Garcia's Pizza in a Pan Review

Love this pizza, Has been great since 1970s when I was a student. Wheat crust is amazing.

good quick service, fun atmosphere, good pizza. cheap

Not what it used to be, just premade and put in an oven.

Great old school hometown pizza place. I recommend the slice combo.

Horribly over priced for doughy boring tasteless pizza. The ambiance is misleading, don't let it fool you...the food is ghastly. Almost 4 dollars a slice, and not very big...skimpiest sauce and cheese I've seen...almost nothing...messed up the toppings on top of it... Slobby dirty looking cook, with a booger hanging out of his nose. I've had better pizza in high school. Honesty the only nice thing about the place was the gas lit fireplace. Don't bother.

I've heard a lot of complaints about this place lately, but i've gone there twice in that last couple of months and every time I go, not only do I get amazing service, but the pizza is some of the best pizza in town (stuffed pizzas specifically). I almost killed myself with pizza both times I've been there. This is a great place - its a little out of the way, but it is still worth going to or ordering from for the great service they provide and the spectacular pizza they cook!

Picked up two pizza's Friday night one thick crust pepperoni and one thick crust gutbuster with a whole wheat crust and they were both delicious. I will be back for more!

Words cannot describe the miserable and heart breaking experience I felt as soon entered Garcias. The moment I walked in the chemically processed fumes were clouding my judgement on why I was in the filthy run down restaurant that was Garcias. There were random shrubbies and cactuses filling the dirty pile of filth. The line was extremely long and as I waited I watched the people around me slowly disappear. I sure wish I had gone with them. My guess is that they went somewhere..anywhere else for an edible meal. As we waited to order it took roughly 30 minutes!! For a slice of pizza. When we got up to order the older gentleman took a string of cheese off of somebody's pizza and ate it! In front of customers, ridiculous. It took 10 minutes as he went to check on other people's food, probably just looking for more to eat and scraps left around to fill his hungry belly. He dropped my money on the floor then didn't offer took pick it up. He handed me a cup with root beer dripping down all sides then I walked to a dirty seat filled with crumbs and filthy napkins. I could not even throw them out because the garbages were so overfilled. Upon waiting for our 4 slices of pizza the workers were setting them onto the counter without calling out the names. One happened to be mine unfortunately I never found out. While listening to my rumbling stomach I watched a the gloveless employee scratch his back and pull down his shirt without washing his hands or putting on gloves.. The meal we received was completely incorrect and cold. I was appalled by the complete lack of any restaurant etiquette. The bathroom floor had puddles of water on it. Safety precaution. One of the many. Finally I got my greasy cold food, not at all worth my hour of waiting. Believe it or not it took longer to wait for my food then to write this review. All and all if I could give zero stars, I would. Unfortunately Google doesn't give that an option.

Not as good as it used to be but still better than Pizza Hut or Papa John's. Good value deals for a slice and side meal.

The place was filthy. I took my family and was embarrassed when we got there. Will not go to this Garcia's again. Maybe the other one is better...sure hope so. What a shame.

Garcia's Pizza: a food-borne illness waiting to happen. Having only heard bad things about the place in the past, I still somehow ended up eating there with a friend. Once is too much for this place. Just the air in the restaurant is so saturated with greasy vapors that it makes your nose flare up and say "Get out now". I payed almost 7 dollars for a slice of pizza, 2 bread sticks, and a drink. I watched as the sweat drenched employee filled the cup with ice using an ancient ice scoop that looked like it hadn't been washed in years and years. The little details really got to me. Poor ventilation, greasy film on everything, the visibly filthy surface the employees were working off of, the huge sooty microwaves they use to prepare everything, the dirty corners everywhere you look, oily glass doors that are never cleaned off, extremely greasy over-filled garbage cans. I can only imagine what the bathroom looks like. My nacho cheese was nice and clumpy. It tasted kind of like wax, and i just ended up eating the sticks on their own. They tasted like bread. So score there. But the staff clearly never cleans out the cheese, they just add more and mix it up, over and over and over again. I mean c'mon guys you can just tell. Pizza dough had clearly fermented, I took one bite and it tasted metallic, like spoiled wine. Stay away folks!

The crust recipe has changed and not for the better. Generous toppings on Gutbuster and sausage slices. Far from the 5 stars of it's heyday.

Great pizza, and I love when their hot air balloon is out in the sky.

I used to come to Garcia's all the time when I lived in town many years ago. I had to come if for a slice for old times sake. I'm sorry I did so. The pizza was awful. I should have take the cue from the fact that on a Saturday at noon I was the only person in the place. I got two slices of pepperoni. The crust was bad, the sauce was bad, the cheese and the pepperoni were unremarkable. I didn't finish the slices. Not coming back until some folks I trust convince me otherwise.

