Mr. Gilberti’s Place is a family-run Chicago-style pizza restaurant at 1451 Acacia Club Road in Hollister, Missouri, a few miles from the Branson strip. Go for the cast iron pan pizza, and stay for balsamic glazed hot wings and a chocolate cake made from a grandmother’s recipe. It is open seven days a week and holds a 4.5-star Google rating from more than 2,000 reviews (checked October 13, 2026).

The best part isn’t on the menu. It’s the story of how one family’s Chicago recipes traveled to the Ozarks and were handed down to the next generation. Here is that story, what to order, what the dining room feels like, and how to build an easy Hollister afternoon around dinner.

What Is Mr. Gilberti’s Place?

Mr. Gilberti’s Place is a Chicago-style pizzeria and Italian kitchen in Hollister, just across Lake Taneycomo from Branson. The menu covers both classic Chicago styles: pan pizza baked in cast iron and a crisp thin crust, each offered in 10-, 12-, and 14-inch sizes. Gluten-free crusts are available for an upcharge.

Pizza is the headliner, but it isn’t the whole show. The kitchen also turns out spaghetti, lasagna, mostaccioli, and Italian beef sandwiches, with Mama V’s Spinach Dip and toasted ravioli to start. There’s even a salad on the menu that carries Andy Williams’ name, a fun bit of Branson history on the plate.

The Story Behind Mr. Gilberti’s: From Chicago to Hollister

This restaurant starts in Chicago. Wayne Gilberti grew up working in his family’s pizzerias in the northern part of the city, and that is where he fell in love with making pizza. In the 1990s, he and his wife, Susan, moved to Branson and opened their first restaurant in historic Downtown Branson.

They eventually sold that restaurant and moved to Gulf Shores, Alabama. After a hurricane there, the Gilbertis came back to the Ozarks and opened again on Acacia Club Road in Hollister, bringing the same Chicago recipes with them.

The next chapter is what makes Mr. Gilberti’s Place special. In 2017, the Gilbertis passed the restaurant to Haley and James. James had worked alongside Mr. Gilberti since he was 13 years old, learning the recipes, the traditions, and the care behind every pie. It wasn’t a sale to strangers. It was a handoff to people who already knew exactly how the food should taste.

That legacy is still on the walls. Photos of Mr. Gilberti and Susan through the years hang throughout the dining room.

What Should You Order at Mr. Gilberti’s Place?

Cynthia’s must-try list comes straight from her visit. She tried every one of these on camera and loved them:

• The All Meat Specialty pan pizza: Italian sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Italian beef, and Italian burger in a Chicago pan crust. The online menu lists it from $30.75 to $43.25, depending on size (checked October 13, 2026).
• Balsamic glazed hot wings: a house favorite that doesn’t appear on the online menu, so ask your server.
• James’s grandmother’s chocolate cake: a family recipe and the right way to end the meal.

Save room for whatever else is on the dessert list, too. Haley makes special desserts throughout the year, and Google reviewers mention a strawberry cake often enough that it shows up as its own review topic.

Anyone hunting for Chicago style pizza near Branson should know this kitchen has drawn national attention. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy stopped in for one of his One Bite reviews and scored the Chicago pan pizza a 7.3 out of 10, as reported by KOLR/OzarksFirst.

One practical tip: a recent Google reviewer notes the pizza dough is made from scratch and to order. Order an appetizer and settle in while your pan pizza bakes.

Watch Cynthia’s TikTok visit to Mr. Gilberti’s Place:

What Is the Vibe Like at Mr. Gilberti’s Place?

Cozy, warm, and a little nostalgic. The lighting is dim, the walls are covered in Chicago-themed decor, and family photos fill the gaps. There’s plenty to look at while you wait, and classical music plays softly in the background.

Seating works for almost any group. The dining room has space for couples, small families, and big parties, and there is outdoor patio seating when the weather is nice. Kids are welcome, and dogs are welcome on the patio.

Where Is Mr. Gilberti’s Place and When Is It Open?

Mr. Gilberti’s Place is at 1451 Acacia Club Road, Hollister, MO 65672. The phone number is (417) 334-9322.

Hours, verified on the restaurant’s website on October 13, 2026:

• Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sunday: noon to 8 p.m.

Holiday hours can change, so call ahead before a special trip. Google lists table reservations for the restaurant, and booking ahead is smart if you’re bringing a big group.

Make a Hollister Day of It

If Hollister MO pizza is the reason for your trip across the lake, make a slower day of it. Mr. Gilberti’s Place is an easy anchor. Here’s a simple plan:

• Morning: grab coffee at Hollister Coffee Co on Business Highway 65. Reviewers praise its drive-thru and relaxed patio.
• Midday: spend a few hours on the water with Branson Trout Guide, a guided trout-fishing outfit based just down Acacia Club Road.
• Evening: settle in for pan pizza and chocolate cake at Mr. Gilberti’s.
• Dessert, round two: homemade ice cream at Sweet Shack on Historic Downing Street. Its hours are limited, so check before you go.

Looking for more places to eat around the lake? Browse our Branson Dining & Shopping Guide for every cuisine and every budget.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mr. Gilberti’s Place

Where is Mr. Gilberti’s Place located?

Mr. Gilberti’s Place is at 1451 Acacia Club Road in Hollister, Missouri 65672, a few miles from the Branson strip and just across Lake Taneycomo from Branson. It is an easy drive from most Branson-area vacation rentals, which makes it a good pick for a relaxed dinner away from the busiest part of town. For directions or questions before you go, call the restaurant at (417) 334-9322.

What are Mr. Gilberti’s Place’s hours?

Mr. Gilberti’s Place is open seven days a week. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, as listed on the restaurant’s website on October 13, 2026. Holiday hours can change, so call (417) 334-9322 before planning a special trip around dinner.

What kind of pizza does Mr. Gilberti’s Place serve?

The restaurant serves Chicago-style pizza two ways: pan pizza baked in cast iron and a crisp thin crust. Both come in 10-, 12-, and 14-inch sizes, and gluten-free crusts are available for an upcharge. Specialty pies include the All Meat Specialty, loaded with Italian sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Italian beef, and Italian burger, plus Mr. Gilberti’s Specialty and a vegetarian Mama Gilberti’s Specialty.

Is Mr. Gilberti’s Place kid- and pet-friendly?

Yes to both, with one detail for pet owners. Kids are welcome throughout the restaurant, and the menu has plenty of easy family favorites like pizza and spaghetti. Dogs are welcome when you are seated in the outdoor patio area, which is open when the weather is nice. The dining room also has space for big groups, so family reunions and team dinners fit comfortably.

Who owns Mr. Gilberti’s Place?

Haley and James have owned Mr. Gilberti’s Place since 2017. The restaurant was founded by Wayne Gilberti and his wife, Susan, who first brought their Chicago recipes to Downtown Branson in the 1990s. James worked alongside Mr. Gilberti from the age of 13, learning the recipes and traditions firsthand, and Haley adds her own special desserts throughout the year. The family recipes are still the heart of the menu.

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