UPDATE, Dec. 27: Giordano’s has opened in Market Place Mall, selling frozen pizzas and gift cards. The full-service restaurant will open Jan. 10, WCIA reported. We will continue to update.

Original story:

One of Chicago’s most famous pizza chains appears to be headed to Champaign.

Giordano’s, known for its stuffed deep dish pizza — aka “Chicago style” — could be preparing to open in Market Place Mall in the space formerly occupied by Buca di Beppo.

According to the website for Engineering Concepts & Solutions, Inc., Giordano’s is listed as the client for ECS’ project at Market Place Mall. Market Place general manager Dennis Robertson declined to comment. (UPDATE: After this post was published, ECS removed Giordano’s from its project list mentioned above. A screen shot from earlier this week appears to the right.)

Repeated messages left at Giordano’s corporate offices were not returned.

Giordano’s would occupy the space that has been vacant since Buca di Beppo closed in January. The company has been increasing its footprint, recently opening a store in downtown Indianapolis. According to the Giordano’s website, the company has dozens of locations in Chicago and its suburbs, two in Indianapolis, one in Minneapolis and three in Florida.

According to the company, “Giordano’s has been acclaimed “Chicago’s Best Pizza” by NBC, CBS Chicago, New York Times, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Eater, Home & Garden Magazine, Concierge Preferred and more!”

In addition to its signature pizza, Giordano’s also carries thin crust, extra thin crust, sandwiches, other Italian specialties and a variety of appetizers, salads and desserts.

Giordano’s family-owned parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2011 because of problems with real estate that were unrelated to the restaurant chain. After emerging from Chapter 11, four restaurants closed as a result of the legal battles.