An Update from Home Slice Pizza

Hey friends! Every couple of years I check back in with Home Slice Pizza to see whether they have found their solution for gluten-free pizza. Unfortunately, they haven't found their perfect version yet, but I received the following information for those who'd still like to dine!

Feel free to comment if you've tried their options below.

We strongly suggest (along with Home Slice!) that you try Via313. We've never gotten sick and it is AMAZING!

Home Slice’s response to g-free option: Thanks for your note. We have experimented with different locally-produced and homemade gluten free crusts and so far they just haven’t met our expectations. New York Style pizza is defined by gluten, so it’s been a tall order. We are just so hesitant to put out a product that is less than amazing, or one that is so different in look and texture from our regular pies that frankly we’ve gotten discouraged and have put our explorations on hold for the time being. The good news is that we do have items on our menu that are naturally gluten free: our delicious green salads (Greek, Caesar or House), the fresh and colorful Insalata Caprese, or the heartier antipasto plate. We even have some gluten-free desserts. Our Italian ices are made in house — lemon and chocolate, and they are super delicious and more satisfying than you’d think. They’re dairy free, too! Not many people have room for dessert after pizza so they often get overlooked, but we're super proud of them. (Also our home made rice krispy treats are gf.) Another tip we are happy to share: Via 313 has one of the best gluten free pizzas we’ve ever tasted. It’s not NY-style but Detroit-style, which means it’s thick like our Sicilian pie but with this awesome crusty cheese baked around the edges. After all our research I think we’d have a better chance of making a delicious gluten free pie more like this style than the thin crust. Please do let us know if you ever find a crust out there that you love, and we’ll investigate! Lastly, we have opened our North Loop location and we are featuring Classic Buffalo Wings at that location only. We will be making them crispy, spicy and tangy served with blue cheese dressing, all gluten free. We will continue to serve all our gluten free salads, antipasto and Caprese as well. We look forward to serving you soon! Your Homies

Recent Gluten-Free (Celiac!) Faves

As I've explained multiple times (because it frustrates me so much!) my full-blown searchable website has become infected so I can't search for many of my favorite locations. I also am unable to help others!

Therefore, I just wanted to bring to the top of my blog some of my favorite (and safe) gluten-free restaurants in and around Austin. I have spoken to the managers at every single one of these and eaten successfully dozens of times. 

Please feel free to comment and add to the list!

Breakfast Tacos:

• Torchy's Tacos
• TacoDeli + chips & queso!

American:

• HopDoddy - buns, fries
• Chez Zee

BBQ:

• Salt Lick - everything but bread and dessert
• County Line

Tex-Mex:

• Maudie's - special gluten-free chips (make sure to ask!) and queso
• Iron Cactus

Asian:

• Thai Fresh
• Koriente

Italian:

• Brick Oven
• Taverna - also great for brunch
• The Grove

Pizza (both use separate pans, utensils and toppings):

• Via 313
• Austin's Pizza

100% Gluten-Free: Wildwood Bakehouse!

Steak:

• Sullivan's Steakhouse
• Perry's Steakhouse

Off the Menu: Austin Terrier

I want to thank some more friends in the MBA program for bringing this location to my attention! Austin Terrier prides itself on being healthy, fresh and community oriented. They also have a great variety of gluten-free options and are very kid and family friendly! I urge you to give it a try as soon as possible:


Build your own Pizza - gluten-free pizza crust available and all toppings are OK



CHEESE
Parmesan, Mozzarella, Goat, Feta, Brie

TOPPINGS
Black Olives, Broccoli, Jalapeños, Mushrooms, Pineapple, Spinach, Marinated Tomatoes, Red Onions, Cilantro, Basil

MEAT
Chicken, Sausage, Pepperoni, Ham

SPECIALTY
Roasted Red Peppers, Artichoke Hearts, Pesto, Bacon



Specialty Pizzas:


