Thai Kitchen's Mushroom Rice Noodle Bowl

Brand: Thai Kitchen

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Product Name: Mushroom Rice Noodle Bowl

Location Purchased: Sunflower Farmer's Market

Cost: $1.69

Total From A to Z: 3 Stars

A's Review: * * *

I left the mushrooms off of this, not being a fan of mushrooms. Unlike the other Thai Kitchen bowl, this one was disappointingly flavorless. I wanted to toss in some Mongolian Fire Oil, but I didn't have any on me at the time. In the grand scheme of noodle bowls, this one wasn't bad, it just wasn't that great either. High quality, just not much flavor.

Z's Review: * * *
I do like the idea of a quick rice noodle bowl, but this one isn't my favorite. It came with a yellow oil that wasn't particularly spicy or flavorful. And the dried mushrooms remained chewy no matter how long I let them soak in the hot broth. It wasn't bad, but I don't think I'd choose this flavor again. The spring onion flavor was much tastier.

Amy's Tamale Verde

Brand: Amy's

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Product Name: Tamale Verde

Location Purchased: Safeway

Cost: $4.29



Total From A to Z: 3.5 Stars

A's Review: * * * *

Amy and her crew have tasty frozen meals dialed. Just spicy enough and very satisfying.

Z's Review: * * *
This was a pretty decent frozen meal. However, I did have to zap it about a minute more than suggested on the package to get the tamale to heat all the way through. The tamale was slightly bland, but the green chile was enjoyable. I didn't think the rice and beans were anything special.

High Plains Bison's Shredded Bison in BBQ Sauce

Brand: High Plains Bison

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Product Name: Shredded Bison in BBQ Sauce

Location Purchased: Costco

Cost: $16.99 for 2lbs


Total From A to Z: 3 Stars

A's Review: * * *
I thought this was pretty tasty, but the sauce was not as bold as I would have preferred. The flavor of the bison showed through, where it wouldn't have with beef. It was tender though and easy to prepare.

Z's Review: * * *
I am all for eating bison/buffalo in place of beef because it is a very healthy alternative that still gives you the yummy red meat flavor. Bison/buffalo can actually be even lower in fat and cholesterol than chicken, and it's also high in iron and B12. This product also made for a really quick and easy meal. Just stick the package in the microwave to heat it up and place it on a gluten-free bun (like Kinnikinnick Foods' Tapioca Rice Hamburger Buns) and you've got yourself a meal! However, I have to say that while the meat was yummy and very tender, the BBQ sauce was really nothing special. I would have liked a little more spice or flavor.

Amy's Kids Meals Baked Ziti

Brand: Amy's

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Product Name: Kids Meals Baked Ziti

Location/Cost Info: Amy's website





Total From A to Z: 3.5 Stars

A's Review: * * * *
This dish left me feeling tricked. Usually I can spot non-dairy cheese a mile away, but I didn't even notice until I was reading the box long after I finished eating. There was also some GF focaccia that was very good as well. My only complaint? Not enough of this.

Z's Review: * * *
This is a full-on TV dinner: pasta, broccoli, focaccia (a little piece of Italian seasoned gluten-free bread), and a little apple dessert. It is marketed towards kids and even comes with a temporary tattoo. The pasta itself is a little bit mushy without that much taste. The broccoli has a little bit of pasta sauce on it, which would probably make it more appealing to kids. The focaccia was actually pretty satisfying. And the apple-cinnamon dessert was actually pretty satisfying too. Not sure I would buy this one again, but it was certainly interesting.

Amy's Tortilla Casserole & Black Bean Bowl

Brand: Amy's

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Product Name: Tortilla Casserole & Black Bean Bowl

Location Purchased: Safeway

Cost: $4.49


Total From A to Z: 4 Stars

A's Review: * * * *
Very nice...a tasty pile of food. Surprisingly tasty for something frozen and microwaved. I think beans are wonderful to eat pretty much all the time and the sauce on the casserole was just spicy enough to be fun.

Z's Review: * * * *
The tortilla casserole is a bit mushy, and I'm not exactly sure what is in it, but it tasted pretty good. The black beans with a little bit of cheese on top were delicious. The whole meal also smelled pretty good too. All in all, a pretty good quick meal.

