New Chicago-style deep dish pizza, chicken parm pasta & more at selected Tenderfresh & Tenderbest outlets

Gino's East, a pizzeria from Chicago, has returned to Singapore in collaboration with Tenderfresh Group.

The Italian-American eatery is known for its deep dish pizzas.

In early 2024, Gino's East had a pop-up at Northpoint City.

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The pizzeria is back for another pop-up, this time at four Tenderfresh locations islandwide:

• Tenderfresh Classic at Beauty World
• Tenderfresh Classic at Our Tampines Hub
• Tenderbest Makcik Tuckshop at Jalan Kayu
• Tenderbest Makcik Tuckshop at Mega@Woodlands

Unlike traditional pizzas, which layer tomato sauce beneath the toppings and finish with cheese, deep dish pizzas are crafted in reverse: cheese forms the base for the toppings, above which the tomato sauce is then slathered.

Here's what Gino East's menu features:

Chicago Deep Dish Pizzas (from S$28)

With the pizzeria's return comes deep-dish pizza in four flavours: Beef Pepperoni Supreme (S$30), Cheesy Legend (S$29), Meaty Legend (S$33) and Spinach Margherita (S$28).

We tried the first two, and were pleasantly surprised by the crispiness of the pizza crust.

As someone who loves cheese, I found Cheesy Legend to be my favourite of the two. Despite comprising four types of cheese, the flavours weren't too overwhelming, and paired well with the sweetness of the tomato sauce.

For something more savoury, opt for the Beef Pepperoni Supreme. Consisting of pepperoni slices, peppers, onions and mushrooms, this one's for those who prefer bold, hearty flavours.

Pasta Alfredo with Smoked Duck (S$11.90)

This was a creamy mix of fusilli, zucchini and smoked duck. The alfredo sauce had a garlicky note, adding a savoury touch that balanced the richness of the cream.

Grilled Chicken Mediterranean Pasta (S$11.90)

The arrabiata sauce was the highlight here, with the garlic tying together the sweetness of the tomato sauce and the heat from the chilli peppers. The grilled chicken chop was also tender and paired well with the spaghetti.

Chicken Parmigiana Pasta (S$13.90)

Though the spaghetti was lightly seasoned, the caponata (a combination of eggplant, bell peppers, raisins, capers, zucchini and pine nuts) offered a refreshing sweetness which made the pasta light on the palate.

This nicely contrasted with the hearty chicken parmigiana chop.

Chicken Parmigiana Sub with Caponata (S$14.90)

Unlike the previous dish, the chicken parmigiana chop here was topped with tomato sauce, melted cheese and caponata.

To my surprise, the combination tasted almost like pizza when paired with the toast, making for an indulgent meal alongside the accompanying fries.

Gino's East Hummus Bruschetta Caponata (S$6.90)

This one is worth trying: the baguette was nicely toasted, with the flavours of the caponata elevated by the hummus spread, creating an almost decadent taste profile.

Garlic Bread Bruschetta (S$6.90)

Though I preferred the previous bruschetta dish, this option may appeal more to those seeking a refreshing bite.

The garlic spread was savoury but did not overpower the accompanying pine nut basil pesto and parmesan mix, enhancing the flavours without stealing the spotlight from the juicy tomatoes.

BBQ Chicken Wings (S$9.90)

Another appetiser option is Gino's East's BBQ wings, coated in a smoky BBQ dressing and accompanied by celery and carrot sticks.

This was served with the pizzeria's housemade ranch sauce, which I personally loved.

Signature Buffalo Chicken Wings (S$9.90)

Also served with ranch, celery and carrot sticks, Gino East's Buffalo Wings are a must-try for those who enjoy tangy, spicy flavours.

Gino's East Signature Spinach Crab Meat Dip with Nachos (S$6.90)

Exclusive to Gino East's Singapore menu, the nacho dip here has been carefully tailored to the local palate. The crab flavour really shone through, and we paired well with the bed of nachos.

@mothership.nova Gino's East x Tenderfresh 📍: Tenderfresh Classic at Beauty World Tenderfresh Classic at Our Tampines Hub Tenderbest Makcik Tuckshop at Jalan Kayu Tenderbest Makcik Tuckshop at Mega Woodlands 🍴: Cheesy Legend Deep Dish Pizza S$29 Beef Pepperoni Supreme Deep Dish Pizza S$30 Garlic Bread Bruschetta S$6.90 Hummus Bruschetta Caponata S$6.90 Signature Spinach Crab Meat Dip with Nachos S$6.90 Signature Buffalo Chicken Wings S$9.90 BBQ Chicken Wings S$9.90 Chicken Parmigiana Sub with Caponata S$14.90 Chicken Parmigiana Pasta S$13.90 Pasta Alfredo with Smoked Duck S$11.90 Grilled Chicken Mediterranean Pasta S$11.90 @Tenderfreshsg @Gino’s East Pizza #tiktoksg #singapore #chicago #sgfoodie #pizza #pasta #italianamerican #deepdish #deepdishpizza #whattoeat #whattoplay #foodfestontiktok #foodtok #chickenparm ♬ BMF - SZA

Top photos by Fasiha Nazren.