Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Bj's Pizza Ok?

Kelly&Mom

By Kelly&Mom
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

Recommended Posts

Kelly&Mom Rookie
Kelly&Mom
Posted

Recently we ate at a BJ's restaurant, eager to try their gluten-free pizza. When I asked the manager about how it was baked, he said it goes in the same oven as the rest of the regular pizza. When I questioned that the pizza was truly gluten-free he said that the extreme heat in the oven burns off any gluten??? My daughter was so excited to get pizza so we tried it and it was quite good and I didn't experience any side effects. My daughter did but w/ her it's hard to tell if it's gluten or her IBF reacting to the dairy and fat......

Does anyone know if this is really true about the heat of the oven burning off the gluten?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Dixiebell Contributor
Dixiebell
Posted

No the heat will not burn off the gluten, Sadly he is wrong.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

Do you mean they bake it right on the oven grate and not on it's own pan or stone? I don't think that would be safe at all! Unless they stop all pizzas from baking and heat the oven to 650 degrees for 30 minutes before putting your pizza through. Which, I'm sure they didn't do because they would have some upset people if they had to wait more than 30 minutes to get their pizza. :huh:

Cheryl-C Enthusiast
Cheryl-C
Posted

"Burn off all the gluten" - wow. Sounds like someone isn't training their staff properly at all.

Kelly&Mom Rookie
Kelly&Mom
Posted
  • Author

This is a big chain restaurant in California, wonder how they can get away with advertising a "gluten=free" menu?

scarlett77 Apprentice
scarlett77
Posted

As much as I have loved BJ's food their service has ALWAYS been crappy so I would NEVER trust them at all.

Aphreal Contributor
Aphreal
Posted

Our waitress said she tells the manager about allergies to *assure* gluten-free pizza baking.

I did not like it...at.... all. I would rather make my own using Bobs crust and my own stuff than go out to eat and eat that particular crust. I disliked it so much I just scrapped off the toppings and ate those.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

Our local celiac support group talked to BJ's and they are using a dedicated station and separate pizza boards in the oven for the gluten-free pizza. I've had it twice. It's really, really good and I didn't react at all. I think that manager was just dumb.

celiac-mommy Collaborator
celiac-mommy
Posted

I was going to take my kids to ours tomorrow, I'll let you know how it goes...

celiac-mommy Collaborator
celiac-mommy
Posted

I was going to take my kids to ours tomorrow, I'll let you know how it goes...

It went great! I talked to the manager and he was really helpful and told me exactly how everything was prepared to prevent cross contamination. It cost 10.50 for a 10 inch hawaiian pizza. Both kids shared and we had pieces left over to bring home. I watched both kids like a hawk, and with dd being so extremely sensitive, there was no reaction! We'll go back for sure :)

Looking for answers Contributor
Looking for answers
Posted

I love the gluten-free pizza there. I don't eat out much for risk of CC, but haven't had any problems there. I find they differ by location. We tend to go to a particular one a little further from our house because the closer one put a "allergy" alert on my order and then brought a salad with croutons. They ended up fixing the order and apologizing, but that made me too nervous to ever return.

  • 2 weeks later...
G-FreeGirl Newbie
G-FreeGirl
Posted

I've had 3 great experiences at the BJ's in Valencia, CA. Before going gluten-free...I didn't care for BJ's at all. The first time I ordered the gluten-free pizza, the manager came over and talked to me, he was VERY interested in my situation and shared with me how his mother had been gluten-free for 5 months. He did not say whether they bake the pizza directly on the oven grate and I never thought to ask...but I did not get sick the 3 times that I went there. Each time they seemed to make a big deal over me...it was nice but almost embarrassing! I look forward to going back!

larry mac Enthusiast
larry mac
Posted

Our local celiac support group talked to BJ's and they are using a dedicated station and separate pizza boards in the oven for the gluten-free pizza. I've had it twice. It's really, really good and I didn't react at all. I think that manager was just dumb.