RESTAURANT: Tokyo Joe's

A&Z

at
Tokyo
Joe's

Restaurant: Tokyo Joe's

Location Visited:
Full-screBoulder - 2525 Arapahoe Ave - (303) 443 - 1555
Full-scre
Gluten-Free Options: When you arrive, ask for the gluten-free menu and they will give you a list of all things that can be made gluten-free, including all of their protein options (except tofu, which is pre-marinated) and even gluten-free teriyaki sauce! Take out or eat in.

Total From A to Z: 5 Stars

A's Review: * * * * *
Tokyo Joe's was a place that we ate at once when we first moved here but regrettably forgot about until recently. Not only is it the place for the best noodle bowls around, but they have great GF selections as well. It is also one of the few places where I've seen that you can get wild salmon on your bowl, as opposed to the usual beef or chicken, with a variety of flavorful sauces. They also have beer (no GF beer, though), excellent music, and just a cool atmosphere.

Z's Review: * * * * *
We had heard a rumor that Tokyo Joe's could accommodate gluten-free guests, but to be honest I wasn't holding my breath. I was expecting them to maybe carry Tamari and to have pretty limited choices, which is the case at most Asian resturants. I was so pleased to be wrong! I couldn't seem to find the gluten-free information online, but when you arrive if you ask for the gluten-free menu they will give you a list of everything on the menu that can be prepared gluten-free. This includes all of their protein (chicken, steak, salmon) except for the tofu (which apparently is pre-marinated.) I had a steak teriyaki bowl with gluten-free teriyaki sauce and veggies! Several of their sushi rolls are also gluten-free so A and I shared the Joe's Roll. The staff also did a great job preventing cross-contamination. They informed the kitchen, changed their gloves, and used different knives for preparation of the gluten-free food. They also packaged the gluten-free meal in a completly separate bag from A's regular teriyaki meal. And the food was delicious and healthy! think we'll be back at Tokyo Joe's very soon!

RESTAURANT: Mad Greens

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at
Mad
Greens

Restaurant: Mad Greens

Location:
Full-screBoulder - 1805 29th Street - (720) 496 - 4157

Gluten-Free Options: Creative salads (obviously order them without croutons) and gluten-free salad dressings (which are actually marked on the regular menu).

Total From A to Z: 5 Stars

A's Review: * * * * *
Z can tell you, I am not a big salad fan. But Mad Greens does something magical and actually makes salad taste good...and work as a meal by itself. The staff is well trained and the menu does a good job of making clear what is GF, which is a good number of items.

Z's Review: * * * * *
So I guess salad is generally a gluten-free no-brainer, so long as you avoid things like croutons and are careful about the dressing. Luckily, Mad Greens marks on their menu which of their dressings are gluten-free and they have eleven gluten-free options! They also make really creative salads, or you can design favorites of your own. According to the staff member I talked to, several of their protein options are also gluten-free (though now I can't remember which). So I think Mad Greens is an awesome place to grab a gluten-free salad. However, I have to make the disclaimer that if you are really sensitive you need to be careful about cross-contamination at Mad Greens because the salads are made at a bar - with glutenous and gluten-free ingredients tending to overlap. I once found a lone cruoton in the bottom of my bowl which could have made a senstive person sick.

Annie's Rice Pasta & Cheddar

Brand: Annie's

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Product Name: Rice Pasta & Cheddar

Location/Cost Info: Annie's website




Total From A to Z: 3 Stars

A's Review: * * *

This is very much like the non-GF version: very drab. It needs...spice...flavor...something. The texture of the noodles is fine; it just doesn't taste like much. I've thrown in hot dogs and Mongolian fire oil (separately, but they might work together) and that made the dish much more flavorful.

Z's Review: * * *
Here's all I have to say about this: meh. Not bad, but not particularly good either. Pretty bland, even for macaroni and cheese. Kids would probably like it, though.

