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Home » Chicago ORD » I’m Fleeced At Chicago O’Hare…Of A Deep Dish Pizza
Chicago ORD

I’m Fleeced At Chicago O’Hare…Of A Deep Dish Pizza

Matthew Klint Posted onOctober 31, 2020November 14, 2023 68 Comments

True story. I was a victim of theft this week in the United Terminal at Chicago O’Hare. And you know what was stolen? My deep dish pizza.

Pizza Theft At ORD

Earlier I shared that my airport hotel had no food service (they claimed it was for my safety…how convenient). I responded by having breakfast at Giordano’s, a famous Chicago chain known for its deep dish pizza.

a deep dish pizza with a slice of pizza in it

a deep dish pizza on a plate

a hand holding a slice of pizza

The pizza was absolutely lovely (though Lou Malnati’s makes better pizza…), but my eyes were far bigger than my stomach. Instead of ordering an individual pizza, I ordered a “small” pizza. I’d say it was the opposite of small and I could only eat half of it…

There was no way I was going to waste this pizza. Not only because it was $21, but because it was so delicious. So I repacked it and took it with me to the airport. I planned to heat it up at home and enjoy a little taste of Chicago in my own kitchen.

I sat down around gate B6, where my flight to Los Angeles was departing from. I set my pizza down on the table next to me, pulled out my laptop, and began working. About an hour before the flight, there appeared to be some sort of delay so I went up to the gate agent to inquire.

When I returned to my seat, my luggage was still there…but the pizza was gone.

I looked around quickly for a janitor, thinking it had been taken accidentally. But no janitor was around. I looked around at the other passengers seated nearby and no one had my pizza, which was clearly visible in a Giordano’s plastic bag. I asked the lady seated nearby if she had seen anyone take my pizza and she shook her head.

Had I gone crazy? I returned to the security checkpoint even though I knew (beyond the shadow of a doubt) that the pizza had been sitting right next to me. Nope, it wasn’t there.

I’ll admit, I even checked out the trash cans…they were not in there either.

So I hope whoever stole my pizza enjoyed the second half as much as I enjoyed the first half…

And be sure to guard all your personal items, especially your pizza, in the Windy City.

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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68 Comments

  1. Jason Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 1:46 pm

    I liked Pizza Gate 2 better than the original.

    • Patrick Lenow Reply
      October 31, 2020 at 7:20 pm

      Likely taken by janitorial staff as trash. They did you a favor, pizza held from Chicago to LA without refrigeration screams food borne illness

      • Goldie Warren Reply
        October 31, 2020 at 7:41 pm

        You should have ordered Lou`s…the box comes with a hand inside which will stab whoever tries anything funny..lol.lol..i love LOU MALNATI PIZZA..LOL

        • Mrslipn Reply
          November 1, 2020 at 1:24 am

          You”re a dumdass

          • Sark Aztic
            November 1, 2020 at 2:37 pm

            Irony.

          • George
            November 1, 2020 at 7:42 pm

            I get Lous delivered to my house on Long Island

        • Angela Reply
          November 2, 2020 at 12:12 am

          I think he said Lou’s was better.

      • John Reply
        November 1, 2020 at 12:02 am

        I used to work at Lou Malnattis. They don’t wash their hands. They just dip them in hand sanitizer and proceed to make your pizza. Still think Giordano’s is better?

      • Lydia Monahan Reply
        November 1, 2020 at 8:23 am

        And whatever you do, do not park your vehicle in long term airport parking. Especially if you’ve “blown the whistle.” Parking ramps sell themselves and vehicles mysteriously move. Of course, that’s probably considered white collar crime, which is maybe a bit more serious than pizza. Love Giordanos. Had it once.

    • Capt. Awsome Reply
      November 1, 2020 at 6:21 pm

      Everyone traveling through ORD gets fleeced, one way or the other.

      • Kolyan DasGupta Reply
        November 2, 2020 at 9:20 am

        Speaking as a Chicagoan, I’m very sorry this happened to you. The lack of respect for people’s property, even on the sterile side of an airport, is appalling! I’m glad you were able to enjoy at least half of the pizza.

