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California Pizza Kitchen Gluten-Free Menu

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff 3 Comments

Earlier this month I shared the great news that California Pizza Kitchen re-released their gluten-free pizza, but this time, the right way, with the guidance and blessing of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). When I had to go to the mall over the weekend to pick up a book at Barnes & Noble for a book report, I planned a stop at CPK since it is located at the other end of the same mall.  Since this was going to be the first time ordering the new gluten-free pizza, I wanted to do so in person to get a feel for how well the restaurant employees were trained.

Official Website Menu Information: California Pizza Kitchen Gluten-Free Menu
Location Finder: Find a California Pizza Kitchen Location Near You

This is the sign placed right out in front of the restaurant to lure people inside. I was thrilled to see this! To me it was definitely a good sign, pun intended, that the staff had been educated about the gluten-free pizza and procedures. I made my way over to the “To-Go” order counter and saw another good sign.

photo 2The tabletop sign talked about the strict procedures approved by the GIG and listed the four varieties of gluten-free pizzas offered:

  • Margherita
  • The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza
  • Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage
  • Pepperoni

I ordered the Margherita for me and the Pepperoni for my son. The pizzas only took 15 minutes to prepare and were presented to us like this:

Another indication that CPK got it right this time.  Only one question remains…how does it taste?  The gentleman that was working the “To-Go” counter said he liked the new version better than the old.  He went on to tell me the base ingredients, which really impressed me!

The pizza was a little overcooked at the edges but didn’t taste burnt, so it didn’t bother me at all.  The texture of the crust and the overall taste of the pizza were outstanding, so much so that I forgot about the edges until I looked at the pictures before sharing them here with you guys. The pizzas are roughly 10 inches in diameter. I stretched mine out into 2 meals by adding an arugula salad when I got home.

If you haven’t figured it out already, I am beyond ecstatic with the new gluten-free pizza at CPK.  I definitely see it being added to our “safe” list of restaurants in the Columbus area. To see where the closest CPK restaurant to you is, visit the website store locator.

Well done California Pizza Kitchen, well done.

As always, when dining out gluten-free, do your due diligence and make sure the staff understands your needs. There are very few restaurants that are 100% gluten-free, so cross-contamination is always a risk. If you don’t feel comfortable with what you are hearing from the staff, perhaps it is best to dine elsewhere.

For information about other gluten-free restaurants menus, check out our gluten-free restaurants page.

Review: Donato’s Gluten-Free Take and Bake Pizza

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff 5 Comments

Columbus is a great city to live in. In addition to all of these reasons, Columbus has a plethora of gluten-free options –  grocery shopping or dining out.  I don’t think I fully appreciated all that Columbus has to offer until visiting other cities and having trouble finding my staples.

Donato’s Pizza has been a Columbus fixture since 1963 when Jim Grote opened his first pizzeria on the South side of Columbus with only $1,300. Earlier this year Donato’s debuted the very popular Gluten-Free Sonoma Flatbread Pizzas.  The pizzas can be purchased in many Kroger stores and select health food stores in the Columbus area.  It was only a few months later when select Donato’s Pizza locations began to carry gluten-free pizzas.

IMG_7008Donato’s Pizza locations offer a couple of different gluten-free pizza options:

  • Take & Bake – Prepared and sealed in a certified gluten-free facility.
  • Create your own choice of toppings or signature pizza combinations on Udi’s Gluten-Free crust.

I didn’t realize there was a difference in the pizzas sold at the Donato’s Pizza locations other than the size of the crust until yesterday.  I stopped by Donato’s to pick up a couple of gluten-free Take & Bake pizzas for a quick dinner.  My Kroger location frequently sells out of the Sonoma Flatbreads, so I figured it would be easier to just stop at Donato’s.  The first difference I noticed was the price.  The pizzas are $13+ each at Donato’s compared to $8.99 each at Kroger.  While the circumference of the pizza is the same, the box is different and there were a lot more toppings.

In traditional Donato’s fashion… ”Edge to Edge” toppings.  Another bonus to picking up the pizzas at Donato’s is the Cheese Pizza option.  The gluten-free Sonoma Flatbread does offer a Three Cheese Pizza, but I have yet to find it on the shelves of Kroger.

IMG_7017Both Jon and I agreed that the pizza crust tastes the same, but the toppings take this pizza to a whole new level.  This is the Donato’s Pizza I remember!  Any feelings of the pizza being too expensive quickly went out the window once we sat down and had a slice.

Pizza perfection!

I still plan on continuing to buy the gluten-free Sonoma Flatbread Pizzas offered in the grocery store, but it is nice to have this new option at Donato’s Pizza for special occasions.

Well done, Donato’s, well done.

Review: Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Pizza

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff 7 Comments

It was only last week that I learned that Trader Joe’s is now making a frozen gluten-free pizza. I was really excited to hear this, as I have been really happy with some of their other store brand gluten-free products.  When I knew I was going to be close to one of the two Trader Joe’s stores in the Columbus area, I made time to swing by and pick up some of my favorite products and the new gluten-free pizza.