Thai Kitchen's Spring Onion Rice Noodle Bowl

Brand: Thai Kitchen

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Product Name: Spring Onion Rice Noodle Bowl

Location Purchased: Sunflower Farmer's Market

Cost: $1.69

Total From A to Z: 4 Stars

A's Review: * * * *
Spicy and very satisfying. I really liked the texture of the rice noodles. It was a nice change from the usual ramen texture.

Z's Review: * * * *
This "cup of soup" was a little bit spicy and actually pretty satisfying. It came with a little package of red oil, so you could always add less if you wanted it to be less spicy. I really enjoyed this as a quick, gluten-free lunch.

Amy's Indian Palak Paneer

Brand: Amy's

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Product Name: Indian Palak Paneer

Location Purchased: King Sooper's

Cost: $4.49



Total From A to Z: 4 Stars

A's Review: * * * *
This is similar to the Paneer Tikka dish but this one has spinach. It started off good and added one of my favorite vegetables, making it even better. Again, I was left wishing I had more.

Z's Review: * * * *
The box says: "creamed spinach & cheese with rice & rajmah dal; made with organic spinach, rice, and beans." So far this has been my second favorite Amy's Indian meal (with Paneer Tikka as my favorite!). I've learned to love paneer (the Indian cheese), so the spinach and paneer part was really tasty. These Indian meals always have good rice too. I never had kidney beans with Indian food before, so I did think that was a little bit odd, but they were really tasty also! All in all, a good, quick lunch!

Amy's Indian Mattar Paneer

Brand: Amy's

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Product Name: Indian Mattar Paneer

Location Purchased: Safeway

Cost: $4.49



Total From A to Z: 4 Stars

A's Review: * * * *
Peas are not one of my favorite vegetables, so I was unsure how I would like this dish. I bear them no ill will; I just wouldn't choose to construct a dish around them. I was pleasantly surprised though. The combination of the peas, garbanzo beans, rice, curry, and paneer was very satisfying and I was scraping the dish wondering where it all went before I realized that I ate it all up. My one request would be for more paneer, because that it just damn good cheese

Z's Review: * * * *
The description on the box is "curried peas & cheese with rice & chana masala, made with organic rice, tomatoes, & peas." This made a very tasty lunch, though I have to admit that I have enjoyed some of Amy's other frozen Indian meals more. (Check back soon for those other reviews!) I also wish there had been more paneer in it because that cheese is absolutely delicious! But the peas and chickpeas were enjoyable too.

SIDE NOTE: Some of Amy's products are labeled "gluten free." But others, like this one, are labeled "no gluten ingredients." I thought this was a little bit confusing, so I emailed Amy's to request clarification of the difference was between the two labels. This is what they said:

There is actually no difference between "gluten free" and "no gluten ingredients". Both are appropriate for folks who cannot tolerant gluten.

Our gluten free products contain only the ingredients listed in the ingredient statement. There are no hidden, unlabeled ingredients. We understand that it is critical that these products be free of gluten and we take this very seriously.

A wide range of activities and cross-checks are completed to ensure that cross-contamination and/or inadvertent use of the wrong ingredient does not occur.

Best regards,
Carol Tamagni
Consumer Relations

Amy's Indian Paneer Tikka

Brand: Amy's

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Product Name: Indian Paneer Tikka

Location Purchased: King Sooper's

Cost: $4.49



Total From A to Z: 4.5 Stars

A's Review: * * * *
If you want quick, easy, and healthy frozen food, you need to hit up Amy's. This is very satisfying and my only complaint was it was gone all too quickly. Paneer is a firm Indian cheese that doesn't melt, so it looked like tofu at first. But it tastes so much better than tofu ever could.

Z's Review: * * * * *
For a frozen meal, this was absolutely delicious! According to the package, the meal is made up of "tomato masala with cheese, vegetables, and rice; made with organic rice, potatoes, and spinach." It was really, really tasty. The cheese is called paneer, an Indian cheese, and it was in a delicious orange masala sauce which was slightly tangy, slightly spicy. The rice was also tasty and well textured. The spinach and potatoes made a nice compliment to the meal - it was really nice to have a couple of different flavors in the same quick meal. I will definately be eating this one again!

