Gluten-Free Pizza Getting Easier To Find

By Staff in Food on Sep 26, 2013 8:20PM

Gluten-free eaters often get the question: “But what can you eat?” Lots of stuff! There are more gluten-free options at the grocery store than ever before, and more restaurants are catering to wheat-free needs. A gluten-free diet can be strict, but even when the urge for a gooey, cheesy pizza hits, you can find a restaurant in Chicago to satisfy that craving.

In case you hadn't heard, gluten is the protein in wheat flour that makes pizza dough stretchy. Can a gluten-free pizza be considered pizza at all? Forget Chicago deep dish versus New York-style pizza; this is the real question. Lots of pizza joints around Chicago advertise gluten-free pizza. There are some duds, but some gluten-free pizza options could trick gluten-ful diners. The next time you’re trolling GrubHub, consider one of these Chicago gluten-free pizza choices.

Chicago’s Pizza
The only thing better than its gluten-free pizza is the ability to get it delivered to your door until 5 a.m. Chicago’s Pizza takes the top prize for our favorite gluten-free pizza in Chicago. They start with a ball of gluten-free dough, so you can order any of the pizzas gluten-free, or go crazy and order a calzone. The option to order different sizes and styles sets Chicago’s Pizza apart from most other gluten-free pizza joints.

When you order delivery, the box comes stamped with “Gluten-Free Pizza,” so you can feel safe they didn’t switch your order up with the guy down the street. If you’re sitting down at one of the three north side locations, make sure to order some of the gluten-free focaccia. You no longer have to sadly watch others chomp down on bread while you’re waiting for your pizza.

One tip: The gluten-free crust is tasty when it’s first delivered, hot and fresh, but it loses something after being refrigerated and heated up. Eat the crust pieces first and save those middle pieces for leftover pizza breakfast.

Ranalli’s of Andersonville
This BYOB restaurant just off the main Clark Street strip of Andersonville has a solid menu of Italian staples, but you can also score a gluten-free pizza. They buy their crusts from somewhere else, so you can only get a 12” medium thin-crust pizza that comes on its own foil pan.

The foil pan does cut down on the risk of cross contamination (always an issue at restaurants serving gluten-free and “normal” food), but in our experience the foil pan can lead to a burnt crust. It’s not a bad option if you find yourself at Ranalli’s or craving some pizza in Andersonville. If you want delivery, the delivery area overlaps with Chicago’s, so we'd suggest you just order from there instead.

They also have gluten-free garlic bread, pasta and several gluten-free desserts, so it’s nice to be able to get the full meal experience. They also offer gluten-free pasta and sandwiches if you’re on the hunt for spaghetti or an Italian beef.

Lou Malnati’s
The Chicago standard is now offering a gluten-free pizza. You can’t get their famous deep dish, but you can order a small 9” gluten-free crust, with any of their toppings. It’s not much more than a single serving, but it’s a good choice if you’re taking a visitor who just has to try Chicago deep dish.

Lou Malnati’s has long offered a gluten-free pizza with a sausage “crust.” You can order this meat bomb in small, medium, or large, but consume at your own risk.

The Sit Down Café and Sushi Bar
Even the most unexpected locations are jumping on the gluten-free bandwagon. Check out this Hyde Park location for a 9” gluten-free pizza with any of their toppings. Again, the standard gluten-free pizza crust is a little lacking compared to freshly made dough, but the café also has a full menu of gluten-free appetizers, soups, salads, bruschetta and sandwiches. This may be a case of one restaurant trying to do too much under one roof, but if you try their pizza and sushi, make sure to let us know how the pairing goes.

Homemade Pizza Company
Another Chicagoland-based chain serving up gluten-free goodness - Homemade Pizza brings the gluten-free pie to your oven. It works just like “normal” Homemade Pizza. Place your order online, over the phone or in person, then go pick up an uncooked pizza to finish in your oven at home. This option is nice because you can be sure your oven is free of dangerous flour crumbs, and you can cook to your preferred level of crust crispiness. We usually add a little extra shredded cheese to Homemade Pizza, but we consider melted cheese to be a food group.

What have we missed? More and more pizza parlors are offering a gluten-free crust, so we’re eager to try out your suggestions.

By Jennifer A. Freeman