Trader Joe’s 3 Cheese Pizza with fresh Roma Tomatoes is the perfect food to have on hand for busy nights or lazy weekend afternoons.  The preparation time is less than 30 minutes, including the time recommended to let the pizza sit at room temperature before it goes into the oven.

IMG_3432The back of the box says the serving sizes is 1/2 of the pizza, but Jon easily consumed it in one sitting.  The pizza has a great flavor, though the crust could be a little crispier.  I have a feeling that the crust could have been improved by baking the pizza directly on the oven rack, as the box suggests.  These pizzas have quickly become one of my favorite Trader Joe’s products to keep on hand.

Doesn’t that look amazing?  The gluten-free pizzas are priced at $4.99/each, which is a little less than some of the other gluten-free pizzas of comparable size on the market.

Have you tried Trader Joe’s 3 Cheese gluten-free Pizza?  What did you think?

Recipe: Rustic Gluten-Free Pumpkin Walnut Pizza

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff Leave a Comment

A month or so ago I had the pleasure of sampling a wonderful pasta sauce from Cucina Antica – the Tuscany Pumpkin Sauce.  I have used this sauce in many ways now and would love to share some of my recipe ideas with you.  Today I will share my Rustic Pumpkin Walnut Pizza.  I love pizza on Friday nights and after my first taste of this sauce, I couldn’t resist using it on a pizza.

This has to be one of my best creations to date!

IMG_3319Rustic Pumpkin Walnut Pizza

  • 1 Udi’s gluten-free pizza crust
  • 1/2 cup Tuscany Pumpkin sauce
  • 1/4 feta cheese
  • Sprinkle of mozzarella cheese
  • Handful of raw spinach or arugula
  • 1-2 TBSP chopped walnuts

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2.  Top pizza with toppings in the order they are listed.

3.  Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

4.  Enjoy!

Serves 1-2 people

Review: Udi’s Gluten-Free Frozen Pizza

Last Updated on by the Celiac-Disease.com Staff 2 Comments

A couple of months back my mom and step dad were able to find and sample the new Udi’s frozen pizzas. I have been unable to find them in the Columbus area until our brand new Earth Fare store opened this week.  Earth Fare not only carries all three varieties of the Udi’s pizzas, but they had coupons for them as well!  The price of the pizzas were $7.49 each and then an additional $.75 off with the coupon.

IMG_1228I purchased the uncured pepperoni for Jon and the margherita pizza for me.  I have to say that I felt a little mislead by the size of the pizza box, as the actual pizza inside is much smaller.  The nutritional label says there are 2 servings, but I was able to eat the whole thing and a large salad.  I don’t mind the size, it was just misleading.  In addition to being gluten-free, the pizza is also free of soy.

INGREDIENTS: gluten-free PIZZA CRUST (FILTERED WATER, TAPIOCA STARCH, BROWN RICE FLOUR, EGG WHITES, RICE FLOUR, RESISTANT CORN STARCH, TAPIOCA MALTODEXTRIN, VEGETABLE OIL (MAY CONTAIN ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: SUNFLOWER, SAFFLOWER, NON-GMO CANOLA OIL), RICE BRAN, SUGARCANE FIBER, CANE SYRUP, GUM (XANTHAN GUM, SODIUM ALGINATE, GUAR GUM), SALT, KONJAC, YEAST (YEAST, POTATO STARCH), ENZYME (CALCIUM SULFATE, ENZYMES)), SAUCE (TOMATOES, FILTERED WATER, TOMATO PASTE, EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, SUGAR, SALT, SPICES, GARLIC, CITRIC ACID), FRESH MOZZARELLA CHEESE (CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, ENZYMES, SALT), DICED TOMATOES, PARMESAN CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, RENNET), BASIL, HERB BLEND (BASIL, PARSLEY, MARJORAM, SAGE, THYME, ROSEMARY AND SPICES).
CONTAINS EGG, MILK.

The pizza after baking – note, this is a normal-size dinner plate.

IMG_1261Not quite as pretty as the picture on the box, but still tasted good.  I liked the combination of flavors in this pizza, but I think I prefer the plain Udi’s pizza crust topped with my own toppings.  I am not sure if they use the same crust for the frozen pizzas, but it didn’t taste like it.  It is possible that being frozen topped with sauce and cheese could have had an effect on the crust as well.  I do think it is great to have these options available in stores for times when a quick, simple meal is needed.  These are great for when your children visit a friend or relative and they need a safe meal.

Udi’s frozen pizzas can be found at most Whole Foods store locations.  Like I said, I found mine at Earth Fare, but please call to check your local Earth Fare before making a trip just for this pizza.  If you haven’t subscribed to Udi’s newsletter yet, you can do so here and get a $1.00 off coupon after you sign up.