0 Followers
California Pizza Kitchen
Master Critic Review
California Pizza Kitchen
7.6
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Quick Bites Champions
Birthday & Celebration Central
California chain restaurant at The Pike Outlets serving innovative pizzas with creative toppings since 1985. The spacious location offers patio seating overlooking Pine Avenue, kids menu, and the famous Original BBQ Chicken Pizza alongside salads and pasta.
Must-Try Dishes:
Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, Margherita Pizza, Thai Chicken Pizza
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Reliable chain with California-style creative pizza combinations and kids menu
Who should go: Families with young children, tourists wanting familiar dining
When to visit: Lunch on Pine Avenue promenade for people-watching
What to order: Original BBQ Chicken Pizza created here in 1985, butter cake dessert
Insider tip: Outdoor patio entrance on Pine often has faster seating than main entrance
Logistics & Planning
Parking: The Pike Outlets garage parking $2/hour with validation, street meters on Pine Avenue $2/hour until 8pm
Dress code: Casual - t-shirts and shorts perfectly fine, beach attire common
Noise level: Moderate to loud - family-friendly atmosphere means kids present, patio quieter than indoor
Weekend wait: 20-30 min typical Friday/Saturday 6-8pm, walk-ins usually accommodated
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, under 10 minutes most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple options including veggie pizzas, salads, and pasta dishes
Vegan options: Limited - can modify pizzas with dairy-free cheese, few dedicated options
Gluten-free options: Yes - gluten-free crust available for any pizza, separate allergen menu provided
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual early dates than romantic ones - the chain atmosphere and family crowds make it low-pressure but not intimate. Patio seating at sunset improves the vibe significantly.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, walk-ins are common and typically seated within 20-30 minutes on busy nights. Weekday lunches and early dinners (before 6pm) rarely require waiting.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely - kids menu with crayons, high chairs available, tolerant atmosphere for noise. Best for ages 2-12. The location sees many birthday parties on weekends.
How long does a typical meal take? 45-60 minutes from seating to check - efficient service makes this solid for time-limited lunches or pre-movie dinners at the nearby AMC theater.
Is the patio worth requesting? Yes during pleasant weather - overlooks Pine Avenue foot traffic, more spacious tables, and significantly quieter than the echo-prone indoor dining room.
Best For
Better for: Reliable crowd-pleaser when dining with picky eaters or kids - everyone finds something they'll eat. The gluten-free crust quality exceeds most chains. Patio location beats other Pike Outlets restaurants for atmosphere.
Skip if: You want authentic Italian pizza, adventurous cuisine, or romantic ambiance. Local pizzerias like Michael's Pizzeria (Belmont Shore) or Rance's Chicago Pizza offer better quality for similar prices without the chain feel.