Italian food is normally a four letter word in a gluten free household. Lately though, gluten free pizzas have become pretty accessible. They are available in a lot of "gluten" restaurants around Austin including:
The Brick Oven (chain)
Most of these chains source GF crusts from local company Gluten Free Kneads, one of the sponsors of Gluten Free Pizza Fest. Craigo's is the exception I know of here. The crust is thicker and more doughy. I really like it. I'll try to review it next week. Brick Oven on 35th (not associated with the chain) is probably my favorite of all the options in town. The restaurant serves up a large and varied gluten free menu including pasta, meatballs and sandwiches. It's fantastic to dine there and have choices, and it's one of Austin's most beloved gluten free friendly eateries.
Because most places use the same crust, it really gives the sauce & cheese a chance to shine (or not). The wood fired brick oven gives the pizza at Brick Oven on 35th a great subtly smoky flavor. Note the slightly charred crust edges. The sauce and cheese are also super flavorful, moreso than the others in town I've tried. My husband is a fan of their "regular" pizza for that reason. The gluten free crust is thin and is a nice combo of crispy and chewy. You can add toppings, but note that a plain GF pizza is about $12 and feeds one hungry Gluten Girl.
One thing to note is I did not consult with each restaurant about their policies to prevent cross contamination. The chance to cross contaminate at a pizza place where they make gluten dough is obviously an issue. Please be sure to ask before you order.
This post is a part of Gluten Free Pizza Fest over at ATX Gluten free. Click on over to her page to read daily recipes and learn about the pizza party being thrown to celebrate the Pizza Fest on February 24th. All pizza will be cooked by Shawn Cirkiel of Parkside, which we all know is one of my fave restaurants in town. Come join us!
Seriously, Red House?? That place is right by my house and I used to love their pizza, but I haven't eaten there since the diagnosis. So they have GF pizza? For real?
ReplyDeleteHey, they are listed as a purchaser of Gluten Free Kneads products, so I presume they use their crust to serve gluten free pizza. I will put in a call to them when they open today to verify!
ReplyDeleteHey, you missed Southside Flying Pizza! They do gluten free rust as well.
ReplyDeleteJake - i will add them! I had not heard that! Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteI think Brick Oven on 35th does have stricter procedures than most places to avoid CC. I was nervous about eating their alfredo pizza even after being assured that the alfredo sauce was GF, and when I asked about how it was prepared, the server told me that it was prepared "in the back, with the ovens, and we don't allow any flour back there at all." Worth checking on, of course, but that was pretty heartening.
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