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Garcia's Pizza In A Pan

2.7 (96 reviews)
InexpensivePizza
Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Garcia's Pizza In A Pan Photos

Business Info

GARCIA'S PIZZA IN A PAN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Good for groups
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Garcia's Pizza In A Pan

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Steve H.

I have been eating at Garcia's for 40 years. I've eaten it all of their locations in champaign-urbana. Hands down, it is some of the best pizza you will have anywhere, regardless of whether you like thin crust or thick crust or otherwise. Garcia's is all handmade, with outstanding ingredients. It is served in a rectangle, and has just the most wonderful edges and textures and tastes, with a pizza sauce that is unique, natural, and delicious. It might be the last location that they have right now, but it's been around for, again, 40 years, this place is unique, not a cookie cutter shape restaurant, has a lot of memorabilia from the company, and just has a nice Vibe about it. The owner is often there, and if you ask to meet him, you'll have the most wonderful conversation. I have felt that once in a while, the restaurant could be a little bit cleaner, but I'm not going to take any stars away from that because Garcia's Pizza is absolutely incredible. There is plenty of parking there. Bathrooms are fine. Customer service is outstanding. Garcia's Pizza in a pan is a must visit if you're passing through Champaign-Urbana or going to the university.

Atrocious pizza that is egregiously overpriced.

Pizza had weird slimy substance on it, Crust was freezer burnt, and pretty sure owner allowed squatters to live in the bathroom. The old senile worker was a jack and couldn't hear someone screaming in the bathroom. We had to wait a hour and a half for half of our food and then the worker had the audacity to tell us the restaurant closed in 10 minute. They had a good pinball machine. Don't recommend.

Flying Tomato Brothers, back in the day.

Whenever I pass through the area I try to stop by for a Gutbuster slice. So far I haven't been disappointed. Loved their pizza back in the seventies and I still love it today.

a hot air balloon
Stephanie R.

I found out a few years ago that there was one Garcia's location remaining, other than apparently a licensed location in Decatur. We found ourselves on the way south around lunchtime and for nostalgia's sake decided to stop for lunch, having not been to a Garcia's since the early 2000s, I'm thinking? I used to frequent the Peoria location at Northwoods Mall, which opened in 1981. It was on the lower level of the mall around the corner from Aladdin's Castle, but had two levels! The place had lots of wood, with railings and cozy seating areas. I had no history with the Champaign location; I was just there to eat the pizza again and maybe catch a glimpse of the past. Walking in to the unusual looking storefront, it smelled like a proper pizzeria. We walked up to the counter and the menu signage was a blast from the past. Back in the day, I think I always ordered a cheese slice but this time I went for sausage. My husband added a pair of breadsticks to his sausage slice order. We sat by the fireplace and waited for our meal. Other than the fireplace, the interior was pretty nondescript and some of the garbage receptacles, bathroom touchpoints and salt shakers could have used a wiping down. But the pizza! I thought this would be a meh, it's not as good as I remembered it experience. But it was great! The seasoning was soooo good. They should bottle it and sell it. The crust had a hint of sweetness, and the perfect crunch to the bready bottom. The breadstick was unextraordinary and reminded me of Fazolis but the marinara dipping sauce was super tomatoey and zesty. THIS is how I remember pizza tasting in the 80s. I thought this visit would be one last hurrah and a farewell to Garcia's, but my fandom has been renewed and I'll be hoping to make it back soon.

Gutbuster's pan well done
Joe S.

Been eating Garcia's for years. Ordered Gutbuster pan well done. Love the buttery yeasty crust (focaccia like), always a good amount of tomato sauce, could have a bit more cheese. With the Gutbuster's 4 ingredients always a different tasting bite. Place is barely surviving but great lunch special slice and salad.

Bruh.
Josh M.

I'm a long time patron of at least 40 years. As other friends I know have stopped coming around because "they're not the same", "the dough is frozen", etc, but I've stuck with Garcia's. Partly out of nostalgia, but mostly because I still love the pizza and the ambiance. But even I have limits. I'll just post a photo from what was served to me through the drive-through this last visit and you can be the judge.

E B.

Oh, Garcia's Pizza in a Pan, where did everything go wrong? The story of Garcia's is similar to the story of drug kingpins in 1980s Miami. From humble beginnings, they climb their way to the top of the world, build an empire, but then everything comes crashing down. As a boy, I remember the excitement of seeing the Garcias Brothers fly over our house in their hot air balloon (yes, the owners of Garcia's had an actual fucking hot air balloon, shaped like a tomato). There were around seven Garcia's Pizza joints in Champaign-Urbana, and everyone knew that Garcia's pizza was the best around. Now, nearly twenty years later, the empire is long gone. There is one Garcia's restaurant still clinging to life, but just barely. The old hot air balloon van is parked out back collecting rust. I can only imagine that the Garcia brothers are living paycheck-to-paycheck, forgoing bill payments so that they can afford pot and blow (just a guess). The pizza is still good (+ 3 stars), but put this restaurant on the critically endangered list. I don't see it surviving for much longer the way things appear to be going.

This is. Sausage Slice Special (plus medium Pepsi not shown).

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9 days ago

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4 months ago

Horrible! Omg! Pizza was cold but burnt! Not the same and just don't get it! Or don't get it delivered! Disgusting! Ugh!

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6 years ago

Best Pizza I ever have tasted. 41 years ago in Rantoul Illinois- Same fabulous taste today in Champaign!

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5 years ago

Great pan pizza. Love their sauce. Garcia's is a central IL institution and I hope they are around for years to come.

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13 years ago

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FYI- This pizzeria DOES NOT DO APPPLE PAY…read more You can use your credit card. Maya (May-Yah) was really nice and kind as our waitress. She sat us by the window which was a nice view of outside. We all ordered the tortilla soup and it was ok. It was more like a puréed soup with some shredded chicken. This place is huge and spacious and a lot of seating with a lot of tv screens which aren't as loud as other pizzerias. One an actually have a nice conversation. The moment came for the thin crust pizza and it was phenomenal omg the big size sausages are to die for.

I had two extremes for their pizza, the thinnest, and the thickest... and I enjoyed both!…read more Stumbled upon this spot when I was in the area, and I am happy I went! Coming in here, it was not too busy inside and we were seated right away. We started with some wings initially, and were then intrigued by the "Fried Garlic Butter Donuts". The wings were good, though everyone really enjoyed these fried donuts! Essentially fried dough, we were recommended to get this with the Nacho Cheese sauce, and oh man... this was a good way to start the meal! For the main course, we got the All American Thin Pizza w/ Bacon, and the Super Stuffed Pizza. The 2nd pizza is a Deep Dish pizza with extra cheese inside! Note that this pizza takes about an hour to prepare, but the wait is well worth it! Both pizzas were delicious in completely different ways. The thin pizza had a good crisp and just the right amount of cheese, sauce and flavor! The Super Stuff Pizza was very cheesy and I definitely needed a knife a fork to cut and eat it. It was VERY filling and every though we were a large group, we still took food home! Overall, if you are craving pizza in Champaign, this is one of the places to check out! Depending on your preference, I'm sure you will find the type of pizza that you like!

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Garcia's Pizza In A Pan - pizza - Updated May 2026

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