Tuesday August 15, 2017
My wife an I Called in a Dine in order
We ordered the Famous Gutbuster thick crust in A Small size we arrived at Mattis location got our drinks sat down they brought us our order baked perfect
Just like always I remember the store they had in Rantoul Il. Years ago i use to go there in Rantoul back in tbe 80's!!! service was Great Back Then too. Great food an service, they do not have the store Rantoul anymore, but the short drive Champaign is well worth the drive an money

Best to get a full pizza pie than just a slice since it's fresh. Tastes like the old stuff Last single slice I had was AWFUL!!! The sauce literally peeled off the crust like it had been there all day and was just nuked

Great deep pan pizza. Their stuffed gutbuster is to die for.

Was the best 40 years ago when I first had a slice and it is still the best today.

Some of the worse pizza I've ever had. I've had better frozen store bought pizza.

Food is very good but please fix your staffing issue of never having enough people so I don t have to wait 15+ mins just to order at the counter...

Pizzas come out fast, fresh, and they're pretty good. The people working here are nice and willing to chat. They've got the best bread sticks.

Dustin provided service with a smile. Pizza was GREAT

Maybe I'm nostalgic for this place because my uncle used to take me to the old location when i was a kid, but i recently moved back to the area and stopped by Garcias - holy cow... the pizza is among the best i've ever had. Service and staff were so kind and welcoming and friendly. Definitely plan on becoming a regular! The place is a throw back so don't expect a super nice newly remodeled pizza parlor - this is old school, and the food is out of this world. Do yourself a favor and stop in for a gutbuster slice.

So sad , so disappointed this place was great years ago and I thought I would try it out again years later. Burnt and dry I even complained and they made me a new piece of pizza . It was still bad, not sure if it's a different recipe than the past or maybe they are over cooking it. So sad ... this place had the best pizza years ago. Very sad for them they have probably lost a lot of customers.

Great pizza by the slice, too bad the company has diminished to only one store...in hay day campus stores were the best

Very friendly and helpful staff. Amazing pizza. I had the stuffed cheese and loved it.

Have enjoyed fare of food and service at Garcia's since Early 70's. Can't recall how many dine-in and carry outs to Monticello. Wish small store they opened in my Hometown was still there!

There was something wrong with the sauce. Not good at all.

Restaurant was dirty. Minimal, unfriendly staff. Very long wait. Will not be back.

My wife and I drive here from Crawfordsville, IN every couple months just to get the Gutbuster. The Garcia's on the Purdue campus in Lafayette closed about 20 years ago and try as I might, nothing even comes close. The toppings are always fresh, the crust is slightly sweet, and the sauce tastes like something your grandma made. The one criticism I have is that (at least at this location) they tend to get the pizzas a little over done. It's not a deal breaker for me. I just ask them nicely to pull it a couple minutes early and we're good to go. It's hands down my favorite pizza!

My order was messed up and initially i called and they stated nothing would be done to correct the error, but my correct order was brought in and was delicious.

Good pizza. Can get it by the slice and you have to try the gutbuster!

Pretty good pizza but the bread sticks were the best!

Not what it used to be in the old days, and the place is pretty run down, but I still continue to eat here.

The tastiest Illini tradition: pizza in a pan from the Flying Tomatoes! Go for the gutbuster, thick.

Having grown up on Garcia s pizza in the mall back when it was in Northwoods in Peoria I was a bit excited when I found myself in Champaign on a lazy day and a Garcia s pizza in their backyard. Ordered a small pizza and picked up in the drive thru. Pizza had a good amount of toppings but was not cooked all the way. Middle was cold and outside was just right. If I was planning on eating around the crust it would have been perfect but the cold center killed it for me. Next time I m in the area I ll give it another shot.

We went there Sat night 830, one customer. Was going to order a slice or two but guy said cheaper to get whole pizza. Well it was $44 for two drinks two breadsticks, and 8 slice of pizza. Pizza wasn't hot, crust tasted day old was not good. Complained before we left about the price Ann that pizza was terrible. Was just told we are a high price pizza place. Are you kidding me? Unreal never never again...

Thought I would give Garcias another chance after a couple years. Well that was a mistake got a gutbuster slice and they brought the slice out and it was burnt. Can't say I'd recommend anyone ever going there.
The pride in the brand is gone just like the 80's.

My spouse loves the slices, I like the breadsticks and salads. I've never dined inside. We always use the drive up window after shopping. It's quick and not fussy.

Mold on my crust. Saw some cups fall on floor and an older guy put them back to be used instead of throwing them away

Consistently delicious pizza. Drive thru, take out, or dine-in. Cold and rainy days are nice by the fire inside.

Best I've ever had love the pizza wish they would build one up north it's so good

Its usually good but last time they burnt the pizza ! They could also use a remodel on the building.