RESTAURANT: Chipotle

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at
Chipotle

Restaurant: Chipotle

Locations:
National Chain

Location We Visited:
Boulder - 1650 28th Street - (720) 406-0500
Full-scre
Gluten-Free Options: Everything at Chipotle is gluten-free except for the flour tortillas! (Just be careful about cross-contamination if you are really sensitive).

Total From A to Z: 5 Stars

A's Review: * * * * *

It was really fun to see the employees spring into action when Z told them she was GF. One went and got a manager to verify that everything except the flour tortillas was GF. Next they changed the serving spoons for the beans (but if the beans themselves were already cross-contaminated then that doesn't really accomplish much), and grabbed the crunchy corn taco shells. Chipotle has lots of natural, antibiotic-free, growth hormone-free meat to serve, and their guacamole is really good.

Z's Review: * * * * *
When we went into Chipotle and told them I was gluten-free and asked what I could order, at first they had no idea what I was talking about. So I clarified and asked if any of their spices or sauces contained wheat or flour. It took them a while to find the right paperwork, but eventually they brought out an allergens list which showed that the only item at Chipotle that contained wheat were the flour tortillas! That's the way food should be! Don't go sticking wheat in where it isn't necessary! So, since they carried both crunchy and soft corn tortillas, there were actually quite a lot of options for me. They even changed their gloves to minimize any potential cross-contamination. I had some really delicious tacos and will probably go to Chipotle again for a quick meal!

RESTAURANT: Noodles & Company

A&Z

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Noodles
&
Co.

Restaurant: Noodles & Company

Locations:
National Chain

Location We Visited:
South Boulder - 2850 Baseline - (303) 247 - 9978
Full-scre
Gluten-Free Options: The Pad Thai (without chicken), beef (braised and sauteed), shrimp, and cucumber tomato salad. Apparently it may be possible to get them to substitute rice noodles in other dishes, but we're not positive about that.

Total From A to Z: 2.5 Stars

A's Review: * * *

I was surprised when I heard that Noodles & Company had GF noodle dishes. The staff said there was only one dish they could guarantee, the Pad Thai, but it looks like you can substitute rice noodles in just about every dish. Z ordered chicken, which apparently is not GF, but this wasn't mentioned by the staff. We were lucky since Z can handle the occasional dose of gluten, but this would be unacceptable if someone were really sensitive. I would say check with the staff to make sure, but evidently this isn't even a certainty. The best bet is probably to explicitly ask about every single item in your dish and if they don't know or don't make you feel confidently, don't eat it.

Z's Review: * *
We have heard from a couple of different places (like Gluten Free Steve and Celiac.com) that Noodles & Company might actually be quite accommodating to gluten-free guests (though other sources disagree, like Gluten Free in SD). To me, a chance to get quick, reliable, gluten-free noodles was worth a shot. However, our experience at the South Boulder Noodles & Company didn't turn out so well. At first they told us that most of the dishes could be made with rice noodles, which sounded great. Then they changed their minds and said that only the pad thai would be ok. So I ordered the pad thai with chicken breast. Now, to be fair, I don't remember if I specifically asked about the chicken breast. However, the staff was well aware that I was looking for a gluten-free option. When I went to write this post I did some research and discovered that the chicken breast at Noodles & Company is apparently not gluten-free. Luckily, I'm not celiac, so it didn't make me sick. While part of the blame might be on me for not checking more carefully, I thought it was handled pretty poorly by Noodles too, since they were aware that I was gluten-free.

UPDATE: The official stance on gluten-free dining at Noodles & Company can be found on their website, which says:

Currently, the only menu items that do not knowingly contain wheat/gluten are the Pad Thai, beef (braised and sautéed), shrimp and cucumber tomato salad. The noodles, sauces and preparation methods all contribute to the gluten content of our food and substituting rice noodles will not make a dish gluten-free.

We’ll try hard to accommodate your needs, but please consider that we do have wheat in our restaurant and we can’t guarantee no cross contact. We urge you to inform a manager of your needs every time you dine with us.

The lesson I learned? If you are really sensitive/concerned about gluten, you may need to do the research yourself before visiting a restaurant because unfortunately it seems you can't always depend on the staff to inform you properly. Either that or ask for a manager!

