Gino’s is the second most-loved pizzeria in South Africa
Gino’s is a Johannesburg institution which celebrates its 40th anniversary next year.
An old favourite in Joburg South, Gino’s in Robertsham, took second place in the Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge this year.
Gino’s is owned by Gino Mazza, last year’s winner.
Gino’s is a Johannesburg South institution which celebrates its 40th anniversary next year. The establishment’s bestseller is the Chiattona, or ‘the one with everything’ as customers affectionately call it. They also have their signature oval shape which is a firm favourite with diners at both Robertsham and Stellenbosch locations.
The knack for serving award-winning pizzas clearly runs in families. Gino’s second operation in Stellenbosch, with brother Dom Mazza at the helm, was in the fourth spot, while restaurateur sisters Cristina de Almeida and Claudia Lau both made the top 10.
De Almeida’s Edenvale establishment Piccola Rossa came in at eighth position and Lau’s Osteria Rossa in Bedfordview achieved the ninth spot.
Cape Town restaurant Ferdinando’s clinched the favourite pizzeria title with KZN favourite Enzo making the top five in this year’s Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge.
Ferdinando’s serves South Africa’s favourite pizza, according to diners who voted the establishment into the top spot.
The colourful and quirky Observatory-based restaurant, run by Italian Diego Milesi and his late partner Kiki Bisogno, beat out strong competition to take the title.
Lynton Kaiser of Porcupine Ridge said, “We are thrilled that both the South African pizza-loving public and pizza-serving establishments continue to embrace the Pizzeria Challenge. Everyone has their local favourite pizza spot and this just gives patrons the chance to make their support known, hopefully with a glass of Porcupine Ridge in hand.
“Congratulations to all the pizzerias who were voted into the Top 10 and indeed to each participant, not only for making delicious pizzas but for harnessing the support of their loyal customers.”
For achieving the top spot, Ferdinando’s receives a winner’s paddle, Porcupine Ridge wine for a year and promotional materials to the value of R25 000.
The Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge also offered consumers the chance to win with their votes via a dedicated voting website and each week of the campaign a lucky winner was drawn to win prizes. The grand prize winner, Rob Burgoyne, who voted for Bardelli’s, received an EarthFire Pizza Oven and accessories as well as pizza for a year from Bardelli’s and wine from Porcupine Ridge, all valued at more than R8 500.
The Top 10 in the Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge 2022 are:
1. Ferdinando’s (Observatory, Cape Town)
2. Gino’s (Robertsham, Johannesburg)
3. Bardelli’s (Kenilworth, Cape Town)
4. Gino’s (Stellenbosch)
5. Enzo Pizzeria Trattoria (Scottburgh)
6. Caspita (George)
7. Lucio’s Pizzeria (Northcliff, Johannesburg)
8. Piccola Rossa (Edenvale, Johannesburg)
9. Osteria Rossa (Bedfordview, Johannesburg)
10. Izzeria (Brooklyn, Pretoria)
