California Pizza Kitchen at Paramus — Restaurant in Paramus

Supposedly a family friendly restaurant, but not in my experience today. We are a family of 5, including a 3mo baby in a carrier (a newborn car seat that detaches and is used as a hand-held carrier). The host kept seating us in a 4 person table in a tight space, when larger booths were wide open, even after we asked for a larger seating area that would allow us to put the baby carrier down next to us (the baby was sleeping inside). She was visibly annoyed and said booths were reserved for 5 or more people. I guess CPK doesn't count a newborn baby as a person—ok. Understandable, the baby doesn’t contribute to their bottom line.

Eventually, she reluctantly sat us in one of their booths, and then our server came. The server "warned" us how dangerous it is to put a baby carrier next to us. She said we are actually not allowed to do that. Apparently, upon talking with the store manager, it is her made up policy rather than a companywide rule (I am checking with their corporate office about how they expect/require their customers to sit small babies that have zero mobility). She didn’t give any alternative; she just left after the warning and putting menus on the table. Her warning was not given in a friendly, “I-care-about-your-baby’s-safety” manner; she just seemed very annoyed that she had to serve our table. At that point, we decided to get up and leave because of how unwelcoming everyone was, like we were being nuisance to them.

For context, our Uppa Baby carrier fit perfectly and securely in their booth seat, and the baby was fully strapped in; like there was no possible way for it to fall or move in any direction even a little bit. Plus my mother was sitting right next to it, supporting the carrier with the side of her arm and leg, even though it was already stable on its own. If you don’t want customers use this method, then will you provide a baby crib or something? What is the company’s solution and suggestion? Leave a sleeping baby in the stroller parking lot? A much nicer restaurant had let us sit with our baby carrier so I don’t know what their problem is.

This place used to be good when we went with 1 toddler, but I can't say the same anymore. We were regulars previously Not because of their food quality (let’s be honest, we don’t go there expecting much; it’s just a pizza chain) but because of their family-friendliness. So sad to say it’s no longer the case. I once ate their half-burnt quesadilla trio and didn’t even complain because my daughter was having a good time.

Listen: Parents of young babies, be aware. They are only family friendly if your kid can sit and eat on their own (i.e., given them your $). Babies clearly not welcomed. I will revise this review if/when I hear back from their corporate office. Needless to say, we’re not going back there—lots of better alternatives in the area, and frozen pizza (that tastes just as good) can save our day from being ruined by an upsetting...

I came here with my husband and my 6-month old twins for lunch. We’ve been to this location before with our babies and had a pleasant experience, despite the service being a bit slow. When we arrived I approached the hostess and asked if we could sit at one of the empty tables inside the mall and park our double stroller at the table, as our babies are small and were napping in the stroller. We had been seated this way before with no issue. I understand this location has stroller parking, that’s why I explained we’re unable to park the stroller outside and needed it parked at our table. The two hostesses both looked cold and annoyed. One of them said it’s better if I parked the stroller outside the restaurant, despite I just explained a second ago why I could not. I pointed out that there’s literally a table at the same mall side area that has a stroller parked at the table. And she said coldly that it’s a single stroller and we have a double.

I’m not sure what the hostess expects from me with this response. Should I have left one of my twins at home to fend for himself while dining out? Are twin parents or parents with more than one kid not welcome here? I explained we had come here before and were seated the same way without issue. Finally, another worker walked up and proactively went to double check the space, then kindly removed a chair at the table for us and let us park the stroller. Throughout this entire interaction the two hostesses made me feel completely unwelcome and that it was an inconvenience for them to try to seat us. At no point did I speak to them in a rude way, I patiently explained our situation and the entire time I was met with their negative attitude.

Double strollers are commonly used by parents with multiple kids. The vast majority of double strollers are the same size or smaller than a wheelchair. If a wheelchair customer can be seated, there’s no reason why a double stroller cannot. They need retraining at a minimum, and if they cannot make diners feel welcome, they should not be placed as the first line of interaction for diners.

Editing - my husband told me actually the table next to us that also had a stroller parked at the table told him they were also given a hard time to park their single stroller at the table. Their baby was not napping but was CLEARLY too small to be able to sit in a high chair. Mind blowing how unfriendly they are to parents of...

To start with, I was a long time customer of California Pizza Kitchen and enjoyed eating at various locations of theirs for over 25 years.

That being said, this company is clearly circling the drain and will be flushed down the toilet bowl soon if my experience there is any indicator.

To summarize, my most recent visit to the Paramus CPK location was one of the absolute worst dining experiences of my life.

The food was atrocious, sloppily served and disgusting in taste. No bread was offered as had traditionally been the case with CPK. Our entrees (Pizza, Pasta and Salad) were inedible and we left 90% of the food on our plates. Of course, the wait staff was completely zoned out and oblivious to this.

On a more serious note, we became very sick within hours of eating there, with all of us experiencing severe stomach pain and vomiting.

We suspect our illness may have been because they were cleaning the restaurant and spraying cleaners everywhere while there were still many people dining there. They were also aggressively sweeping the floors kicking up dirt and filth near the tables, and likely onto the food. Totally inconsiderate and, in reality, a dangerous practice.

We also heard the constant dropping of pots and pans from the kitchen, which makes me cast doubt on the restaurant's cleanliness practices. I wouldn't be surprised they reuse filthy cookware without a second thought.

After 25 years of dining at CPK, I will never return to this restaurant chain after my horrible experience there.

In conclusion if you like disgusting food with dirt and filth in it, CPK is a great choice. If you like to be severely ill after your dinner and vomit it up all over your floor, then again, CPK is a great place for you.

Avoid this terrible place for your...