California Pizza Kitchen
Categories: American (New), American (Traditional), Pizza [Edit]
137 Stuart St(between S Charles St & Tremont St)
Boston, MA 02116 (617) 720-0999
- Nearest Transit:
Ne Medical Center (Orange, Silver)
Boylston (Green, Silver)
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
44 Reviews for California Pizza Kitchen
Holy god does this place stink. While the 5-cheese pizza was mediocre my friend ordered a grilled chicken panini that was absolutely disgusting. If you are in the market for pizza just go to Bertucci's. Even Papa Ginos blows this place away.
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No.
I typically have nothing against CPK but there's a distinct lack of hygiene at this location and that is not OK. The service was basically nonexistent and at about $15 a person I don't expect you to do flips but you can at least check back with us. I got the five cheese and tomato pizza. Over all pretty good but a bit salty.
On to the hygiene. One of the servers was breaking apart a sack of ice. On the floor. In the middle of the dining area. He then put the sack in the ice bin. I can only imagine what went in with it. When I visited the restroom there was a server in there who rather than washing his hands on the way out gave them a little rinse. UGG. It doesn't take very long to WASH YOUR HANDS. Luckily our server was a woman so my chance of getting Hep was a wee bit smaller.
The overall experience was that of getting shaken down. $2.50 for iced tea? Really? I get that you're a chain and homogenizing food must not be cheap but maybe you can cut us a break on the drinks that cost you what? .02 per serving? Or the least you can do is come by and see if I want more without me having to stand up or dance a little jig.
Needless to say I won't be going back any time soon. I can toss my money out in to the street and have a more fulfilling experience.
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This is one of those restaurants where I can walk in, pretend nonchalantly that I'm just walking in to meet friends, then keep walking and pretend that I'm a customer there, when really I'm just walking 'round the back to use the bathroom. I have no idea why I've done this, considering there are bathrooms available elsewhere in the mall, but it's usually prompting from a friend. Maybe she just likes the CPK bathroom?!
In any case, onto the restaurant. There's nothing special about this place to me. The pizza isn't bad, but it doesn't give me cravings. Actually that's how I feel for most of their stuff - not bad, but I never crave it. There are two things I really like about this place, and one of them is that: they have big, flavourful, fresh salads, and while none of them in particular has held my heart, they're definitely a good option. The other is the one thing that I love most of all about this place: lettuce wraps. Fresh lettuce, chopped up chicken and water chestnuts or whatever yummy stuff they put in there. Those things are good!
The place is ok, somewhat generic decor spruced up by the unique painted pizza boxes which are kinda cute. The staff has always been standard to me. Usually, there are so many other wonderful dining options in the area or not too far away that I can't bring myself to go here, so this particular location is not one that I'd ever hit up more than the one in the Galleria, for example. Not bad, but nothing special to me.
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My chain hating, local business supporting, dislike for generic looking places self hates to say it, BUT I FREAKING LOVE THIS PLACE!!!
It probably has a lot to do with the fact that I come from California and one of the original locations is just around the corner from my house, so I have been eating CPK since the age of nine.
When I came to college at Emerson, whenever I felt homesick or fed-up with dorm food I headed here! I would sneak around the corner, sink into one of their leather booths, order a BBQ Chicken Pizza on wheat dough and all my problems seemed to fade away.
While I was taking classes in the building next to the Transportation building, heading to grab a CPK salad to go on my 15 minute class break was my nutrition! I must have eaten CPK more than 5 times a week at one point!
Although I don't head here as often anymore, I still go back for the salads! Its hard to find a good salad in Boston and the the BBQ Chicken Salad (I now do it with avocado instead of chicken as a vegetarian) and the Thai Crunch are both GREAT!
The staff here is more international than any of the other locations. They are also sometimes more surly, but I attribute that to the theater crowd.
As for the decor, its kinda cheesy, but I really like those painted pizza boxes! They are ALL hand painted and you will NEVER see a duplicate , its kinda art?!?
Dear CPK, I am on your side! I promise to defend you!
