaurant is interesting to look at, their food leaves something to be desired. Their stuffed pizza had an okay tomato sauce but was very small and extremely overpriced...and make sure you stay far away from the hamburgers. It seems like they used the cheapest ground meat they could find for the ones we ordered recently-- flavorless and full of gristly fat chunks. The delivery is fairly fast, but that's pretty much the kindest thing I can say about this place.

I've gone here more times...
By Yvonne from Evanston/Joliet, IL, June 27, 2007

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I've gone here more times then i can possibly count. There Pizza is always amazing. Some of the pizza i've ever had in my life. All of the older lamps and deceration are nice if you like those type of things. The service is typically pretty good.

Amazing Italian, Mexican & American...
By Zol87 from Chicago, Il, June 26, 2007

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Amazing Italian, Mexican & American Food.
Everything is great.
The antique atmosphere is truly astonishing.
Great value

The food is great, service...
By Ms. Anderson from Chicago, IL, February 17, 2007

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The food is great, service is good, and reasonably priced. Great on those hot, muggy summer nights. AIR CONDITIONING!!!

Large selection of food. Atmosphere...
By Barnabee Wilde from Evanston, IL, February 10, 2007

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Large selection of food. Atmosphere interesting with heavy stained-glass decor. Best for late night delivery option.

I've been passing by this...
By Eric from Chicago, IL, January 31, 2007

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I've been passing by this place since I went to Loyola back in the 90's.
I went two weeks ago and got pasta, friend got the fish. Absolutely the worst two meals I've had in a while.
The 8 million antique light fixtures are interesting...if you like antique light fixtures. As a restaurant? Forget it. Also, on a Wednesay night, 8 people in the entire place, they insist on sitting us next to the smoky bar--to dull your palate so you won't notice how dull the food is? Yikes!