Michael T.
Yelp
I've been to CPK's from coast-to-coast and probably average at least 1 visit every month. This was my 2nd visit here, and while the first wasn't great, this was by far the worst.
First, the waiter completely spaced on the order and had to had to come back to take it a 2nd time. OK, I get it. Not a problem. But as I told my son at the time, it was probably a sign of things to come.
When my son's cauliflower crust pizza came, it wasn't cauliflower. So, we had to wait for them to replace it. Not a problem, as the waiter said they had screwed up my pizza order, so it was being remade. So, we were already waiting for that screwup to be remedied.
Eventually, the correct cauliflower pizza came, but my thin-crust veggie pizza came with regular crust. And that crust was undercooked - probably removed from the oven early to try to make up for the delays. I pointed this out to the waiter and he wanted to replace it, but I said I would just take it as is.
Then the manager came by. "How is everything?" he asked. I replied that he probably already knows. He said he didn't. So I explained. Whatever.
So, there's the 1 star. We can't give 0, so I guess that's close.
BUT, I will add this. They changed (cheapened) the recipe for the pizza I have been ordering for many years now, the California Veggie. CPK removed the sun-dried tomatoes and replaced them with cherry tomatoes - a cheaper and much different tasting option. I wish the waiter had mentioned that.
Plus, they no longer put eggplant on the California Veggie. Another cost-cutting measure that lessens the experience. And no, it wasn't mentioned.
And of course the price didn't drop.
And the wine prices are way, way up.
And, as I read other reviews, this is a common theme. Menu items going away, portions of toppings going down, and prices going up. This is not the secret to success. No business every cost-reduced itself into growth.
I have a hard enough time convincing friends to go to CPK. Now, I will have a very, very hard time convincing myself. Sorry, CPK. It was fun while it lasted.