  2. Alan Brint Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 2:21 pm

    Matthew, I’m not in the least bit sorry that your pizza was stolen. You had it coming to you for being so dumb. To be clear, I don’t mean dumb as in that you left it unguarded, or dumb in that you’re “whining” on the blog. I mean dumb in that you even considered eating the sorry excuse for prison food, I mean pizza, that’s served at Giordanos. I feel sorry for you, for whoever stole your pizza, and for anyone (myself most certainly included, as you know very well) who’s eaten at Giordanos. But I’m grateful for your wife, who was spared the absolute and true terror of eating it. You’re right, Lou Malnatis is so much better, and the next time that you’re in Chicago, we’re going there instead of to prison, I mean to Giordanos. So you did the world a crime, not by whining on your blog, but by leaving some truly unfortunate person to stumble upon jail food, I mean In N out, I mean Giordanos (they all belong in the same category). Well, you live and learn, and do yourself a favor next time and go somewhere else for your cravings 🙂

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      October 31, 2020 at 2:40 pm

      If I would have arrived before 11pm the night before I would have reached out!

      • Alan Brint Reply
        October 31, 2020 at 2:43 pm

        The problem is that dine in is closed here, so we would’ve had to go outside somewhere. I would’ve been fine with that if you’d have been, but I don’t know any good deep dish places with outdoor dining.

        • Alan Brint Reply
          October 31, 2020 at 2:44 pm

          Let’s wait until COVID is over, I have someone entering my bubble RN and don’t even feel very comfortable with indoor dining anyway just yet. 🙂

        • FS Reply
          October 31, 2020 at 3:11 pm

          As Chicagoan…it’s far to point out Giordano’s is stuffed not deep dish.

          You did acknowledge correctly that Lou’s is better!

    • Pizza Reply
      October 31, 2020 at 7:17 pm

      Quit your whining, no one cares that you’re emotionally damaged by bad pizza.

    • Terri wu Reply
      October 31, 2020 at 7:38 pm

      It’s been and on going issue at o’hare, the looting has expanded to people fleeing chicago and promoted by mayor Lightfoot as police staffing has been removed from o’hare by 83%. You are lucky you weren’t robbed as that’s is most common problem there, don’t use them restrooms outside of the tsa zone.

    • Pat Bateman Reply
      November 1, 2020 at 1:41 pm

      You sound like a pretentious jerk. Look in the mirror and reevaluate your life.

  3. Mark Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 4:22 pm

    While we are on the subject of O’Hare “airhole “ no it’s not a typo, I rate this as possibly the world’s worst airport, right up their with Atlanta’s dump.

    • UA-NYC Reply
      October 31, 2020 at 9:14 pm

      Apparently you haven’t been to EWR – ORD is HKG/MUC/SIN by comparison

      • Mike Reply
        October 31, 2020 at 9:54 pm

        Somebody tell me what that one large topping thing is. Please.

        It looks like a growth.

        • Matthew Klint Reply
          October 31, 2020 at 10:04 pm

          It’s a meatball. Delicious.

        • Paul Reply
          November 2, 2020 at 9:36 am

          You’re an avid traveler? You don’t take the security warnings to seriously do you! You are not supposed to leave your luggage alone at any time! DOOFUS!!!

  4. Jason Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 4:40 pm

    While I agree that Lou Malnatis is better and am sorry for your plight, I continue to urge you to edit before posting. Otherwise you undermine your generally good reporting:
    “ I responded my having breakfast at Giordano’s, a famous Chicago chain known for its deep dish pizza.”

    • Shane Banta Reply
      November 2, 2020 at 6:04 am

      Who wants an overpriced pizza that’s going to give you heartburn before you get to your destination?

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        November 2, 2020 at 8:16 am

        I did. 😉

  5. Andy K Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 4:49 pm

    I enjoy Portillos when I am in Chicago.

  6. DaninMCI Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 5:31 pm

    Next time you fly through Chicago you can get Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s that are uncooked and take them bake at home and enjoy later. Sure it’s not the same as eating it fresh from the restaurant ovens but still good. Oh and I think Giordano’s is about as good as Lou’s but as the famous philosopher, Patrick Swayze once said “Opinions Vary” 🙂

    • Sharon Mladucky Reply
      October 31, 2020 at 10:41 pm

      You can actually have Lou’s frozen shipped to anywhere in the US! Just visit the website.

  7. Judy Froemming Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 5:50 pm

    My question is who would eat the pizza that someone has Robert over that was already half gone and people are trying not to catch covid-19.

  8. Terry Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 6:13 pm

    Maybe someone was hungry there was no open restaurants and hotel don’t have food and the airport food is very expensive and had no money just think that someone was hungry and you gave them something to eat

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      October 31, 2020 at 7:24 pm

      If that is what happened, I’d be quite happy.