Our local Celiac group went there and described it the same as this post (except the dumb manager part lol). Appearently, the manager is notified and handles the process personally.

best regards, lm

  • 2 months later...
katerzz Newbie
katerzz
Posted

Hubby & son have had gluten-free pizza three times now from BJs and was great both times, no effects. It is amazing for moms like me who want to give their child a somewhat normal experience. Homemade pizza just isnt the same, and surely doesnt taste the same!

brendygirl Community Regular
brendygirl
Posted

I've tried a lot of gluten-free pizza in the 5 years I've had celiac, and BJ's is the BEST I've had. I only got to have it once in California when it just came out, days before I moved to the East Coast where I can't get it.

The manager came out, without request, and explained the big training all the staff underwent and the separate preparation area.

I react to EVERYTHING, so it was great that this didn't bother me.

Here in VA, there is much more gluten-free friendly food than in whole-grain crazy CA, but no pizza compares to BJ's.

I've had Z's, but it gets soggy in the middle and the fresh, organic toppings are good, but it's not anything close to real pizza.

I've had Rustico, with the chickpea crust, which is fair, but dry and dense. I have to request a bowl of sauce on the side to dip it in.

I've had Garlic Jim's in CA, but I didn't like the crust. I don't remember exactly what it was, but the texture was off.

I've had Uno's, which is fair, but on the dry side, too. Need sauce to dip it in, also.

I'm from Chicago originally, so I like pizza!

  • 2 months later...
Emily928 Newbie
Emily928
Posted

I've had good luck at the BJ's in Louisville, KY. A lot of other members in our group love their pizza and I haven't heard of anyone getting glutened. They seem very knowledgable also. I just wish their sauce wasn't so sweet, and I'd probably order it more often. It's great to be able to grab a pizza on the way home from work! I also heard that line about heat "burning off" gluten, not at BJ's, but from the Maitre'd at a very nice restaurant, who said it so condescendingly, like silly me, I should have known that! So frustrating!

Michelle1234 Contributor
Michelle1234
Posted

Thanks for posting this. I didn't even know they had a gluten free menu or that there was one near me. I tried it yesterday at the Westminster CO location. I thought the pizza was very good. I also got a gluten free Caesar salad. Unfortunately something glutened me. Since it was a new restaurant I took my glutenease digestive enzymes and still had a reaction. Normally for a little cross contamination they protect me. I have to conclude that there was a much larger amount of gluten contamination then a small accident.

I don't know if they put the croutons on the salad and picked them off or weren't careful with the pizza. I find that these big chains can really vary by location. Since I had left over pizza I will try that today. If I get a reaction I'm never going back. If not I'll be very careful next time I go to talk to a manager and really examine their gluten free preparation to see if it seems to be doing the right things. I didn't this time and that was a huge mistake.

MaryJones2 Enthusiast
MaryJones2
Posted

I've eating the pizza at BJ's several times and had no problems and have never even spoken to a manager during the process. The gluten-free pizza comes out on a triangular plate whereas the regular pizza comes out on rectangular plate. I haven't tried any of the other items on their gluten-free menu. I'd be more inclined to think you got CC from the salad unless you had the meatballs on your pizza - they aren't gluten-free.

Michelle1234 Contributor
Michelle1234
Posted

I'd be more inclined to think you got CC from the salad unless you had the meatballs on your pizza - they aren't gluten-free.

No meatballs on the pizza and unfortunately it was the pizza. I had leftover and gave it another try. I took the enzymes again, just in case, and still got glutened. I won't be going back. Luckily we have at least two other pizza restaurants in the area where I've never had a problem and I don't even need to take the digestive enzymes there.

MaryJones2 Enthusiast
MaryJones2
Posted

No meatballs on the pizza and unfortunately it was the pizza. I had leftover and gave it another try. I took the enzymes again, just in case, and still got glutened. I won't be going back. Luckily we have at least two other pizza restaurants in the area where I've never had a problem and I don't even need to take the digestive enzymes there.

That is such a shame. Hopefully this will turn out to be a rare occurance at their chain.

