For those with a long memory in Northeast Ohio, the name Guido’s might evoke thoughts of Euclid and square-shaped pizza. It was in Euclid in the early 1950s that Guido Panichni first introduced locals to his unique pizza style at Guido’s Pizza Restaurant. This laid the foundation for a culinary legacy that would eventually move westward and flourish in Chesterland.
In 1958, Michael Albino Sr. and his wife, Jenny, took over the Euclid establishment, continuing the Guido’s tradition until 1962. Seeking a change of pace and a move to a more rural setting, the Albinos relocated to Chesterland and established Guido’s Pizza Haven. What began as a new chapter in a different location has blossomed into a Chesterland institution, recently celebrating its 50th anniversary. Guido’s Pizza Haven has remained deeply rooted in family recipes and a commitment to quality. This milestone marks not just longevity, but a testament to the restaurant’s enduring appeal and its place within the Chesterland community.
Guido’s Pizza Haven prides itself on a menu built upon cherished family recipes that have evolved over time. While the spirit of Guido Panichni’s original creations remains, Michael Albino Sr. brought his own culinary expertise, particularly in dough making, honed from his decade at Russo’s Bakery in Little Italy. This dedication to fresh, daily-made dough is a cornerstone of Guido’s success, contributing to the light and airy crust of their pizzas and the delightful crusty rolls that accompany many dishes. Everything at Guido’s is cooked to order, a commitment to freshness that the menu playfully acknowledges with a “allow 30 minutes for all orders” warning, a timeframe that proves accurate on busier evenings.
The square pizza at Guido’s in Chesterland is undeniably a star attraction. A small, nine-cut pizza with three toppings is priced at $14, offering a taste of this signature style. However, the menu extends far beyond just pizza. A must-try is the Italian wedding soup, a comforting and flavorful starter priced at $3 per cup. Guido’s puts a unique spin on this classic by using tender chicken meatballs instead of the traditional beef and pork, creating a lighter yet equally satisfying soup.
For a more substantial entrée, consider the stuffed eggplant parmigiana, a favorite of many regulars, priced at $20. This dish features four delicate slices of eggplant, pan-fried to perfection and then rolled around creamy ricotta cheese. Baked in a rich spaghetti sauce and generously topped with mozzarella cheese, it’s a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Accompanied by a side of spaghettini with sauce and a refreshing garden salad with house-made herbed-oil and vinegar dressing, it’s a complete and satisfying meal.
Pasta lovers have a range of choices, from classic spaghetti, rigatoni, shells, or fettuccini, each available with meat sauce, meatballs, sausage, or mushrooms. For a slight upgrade, house-made angel hair pasta is available for an additional $1.50. Other Italian-American staples like ravioli (meat or cheese), cavatelli, and manicotti are also on offer, ranging from $10 to $13.
Meat entrees also shine, exemplified by the veal cutlet Milanese ($22). This generous portion features tender Provimi veal, thinly sliced, breaded, and pan-fried until golden brown. It’s then baked with a flavorful mushroom-marsala-and-lemon sauce and topped with even more mushrooms, served alongside fettuccini and a house salad. For those with a hearty appetite, the combination veal cutlet and eggplant parmigiana ($23) offers the best of both worlds. This dish layers thinly sliced eggplant and veal, lightly breaded and pan-fried, with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese, culminating in a melted mozzarella topping, also served with spaghetti and a salad.
Beyond these highlights, Guido’s also receives high praise for their lasagna, baked penne, and ravioli (each $12.50), as well as the simple yet flavorful spaghetti aglio olio ($12). For a more casual option, Guido’s offers five types of sandwiches, each served on a foot-long, house-made toasted Italian bun. Popular choices include the meatball with sauce ($7) and sausage with sauce ($7.50).
Looking to the future, Guido’s in Chesterland had planned an expansion with a new restaurant, party, and catering center next door, with construction anticipated to begin in spring 2014. This expansion aimed to further solidify Guido’s as a destination for both everyday dining and special events in Chesterland.
Guido’s Pizza Haven is located at 12775 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland. They can be reached at 440-729-9666. Please note that Guido’s is a cash or checks only establishment. Their operating hours are 4-10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with takeout available until 11 p.m. For a taste of Chesterland culinary history and authentic family recipes, Guido’s Pizza Haven remains a cherished local gem.
