Great Lake: User Reviews

Wonderful Pizza, but Vibe Kills Buzz
By kb from Edgewater, October 27, 2009

Overall rating:

Had been there in Spring before they blew up in press. Know the whole story, know the wife remains stoic as defense against unruly masses that have descended...Went there on Friday 5.15 with wife and ten year old daughter. Common table full and only a 2 seat table available. Wouldnt seat us there which I understand. Hired help at counter spoke at low mumble, keeping socially awkward theme. Asked if we could place order for take out. Said It would be 45 minutes, which I expected. Guy spoke up enough to ask if I wanted to pay in advance which I did, $50 for two pizzas which I expected. Ordered and on the way out walked by stoic wife who looked at us vacantly. Nobody else in line, wasnt a madhouse. Maybe a "Thanks for understanding, see you in a bit" would be nice? Went back to pick up and was treated like a necessary evil. Once again wasnt a line or many people waiting. Barely acknowledged, not told status of order, finally I asked after sitting for 10 minutes. Noticed a couple of people who came in, maybe regulars or those that match the bohemian profile who were actually openly chatted with and treated to small smile. Was handed my pizzas, not thanked or wished a good night. Pizza was thankfully wonderful, crust is unique and rich with flavor, like a crusty outside/soft inside rolled out italian loaf. Toppings very fresh and flavorful. The husband I know approaches his craft with passion and I respect his artistry. Nobody has to eat there, including me, if they are not happy with the treatment they receive. But when customer spends $25 for a pizza that barely serves 2, goes along with everything, is courteous, respectful, says thank you, waits patiently -- is it too much to ask to be directly looked at, acknowledged and thanked or wished a good night? If you're that unhappy or put upon or whatever, maybe serving people food is not what you should be doing.

Best composed pizza in Chicago
By tspoon108 from Andersonville, September 23, 2009

Overall rating:

I eat at Great Lakes often and am amazed at the bad reviews. This is a chef who puts together dishes and no, you can't change the ingredients but I hope you don't go to other restaurants and suggest to the chef what ingredients he/she should put in their dishes! This is a market driven restaurant and the chef uses what he brought in freshest, instead of the usual list of 20 or so ingredients sitting all week in containers in the walk-in. It's sad that people think they can go someplace and command a business owner to sell what they want rather than appreciate what he has decided to do. Calo's is around the corner folks.

Great Fake...
By drew7353756 from Andy G, August 17, 2009

Overall rating:

Yuck...Forget the negative reviews about customer service (though true), the pizza is below-average, over-priced garbage.... I'll gladly eat elsewhere.

not worth the hassle!
By stephaniedishman from northbrook, June 22, 2009

Overall rating:

4 of us ordered 2 pizzas to share since we didn't want the same toppings. Of course, you can't have half with meat & half without, they don't accommodate you! One came out in 40 minutes. We waited for 30 minutes & the other one never got to us. We asked what happened & the owner/pizza maker said "I didn't expect you to inhale the first one. I have other customers to feed, too." We paid for one & left - the guys never got their pizza. Went to Hamburger Mary's where they treat their customers appreciatively. Yes, the pizza was good, but way too many rules & nasty attitudes. Not a great way to run a restaurant and they don't care-

horriffic
By sherrinemirow from gold coast, June 22, 2009

Overall rating:

The pizza was good but their bad attitude,poor customer service, and lack of comfortable seating overwhelmed it. Don't bother to go unless you like abuse and lots of rules.

Disgusted
By joenemirow from Lakeview, June 20, 2009

Overall rating:

Obviously the owner/chef is a fan of the Seinfeld soup nazi episode. No attention to customer comfort or satisfaction. He may know how to make a pizza but he could care less about his customers. Long waits in an uncomfortable store front and the staff has major attitude.

there's a reason there's a wait to pick up or sit at a table
By xtina4prez from edgewater, June 10, 2009

Overall rating:

This place has to be the most simple recipe for success- a few stellar and exceptional pizzas, with probably the freshest and tastiest ingredients I've had on a pizza in years. My search for the best pizza in Chicago has come to an end as I've found it (and I've been to many, many thin crust pizza places in town). if there's one bad thing to say about this place is that yes, it certainly needs to expand operations to keep up with the demand, however, if it is that air of exclusivity they are trying to achieve by having their customers say 'I've been there' - it has surpassed that goal tenfold. (Cue the Seinfeld episode of the soup nazi) I hope this operation grows bc it is hands down the best pizza I have ever eaten.

Lousy Customer Service
By Wconnelly from Andersonville, June 2, 2009

Overall rating:

My first attempt to buy pizza at Great Lake resulted in finding the establishment closed on a Saturday night before 10 p.m. The second attempt, as a walk-in patron at 8:30 p.m. on a Friday, resulted in being turned away because they were only taking pick-up orders. The final attempt, the following Friday, was my girlfriend’s attempt to call-in an order only to be told that they were only taking walk-ins. No pizza is worth the trials this establishment puts potential customers through. I’m glad I never got a taste because now I won’t worry about what I’m missing. I would rather hop in the car and go to Monelli Trattoria Pizzeria in Ravenswood.

Terrible Customer Service
By Imissmyvcr from Chicago, May 26, 2009

Overall rating:

Went there Saturday at 6:45pm and they told me they ran out of DOUGH. The Waitress was very rude about it as if I had done something wrong by wanting pizza, I would not recommend it. Good pizza is not worth all that hassle.

Side note if its the Saturday before Memorial Day make more Dough. And if anything make more water, flour, salt

Good pizze, terrible customer service
By jennyfurey from andersonville, May 21, 2009

Overall rating:

The pizza was phemonemonal and well worth the wait, however, customer service was very poor, there are lots of rules to follow, like the soup nazi on Seinfeld, but less humerous. We ate number 2 and 3 and found them to be delish. Don't show up before 5:30 pm as they are extremely rude while they are setting up.