DeePizz
DeePizz is Toronto’s only source for 100% halal certified deep-dish pizza.
But that’s not all: they also do calzones, sandwiches and loaded fries, all completely halal as well.
The space was most recently home to Asian project Mukimuki, and before that a Subway. A ground-level seating area gave way to the cash and kitchen area up a small set of steps.
Dough is made fresh each day for same-day use and never frozen, apparently containing a secret ingredient that makes it more flavourful.
Pies only come in one personal nine-inch size and are all made to order, which takes about seven minutes total—much less time than your average deep dish joint.
The ultimate beef pepperoni ($11) layers the dough base with red sauce, thinly sliced beef pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and more beef pepperoni.
The generous amount of mozzarella make for the ultimate stretchy, ooey-gooey deep dish pizza experience.
A chicken pesto pie ($13) starts off with a pesto base, which is actually yummy enough that I’d love to see how it tastes on pasta alone.
This one has chicken deli meat, mozzarella, grilled chicken, mushroom, fresh basil, DeePizz’s special secret aioli, and sun-dried tomatoes that add a pleasant hit of chewiness and flavour.
The “Chicago in DeePizz” ($15) is much more saucy than cheese-laden pepperoni or chicken pesto pies, the red sauce thick, fragrant and herby. There’s still a decent amount of mozzarella and beef pepperoni, the crust sturdy enough to stand up to the sauce.
A chipotle steak pizza ($13) has a red base, thinly sliced Angus steak, roasted red pepper, mushroom, bell pepper, mozzarella and a drizzle of chipotle aioli that’s more smoky than spicy.
Calzones ($11) are made with the same dough and baked in the same nine-inch deep dish pans as pizzas, dusted with a little cornmeal and folded over, stuffed with mushroom, bell pepper and mozzarella plus your choice of Angus steak or grilled chicken.
The secret aioli isn’t quite a ranch, not exactly a creamy garlic, though it is very creamy and zesty.
They’re drizzled with two house aiolis, a secret aioli dipping cup served on the side with every pizza and calzone.
DeePizz fries ($8) I could take or leave, though they are a faithful rendition of typical loaded halal fries with mushroom, bell pepper, strips of beef deli meat and mozzarella, plus ketchup and secret aioli drizzled on top.
Hector Vasquez