Dinning Out

Going out eat is really challenging. Steakhouses and BBQ joints are typically pretty safe just have them double check on the seasonings.  I know Outback Steakhouse and Buffalo Wild Wings have a gluten free menu.

A lot of local pizza places offer gluten free pizza crusts, so don’t rule out pizza.

Vietnamese Pho contains rice noodles so it’s typically safe.

Most Mexican restaurants have dishes with corn tortillas so they’re almost always a safe bet.  Just make sure that whatever you order is made with corn tortillas.

Places that have all day breakfast menus are a good choice.  Just make sure that the chef knows about your allergy because some places have a giant griddle that they cook everything on (co-mingling pancakes, and omelets).

Avoid Chinese.  Soy sauce will make you ill. If you’re cooking at home you can purchase Tamari sauce which is the gluten free alternative to soy sauce (sold alongside the soy sauce) but you can’t trust restaurants to have gluten free options.

If you like Indian food then you’re in luck.  Almost all Indian dishes are gluten free.  If you avoid the nan bread then you’ll almost always be safe with Indian food- at least from gluten.

In general we’ve found that more expensive restaurants are far more accommodating.  Just let your server know that you have a gluten allergy and thumb through the menu.  Pick out some dishes and ask your server if the chef can make those dishes gluten free.  Higher end restaurants employee chefs who have to be flexible and think on their feet, so generally they accommodate your needs.  We typically provide a good tip when they have to accommodate us and write on the bill that the server thank the chef and share some of the tip with them.

Here are some nationwide chains that are pretty good:

Chipotle and Qudoba have “burrito bowls” that are really are substantial.

Jimmy Johns has an “unwich” which is a sub wrapped in lettuce instead of bread.

Applebees and Ruby Tuesdays have gluten free menus.

Both the Olive Garden and Carrabbas Grill have gluten free pasta options.