California Pizza Kitchen
www.cpk.com
Last verified 4/11
Reminder: You must take the responsibility of being vigilant by always reconfirming the GF status of a menu item and addressing cross-contamination issues each and every time.
California Pizza Kitchen now has a GF menu. A gluten-free pizza crust was added to the menu at the end of June, 2011 (Read below). Go to www.cpk.com/menu/ and click on "Gluten Free" in the left-hand column. It even includes two of their soups.
Notice from Tracy Rubin from CPK's media company received 6/30/11:
"The wait is over! Today California Pizza Kitchen <http://www.cpk.com/> (CPK) has launched gluten free pizza crust, making 29 of their original pizzas available gluten free.
CPK has taken notice of the increased demand with more than 3 million Americans affected by Celiac Disease and created a specialty menu with various gluten free items. Among the 29 different gluten free pizzas available is America’s favorite, The Original BBQ Chicken pizza, the Pear & Gorgonzola pizza and the Wild Mushroom pizza. CPK also offers other gluten free appetizers, soups, salads, specialties, kids items and desserts to choose from on their current menu.
CPK is thrilled to offer those that require gluten free items a menu with the same delicious offering that they’ve always had, now gluten free."
Note on their GF menu the usual warning that there is always the possibility of cross contamination and "We recommend that guests with food allergies or special dietary needs consult with a restaurant manager prior to placing an order to ask if the posted information is accurate and represents the menu items sold at the participating location."
Tamara to Listserv, 7/12
I agree with others that the CPK pizzas are delicious! I had my first one two weekends ago and my second one this past weekend.
A word of WARNING though: The gluten-free crust is thin and not puffy (I think it looks a bit like a giant round saltine cracker). If you order the gluten-free crust and get a puffy and/or thick crust, ask the server to double-check with the kitchen that they gave you a gluten-free crust.
For my first pizza experience at CPK, we ordered two separate pizzas, one
gluten-free, one regular. So when the pizzas came out I was very confident that I had received the gluten-free crust as it looked quite different from
the other. However, for my second pizza experience, I specifically ordered
the gluten-free crust and the server repeated it back to me, but when the order came out the crust looked thicker and puffy. I asked the server to double-check with the kitchen because it didn't look the same as the previous
week's pizza crust (and I did not have another pizza to compare it to this
time). She did so and returned apologizing profusely because they had indeed given me a regular crust. They made my correct pizza immediately and it was as delicious as the previous one. Had I not had the gluten-free crust previously, I would have happily and heartily eaten the pizza... and within an hour I would have been paying for it physically.
My lesson learned: The first time I order a gluten-free item from any non-dedicated restaurant I am going to ask the server to double-check with the
kitchen that the item was correctly made. If it's something like the pizza
dough, where it is obviously different from the regular dough, then I will
know what to look for the next time and won't need to ask (although for some items it's probably best and safest to always ask, certainly depending on
one's own sensitivity and risk-tolerance).
I encourage every gluten-free pizza lover near a CPK to try the pizza - making sure you get the right crust of course! And if you like it, which I think you will, take the survey (or call or e-mail them) to let them know so that they will continue to carry it. I even suggested in the survey after my
first pizza that they also turn the dough into a sort of focaccia so we can enjoy their awesome sandwiches as well, as I think the dough would work great as a sandwich base.
C. West to Listserv, 7/12
The one I went to is located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
I spoke to the manager and was told that they have training sessions
with the wait staff as to the importance of not cross contaminating.
(Of course, the chef is trained, too!)
The GF pizza is prepared in a separate location in the kitchen and the
pizza is placed on foil to cook. If you look at the link, the gluten
free menu is listed.
The price is not higher then a regular pizza.
All good news for us!!!
Hope there is one near you and you ENJOY!
C. West to Listserv, 7/10
"Just had a great gluten free pizza at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK). It
was AWESOME and no extra charge for Gluten Free!
They have a great Gluten Free menu!"
Chula Vista (Otay Ranch Town Center)
2015 Birch Rd., 91915
619-591-4630
Carmel Mountain Plaza (At Interstate 15)
11602 Carmel Mr. Rd, SD, 92128
858-675-4424
Fashion Valley
7007 Friars Road, SD, 92108
619-298-4078
La Jolla (La Jolla Square)
3363 Nobel Dr., 92037
858-457-4222
San Diego Airport
3665 N. Harbor Dr., SD, 92101
619-231-5100
Solana Beach (Boardwalk Plaza)
437 S. Highway 101, 92075
858-793-0999
Temecula (The Promenade in Temecula)
40820 Winchester Rd., 92591
951-296-0575