Garcias has always been a family favorite and will continue to be one

The inside is dirty, greesy and grimey. The pizza was burnt on the sides and cold in the middle. The dining area looked like it had not been cleaned in a few days. The restrooms stank like stale urine and also had not been cleaned in some time. Pizza was bland with little or any flavor. I won't be returning.

Terrible experience.

I ordered from Garcia's pizza in Champaign at 8:40pm on 8/24. At 9:15 the driver called me telling me he couldn't find the address. After explaining it to him, I stepped outside to wait for him. At 10, I called the store wondering what happened. The manager told me his driver claimed to have delivered the pizza, and that he would get one sent to me ASAP. A little before 1030, the driver called me saying he "finally found the place, if you still want the pizza". I found that this was NOT a new pizza, and had definitely been sitting in the driver's car for an hour.

If you're going to employ liars, make sure they all at least get their story straight.

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).

The customer service was very good. There only seemed to be two workers, but the food came out quickly and one worker came around to check on us regularly. The food is relatively good. I prefer thin crust pizza, but as the name implies they serve pan pizza. The restaurant interior is a bit outdated, so it looks a little grungy. However the entire time we were there, the workers were cleaning whenever they were not taking care of customers. Thus I think it just comes from age.

Was one of the filthiest place I have been in... Food was good..

Taste like an overly expensive lunchable, with rude employees and the owner will allow this

Every time I come home from FL I eat here. It's the same as it was 12 years ago. Nothing has changed and food is always great! Sometimes it's a little busy and the line is slow. But always worth the wait. Never have I been sick or had a rude employee serve me. THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT PIZZA PLACE. I can't find anything like this in FL. So I appreciate good pizza when I get a chance.

Love this pizza. Thought that all the places had closed. Found this one online. Sooooo good.

As a teenager last century I fondly remember going to Garcia's on Green street and ordering by the slice. We ordered a "gutbuster" stuffed pan pizza for carry out tonight and I'm afraid it's not the same. It was underbaked and dominated by the too-sweet sauce. Perhaps the slices are still what they used to be? Can't say, but you might want to skip the stuffed whole pies.

Also, we ordered online via EatStreet and the integration isn't worked out. EatStreet tells you to expect a second email when your pizza is ready for pickup, but said email never arrived. After it seemed well overdue, I called to inquire; the pizza had been ready for 20 minutes at that point. Sounds like you should just call Garcia's directly.

Before I go on a road trip, I always stop by Garcia's and grab at least a slice and a couple breadsticks. When it comes to local pizza, it's been one of my favorites for close to 10 years now. I used to work in the strip mall next door and go there for lunch back in 08. If you want fine dining, (As in fancy, Garcia's is just fine with me.) this probably shouldn't be your first choice, but I've never been disappointed with the quality of their pizza. I hope they remain open for many, many years.

The owner is the nicest guy ever and the pizza is delicious. Fun interior design as well.

They had a Garcia's Pizza back in the 70s was a kid in high school you go to campaign get the same pizza that's awesome

Eating Garcia's is a sentimental occasion. The food and service is exactly how I remember it. I miss the campus location though.

The building is old and dirty but I recommend getting over it because the pizza and breadsticks are fresh and fast every time now. If you wrote off Garcia's in the past it is worth another try. It is a very unique type of thick pizza.

Local pizza hasn't changed it recipe and still holds up to when I first had it 30 years ago. For a special treat check out the weekday Baby stuffed pizza(limited time). Years of history line the walls as different parts of former locations exist. The flying brothers still make an amazing pizza

Place was dirty. No Covid measures in place. Sign on window saying they failed health inspection and can see why. Won't be going back

Pizza was ok, kinda pricey but overall was good. Nice and quiet atmosphere.

Slices are smaller and just don't taste the same as they did 30 years ago. Disappointed.

It's a bit expensive for what you get, and there are better deep dish pizza places in town. The food is not bad, though.

Went here late night when all other pizza places were closed. We played pinball while we waited which was fun the atmosphere is themed like umbrella... Tesla coil... Hot air balloon party which is fun. And we got our pizza quickly the staff was polite. But the pizza is only okay and has way too much.

Went here late night when all other pizza places were closed. We played pinball while we waited which was fun the atmosphere is themed like umbrella... Tesla coil... Hot air balloon party which is fun. And we got our pizza quickly the staff was polite. But the pizza is only okay and has way too much.

Slow service slices half burnt with half toppings slid to one side

Their pizza is pretty good. It's a nice change from the big chains. Met the owner while we were there and he was really fun to talk to. Their kitchen looks like it could use a serious overall. It just kind of looks a bit dingy. Like, the side panel of the warming oven they were using had fallen off, so all of the wires and stuff were exposed.

I was delivered the wrong order and i told the driver. He didn't care. He qas rude. I called the store no one answered. Yes i have been a fan of Garcia's for years.