The Original Gino’s East of Chicago, celebrating its 40th Anniversary, announced that Chicago Cubs Catcher Michael Barrett, who has joined the restaurant “team” for 2007, will hold a fan Meet & Greet on Thursday, January 18, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., at its River North restaurant located at 633 N. Wells Street, Chicago, IL. 
          “A special highlight of the event will be the christening of the Gino’s East Michael Barrett Cheeseburger Deep Dish Pizza,” said Gino’s East president Jeffrey Himmel. “Michael calls it his ‘favorite pizza,’ and we’re delighted to feature it on our menu.”
          Fans who have filled out and submitted entry forms for the Catch Up with Michael Barrett trivia contest now underway at participating Gino’s East restaurants and Online at www.ginoseast.com will have a chance to win a baseball or other baseball memorabilia autographed by Michael Barrett. The deadline for entering the contest is January 15.
          The Catch Up with Michael Barrett trivia contest questionnaires include six questions about the Silver Slugger award-winner. Twelve entries with all six questions answered correctly will be selected through a drawing at the Meet & Greet on January 18. 
The winners who are present will receive their items autographed by Barrett that evening. 
Winners who are not present at the Meet & Greet will be invited to come into the restaurant to pick them up or may choose to receive them by mail.          No purchase is necessary.
          Fans who attend the Meet & Greet at The Original Gino’s East of Chicago will be able—on a time-permitting basis—to have a photo taken with Barrett and autographed by him. These framed autographed photos will provide customers with a coveted take-home souvenir to display on a shelf or desk at home or at work.
          Barrett will also conduct a Question & Answer session at the Meet & Greet allowing fans in attendance to ask him a variety of questions pertaining to the Cubs, the 22nd Annual Cubs Convention, which opens the following night in Chicago, or him, personally.
          The Original Gino’s East of Chicago opened in 1966 when two taxi drivers and a friend, frustrated with rush hour traffic, decided to open a pizzeria at 162 E. Superior Street, just off Michigan Avenue. Since then, the restaurant that became an instant legend with local Chicagoans, national celebrities and visitors from around the world, has expanded to 11 locations, including the Gold Coast; River North; Lakeview; O’Hare Plaza; Orland Park; Rolling Meadows; St. Charles; Naperville; Lake Zurich; Wheaton; and Libertyville, IL.
          For inquiries about group sales and private parties call 312-266-5421. For more information visit the Gino’s East Web site at www.ginoseast.com.