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I came in for lunch at this rest., but I don't like it at all after.
The pizza is OK, but it does not have the tasts like you usually enjoy from Pizza. May be they customize it too much, so it lost the pizza tast and more like a sandwich pizza.
The place is nice, but you can only come again if they have good food.
2.5 or 3? I can't tell.
Came here for a quick dinner with Ms. Dish last night. Our server seriously hated me - Not sure, but he really wanted me to die. Right then and there.
I'm sorry you hate life dude - I know you're required to ask every person if they want beer/soda and whether they want to order an artery clogging colon rotting appetizer to start their meal with - but seriously man, a. I'm not that hungry, b. Neither of our party drinks, and c. I'm vegan - I'm not going to scarf down that artichoke cheese shit or whatever you're shilling, so please please stop asking.
As always though the food was decent and the veggies were pretty.
Oh - I"m going to bump this up b/c we also ran into Tracey there - word up to seeing yelpers in real life.
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CPK was a happy accident for me. Having grown up in the sticks of northern New England, I had never heard of CPK until a few months ago when some coworkers invited me there for lunch, raving about how it was one of their favorite eateries. On my maiden CPK voyage I was not terribly impressed: the Hawaiian pizza was tasty, but for some reason it did not really taste like genuine *pizza* to me - the dough was too chewy, the toppings were too pretty, and the choices were too elaborate (who the hell wants shrimp scampi on a slice of pie?). However, not wanting to be the party pooper, I went again when my coworkers invited me again a few weeks later. I tried a BBQ chicken pizza, and again, it just did not taste like real old-fashioned pizza... yet again, I found myself chowing down. What was the deal?
By the third trip, I no longer cared - I had accepted that CPK does not conform to my usual pizza standards (meaning Crazy Dough's) but that I can still enjoy it as it exists in its own pizza-esque-but-not-quite universe. I relish that I can order shrimp-scampi-topped non-pizza that I eat with a knife and fork while sitting in overly-trendy-to-the-point-of-garishness surroundings. I revel in sipping non-alcoholic pina coladas to complement my pretty Hawaiian pie and petite, delectable appetizers, which I eat while wondering if the waiter/waitress that day will lean in awkwardly close... wait, no, I don't revel in that last part. The one drawback to this CPK is that the waitstaff have NO conception of personal space - and when they aren't leaning two inches from your face to ask if you wanted Canadian bacon on that, they are hoping you choke to death on your complimentary bread so they can go home early. Not the friendliest lot, but maybe they are just angry that their pizza is not *real* pizza.
Well, take heart, CPK pizza. Outcasts usually grow up to rule the world, and you have certainly made me your slave in just a few short months.
CPK is fun to try once with a bunch of people. It's overpriced and really doesn't taste that good, but so long as you're not expecting real pizza it's decent. If you have a large group you can order several different bizarre options and share slices. That and the reasonably pleasant atmosphere make it a good place for lunch or dinner, but not one worth going out of your way to try.
I came for lunch with a friend in between classes yesterday.
We went in through the entrance in City Place, which apparently we weren't supposed to do. We stood around looking awkward for about two minutes, wondering whether to sit down or not. Finally I went up and asked a waitress, who gave me a look and spat out "You have to go up to the front PLEASE."
Well! Okay. We went up to the front and were greeted by someone much more pleasant, and were given a table.
Our waiter was really nice, and even asked us if we had questions about the menu. It's a pretty clear menu but it's nice that he asked. We split a pizza (we talk about being fatties but really, most people could put us to shame in an eating contest) and it was great.
I don't know if it was $12 great, but it hit the spot...we even split a dessert afterward, and I think that's what put me over the edge. I felt like I was going to vomit for a full hour and a half. Dammit weak stomach!
So, CPK, you get 3 stars: Minus one for some outright bitchy service, and minus one for being a little more expensive than you're worth.
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I don't get it with CPK. First it was cool to like them, now it's cool to hate them. Whatever. I still freaking love this place. Every single thing I have ever had on this menu is delicious. My go to meal is the goat cheese and roasted peppers. I think the quality of the food here is good, the prices are ok, the service is good for a chain like this, and the location is awesome.