  • 4 weeks later...
Bella001 Explorer
Bella001
Posted

That is such a shame. Hopefully this will turn out to be a rare occurance at their chain.

Just had BJ's pizza for the first time last week. It was VERY good and I didn't get sick! The manager seemed very well informed and put my mind at ease. I'm in The Woodlands, TX area.

Salax Contributor
Salax
Posted

I agree though that the sauce on the pizza is too sweet. I asked if their original sauce was safe, but they were unsure. Maybe a "white sauce" pizza is available. I will have to check it out. B)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,857
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    LowellFrancis
    Newest Member
    LowellFrancis
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Rogol72
      Ibuprofen

      By Rogol72 · Posted

      Some interesting articles regarding the use of Zinc Carnosine to help heal gastric ulcers, gastritis and intestinal permeability. I would consult a medical professional about it's use. https://www.nature.com/articles/ncpgasthep0778 https://www.rupahealth.com/post/clinical-applications-of-zinc-carnosine---evidence-review https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7146259/ https://www.fallbrookmedicalcenter.com/zinc-l-carnosine-benefits-dosage-and-safety/
    • Jillian83
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By Jillian83 · Posted

      He is. Which makes everything even more difficult. I’m not a believer in “staying for the kids” but I have nowhere to go and it’s not just me, it’s me plus my babies. We live in a beautiful place, lots of land in the country and me and the kids love the place we’ve called home for their entire lives. But Im seeing that he’ll never change, that my kids deserve a happy healthy Momma, and that staying in this as is will be the early death of me. Then I look at the scars covering my entire body…this disease and the chronic stress I’ve been enduring for years that tell me I’m no longer beautiful and no one will ever look at me with interest again. I try self care, try to give myself grace so I can just start loving myself enough to gain strength but the slightest sparkle in my eye and skip in my step attracts his wrath and it all comes crashing ten fold. Life is just absolutely railing me from every single direction leaving me wanting to wave that white flag bc I don’t feel like there’s much hope no matter what happens. 
    • trents
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By trents · Posted

      Is this man the father of your children?
    • Jillian83
      Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis has taken Me from Me

