GF Delivery Pizza Showdown

I'm lucky.  In Fort Lauderdale, I live in the delivery zone for not one but TWO count'em 2 pizzerias that deliver fresh gluten-free pizzas: Pizza Fusion, the organic powerhouse, and At's A Pizza Italian Restaurant, "on Las Olas for 28 years."

I ordered basically "the same" pizza from each restaurant: pepperoni and mushroom. 

Pizza Fusion
Pizza Fusion is a chain based in Fort Lauderdale, with franchises opening up at a steady rate.  When I visit family in Fort Myers, we're literally across the street from one of them.  In addition to the pizza, they serve Redbridge Beer and a delicious GF brownie that is so rich that it must be illegal in some places.

Their pizza is an oblong job, totally organic.  The GF pizza is available in two sizes; personal, and large.  I order a large, $17 for the basic pie, and $2 for each topping, brings it to $21 and tax.  They said it would be about 40 minutes to an hour, and 45 minutes later it was delivered nice and hot.

The pepperoni is large; almost like a slice of sandwich meat.  As you can see, that's 8 slices of pepperoni per pie.  While thinner than "standard" pepperoni, it doesn't make for an easy bite, and each mouthful is uneven as a result.  The sauce is sweet and pleasant, and the cheese excellent.  The crust is light, and slightly crispy and perfect.  But the odd shape again leads to uneven dining.  Skip the pepperoni, and you've got a serviceable pie.


At's A Pizza
There seem to be a couple of other restaurants named At's A Pizza; I don't know if the Las Olas store is related to the one in Tamarac, but the website design is markedly different, and only the Las Olas restaurant offers anything GF.  The home page mentions "gluten free food items," but the only one spelled out in the menu is the pizza crust; perhaps they are planning ahead, and more items will be added in the future.  Or maybe the mean the salad.

The GF pizza is available in large only, but it's a deal at $19.99 including 3 toppings.  They told me it would take about 45 minutes to an hour, but barely a half hour later it was at my door, piping hot. It's a round pizza, but I like tradition; it's certainly easier to get equal slices out of it.  The pepperoni is traditional, too.  The sauce is rich, with just enough chunks of tomato, and kissed with garlic and basil.  The crust is the weakest link; if it's not Bob's Redmill, it's taken the same evolutionary journey.  It's heavier than the competition, and just a little mealy.  But it's properly cooked, pleasantly crispy, and held up to the end.

Reliability
I've ordered from both places a few times now; the pizza always arrives in reasonable time at a reasonable temperature.  But on one occasion, Pizza Fusion informed me they had run out of GF dough.

Conclusions
The Pizza Fusion pie definitely has the superior crust, and despite its unusual shape and over-sized pepperoni, it's a really good pie.  But the sauce and toppings from At's A Pizza are definitely more flavorful, and despite the mealiness of the crust, it is my first call for delivery pizza.  The price point doesn't hurt, either, but to be fair, $2 isn't too much if you want the organic pie.

Also, if I have a hankering for dessert, too, I call Pizza Fusion and add a brownie - they are huge, so share one with a friend.  And if you're not in downtown Fort Lauderdale, don't hesitate to order from Pizza Fusion if you have one close by - you'll be very happy with the results.

Of course, the pizzas that I make for myself leave them both in the dust.

It's great to have a selection!

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Bisquick - GLUTEN FREE!

The Las Olas Publix is carrying Gluten Free Bisquick!  I see gluten-free strawberry shortcake in my future....

Publix stores have been increasing the number of gluten-free products; look for a selection of gluten-free Betty Crocker mixes alongside the baking goods aisle.

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Udi's Pizza Crust

Today I stopped into the Whole Foods in Fort Lauderdale, and saw that they're now carrying Udi's Gluten-Free pizza crust.  I eat their granola for breakfast, and I've been known to trek out to Nutrition'Smart for their bread (no warming up required - you can use it  - fresh - straight from the package).

So I picked up a package of the 9" crusts to give them a try.

Oh. My. God.

Unbelievably light and crispy; as thin as you could want, but still up to the task of holding the ingredients.  You take them out of the freezer, top, and place into a pre-heated 450 degree oven for about 10 minutes.

From Gluten-Free South Florida

You can use whatever sauce you like; I used a variation of a recipe I learned from an Italian grandmother.

She crushed a clove of garlic onto the middle of a crust, added an 1/8 tsp each of Basil and Oregano, and then drained several canned whole plum tomatoes, and crushed everything together on the crust, spreading it around.  I now use crushed tomato instead instead of canned whole tomatoes, about a 1/4 cup's worth, or until I get the coverage I want.  (But I still mix it on the crust). I topped it with mozzarella and a little sharp cheddar, and then mini pepperonis. (and if you haven't discovered these yet - try them!

I scarfed down half of it before I thought to take a picture.  I nearly pulled out the second crust as soon as I finished the first.

Durn fine pizza, if I say so myself.


Get dollar-off coupons from Udi's Gluten Free Foods by submitting your name, e-mail address and ZIP code at this page on the company's website. The coupon can be printed twice.

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