Stopped in for a quick bite before a show. The host was very nice; greeted me promptly and sat me down as I waited for others in my party to arrive. Never was I felt rushed or an inconvenience, as I was waiting a good 20 mins for them to come.
I ordered the spinach and artichoke dip, lettuce wraps and a bbq chicken pizza. Oh and a kiwi lemonade, which was good. They did mess up the drink orders, which was annoying.
Food was alright, nothing to write home about. Service was not so great though. First, the staff all seemed bored and old. Our waiter barely checked on us and it was hard to get his attention.
Better than rockbottom but not a place I would plan to go to.
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This is a great chain restaurant that's all over the country but still great. Their salads offer a lot of varieties and flavors, similar to their pizzas. There is an option of making your salad portion a huge one (getting the whole instead of the half), which is one that is always good to have. Pizzas are great, obviously, especially the one with the peanut sauce and chicken. Good strawberry lemonades.
We came to this place for lunch and it's quite OK.
The pizza is good and the place is nice.
However, I love the location they're in. They are near theaters and right in downtown Boston. Good for lunch and tourists
i was there over the weekend for a lite lunch with a friend.
The place was not very clean and the staff seemed like they were in another world and not really interested in working or helping customers.
Nevertheless we were hungry and sat down for something to eat. It took a while for someone to show up and take our order.
We ordered the following: chipolte chicken pizza, spinach dip, and shrimp and crab salad. All were pretty good and took care of our hunger. The food is not all that healthy so I am not sure when I will be back. The prices were ok, somewhat above average but what do u expect in the city?
I've only eaten here a few times, once for lunch with a friend in which I ordered a blt pizza. It was interesting, though the mayonnaise covered lettuce heaped on top was a little daunting. Tasted all right but I prefer my pizza to be more or less traditional.
But since then I only order a Thai Crunch Salad from take out, as I work in the building, no big deal to run downstairs and make it back up to my desk to eat and work. But today was such a hassle.
I called in my order as usual, and was bounced around between 3 different people before one could take my order, and then when I asked for a subsititution on the dressing the server asked me what that was. Do you not know what is on your menu? My word, if I was asking for an exotic drink I would expect a question like that, not for the salad dressing. When I went down to pick up my order the takeout section was closed, and there was no one there at the counter to take care of the customers waiting to pick up their lunches. Also, the usually add in bread with the takeout meal, which is good becuase the peanut sauce is a bit spicy, but not today. I guess it was just an off day for CPK.
But instead of spending $8 for a salad, I'll spend $10 and make 3 for the week. Sheesh.
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An ok experience. (Give it some slack, it's a chain)
I ordered the Jambalaya, which came out cold (!). Italian soda was really good and dessert was amazing. I ordered this maniacally delicious fudge brownie that I probably gained 8 lbs from.
In the end, the food was mediocre and the atmosphere was alright. The only thing that salvaged this rating from being 1 star was that our waiter (from San Jose) was so friendly!! He always had a smile on and was incredibly nice... took the time to converse, even though CPK was pretty busy. A big +2 stars for him!
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Meh.
Food - decent. Their salads are fresh and tasty, the pastas are well-made and light, but they do lose points on their pizza. The crust is sort of lifeless and flat - no taste, no jump, nothing to set off the ingredients on the pizza. The ingredients are all fresh, don't get me wrong - but the pizza simply fails to be in any way remarkable. The bread they place on the table is simply sliced italian bread you can purchase at any store. A wood fired grill you really would want to make their own. The shrimp roll crammed full of cilantro really didn't taste like anything except that. The desserts are good, but nothing spectacular.
Decor - Whatever. There really isn't much to speak of. Each CPK is much the same - the giant open space feels a little like a stadium - and the giant glass wall facing whatever street you happen to be on makes you feel a little like you're in the .406 club at the Sox game. It's loud, boisterous and family-oriented, which isn't a bad thing - but there's nothing really here to recommend it.
