California Pizza Kitchen Review
Comments(14) 
Lately, I been dining at California Pizza Kitchen after a decade long hiatus. I remember back then, I had to quiz the waitperson to figure out what was vegan on the menu. Nowadays, they have a whole section listing what’s vegan, what’s lacto vegetarian, and what’s lacto ovo vegetarian on their website. It’s very handy.
There’s two options for vegan pizza. I always get what’s pictured above – Vegetarian with Japanese Eggplant – baby broccoli, grilled Japanese eggplant, roasted corn, sliced red onions, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and tomato sauce. Asked for no cheese and on the Neapolitan dough (thin-crust).
I love thin crust pizza. The thinner, the better as far as I’m concerned. CPK’s is so thin and crisp, there’s an actual crunch to certain parts. And I love the flavors of the toppings, they’re not your standard veggie pizza toppings.
The second vegan pizza option is the Tricoloré Salad Pizza – chilled arugula, baby red leaf lettuce, radicchio, diced tomatoes with homemade Dijon balsamic vinaigrette dressing and no cheese – which I have not tried. To me, it just sounds like salad on a pizza crust.
I’ve also tried the two vegan soups, the Asparagus Soup with no croutons and the Dakota Smashed Pea and Barley Soup, pictured above. They’re both alright, kinda on the salty side though.
I usually get the soup just to round out my meal but I might try a salad or an appetizer next time instead. I heard about their Menu Adventure Guarantee as I was leaving – try something new, if you’re not thrilled, they’ll replace it with one of your usual favorites. I might have to take them up on that.
Mm. I should check their menu now – they used to have this BBQ chopped chicken salad and they’d sub avocado for chicken for no extra charge. That was pre-vegan though cause I’m pretty sure the dressing was ranch-y.
I ate there recently with my kids (we are veg, not vegan) and was absolutely blown away by the prices. My tiny salad with a little bit of hummus was $13! And the kids pizza, which was literally the size of an English muffin, was $7. I just don’t know how they can charge those prices in good conscience. I like the food but we won’t be going back.
I love a good thin crusted pizza. Can you send me piece?
wow, that’s awesome that they finally got hip to the whole vegan thing.
p.s. thin crust rules!
that vegan pizza looks so much better than one dripping with oily cheese. love the veggies!
I had no idea I could eat vegan at this restaurant. Very good to know!
appifanie – Yeah, they’re pretty limited on the vegan salad selections. But it sounds like a great idea for a salad at home with vegan ranch dressing.
Dana – They’re definitely not cheap. I think my pizza was about $15 and the cup of soup about $3 something. It’s an once in awhile kinda place, I don’t eat there all the time.
Chuck – I would except it taste best right out of the oven. :-) The leftovers I take home are nowhere near as crispy. I’m not sure how it is when it’s to-go, I’ve always eaten at the restaurant.
veggievixen – I wish more restaurants would get hip to the whole vegan thing. :-)
Clean Veggie – I know, the oily cheese thing was the final straw that pushed me from vegetarian to vegan.
lisa (show me vegan) – For the longest time, I avoided them because it was a challenge to order vegan. Now, it’s a lot easier and they have locations everywhere.
These are the most beautiful food photos I’ve seen in a long time! I’ll be reading your writing from now on! Visit me at my blog- I’m in Toronto.
Lyn
Oh that pizza looks so delicious! Wish we had a place like that here in Finland.
My boyfriend and I used to go here ALL the time when we lived in Cambridge at the galleria. We always ordered the thin crust pizza without cheese. It was so delicious and the appetizer hummus was also so good as it came out with warm pita slices. I miss that pizza so much. I’ll have to get some again soon but this time I’m bringing my Follow your heart soycheese and asking them to put it on top. We should all suggest that they carry it and make real vegan pizzas! I will put in a suggestion right now – please anyone else do the same! Thanks!
I hadn’t thought that this place would have any vegan options, but those pizzas do look pretty good!
Lyn Rose – Thanks!
Elina – Thanks, you may not have a CPK in Finland but you sure do have beautiful photos of food! Wow! :-)
Pat – Great idea! I’m going to suggest that too! Thanks!
Hannah – Yeah, who would have thought? They are tasty and the servers seem to know what’s vegan without having to run to the kitchen to ask.
I had my first california kitchen pizza tonite and i bought the bbq chicken frozen from the grocery store.. Although hesistant at the price, when i tasted it, I was amazed at the wonderful flavor combo. I must admit i did add a little more or my own bbq sauce on top.. awesome.. best pizza i had and I’ve been eating pizza for decades.
I’ve never tried the frozen ones myself, glad to hear they’re good as well. :-)