      By Jillian83 · Posted

      Hi, I was recently diagnosed with Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis after years of suffering without answers. I lost my mind. I lost my job. I lost so much time. I lost Me. Conventional doctors are opulent come near me and the one who did sat across the room, misdiagnosed me, pumped me full of steroids which collapsed my entire hip for 6 months. So without answers I began my holistic journey. Fast forward a couple of years and still struggling with a mysterious whole body itchy, crawling “skin hell”, perfect teeth now deteriorating, thick hair now thinning rapidly and no more than a day or 2 at most relief….An acquaintance opened up a functional medicine practice. Cash only, I found a way. Within a month tests clearly showing my off the charts gluten allergy/sensitivity as well as the depletion of vital nutrients due to leaky gut and intestinal damage. dermatitis herpetiformis was more than likely what I was experiencing with my skin. I was happy. I thought this is easy, eat healthy Whole Foods, follow the diet restrictions and I finally get to heal and feel confident and like myself again very soon! 😔 Supplements are very pricey but I got them and began my healing. Which leads to the other major issue: not working, stay at home Mom of young kids, entirely financially dependent on my man of 7 plus years. He’s never been supportive of anything I’ve ever done or been thru. He controls everything. I’m not given much money ever at a time and when he does leave money it’s only enough to possibly get gas. His excuse is that I’ll spend it on other things. So my “allowance” is inconsistent and has conditions. He withholds money from me as punishment for anything he wants. Since being diagnosed, he’s gained a new control tactic to use as punishment. He now is in control of when I get to eat. He asked for proof of my diagnosis and diet bc he said I made it up just to be able to eat expensive organic foods. Then after I sent him my file from my doctor he then said she wasn’t a real doctor. 😡. I go days upon days starving, sometimes breaking down and eating things I shouldn’t bc I’m so sick then I pay horribly while he gets annoyed and angry bc I’m not keeping up with all the duties I’m supposed to be doing. His abuse turns full on when I’m down and it’s in these desperate times when I need his support and care the most that I’m punished with silence, being starved, ignored, belittled. He will create more of a mess just bc I’m unable to get up and clean so that when I am better, I’m so overwhelmed with chores to catch up that the stress causes me to go right back into a flare from hell and the cycle repeats. I’m punished for being sick. I’m belittled for starving and asking for healthy clean water. I’m purposely left out of his life. He won’t even tell me he’s going to the grocery or to get dinner bc he doesn’t want me to ask him for anything. I have no one. I have nothing. Im not better. My supplements ran out and I desperately need Vitamin D3 and a methylated B complex at the very minimal just to function….he stares at me blankly…no, a slight smirk, no words. He’s happiest when im miserable and I am miserable.  this is so long and im condensing as much as I can but this situation is so complicated and disgusting. And it’s currently my life. The “IT” girl, the healthy, beautiful, perfect skin, perfect teeth, thick and curly locks for days, creative and talented IT girl….now I won’t even leave this house bc Im ashamed of what this has dont to my body, my skin. Im disgusted. The stress is keeping me from healing and I think he knows that and that’s why he continues to keep me in that state. He doesn’t want me confident or successful. He doesn’t want me healed and healthy bc then how would he put the blame of all his problems on me? This journey has been hell and I’ve been in Hell before. I’ve been killed by an ex, I’ve been raped, robbed, held hostage, abused beyond nightmares but the cruelty I’ve experienced from him bc of this disease is the coldest I’ve ever experienced. I’ve wanted to give up. Starving and in tears, desperate…I found a local food pantry in our small town so I reached out just saying I had Celiac and was on hard times. This woman is blessing me daily with prepared gluten free meals, donations, educational info, people who know this disease and how they manage life and the blessings just keep coming. But it’s overwhelming and I feel like I don’t deserve it at all. He just glared and I know he’s going to sabotage it somehow. I don’t even know what to do anymore. I’m so broken and just want peace and healing. 
    • cristiana
      Ibuprofen

      By cristiana · Posted

      @Colleen H   I am just curious,  when you were tested for coeliac disease, did the doctors find out if you had any deficiencies? Sometimes muscle pain can be caused by certain deficiencies, for example, magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.   Might be worth looking into having some more tests.  Pins and needles can be neuropathy, again caused by deficiencies, such as iron and B12,  which can be reversed if these deficiencies are addressed. In the UK where I live we are usually only tested for iron, B12 and vitamin D deficiencies at diagnosis.   I was very iron anemic and supplementation made a big difference.  B12 was low normal, but in other countries the UK's low normal would be considered a deficiency.  My vitamin D was low normal, and I've been supplementing ever since (when I remember to take it!) My pins and needles definitely started to improve when my known deficiencies were addressed.  My nutritionist also gave me a broad spectrum supplement which really helped, because I suspect I wasn't just deficient in what I mention above but in many other vitamins and minerals.  But a word of warning, don't take iron unless blood tests reveal you actually need it, and if you are taking it your levels must be regularly monitored because too much can make you ill.  (And if you are currently taking iron, that might actually be making your stomach sore - it did mine, so my GP changed my iron supplementation to a gentler form, ferrous gluconate). Lastly, have you been trying to take anything to lessen the pain in your gut?  I get a sore stomach periodically, usually when I've had too much rich food, or when I have had to take an aspirin or certain antibiotics, or after glutening.  When this happens, I take for just a few days a small daily dose of OTC omeprazole.  I also follow a reflux or gastritis diet. There are lots online but the common denominators to these diets is you need to cut out caffeine, alcohol, rich, spicy, acidic food etc and eat small regularly spaced meals.   When I get a sore stomach, I also find it helpful to drink lots of water.  I also find hot water with a few slices of ginger very soothing to sip, or camomile tea.  A wedge pillow at night is good for reflux. Also,  best not to eat a meal 2-3 hours before going to bed. If the stomach pain is getting worse, though, it would be wise to see the doctor again. I hope some of this helps. Cristiana    
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.