"The Teamster" gluten free pizza with gluten free beer

Located at 2400 12th Avenue South, MAFIA0Za’s is a Pizzeria and Neighborhood Pub. The thing I like about MAFIA0Za’s of course is that they offer all of their pizzas with the option of using a great gluten free pizza crust. The crust is better then most, but ask them to cook it just a little longer if you want it on the crunchier side.

Another thing I like is they also offer Estrella Damm, Daura gluten free beer, a Spanish style Pilsener at the bar. Estrella is a barley based beer, yes, barley based. They use a technique to remove gluten during the brewing process. Two hints when you go, Sunday and Tuesday are 2-4-1 beers and if you buy wine next door at Vinea (which is one of the best wine shops in Nashville) just show the receipt and MAFIAOZa’s only charges $1 corking fee.

Visit MAFIA0Za’s online.

Some times when I look at my post it feels as if all I write about is pizza and where I can find a gluten free version. Well… I like pizza, sorry I’ve been a little sad since the closure of Garlic Jim’s in Franklin. I live in the Donelson area so it wasn’t always convenient for me to make it out there but it was my favorite in town. Now I’m left searching for a new pizza place. With this, I’ve recently tried the gluten free pizza option at the Mellow Mushroom. Like Mafiaoza’s, the topping are great! Nothing like getting a pizza with high quality meat products on it! Sorry vegetarians, they do have veggie only options at both places though.

The issue I am having with ordering gluten free pizza out is that it takes a little longer to bake than a normal pizza and the fine folks that are helping us celiac’s out don’t realize that. For the umpteenth time I got a gluten free pizza with high promise only to have to go home and put it in the oven a little longer. The dough was spongy and just needed about 10 minutes longer to become perfect. Other than that, it was a great pizza on par weigh the others I have had recently.

I am grateful to every company that tries to make a gluten free pizza option, we owe you! Please take one word of advice though, cook it a little longer. I want a crust that will not fall apart when i try to fold it like a NY style slice of pie.

So I finally was able to try out Matteo’s Gluten Free Pizza out in Cool Springs. While I truly appreciate the trouble they went through to create this and know they use top quality ingredients, I have to say it is far from my favorite. I had the Italian sausage one and my wife had one with black olives. The sausage was large pieces, I generally prefer crumbled. The crust reminded me of a thick whole wheat crust, I prefer thin crust. So all in all, it was not a hit with me. I do, however, think this would be perfect for children or a party that you need to get something together quick for. If you truly want a great pizza in Nashville, I still think you need to take the time to go to Whole Foods and grab a pizza crust to make your own or go to Dad’s Gluten Free Pizza.

I read online that Matteo’s Pizzeria in Brentwood offers a gluten free pizza! I haven’t tried it yet but looking forward to it. Had a pizza this weekend in Cincinnati at Donatos, was kind of a let down. Lou Malnati’s in Chicago is the best that I have had so far, just a shame they didn’t offer the gluten free beer!