WILLIE
Sausage, red onions, jalapeños,
black olives

TRAVIS PIE
Grilled chicken, pesto, feta, red
onions, basil

TASSO’S PIE
Feta, artichoke hearts, black olives,
red onions, oregano

SPICY TERRIER
Jalapeños, red onions, grilled
chicken, cheddar

CAPITOL PIE
Marinated Tomatoes, Italian
sausage, mushrooms, roasted red
peppers

HYBRID
Grilled Chicken, artichokes, basil,
red onions, parmesan

HAWAIIAN
Ham, pineapple, jalapeños

ZILKER LOVE
Spinach, red onions, marinated
tomatoes, feta, pesto, black olives

SXSW
Broccoli, Chicken, Red Onions,
Cheddar, Cilantro

THE ORIGINAL
Tomato sauce and cheese

THE STANDARD
Pepperoni, fontina & mozzarella

FIVE POINTS PIE
Mozzarella, provolone, fontina,
parmesan and feta, with tomato
sauce.

Soup:
Seasonal Carrot Ginger


Salads: 
ADD CHICKEN OR STEAK $2.95  •  ADD AVOCADO $1.95
DRESSINGS: House Vinaigrette, Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

HOUSE SALAD
Fresh Romaine lettuce, marinated tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and
feta cheese with our house vinaigrette

CAESAR SALAD (NO CROUTONS)
Fresh Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese and crispy croutons with a
traditional Caesar dressing

APPLE & BLUE CHEESE SALAD
Organic Mixed Greens, sliced apples, blue cheese crumbles, walnuts, and
house vinaigrette

GREEK SALAD
Fresh Romaine lettuce, cucumbers, marinated tomatoes, shaved red
onions, feta cheese, roasted red peppers and black olives, with house
vinaigrette

SOUTHWEST SALAD
Organic Mixed Greens, diced tomatoes, roasted corn, black beans,
avocado, cilantro and feta cheese, with chipotle ranch dressing

CHOP’D SALAD
Fresh Romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, bacon, blue cheese, black olives
shaved red onions, and fresh avocado, with ranch or blue cheese dressing

SEASONAL ORGANIC SALAD

Sandwiches: Served on Romaine Leaf


CHICKEN 
JACKSON  
Chicken breast, lettuce, marinated tomatoes, garlic mayo, and cheddar

GETTY
Chicken breast, pesto mayo, marinated tomatoes, spinach topped with
melted provolone cheese and feta

BUSTER
Chicken breast, mushrooms, red onions and red peppers with melted brie

CHARLIE
Chicken breast, avocado, lettuce, red onions, marinated tomatoes and mayo

HUTCH
Chicken breast, lettuce, marinated tomatoes, onions, olives, pesto mayo
and feta cheese

BUDDY
Chicken breast, spinach, marinated tomatoes, lettuce, garlic mayo,
parmesan with provolone and cheddar cheeses

CHAMPION
Chicken breast, lettuce, marinated tomatoes, garlic mayo, mozzarella,
and feta

TURKEY 
SALLY  
Turkey breast, marinated tomatoes, lettuce, pesto mayo, and brie

PEYTON  
Turkey breast, bacon, marinated tomatoes, lettuce, onions, blue cheese
dressing, Dijon horseradish, and swiss cheese

DANCER
Turkey breast, lettuce, diced tomatoes, alfalfa sprouts and avocado with
garlic mayo

TOMMY
Turkey breast, alfalfa sprouts, cilantro-lime vinaigrette, and provolone


ROAST BEEF
BUFFY
Roast beef, garlic mayo or Dijon mustard, and melted brie

JACK
Roast beef, bacon, lettuce, diced tomato, horseradish and spicy Dijon
mustard, and blue cheese

FRITZ  
Roast beef, lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado with blue cheese dressing
and cheddar

REAGAN  
Roast beef, turkey breast, coleslaw, Thousand Island dressing, and swiss cheese

MEAT
FRANKIE
Genoa salami, turkey breast, lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, mayo, a
touch of oil and vinegar and provolone cheese

SCOTTIE
Bacon, organic greens, and marinated tomatoes  with avocado

FINNEGAN
Ham, turkey breast , lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, oil and vinegar with
melted provolone

EMMA
Hot pastrami, roast beef, coleslaw, Dijon mustard, and melted swiss

LOGAN
Sliced steak marinated in an Adobo sauce garnished with a red wine
onion reduction, cheddar cheese, garlic mayonnaise, organic greens and
tomatoes served on a baguette.