RESTAURANT: Fan's Chinese Cuisine

A&Z

at
Fan's

Restaurant: Fan's Chinese Cuisine

Location:
Longmont - 7960 Niwot Rd - (303) 652-6250
Full-scre
Gluten-Free Options: According to the owner, 90% of the regular menu can be prepared gluten-free!

Total From A to Z: 5 Stars

A's Review: * * * * *

This restaurant is in the back of an unassuming shopping center and you can't even see it from the street. It is that much more of a treasure because of it. While they don't have a specifically GF menu or GF section, I asked what could be GF and the woman behind the counter (who I assume is the owner) excitedly told me to pick something because they can do 90% of the menu items gluten free. That is awesome. And the portions are huge! And...as a bonus, dining in gets you a free helping of egg drop soup, which was great and also gluten free. Most excellent.

Z's Review: * * * * *
This place is not in the greatest location - it can be a little bit hard to find - but it is totally worth it because it is like gluten-free Chinese food heaven! The woman we spoke to told us that 90% of the regular menu can be prepared gluten-free at no extra charge, which means you can pick almost anything you want! They have all kinds of choices: vegetarian, pork, chicken, duck, beef, shrimp, scallops, fish, and even rice noodles! After so much time spent eating out gluten-free with only a small selection of choices, I have to admit that it was almost overwhelming! When you dine-in they also serve you complimentary soup. The day we went it was a delicious gluten-free egg drop soup, but they were still cooking a batch of the soup while we were eating our dinner. The woman who helped us was sweet enough to package some soup to go for us because she really wanted us to try it. She was super excited to tell us about all the gluten-free options. Let me tell you, I'm sold! Fan's is my new favorite place for Chinese food!

RESTAURANT: Panera Bread Bakery-Cafe

A&Z
at
Panera

Restaurant: Panera Bread Bakery-Cafe

Locations: National Chain

Locations We've Visited:
Superior - 302 Center Driver - (720) 304-7000

Gluten-Free Options: None of their bread is gluten-free, but several of their soups are gluten-free and most of the salads can be modified.

Total From A to Z: 3 Stars

A's Review: * * *

I wasn't holding my breath for Panera to have much for Z to eat. And they didn't. But what they did have were well-trained staff and a binder that told at a glance what was GF. Some of the soups and most of the salads were fine, which is not half bad from a bakery.

Z's Review: * * *
Maybe it isn't fair to walk into a bakery and expect to be able to get something gluten-free, but I knew Panera also serves soup and salad (in addition to sandwiches and baked goods), so I thought it was worth a try. When I asked the cashier if any of the soups were gluten-free, I was delighted to find out that she had a list of which ones were and was able to tell me right away. She even apologized for not knowing off the top of her head! Their soups vary from day to day, and the day I visited two of them were gluten-free: the black bean soup and the creamy tomato (ordered without croutons). Most of their salads also use gluten-free vinaigrette dressing and can be ordered without croutons. They will also substitute an apple or potato chips instead of a baguette as a side. So, despite Panera being a "gluten-full" bakery, I was able to enjoy a gluten-free lunch of black bean soup and orchard harvest salad with a side of potato chips.

Glutino's Gluten Free Macaroni & Cheese

Brand: Glutino
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Product Name: Gluten Free Macaroni & Cheese

Location Purchased: King Sooper's

Cost: $4.39 for one frozen meal

Total From A to Z: 1 Star

A's Review: *
Um...ew. This dish did not look, smell, or taste remotely appetizing. I can't really think of anything else if it can't manage any of those three basic qualities of food. The picture on the box looked really nice, which added to the negative impression of the real thing.

Z's Review: *
Ladies and gentlemen, I am sad to say that I have discovered my very first One Star gluten-free product. This macaroni and cheese was, unfortunately, just really gross. When I followed the directions on the package, I got a soupy mess of pasta and cheese water. I managed to thicken the cheese slightly by nuking it for an extra two minutes, but it was still pretty disgusting. I smelled mine and even took a small taste, and then the rest went right down the garbage disposal. And it wasn't a fluke because A had a similar experience with his. The glorious looking mac & cheese on the package is certainly not what is to be found inside!

