Well after a delay to the previously stated 5th November launch, the 19th came and it was time to try the Domino’s gluten free pizza base. Back in my gluten eating days pre-coeliac I was always a Domino’s man when it came to pizza, so I’ve been really looking forward to this one. Of course the first concern for coeliacs is the cross contamination risk, and it is great that Domino’s have put so much information online with regards their cross contamination controls. You can read full details here. They have been working for years with Coeliac UK on this, and from reading the controls that are in place it seems like they are doing everything right.
In the interests of full disclosure I must mention that Domino’s contacted me last week and sent me the press release for their gluten free launch. They also sent me a voucher to try a gluten free pizza for free, though I was planning on buying one anyway. The gluten free bases are available to order in-store, online and over the phone. Their mobile app is still in the process of being updated. I decided to phone in my order so I could quiz the branch with regards cross contamination. I had already read the on-line information and the person I spoke to was able to rattle off all of those things when I spoke to them, a good start. If you look at the menu on the website all items containing gluten are clearly marked with a “G”.
Firstly the downside. The gluten free base is only available to order as a small 9.5 inch base. This was actually enough for me, but it would have been nice to have the choice of a medium at least. However as the bases are coming in sealed packs I can appreciate storage could be an issue if they were larger. Secondly, only two of the sides were gluten free. Spicy pork bites and coleslaw. My branch didn’t serve coleslaw and even though it did have the spicy pork bites these were not listed on the website (UPDATE: Domino’s have contacted me this morning to say they’ve rectified this) . I did order the pork bites to try and wasn’t particularly impressed, and wouldn’t order them again. It would be good if Domino’s could work on the sides, at least ensuring all branches stock these two items. Maybe something like potato wedges which are also on the menu could be re-worked to be gluten free.
Now for the upside, the pizza was amazing! I absolutely loved the base. It was light and tasty and a perfect vessel for the topping. As with Pizza Hut, those who like a thin and crispy base may be disappointed. I thought it was perfect and was a lot like the Domino’s base I remember from the dim and distant past. I went for the Texas BBQ pizza, and what a great choice I made. Tangy BBQ sauce topped with smoky bacon, succulent roast chicken, onions and green peppers. Having a BBQ sauce rather than a tomato sauce base worked exceptionally well and I loved every mouth full. After my previous poor topping choice at Prezzo this was a great result. As for the price £12.99 for a small pizza is a lot of money, but there are always offers around for money off or buy one get one free, and we only ever really used to get takeaway pizza when there were offers on pre-diagnosis.
I’d also recently been sent a sample of a gluten free Lager from Celia, a gluten free Czech lager just launching in the UK. I took the opportunity to wash the pizza down with an ice cold lager, which was also delicious. I have to say sitting on my sofa, watching TV with a cold lager in one hand and a slice of takeaway pizza in the other I felt almost normal. Thank you Domino’s and Celia for that!
So the big question is, where does Domino’s rank in the pizza stakes? If you’ve already read my Pizza Hut and Prezzo reviews you’ll know I had Pizza Hut ahead. Well now there is a new leader, for me Domino’s have come out on top. Really enjoyed the pizza and will definitely be buying again, and being the only one that deliver is a big plus point too. My branch asked if they could call me for feedback which they duly did. They were kind enough to offer me two for one or a free side on my next order, to say thanks too. A great experience over all. I have however heard from one person elsewhere in the country who had a gluten base mistakenly delivered, so as always be vigilant when ordering. I am happy to report that three hours on I have had no reaction (UPDATE: Still feeling fine next day so all good).
Which pizza do you prefer in the great gluten free pizza debate? Please comment below and let me know.
UPDATE 02/02/13: According to the Coeliac UK eXG February email Domino’s have put in place some extra precautions to ensure to ensure the safety of gluten free customers:
– GF pizza’s will no longer be sliced to make them easily identifiable (also cuts out risk from a contaminated cutter) – Different sized screens to be used to cook gluten free pizzas to make them more easily identifiable in the ovens – Gluten free notification will appear on confirmation emails and at point of ordering on-line – A link to the gluten free pizza’s will be visible from the on-line ordering homepage
These changes will be enforced by mid-February, and the pizza I ordered today arrived un-sliced.
Kevin, Gluten Free by the Sea
Gluten Free By The Sea 
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I have found Pizza Hut’s bases to be dry and not particularly tasty but I love the option of going there now with friends. Dominos wins hands down in the taste test – however it seems supply is an issue. I ordered mine online tonight to receive a phone call 4 mins later saying they were out of stock of bases. Very disappointing.
I’d definitely agree that Domino’s wins hands down on the taste test! I liked the Pizza Hut base when I had it, but Domino’s have easily surpassed it. As you say great to have the option anyway. Shame you’ve had problems getting the Domino’s base, hope that does not continue to be an issue for you.
Dominos gf was good when they first came out, but the last one was NOT GF and my daughter is sick in bed right now. SUCKS!
Ditto. We tried it two weeks ago and my son threw up.We thought it was possibly a tummy bug so tried again and again he threw up.Something’s got gluten in it!
I’ve had GF Domino’s 3 times now and had no problems, and I’m very sensitive to gluten. Make sure you are checking you get GF toppings. If so it could be your branch is not following all necessary cross contamination controls. Make sure you report this to comments@dominos.co.uk if you think this is the case so it doesn’t happen to other people.
