Enjoying pizza out on the town has been a no-no for my picky eater for some time. There are many reasons for this, and I find we're not alone.

It seems the main concern for many celiacs is cross-contamination. It's mine, too. After all, I spent years in high school kneading dough in a back room of a little shop. We would fill up buckets of water at the end of the night and wash off the counters only to see the clear fluid quickly turn a starchy white. My clothes would erupt in flour dust clouds when I sat down in my car seat to drive home and I would wash itchy specks of flour out of my hair at night. Flour was everywhere. How can any restaurant pizza be safe from contamination?

On top of that concern is the no-casein constriction my little one has. Even dairy-free/lactose-free cheese often has the milk protein in it. And I'm not willing to dose my picky eater with it, as he reacts strongly when digesting it. So, we've been making our own pizzas at home. Our favorite is Kinnikinnick frozen crusts (found at Hiller's) with Vegan Gourmet cheese (found at Whole Foods). Made in our gluten-free kitchen, we typically have some on hand to take with us to Chuck E Cheese birthday parties or weekend trips to see friends.

So, is the idea of eating a hot pizza fresh out of the oven just a pie in the sky? Not necessarily.

Here is what I uncovered recently on a personal quest to bring a good, fresh slice of the American standard to my son's plate:

1. Buddy's is the real deal
Established in 1936 on the corner of Conant and Six Mile Roads as a Blind Pig, it was not until 1946 that Buddy's first introduced its famous square pizza — the first of its kind — to Detroit. It soon gained a reputation for it pies as it's Sicilian owner drew nationwide praise. Today, it's a community standard and is voted again and again the best pizza in Metro Detroit.

Add to these accomplishments its efforts to produce a safe and delicious gluten-free pies at its many restaurants. Here is what the local chain does to assure you won't be dosed with gluten:

1. The restaurant cooks the pizza on a foil-lined platter
2. The crust is made off-premises at a gluten-free location
3. The pie is served uncut with its own, clean utensil (photo at right)
4. Buddy's will serve it without cheese and I added my own (the kitchen won't do it because of food regulations). Other cheese options are available, as well (low fat and veggie)
5. Everyone was very cooperative and willing to answer all of my questions
6. The gluten-free pizza is endorsed by the TCCSG

We did it. We ordered pizza, my son gobbled it up and didn't get glutened. A coup for celiacs who love pizza. Buddy's has locations in Auburn Hills, Dearborn, Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills and Farmington. We visited the Dearborn location. Check out more on the chain here.


2. There's always GF Cucina's
The entire restaurant is gluten-free, so no worries about cross contamination here. The pizza is thin and crispy and there are other options, as well, such as a meatball sub, french fries and desserts. Located in Sterling Heights, it's a little out of the way for us. But it's worth a trip when we're in the area. Again, there are few casein-free options, but the staff is always informative and willing to accommodate our needs.

3. Word on the street
I also have heard of a few other celiac-friendly pizza shops although I have not experienced them personally. Word is Pizzaria Uno cooks its gluten-free pies on a fresh, disposable pan. Not sure if the dough is made on the premises, though, and there is a disclaimer on the bottom of its gluten-free menu that makes me skeptical. Check out the menu here. Another note I got from Gluten-Free Diva Penny Ray indicated that Picasso of Pizza makes a superb gluten-free pizza, but you have to call a day ahead. They will make the gluten-free crust in the morning before any other dough is made and are careful to protect it from being cross-contaminated. Penny says she has had a good experience at the Commerce Township shop. Check out a menu here.

So there it is, a slice of information on the most forbidden of gluten-free foods. The smile on my little one's face was priceless, even if the pizza had to be delivered without the cheese. I recommend doing your homework, calling ahead to ask questions and giving this often mysterious practice of ordering gluten-free pizza out a shot.