California Pizza Kitchen

[nbermas]

What do think is the best thing there and why? With it being a chain how fresh are the ingridents and why? Have a gift certfificate and don't want to waste it on things that aren't the best there. Thanks

[etoiles]

I enjoy CPK especially being a vegetarian since it has so many options. I like the tostada pizza in particular.

Now that I read about it that is true that the dough is oddly sweet...

[ReelMike84]

I really don't like CPK pizza. Sweet dense doughy crust with a funky combination of skimpy toppings lacking in flavor and edibility.

If you must eat there stick with any of the salads. Those are surprisingly edible and will leave you happier then if you'd gone with the pizza.

CPK Pizza... just thinking about it makes me queasy.

[VegasEl]

If you can get past the processed chicken they use at CPK, there are several menu items that are very good. The Thai Crunch Salad is excellent. The Tuscan Hummus is absolutely delicious...ask for extra checca (tomatoes with garlic & basil) on top.....I crave this dish. The Gorgonzola & Pear pizza is very good as is the Thai Chicken pizza.

[vballgal]

i like their salads as well - they have a roasted veggie salad that i've had a couple of times and have enjoyed.

[meb903]

bbq chicken chopped salad.

[viperlush]

I've always enjoyed their salads. Good toppings and the lettuce always seems fresh. The thai chicken pizza is surprisingly good. We tend to get a salad and pizza to share.

[ferret]

What does being part of a chain have to do with freshness of ingredients? Even McDonald's sources produce locally to their outlets. It may not have been picked yesterday or grown on an organic farm just outside of town but it's certainly no different than what you get at the grocery store. I'm not going to generalize across all chains, but many have quality controls in place that would be a far sight better than many non-chain restaurants.

[nbermas]

Because usually a chain is the last place i would pick, I am not a chain women. I lprefer a place where the recipes are not told by corporation what to do and use and the chef doesn't get to be creative. As far as the ingridents I am sure they are not buying the ingridents from a farm but Sysco or such. I go to farmers markets first before the supermarket.

[chileheadmike]

I ate there once. I had the Jamaica Jerk Chicken Pizza. Wow that thing was sweet. Way over the top sweet. I didn't care for it at all.

My wife had a pasta dish that she really liked, not sure what it was.

[GarageRock]

I agree with chilihead...I was at a CPK for the first time 3 days ago and had the same Jerk Pizza, and had the same complaint...WAY too sweet! Jamaican Jerk Chicken is NOT supposed to be sweet, so I don't understand this pizza at all...although it does have a little kick to it which is nice. My GF loved her Thai Linguini with chicken, though...I tried it too and I agree....so next time I'll order differently and give them another shot.

[pie22]

i like CPK for what it is - my faves are the hummus, bbq chicken chopped salad, tortilla soup, tandoori chicken pizza (you gotta get a specialty pizza here) and the tequila chicken pasta dish...good variety.

[baseballfan]

Overall, I am not a fan of CPK mainly because the 2 locations near me always seem so dirty. With that being said, I do like the tortilla soup and they one pizza that has pears and blue cheese on it along with some greens that was not bad.

[nbermas]

Dirty isn't good that is my biggest bone of contention but luckily our is brand spanking new and clean. I will let you know about the food soon. Thanks

[baseballfan]

Glad to hear that they are not all that way. Hope you find something that you like.

[alliebear]

I agree with your choices and would add the Santa Fe pizza and the brownie sundae.

[kkachurak]

I'm a big fan of the BLT pizza, on the honey-wheat dough. But I'm an oddity.

...but if you think that sounds like your thing, definitely try it, 'cause it's delicious.