VEGGIE
TORO
Avocado, broccoli , mushrooms, alfalfa sprouts covered with melted
provolone, and pesto mayo

ROADIE
Hummus, marinated tomatoes, red onions, alfalfa sprouts and lettuce
with feta

NELLIE
Spinach, marinated tomatoes, artichoke hearts, feta, fontina and basil mayo

Off the Menu: J. Black's

SO excited that one of the west 6th locations has jumped on the gluten-free bandwagon! Since starting my work with Smart Flour Foods I've been thrilled at some of the locations coming through the pipeline that are choosing to carry g-free pizzas and more. Find the menu items below!

Added bonus - they have fantastic happy hours and all toppings are gluten-free too! I know what I'm suggesting next time :)

Domino's Gluten-Free Pizza: Scary!

Anytime I find a restaurant that is adding gluten-free food items I get so excited...more options is always good, right? Unfortunately, after seeing the video below from Domino's I'm nervous for the launch of their "gluten-free" pizza. When I first heard, I thought it was fantastic that such a large chain would be bringing g-free pizza mainstream, but watch this video and you'll notice that:

- It isn't really gluten-free - they tell Celiac patients not to touch it
- There is cross contamination happening all over the place (oven, hands, pans)
- No mention of toppings and what is/is not gluten-free
- Side note: also doesn't look very good (they should've gone with Smart Flour Foods!)

Let me know what you think...

Gluten-Free Pizza Coming to California Pizza Kitchen!

June 29th - who's up for lunch with me that day??
http://glutenfreeworks.com/blog/2011/05/12/gluten-free-pizza-coming-to-california-pizza-kitchen/

Gluten-Free Works: By Jennifer Harris

Yes, you read that title right.  California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) will add gluten-free crust to its June 29th new menu roll out. The chain already has a gluten-free menu, but it has not included pizza until now.
 
“The new menu will introduce nine new items, as well as a new focus on identifying options for better health and wellness,” said CPK’s co-chief executive Rick Rosenfield.  The new menu will identify the chain’s use of natural chicken, turkey, pork and sausage products, and will add salads with fewer than 600 calories for the full serving.

This Examiner has not been to a California Pizza Kitchen since being diagnosed, so it will be interesting to see how the crust is received.  There is no mention of the pizza crust supplier, or what safe handling procedures will be introduced to ensure the gluten-free pizzas will be prepared without cross contamination.

Because this Examiner works locally at a gluten-free consultant and has been in kitchen’s where pizzas are prepared, it is very important to establish safe handling procedures and to verify the gluten-status of each topping/ingredient used to prepare the pizzas.  It is quite easy to prevent cross contamination in this type of an environment, but all of the staff has to be well trained and committed to providing safe, yummy, gluten-free pizza.

Off the Menu: Brick Oven Restaurant

Yum, yum, yum...that's all I have to say! They even make their meatballs gluten-free if you ask. They change up the pastas sometimes but all of the below is legit.

Red Bridge or Bards Gluten Free Beer

Our Wine is Gluten Free

Appetizers (Add $1.00 to menu price)

Bruchetta

Portabella Mushroom

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Garlic Bread (toasted rice almond gf bread)

All Salads

Medium Pizzas

As priced on our menu with a $4.00 up charge

Pizza crusts are from Gluten Free Kneads dedicated kitchen

 Substitute lean ground beef for meatball topping

Pastas

$1.50 upcharge

We offer Pasta Rustica, Chicken Rigatoni, Pasta Primavera, Capellini Pomodoro, Spaghetti Marinara or Meat Sauce.

We use Tinkyada rice pastas

We will use spirals for most pastas so there is no confusion in our kitchen or by our wait staff and sauces are thickened with corn starch.

Gluten Free Garlic Bread is served with each Meal.

Desserts $4.50

Carrot Cake and Brownies

We also make Mac and Cheese and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches for kids. $4.95

Chicken, Turkey and Veggie Sandwiches are available too! $5.95