  9. WorldTraveler312 Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    You should of gone to Pequod’s.

  10. Rebecca Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 7:09 pm

    It was likely taken by someone, like yourself, who is not from Chicago. So why dis the entire “Windy City”? Those of us who live here wouldn’t steal a Giordano’s.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      October 31, 2020 at 7:24 pm

      I actually think that’s a very fair point.

  11. Patrick Lenow Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 7:22 pm

    Likely taken by janitorial staff as trash. They did you a favor, pizza held from Chicago to LA without refrigeration screams food borne illness

  12. Jacquelyn O'Sullivan Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 8:10 pm

    “Avid travelers” NEVER leave ANYTHING unattended. Why was this article accepted for publication?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      October 31, 2020 at 8:33 pm

      I’m apparently far too trusting.

  13. JoeyWanKenobi Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 8:35 pm

    Well ORD has HD cameras…. AND Gios is 1000x better that Lou’s. Your story is flawed on many levels.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      October 31, 2020 at 9:29 pm

      I’d love to review CCTV footage. I wonder if it was just a janitor cleaning away what he thought was trash.

  14. Joe Chivas Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 9:05 pm

    Giordano’s is very salty. There is a North Carolina pastor who has something he recommends washing it down with.

  15. Chiguy1979 Reply
    October 31, 2020 at 10:00 pm

    I can assure you it wasn’t a local who took the pizza. Pequods or Lou Mals for deep dish or Aurelios or any of the infinitely better thin crust options. Don’t let this incident reflect poorly on Chicago as anyone from the 312 wouldn’t touch that nasty crap.

  16. John O'Shaughnessy Reply
    November 1, 2020 at 1:10 am

    Lou malnatis nasty sausage patty crap is better than giordano’s? Beggars, barracos, and giordano’s are top 3. Then gino’s east. Maybe I’d give lou’s 5th place. In from the burbs of Chicago though so maybe I don’t know [redacted by admin]

    • Arther Reply
      November 1, 2020 at 7:34 am

      Ah, someone else knows Barracos! Must be from the far south side! Everytime Im up in the area, I bring back frozen pizzas for everyone from there! Too bad they’re only in the Chicago suburb area. They should consider opening in other states!

  17. Kimberly K Wynn Reply
    November 1, 2020 at 1:16 am

    PIZZERIA UNO ON OHIO & RUSH IS THE ORIGINAL DEEP DISH PIZZA & IT IS THE BEST! AND IF A PERSON SAYS THAT DEEPDISH PIZZA IS PRISON FOOD CANNOT BE A REAL CHICAGOAN BORN AND RAISED HERE, BECAUSE IF U WERE U WOULD APPRECIATE CHICAGO STYLE, DEEP-DISH PIZZA! THE SECOND BEST DEEP DISH IS GINO’S EAST! GIORDANOS IS GOOD, & WHOEVER SAID ITS STUFFED PIZZA IS CORRECT! ALSO JUST A LITTLE TIP FOR U LOU MALNATI’S LOVERS, LOU MALNATI WORKED FOR MR SEWELL, THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF PIZZERIA UNO, LOCATED AT OHIO & RUSH AT THE ORIGINAL LOCATION IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS! I ALSO LIKE LOU MALNATI’S AS WELL, BUT PIZZERIA UNO IS THE BEST FOR DEEP-DISH PIZZA & IT IS THE ORIGINAL & 1ST OF DEEP-DISH! I RATE LOU MALNATI’S AT A B+!
    I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ONLY DEEP-DISH YOU CAN GET AT OHARE IS LOU MALNATI, SO I GET IT! IT WAS THE ONLY DEEP-DISH PIZZA AVAILABLE AT OHARE AIRPORT. BUT THE NEXT TIME U COME TO THE CHI- MAKE A SPECIAL TRIP DOWNTOWN & GET THE NUMERO ONE, U WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED, TAKE PART IN EATING AN ENJOYABLE PART OF HISTORY!!

    • Dave D Reply
      November 2, 2020 at 7:32 am

      I appreciate your Chicago pizza knowledge. Should probably get a new keyboard, your Caps Lock appears to be jammed…… probably with pizza sauce and cheese.

    • Cathy Reply
      November 2, 2020 at 11:32 am

      SERIOUSLY capitals were needed for your book of a response?

  18. Airfarer Reply
    November 1, 2020 at 6:39 am

    @ Ms Wynn

    I think I just went deaf.