Service - a shining gem. The waitstaff is friendly, knowledgeable, and most of all, well-versed in what the food tastes like! When my girlfriend and I go out to eat, she often has questions about different dishes - she likes to really pick the thing she's going to like best. She'll ask "How's the ____?" or "How fresh is your _____?" Waitstaff who give blank stares, or who say things like "I don't really eat here" lose a lot of points in my book. Our server most recently, and in visits past, had a lot of personal feedback about the food. This, above all else, distinguishes CPK.
Crowd - again, Whatevs. Shoppers, people who couldn't get into the Cheesecake Factory, random people, families, it's a mishmash. Again, not a bad thing, but overall just a place to get food, as opposed to a crowd-type of place.
Overall, CPK is just a place to feed. Aside from the fantastic service, there's nothing special about it. True, there's nothing *bad* about it, it's just rather unremarkable. If you want great pizza, go to Caruso's in Melrose, or Santarpio's in East Boston. If you want great apps, hit the Naked Fish. If you want great desserts, go to the North End. If you're shopping, and you need a quick and unremarkable pizza with fresh ingredients, CPK is for you. I guess.
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The menu reads well and the pizza combos intrigue the tastebuds. But the execution is poor and the result is anticlimactic. The entrees are a hack job - my seven year old niece could do better.
However, the salads are very fresh and tasty and big enough for two.
Hint: Go for the salads.
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More like 2.5 stars. The food is okay. The salads are pretty good, and I used to really love the tortilla soup. But the pizza... what's up with the sweet sauce? Gross! No self respecting Italian would call that sauce! Theres gotta be corn syrup in there... maybe their secret recipe involves candy corn... since you know theres always a ton of that shit left over from Halloween! They probably have an endless supply of it from Halloweens past. Eh, it'll do in a pinch.
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It's always good to go to a rather authentic pizza place where they bake it in wood oven, after eating countless times from Pizza Hut and Dominos. This is definitely one of the better ones. I had Chipotle Chicken which was absolutely delicious, and I also tried some other veggie pizza. If you're looking for vegetarian alternatives, they have quite a few all veggie pizzas. Prices are reasonable, and the service is quick which is great for a work lunch.
This place has great food don't get me wrong, but for good sakes lower the prices. This place is soo expensive for two people. But if you still decide to go you must have the Advocado Egg rolls. ENJOY and chew twice once for you and once for me!!!!
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Maybe it's just me, but I've found this location to have a little more surly service than the chain's Prudential Center counterpart.
Still, the pizzas here are better than you'd expect for a chain, and they have combinations that no one else offers.
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I'm pretty sure this used to be a Fuddrucker's (which you should try if you haven't already) - now its the latest chain on the block. Have had hits and misses with the different locations (and in different states), but I can say that the service was very sensitive to the "show rush" and was able to get us in and out very quickly during their busy time. Food was average (no better/worse than other locations).
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Totally have any of your pizzas with the honey wheat bread. ::drool::
This location served me and my friend pretty quickly for lunch, which is exactly what we wanted.
Probably on the smaller side for most CPKs, but given its location, it's prime.
CPK is a chain, so you get what you expect from any chain, or from any other CPK. But it's still sooooo yummy.
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California cusine is sketchy to begin with. I am not a huge fan of "fusion" as it often involves putting foods together based on being a clever chef as opposed to them actually tasting good. The pizza here is certainly not worth the price, and the pasta is on par with canned Chef Boyardee. Take your money elsewhere.
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To quote a great Thespian, "Pineapple on pizza, that's a cake"
Don't waste your time. Way below Bertuccis as far as quality(read my review). Should have stayed in California.
Must admit I'm a total sucker for CPK. Their pizzas are very inventive and do not feel like a blob of grease sitting in your stomach. My favorite is their bbq chicken salad with avocado and they have awesome cocktails. CPK is perfect after a day of shopping at the Pru or Cambridgeside Galleria.