Glutino's Chicken Pad Thai

Brand: Glutino
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Product Name: Chicken Pad Thai

Location Purchased: King Sooper's

Cost: $5.19 for 7.1 oz frozen meal



Total From A to Z: 4.5 Stars

A's Review: * * * * *
My only complaint about this dish was that my serving was gone before I realized anything had happened. There also could have been more chicken, but the flavors were excellent. I was shocked that this came from a freezer by way of a microwave to my plate. The noodles were just the right amount of chewy. I could eat this frequently and not get tired of it.

Z's Review: * * * *
Like Glutino's Chicken Ranchero with Brown Rice, this pad thai is not the most visually appealing meal I've ever had. It comes out of the microwave looking sort of brown and mushy. Interestingly, it's also 2.1 oz smaller than the Chicken Ranchero, even though it cost the same amount. The box says: "Traditional Thai brand dish prepared with tender strips of chicken breast meat, rice noodles, and a variety of vegetables in a mild lime infused sauce," but as for vegetable variety I saw only carrot bits. But, what it lacks in visual appearance and quantitiy I think it makes up for in taste. The chicken strips are a generous size and the noodles are pleasantly chewy. I don't know how traditional the sauce really is, but I thought it tasted good, though perhaps a little thick. All in all I thought it was a good, quick, gluten-free meal.

Glutino's Chicken Ranchero with Brown Rice

Brand: Glutino
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Product Name: Chicken Ranchero with Brown Rice

Location Purchased: King Sooper's

Cost: $5.19 for 9.2 oz frozen meal


Total From A to Z: 3.5 Stars

A's Review: * * *
This is a great thing to have if you want a quick and easy GF meal. That being said, it comes out as this reddish brown pile of food and the portions are a touch on the small side. It tasted much better than it looks and I did make it through the rest of the day after eating one of these for lunch. I would say this is slightly better than average for a frozen meal of any kind, with bonus points for being GF.

Z's Review: * * * *
The box says: "Tender strips of chicken breast meat on a bed of brown rice smothered with rich tomato sauce and topped with zucchini, kidney beans, corn, and jalapeno peppers." There may be jalapeno peppers, but this meal is only mildly spicy. If there was zucchini in there I certainly didn't see it. And I saw maybe two kernels of corn. In fact, this is not visually the most appealing meal I've ever had. But, then again, what frozen meal is super visually appealing? The good news is that it tasted good and was enough food for me to feel satisfied after eating it. The chicken is nicely flavored and the texture of the rice was good. Amy's Rice Mac & Cheese may still my favorite for a quick meal, but this is a really nice alternative.

Amy's Spinach Pizza - Rice Crust

Brand: Amy's
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Product Name: Spinach Pizza - Rice Crust

Location Purchased: King Soopers

Cost: $7.99 for 10-inch frozen pizza

A to Z Review: 2.5 Stars

A's Review: * *

As with many GF breads, the crust is crunchy and cracker-like, which for pizza is quite good. My main complaint about this pizza, which was otherwise quite good, was the use of not nearly enough soy cheese instead of real dairy cheese. The crust, sauce, and other toppings were all great, but that was basically all I could taste. I am no fan of imitation cheese, but I've had worse than what was used on this pizza and there should have been a lot more. If the genuine pizza experience is what the crew at Amy's is going for, then this should be covered in cheese so it is hard to see what else is on there. As it was, it was difficult to tell there was much on there besides sauce and spinach.

Z's Review: * * *
When I purchased this pizza I was so delighted to see that it was gluten-free that I totally neglected to notice that it was also dairy free. This meant that it had some kind of soy cheese on it. I wasn't a huge fan of the taste of the soy cheese, and, in any event, there wasn't enough of it! The crust and the sauce was fairly tasty, but there was so little "cheese" that it hardly reminded me of a pizza at all. It might be possible to fix this problem by adding some of your own cheese on top while you bake it, but out of the box I didn't really think this was a finished product. Unless, of course, you are gluten-free and lactose intolerant, in which case this is the pizza for you!