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Welcome To Garcia's Pizza In A Pan
Garcia's Pizza In A Pan, located at 313 N Mattis Ave in Champaign, IL, is a beloved local gem renowned for its unique pan-style pizzas that evoke nostalgia and flavor. The restaurant is cherished for its warm, inviting atmosphere, where friendly staff prioritize customer satisfaction. Signature dishes like the Gutbuster showcase their renowned tangy tomato sauce and flaky, sweet crust, creating a delightful fusion of taste and texture. Diners rave about the fresh ingredients and generous toppings, making each bite a fulfilling experience. Garcia's Pizza is not just a meal; it’s a culinary journey that connects generations, ensuring that once tasted, it’s never forgotten.
About
Garcia's Pizza In A Pan
Welcome to **Garcia's Pizza In A Pan**, a cherished gem located in the heart of Champaign, IL. Renowned for its deep-dish delights, this beloved establishment has a rich history that resonates with local food lovers and newcomers alike. The moment you step inside, you are greeted not only by the warm aroma of freshly baked pizza but also by a staff whose friendliness mirrors the genuine hospitality of its owner, making every visit feel like a homecoming.
The menu at Garcia's boasts a variety of delicious options, but the standout has to be the famous **Gutbuster**—a stuffed pizza that seemingly transcends mere sustenance, delivering an experience that lingers in both memory and taste. The culinary artistry shines through the flaky, buttery sweet crust, paired with a rich, tangy tomato sauce that bursts with flavor at every bite. It's no wonder visitors like **Cemetery Angels** describe it as "a true time warp of foodie goodness," evoking nostalgia while satisfying modern cravings.
As you delve into the world of Garcia's, you’ll discover beloved classics like pizza slices adorned with pepperoni served comfortingly beneath a layer of gooey cheese, complemented by sweet, freshly baked breadsticks that leave a lasting impression, as noted by patrons like **Danica Southerland**. There's a sense of community felt here; diners come not just for the food but to support a local business that has stood the test of time. The spirit of Garcia's is interwoven with the lives it has touched, forming a tapestry of taste and nostalgia that resonates deeply within the hearts of its customers.
Customer reviews highlight not only the food but also the exceptional service, with **Sarah Leigh** noting how accommodating the staff is, especially for larger groups. It’s these moments of genuine kindness coupled with delectable dishes that truly elevate the dining experience. Returning guests reminisce about their first encounters with Garcia's and this sense of joy is palpable—a blend of satisfaction and warmth that makes every meal a celebration.
In a world where commercialism often overshadows the joys of genuine home-cooked goodness, **Garcia's Pizza In A Pan** stands as a beacon of culinary excellence. Whether you're a local or just passing through, indulge in the flavors that have made this establishment a staple in the community. This is more than just pizza; it’s a piece of history served hot and fresh, awaiting to create new memories with each visit.
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“ I ordered cheese and pepperoni slices with breadsticks. The price was a bit more than it added up to but our food was good. I really liked how sweet the bread was. The pepperonis was under the cheese. Overall recommend especially if you want to support local businesses. ”
“ Honestly, there are other pizza places but blah blah blah they're similar to 1 another, Garcias stands out all on their own if you've ever been there. I've never been mistreated by anyone and the staff is super friendly. ”
“ The owner was beyond hospitable, accommodating, and friendly. We had brought in a larger Group last minute a little after the Lunch Hour and he was so calm and flexible with meeting our needs. The outside of the restaurant does not match the service we received; which was EXCELLENT! Always nice to find other kind Humans in the world. ”
“ Amazing as it used to be! I couldn't believe that it was still here or came back actually. I was upset with myself for not thinking about checking when my daughter first started going to school there. As she's still staying over the summer I made a trip for the pizza from Chicago, I mean to see her . Truly it was for both but I would've waited a few more weekends. Being able to enjoy the delicious gutbuster with my daughter was a new highlight. Thank you!!! ”
“ The Gutbuster (stuffed) was a delicacy from that legendary tangy tomato sauce to the flaky buttery sweet crust, it was a true time warp of foodie goodness for my mouth and soul. Full disclosure but have not dined on Garcia's Pizza since The 1980s when school life in Rantoul took me there for lunch like a treat most days or later in high school, their location on Green Street became synonymous with both food, sidewalk loitering and car cruising. They set a certain kind of food standard and obviously a pizza one that led to my own chef life and eventually the publishing of a foodie zine in Savannah, GA. Nevermind their sense of fun and making it all "rock star." I recall getting their pizzas delivered by those geometric pyramid looking electric cars and seeing them sadly junk heaped later and my childhood was made braver by exactly 1 ride in their epic, if not beautiful, hot air tomato balloons complete with stem top I seem to recall? How the kids of Rantoul absolutely thrilled when we caught sight of that balloon coming over our neighborhoods! All of it was real life Willy Wonka stuff and their pizza very much The Everlasting Gobstopper or something really close to it! Did we come to take it all for granted? Yes but only in our realization that the rest of the world past Garcia's was not nearly up to standard and some part of us got jaded and the world around us more commercialized. But the Spirit of Garcia's never really left us as they'd forged so much in us right down to our sophisticated taste buds. In some ways, that's a flavor beyond flavor that cannot be defined or equaled and certainly not imitated. That's food made spiritual. Now, I did approach eating this recent Gutbuster with full objectivity and to some degree, had no true memory but only association with it that was more sentimental. Firstly I'd forgotten how beautiful it was and something out of a Carpaccio painting - pure Renaissance! The scintillating mix of onion and green peppers was so hauntingly familiar in my nostrils. My childhood returning to me! The true wave of remembrance was when that peppery, tangy sauce flooded my mouth I floated 10 feet upwards! Just divinity in a pizza folks pure and simple! Will Dave Portnoy come around and rate it? Who gives a Flying Tomato Brother! This is the pie of the Ancients that knew nothing of the internet or such characters but we'll invite him anyway! Last but not least, I could not resist thinking that the gentlemanly soul who took our order and served it up with such grace and thoughtfulness, looked every bit like a modern day Frank Zappa yet physically flattered both Garcia's founders Ralph and Joe in their wilder 1970s heyday looks but more than that, was very evident in the same passion and pride for the work and the pizza they'd gifted to the world so long ago which was proof the Garcia's legacy being intact and alive as ever and that's good because my youthfulness depends on it! ”
“ The best pizza ever. Great dough makes me addicted to the taste of the pan pizza. I and my husband have to eat twice a week at least. I am so thankful for this pizza place staying open so we can enjoy this pizza at home. The picture is of our favorite custom slice (pineapple, pepperoni, and jalapeno). ”
“ This will always be my all time favorite pizza restaurant in Champaign since 1971. Ralph and Joe are the best! ”
“ Garcia's will always be my favorite. The one in Decatur is gone, so now I have to stop any time I am in Champaign! One slice can fill me up, but of course I have to take some to go! ”