Picky Pizza Posters - California Pizza Kitchen

So we know this shouldn’t be a bad pizza restaurant by any stretch, but after our Denny’s experience we needed a reprieve. You know, something worth eating. Also our friends the Kytes really like this place and they are from California. At least Laura is... so that counts as authentic in our book.

Ambiance 

California-style

Ben: Are all restaurants like this in California? Booths, tables, chairs, just like you’d find in sunny fancy California. Salt and Pepper on the table, just like in California. Popular upbeat music playing, just like in California. Sweets instead of “Desserts”, just like in California.

For reasons we cannot comprehend, we were given only yellow, black, and white crayons with which to color the children's menus. But the kids decided that was just to match the CPK color scheme.

Beverages

Soft drinks, beer, and wine, just like in California

Service

Very attentive server who is way too cool looking to actually belong in Utah Valley, he kind of looked like a California native. And they brought us bread, a very big hit with any kid. Ben was actually able to change his drink order without it getting fouled up and for some reason that always seems to happen to him. [Editor's note - Ben's drink order is consistently delivered incorrectly because he likes to change soft drinks with every refill, and he gets a lot of refills. No server can keep up with his constantly changing whims]

Impressions

Crust appropriately crunchy and chewy at the same time. Had green things on it (basil) that the boys were able to pick off. A tad greasy, but not off putting. And due to an inattentive Dad ordering pizza, our cheese pizza came without sauce.

Ben: No sauce? Dad is an idiot! It’s too dry without sauce.

Sasha: I like the cheese.

WanYing: I like the stringy bits (cheese).

Sam: Not having sauce was a pleasant twist that didn’t effect the taste at all.

Dad: This is a damn fine Margarita. Makes me forget about my sore butt. [Editor's note: Jamie may have taken Steve bike riding to the top of Mt. Timpanogos today and Steve may not be fully embracing the beautiful masochism of the sport]

Price of large cheese - $11.49

The kids were well behaved enough to get sweets (dessert for you non-Californians) this time.

Score

5 out of 6 slices

As a reminder, here's our rating scale:

0 slices - I would not eat this at any price
1 slices - It’s not good but at least its pizza
2 slices - I would consider coming back if every other pizza place was closed
3 slices - Cheap enough and edible enough for my kid’s birthday party
4 slices - I’ll come back, but Dad is buying
5 slices - Somewhere between 4 and 6
6 slices - Stuffing some in my pockets to eat later