Eating Out

EATING OUT

I have high anxiety when eating out.  After you get sick when you thought you were careful, it isn't easy to eat out again.  It is easier now than it was even a few years ago and most places have gluten-free options.  One thing I usually do is check online or call ahead to find out what is gluten free.  Even if the menu says gluten free, it doesn't mean the people in the kitchen take the proper precautions. It is still better to eat at home where you know all the ingredients and don’t run the risk of cross-contamination and can start with fresh ingredients.  However, it sure is nice to be able to go out.

Always ask for the gluten free menu and remind the waiter/food handler to change gloves, not touch anything which could cross-contaminate and not to put any bread/gluten on your plate next to your food.  Most places are getting pretty good at remembering, but it isn't worth getting sick.

These are my local tried and true favorites:

Biaggis This Italian food restaurant will make you want to cry it is so good.  The pizza and the pasta are delicious and it is hard to tell the difference between regular and gluten free.  Top it off with the creme brulee and it will be your favorite restaurant as well.  It is a nice place but not expensive.  http://www.biaggis.com/  Located in the Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City.

Texas Roadhouse  When we get take-out at work, this is a favorite for everyone.  I can eat out here even when on a paleo day.  A nice sirloin and steamed vegetables or the roasted chicken with mashed potato topped with bacon always hit the spot and are great gluten free options.

Rancheritos  Every store is different, so you have to be careful.  They know me at my local mexican food rancheritos and call me "No Tortilla" when I walk in.  I can get almost all of the burritos without a tortilla as they cook basic meats then they put everything else on the side.  It is very kind and I tip them every time so they know I appreciate their efforts.

California Pizza Kitchen  Also downtown in the Gateway, this is the best gf pizza for your money.  Most gf pizzas taste like cardboard and I will only try a new gf recipe with high recommendations because they are so expensive.  CPK has it right and isn't too outrageous in price.

Chinese - Pei Wei  Vietnamese rolls with the chile sauce are soooo good.  Joy Luck  In Bountiful and Draper, Joy Luck satisfies your craving for Chinese.  They have many gf options and my favorite is the walnut shrimp.  Typhoon also in the Gateway has the best lettuce wraps ever and also has a gluten free menu.  There are lots of little places you can go and you just have to talk to them and get a menu and find out what ingredients they use and how they cook it.

Thai  Thai food is great for gluten free or paleo eaters.  Most curries are gluten free, but always ask.  Every restaurant I have ever been to has had gluten free options.  If the server or cook isn't sure about something, don't risk it.  My favorite is Thai Basil, the pineapple curry is the absolute best.

Indian  Most curries are gluten free and many of the grilled meats are fine.  Indian restaurants also have a variety of breads and crepes which are made from chickpea flour and lentil (bean) flour and rice flour.  My current favorite is Saffron Valley in South Jordan.

Wendy’s – This is my favorite for fast food because they are very conscious of cross contamination and deep fry the fries in a separate vat from anything breaded.  Any burger without a bun, chili, grilled chicken breast no bun, French fries, salads (Caesar dressing is the only gluten free on their menu), baked potato, frosty.  For eating out quickly, Wendy's is the best fast food option and inexpensive.

Noodles – Penne Rosa with rice noodles, pad thai (can add beef, not chicken), rice noodle bowl

Café Rio – Children tostadas, salads ask for no tortilla, creamy tomatillo dressing-remind to change gloves because they handle the wheat tortilla's

Yanni’s-meat skewers (slovaki), lemon rice, 

Crown Burger – fries, crown burger no bun or lettuce wrapped, chef salad (bring your own dressing), gyro in lettuce wrap, side of pastrami; 

Spaghetti Factory has gluten free options,  

Spaghetti Mamas (wasn’t that great, they burned the pizza but Jenna said they are getting better), Olive Garden has gluten free options, 

El Matador (Bountiful) nachos supreme, chili verde, side of rice.   

Iggy’s now has a GF menu. 

Wingers has ribs and chicken  and other items 

In and Out Burger  Protein style burgers, check on the fries because some locations are okay, some are not.

Almost any food chain will be aware of gluten allergies and provide a gluten free menu on-site or on-line.  If it is somewhere local,  you just have to walk in and ask and find out what is in everything and how it is cooked.  It can be a pain, but if it is somewhere you really want to go and they are nice enough to answer all your questions, it is worth knowing you have somewhere to go.