    • Kimberly K Wynn Reply
      November 1, 2020 at 11:05 am

      LOLHilarious! Thanks for your response

  19. Paolo Reply
    November 1, 2020 at 6:42 am

    Beyond gross. Be thankful that someone pinched the leftover half. Maybe they needed the extra 1500 calories and ‘nutrition’. It would have been left untouched at FCO…

  20. James Reply
    November 1, 2020 at 7:22 am

    Is that even a pizza? Hahahaha….

    • Fred Flintstone Reply
      November 1, 2020 at 12:23 pm

      Based on this article, I find it hard to believe Matthew travels over 200,000 miles a year.
      No seasoned traveler would leave his luggage unattended nor intend to eat food left unattended.
      Something smells fishy here.

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        November 1, 2020 at 12:25 pm

        Well, I always leave bags unattended. I know I shouldn’t and may regret it one day, but in the era of CCTV I am more at ease.

  21. Santastico Reply
    November 1, 2020 at 9:11 am

    As an Italian, anyone that calls that dish “pizza” should be sued. Utterly disgusting.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      November 1, 2020 at 10:30 am

      The pizza is certainly not Italian, but it is delicious.

    • James Reply
      November 2, 2020 at 2:46 am

      Lol. And the same society busy accusing chinese of knock off products… Hahahaha…..

  22. Shahbaz Reply
    November 1, 2020 at 9:37 am

    This is the 1st I have heard of a pizza theft at Ohare, but not surprised. Giordano is good but expensive, and even pricier at airports. With airports food in general so overpriced and out of reach for so many, you just unwillingly donated a nice deep dish to a hungry but still a thief. Sorry for your loss.

    • David Jamison Reply
      November 1, 2020 at 3:49 pm

      The real theft was being charged 21 bucks for pizza. How can we fight the inflated prices at every airport, besides eating elsewhere before we begin our travel?

  23. Wayne Reply
    November 1, 2020 at 12:16 pm

    Let’s hope it was eaten by someone who was hungry rather than have been dumped in the trash

  24. John Cinnamon Reply
    November 1, 2020 at 1:31 pm

    “Fleeced” is the wrong word. It implies that you were tricked into giving up your pizza through fraud or extortion instead of simply having it stolen.

  25. Toivo Suomien Reply
    November 1, 2020 at 2:12 pm

    I think whoever took it saved your fellow air cabin passengers from having to smell old pizza for a 4? 5? hour flight. Thank you. Only thing worse is having to smell that chips & cheese glob they sell in movie theaters. Seriously, on behalf of your fellow passengers, thank you!

  26. Darrell Reply
    November 1, 2020 at 5:27 pm

    This loss was acceptable. A low value item especially during the age of COVID that I would have left unattended and not worry about it. I sense many people nowadays would think twice about eating another person’s pizza!

  27. Marie Reply
    November 1, 2020 at 11:43 pm

    You are correct, Lou Malnati’s is better than Giordano’s, but having lived in northwest suburban Chicago my whole life, I wouldn’t go out of my way for either.

    The next time you’re in Chicago, if you want the best pizza, you have got to get a stuffed pizza from Biagio’s, on Lawrence, in Harwood Heights, or on Central, in Chicago. Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s don’t even come close to how good their pizza is.

  28. DaGr81 Reply
    November 2, 2020 at 8:51 am

    I’m not sure who made the poorer decision, you for doing this or me for reading this. I was expecting a story telling me how you arrived at ORD and got a deep dish at the airport that failed you in every way once you actually got in town and hit Malnati’s.

    Instead, I get this joke of a story that lacked a punch line.

    And for you pizza fanatics talking about how much better Malnati’s is, I agree. Just know that living in PA means Uno for deep dish which makes one miss both Lou’s and Giordano’s.

  29. rich Reply
    November 2, 2020 at 1:02 pm

    Looks more like bread drenched in marinara sauce.

    My mother was pretty quick on cleaning stuff and I can recall multiple times my father eating part of a cake or whatever, then hitting the bathroom and when he returned his remaining food was gone. My mother had assumed he was done so she cleaned the dishes 🙂

    I’d be surprised someone would steal it, probably someone just tossed it and it fell under other trash.

  30. Wilson Reply
    January 18, 2021 at 9:56 am

    I read on the news that a man had been arrested in Chicago O’hare after living inside the airport security zone for 3 months since October 19,2020 with a stolen operations manager badge. This could have been a reason of pizza disappearance.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 18, 2021 at 10:29 am

      Post coming up! 😉

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