Jose Garces Talks Deep-Dish and His Favorite Slice

Jose Garces at Garces Trading Company; Photos by Jason Varney

By Danya Henninger

Though you can find a wide variety of pizza styles in Philadelphia, true deep-dish is a rarity. The high-edged, pan-baked, chunky-tomato-sauce pies are common in their birthplace of Chicago, which happens to be the childhood home of chef/restaurateur Jose Garces. Accordingly, one of the only renditions of deep-dish we know of in our city can be found at Locust Street’s Garces Trading Company.

There, you can supplement the classic base (San Marzano tomato confit, Gruyère, fresh mozzarella; $26) with an assortment of meats and veggies - think duck confit, wild mushrooms or lamb merguez. After you order, you'll likely have to wait 40 minutes for the mammoth pie to properly cook, but the rich, oozing result is worth the wait. We caught up with the Iron Chef to ask about this creation, his favorite deep-dish stops and whether he’s ever considered opening a pizzeria of his own. Read on for his answers, as well as his favorite spot in Philly to cop a slice.

What is special about deep-dish pizza?
Deep-dish has a special place in my heart because I grew up in Chicago. I love thin-crust pies too, but in a different way. Deep-dish is really hearty and satisfying, and it’s such a fun dish to order with friends - you have tons of time to chat and anticipate it while it’s baking, and then when it arrives, everyone just dives in and pigs out.

Did you eat a lot of deep-dish pizza growing up? Do you miss it?
I did, and I do - which is a big part of why I put it on the menu at Garces Trading Company!

What's your favorite pizza in Chicago? Where do you stop for a deep-dish pie when you're there?
I have two Chicago favorites. For a Neapolitan-style pie, I like Spacca Napoli, and for great deep-dish, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria.

Have you ever considered opening a pizza-centric restaurant? Would you do Latin-themed pizza (is there such a thing)?
I’m of the school of thought that one should never say never when it comes to a restaurant concept, even one that doesn’t sound at first like it makes sense. So I’ll just tell you that it’s not something I see in my immediate future, but who knows? Latin-inspired pizza, after all, would probably be absolutely delicious.

Do you have a favorite pizza in Philly?
I’m a big fan of the pizza at Osteria, but if I’m looking for a slice, I like to hit Lazaro’s at 18th and South.

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