Ram4 wrote:Really? I didn't like the frozen Gino's East thin. I like their frozen deep dish when I don't feel like getting the real thing.
Just ate part of a frozen Gino's East Deep Dish ("Sausage Patty"). At $5 (GFS) to $5.49 (Mariano's) at local stores for a 32-oz pie, that's a darn good deal, considering how that same pie is probably closer to $15 in-store or delivered.
But how does it taste? Better than your average frozen, certainly loads better than Uno's Grille's restaurant version, but not up to a fresh-delivered Malnati's pie. I haven't had a Gino's East in the restaurant for many years, so it's hard to compare there.
It's a bit of an odd bird: The pie is, well, pie-shaped: Sloped sides with a crust just a smidge taller than the fillings. It got a nice crunch in my convection oven, but is missing some of the cornmeal mouthfeel and taste I'm accustomed to in Chicago pan style. The sauce is smooth, and a bit on the sweet side - perhaps somewhat tomato-paste-like. The spiciness is good, it's got more garlic than a typical frozen pizza. The sausage "patty" did not match my memory of Gino's East, but I can't put my finger on it. Too thin? Probably not. Too soft? I think that might be it: The sausage is pretty fine-ground; a courser grind might make the difference.
I'd definitely buy one again. As it is, I've got a lunch or two left over -- it's bachelor night, and SueF prefers pepperoni to Italian Sausage, so it's mine, all mine! The price is certainly right, and it's quite enjoyable.
What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
-- Lin Yutang