I have tried Pizza Hut, and, it was amazing I thought. I went for a meat feast first time I tried it, but when I went back I too went for BBQ base – it really works as I think it keeps the base moist, whereas – wheat bases do not really need it. I am yet to try Dominos…. can’t wait after reading this. I love Prezzo but found a couple of meals on their menu that I much prefer to a pizza that are gluten free. I’m off to try a domino’s. Thanks.
I enjoyed Pizza Hut, but thought this was a step up. The BBQ sauce on this one was amazing. Let us know how you get on with Domino’s!
I have failed to find a gluten-free pizza I enjoy yet. I think the Domino’s in the US is still considered unsafe at this point, because they’re unable to dedicate a separate section for gluten-free preparation … unless they’ve changed things.
Yes I’ve heard Domino’s in the US is “not safe for coelaics”. I believe the UK use cornflour to stretch the dough of the regular pizza, compared to wheat flour in the US so it is a bit easier over here for them to make safe.
Domino’s picked up on this comment and sent me the following info: “I noticed in the comments that one of the posts referenced the US product so I just wanted to clarify, the situation with their gluten free pizza is different to ours. The gluten free pizza available from Domino’s in the UK has been accredited by Coeliac UK, who has conducted thorough testing on the product and our UK store environments and operations.”
I tried Dominoes last night, and after enjoying the gluten free pizza hut version, I had high expectations!! However, I have to admit I was a little disappointed. I had the same pizza, the Texas BBQ but was told that I couldn’t have the peppers as they were a contamintion risk. Yes the pizza base was good and I was really pleased to see how it was kept safe from contamination, but I literally had 4 pieces of chicken and 3 pieces of bacon, nothing like the one you have in your picture!! In terms of price, variety and quantity of toppings, the Pizza Hut version is slightly ahead but I shouldn’t complain as I am just glad to have a choice of pizza vendors rather than none at all!!
Hi Kirstie, thanks for the comment. That’s a great shame with regards your lack of toppings and interesting with regards the peppers. I’ll pass your comment on to Domino’s as feedback.
Thanks, I’m hoping it was just teething problems with it being the first day and all. I will definitely be having more Dominos, but maybe only on the days with the offers! Let me know what you hear back, I would be very interested.
Kirstie, some feeback from Domino’s for you: “Regarding the peppers – this should not be the case. I’m afraid it sounds like a little confusion by a team member. If the customer would like to drop us a line, we’ll flag this with the franchisee to ensure the team are corrected about peppers.” Contact email is: comments@dominos.co.uk
we’ve done Pizza Hut which we loved but had our first Dominoes tonight – it wins hands down! We had to collect ours as we live too far away for delivery but it was absolutely fantastic.
It’s good to see they are making updates; when I ordered mine & the confirmation email didn’t state GF I freaked out a bit, I bet the stores have had more than a few panicky phonecalls!
Not slicing is fine if they’re delivering to me at home, but if I’m getting takeout to eat in the park/on the beach or something, I wouldn’t be best pleased! Seperate areas & colour coded cutters should suffice.
Yes agreed. Sure they would slice it on request if you were getting carry out. Also worth noting the label on the box has a ‘G3’ to signify gluten free
I had one in Exeter city centre during February and when I said I wasn’t going home (I live in North Cornwall) the young man offered to cut the pizza up with a clean knife, which I saw him do. Only paid £2.99 as lunchtime offer was on but paid for extra toppings. The box also had a sticker added which said Gluten Free. Did you know you can buy these bases direct from the manufacturer to make your own at home? They are available from Glutamel by mail order//online or some Co-ops. Have given up my prescription bases and are buying these instead. The company have been around for nearly 15 years and used to supply Juvela.
Thanks Sue, great tip about the bases I didn’t know that!
I found this thread when searching for any stories about sickness after gluten free Pizza Hut, as my son has now been violently sick twice after eating one. The first time I put it down to a bug but 3 weeks later we’ve eaten out with friends (different branch, different toppings) and yet again throwing up has followed. I know he is very sensitive to gluten (been diagnosed Coeliac for a year) but this
shouldn’t happen if the right controls are in place?
And as for the Great GF Pizza Debate – Pizza Hut at the bottom for obvious reasons, Dominos was a bit “doughy” not crispy & low in toppings so Prezzo wins for us! (I’ve been GFree for Lent & always try my sons grub anyway!)
And Ask! is also good. Contrary to the Domino problem of only small bases, i asked for a small and they only do big ones! 🙂
Disappointingly, you can’t use the Two for Tuesday offer at Dominoes if you want 2x GF pizzas. I tried recently, and could only have a GF pizza as a ‘buddy’ to a regular pizza. This was on the phone, and there was nothing they could do as the computer would only put the transaction through that way.
That’s the official line. I’ve heard many people have managed to get the deal with two GF pizzas when speaking to a manager so always worth asking. My branch usually have an online offer where you can get 2 smalls for £15 at any time which I usually use
What’s the ingredients, how is it prepared and where is it cooked to ensure gluten-free safe for Celiacs (the only gluten-free standard that matters) or it’s obviously not gluten-free. Can you shed more light on this?
All covered in the blog post! I should state that the article relates to the UK only. I am guessing you are US based judging by your spelling of coeliac? It’s worth noting that in the US Domino’s have not worked with the coeliac society and their “glutenfree” pizzas are not safe for celiacs