Toronto’s east side is the city’s new mecca for pizza. An exciting landscape of old-school pizzerias competes with challenging brands offering very different pizza styles.
East of the Don Valley in Leslieville is possibly one of the pizza-densest corners of the city.
For local residents, this density is a happy dilemma to live in – it offers a variety of options to choose from in order to fulfill their ‘za fantasies. For companies, however, this can create significant levels of competition and stress on their operations.
Here’s a closer look at the space and the people driving it.
offspring pizza
Christopher Getchell was founded by a true Eastside Pizza graduate with a resume that includes stints at Libretto Pizzeria and Danforth Pizza House. Christopher Getchell runs this ship.
Opened eight years ago near Queen and Jones, they’re known for their two-day risen and generously steamed square pies.
General manager Kye Andrews tells blogTO that he doesn’t feel any pressure, “since we’re the only ones in town offering Detroit-style pizza, we’re not driven by competition.”
“We’re focused on what we’re doing here, we’re lucky we’ve actually gotten busier during the pandemic.”
The most popular pies are Jaffna, a vegetarian option with kothu roti, mango chutney and coconut sambol, and Truff-Guy, a rich mushroom pie with garlic and bacon.
Slowhand pizza
Pandemic co-owner of Slowhand Pizza Dan Ewing tells blogTO there were fewer pizza shops in the area during the lockdown compared to today.
Ewing says the decision to use a unique sourdough starter at his Queen and Pape pizzeria was intentional: “When we were thinking of going into the market, we needed something different and really really good, because at the end of the day this is a tough game – we have to make ends meet.”
It’s an old-school sourdough crust that’s placed in a pan to bake, topped to order, and baked again.
Though it’s a competitive place, Ewing tells me there’s a close-knit group of pizzeria owners who often swap advice and even sauces when things get tight.
Pizza pide
Opposite Gerrard Square Mall, this Turkish pizzeria has been open for over 20 years and offers large halal cakes with generous toppings like the popular Kiymali Acik.
blondes
In Leslieville, the Blondies’ original pink building is in Dundas West near Greenwood Park.
Featuring local high-protein, all-purpose Arva flour, Bella full-fat mozzarella, and quality Ezzo pepperoni on their most popular pies like Cold Drink / Hot Girl.
The general manager told blogTO that they’ve “performed strongly during the pandemic due to the fact that pizza is being offered as a take-out service at home.”
They believe they stand out because “the whole brand is different from others, we have a fun vibe”.
Only one night
Another pandemic baby, owners Luke and Brianna Pollard started the business from their front porch. The first branches were opened in 2021 and are only open four days a week.
Using an organic batter slow-fermented for 72 hours, the 16-inch cakes are known for having a great crust-to-topping ratio.
And these places only scratch the surface when it comes to pizza in Leslieville.
There is also Maker Pizza in Carlaw, Samaira’s Pizza near Queen and Pape, Nodo near Queen and Leslie, Vatican Gift Shop in Gerrard, Frankie’s Italian near Queen and Logan, Rorschach Brewing on Eastern Avenue and Chains like Domino’s.
pass photo
Fareen Karim at One Night Only