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I've been to all three boston locations, so i'll just write one for all. They all seem pretty similar (it is a chain after all) with no difference in service. though it's a chain, i like it here. they have such a yummy range of different pizzas, which are not all soggy like house of pizza place pizzas are. i love specialty pizza. i usually get the vegetarian ones, not cuz i am one, just becuase they taste good. and they have whole wheat honey crust as an option which is good. get the whole pizza and take the rest home as a snack.
Only two things makes the trip to this chain worth it.......the FIELD GREENS Salad w/ gargonzola cheese (and candied walnuts)---ohhh my gosh, so great!. and the NAPOLITAN PIZZAs which have very thin crust. A big fan of the Sicilan (all meat) or the margherita. The rest of the pizza is ok---wild mushroom is pretty good.
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hahaha, did someone below just call California Pizza Kitchen an "authentic" pizza place? hahahaha
Garbage chain fare. Soft, blah crust. Ill-conceived, if not downright ridiculous, california hippie toppings. A truly craptacular dining experience!!!!! If you are longing for your days living in the suburbs, by all means drop by. You will feel like you're in the Livingston Mall!
Granted, Boston is not the best Pizza Town in the world, but even in this pizza-challenged city, there is much much better to be had. Regina, Ernesto's, Santarpio's, Bostone Pizza, Haymarket Pizza, T. Anthony's, Antico Forno, Figs....the list goes on and on.
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[x-posted to Cambridgeside Galleria location]
An excellent chain, with typically good service and good vegan/vegetarian options.
Vegans: try the Dakota Smashed Pea & Barley Soup and the Field Greens Salad (w/o cheese, of course). I hear they have other options, but I've gotten so hooked on these two that I've never ordered anything else.
My non-vegetarian friends love this place for its fresh pasta and pizza options.
Almost always over-air conditioned, though, so bring a sweater.
Many people choose this option when they can't get into Cheesecake Factory, but this CPK is a good standby for delicious, affordable food. I love their inventive, unusual pizzas, as well as the dulce de leche cheesecake and strawberry lemonade. Yum!
I don't know, I think it's true. The farther east this chain goes, the worse it is. They have the exact same fare, but somehow the ratio of ingredients seems different or something. It's great in California, and I'd suggest going there for CPK.
They do have the same great variety of pizzas on the menu such as their peking duck pizza or their BBQ chicken pizza. The portobella mushroom ravioli in garlic-parmesan cream sauce is one of the best things there.
CPK is so tasty in my book. The pizzas are a good change from the normal greasy college fare. I love sauce-less pizza, and they have many options here. I love the cheese and tomato pizzas (slices, not sauce). The salads are quite yummy and the drinks are as well. It's an affordable, nice night out while still calming your pizza craving. Some locations even have wheat crust (I can't remember if this one does or not).
I've eaten here a lot, and had many good things, but there is really only one pizza that I'll order now...the jamaican jerk chicken. Every time I've ordered from a different restaurant a jamaican jerk or bbq chicken pizza I've been disappointed because it's never as good as CPK's.
CPK is know for it's pizza and it should be. They have very innovative and fresh pizzas. If you are a salad fan, you should check it out because they have some great ones. It isn't one of my favorite places to go out to eat, but if you feel like a nice sit-down pizza meal, you should try it.
Their salads are the best. You can never go wrong with them. They're very creative and fresh. I know the pizzas good but I can never order one because once I love their salads so much.
Yummy, yummy, yummy! I have never had a bad meal here. They are quick at lunchtime and never too long a wait at dinner. Their spinach dip is a great way to start off. All of their pizzas are excellent and their asian chicken salad is to die for. They have great sizes also...
Surpringly, I have never actually had there pizza, though I love pizza. I can and will, however, highly recommend all of there salads. With some eclectic versions, there is an array to chose from during every visit. The wait staff is super friendly and very accomodating. Not a bad place to bring the kids for a night out either (my 8 year old niece will second that).
When I bit into the crust of the pizza, I was dying for me. No grease, no excess liquid - the pizza was bread fabricated from the gods. And after a nice couple of slices, be sure to grab some delicious cheesecake.
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