Eating Out

Philly: A Gluten-Free Friendly Town

Gluten Free Pasta by Ristorante Panormama. Credits: Emma Furino

Gluten Free Pasta by Ristorante Panormama. Credits: Emma Furino

Philly is one of the most gluten-free friendly cities in the country. So much so, it’s been called “the first gluten-free neighborhood in the U.S.”

It takes a lot of components to come together to make a great GF city.

It helps if your state is no stranger to the gluten-free way of life. Earlier this year, Gluten Free Travel Site named Pennsylvania the “World’s Most Celiac-Friendly Destination.” We examined this accolade in Read More »

Betsy’s Bakery to Host Gluten-Free Candlelight Dinner On Valentine’s Day

Let me preface this post by noting that Valentine’s day is not a holiday I, personally, subscribe to. The cards, the flowers, the mush, the grand gestures, and all the things that some expect of this day…none of that is really my jam. So, last year, after I requested no frills or fancy dinners or grand gestures, my boyfriend, Mike, presented me with a terracotta pot with a yellow lily and some dirt in it. (Read: don’t scoff yet…) Upon further inspection, it turned out that the “dirt” was finely crushed chocolate cookie bits covering a blue Solo cup filled with his gluten-free version of cookies and cream ice cream (my absolute favorite) that he had mixed and made himself. This gesture seemed small to some in my life, but to me, the girl who hadn’t had cookies and cream ice cream in almost two years, it was the grandest gesture of them all.

Betsy's Bakery in Camp Hill, PA

Betsy’s Bakery in Camp Hill, PA

That one grand gesture, when someone went out of his way to make sure that I could eat what I loved and not get sick is why the the candlelight dinner at Betsy’s Bakery in Camp Hill, PA is so important. This little bakery is hosting a reservation-only, gluten-free candlelight dinner on Valentine’s day this year. Taking your gluten-free sweetie to this dinner may be the gesture they’ve been looking for if you haven’t quite mastered the gluten-free vibe in the kitchen, or if you’re tired of going out to eat at the same “safe” restaurants all the time. Read More »

Dunkin’ Donuts Tests Gluten-free Products

dunkin donuts gluten free

Image source: Gluten Free South Florida/Facebook Page

That’s right. Dunkin’ Donuts is the latest nationwide chain to try out gluten-free.

According to its website, Dunkin’ Donuts is the world’s leading baking and coffee chain, serving more than 3 million customers per day. Now Dunkin’ Donuts has determined “it’s time to bake the donuts” gluten-free style.

Dunkin’ Donuts is testing gluten-free muffins and donuts in select stores in the Boston and Miami areas. These include blueberry muffins and cinnamon sugar donuts. The products are certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO). The cinnamon sugar donuts sell for less than Read More »

Exclusive Gluten Free Works Special! Free Triumph Dining Cards with Essential Gluten-Free Grocery Guide Purchase – Ends December 31st!

Exclusive Gluten Free Works Special Until December 31st!!!

Because YOU visited Glutenfreeworks.com…

When you buy a copy of The Essential Gluten-Free Grocery Guide, Triumph Dining will include a free set of their Disposable Dining Cards!!! That’s 50 dining cards – an $8.95 value – for FREE!

gluten free grocery guide

Click the link and enter GFW2012 at store check out to get 50 FREE Disposable Dining Cards

Use code GFW2012 when you check out from Triumph Dining’s online store.

Offer is good until December 31st, 2012!

gluten free dining cards

Triumph Dining Gluten-Free Cards

Keeping Holidays Healthy & Gluten-Free

Now that Thanksgiving is over, the next few weeks are likely to be filled with many treats of the food and drink variety.  Following the gluten-free diet can be helpful in avoiding some of those treats; don’t view having to avoid these gluten-filled treats as a bad thing – view it as avoiding excess calories and fat and treat yourself to something that is gluten-free and worth a small indulgence.  Those small indulgences can be a glass of red wine with dinner, a small serving of dark chocolate or even something non-food related like a new workout top, a book that has been on your “must read” list or some new tunes for your workout playlist.

If Holiday treats are unavoidable, try to practice smart portion control and Read More »

Panera Bread – Summer 2012 Updated Information

Kim Bouldin Gluten Free Works

After doing some behind-the-scenes work on my blog last week, I noticed that many people find my blog by searching for gluten-free Panera Bread information.  Panera Bread has offered gluten-free choices for years, but they have never had any gluten-free baked goods on the menu.  I emailed them last week to get the current list of their menu items that are free of gluten and will be sharing them below.  Since Panera Bread has predominantly bread items, there is a risk of cross-contamination.

(source)

This is the response I received from Panera: Read More »

Seashore Celiac Support Group Announces 11th Annual Gluten Free Picnic June 24th

John Libonati Gluten Free Works

Seashore Celiacs Annual Picnic

Photo Courtesy Linda Pickett

Seashore Celiac Support Group CSA #96 is pleased to announce its 11th annual 100% Gluten Free Picnic in conjunction with Central Jersey Celiac/DH Support Group and Cel-Kids Network CSA#58.

Now bigger and better than ever!!

When: Sunday June 24, 2012 (Rain or Shine), 1 to 5 pm

Where: SharkRiverPark–Neptune,NJ

Directions: http://seashoreceliacs.org/SharkRiver.htm

All family & friends of celiacs welcome!

Please RSVP by June 18 with the gluten–free dish you’ll Read More »

National Foundation for Celiac Awareness Puts Restaurant Industry to the Test

Kristen Beals Gluten Free Works

Chefs and Restaurateurs Flunk Gluten-Free Quiz at NRA Show

Ambler, Pa. (PRWEB) May 22, 2012

Chefs and restaurateurs lack a fundamental understanding of gluten-free protocols, and it’s a threat to those with gluten-related disorders, according to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA), the non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and improving the lives of those of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

“When most people dine out, they expect a meal that’s safe to eat. Individuals with gluten-related disorders don’t have that luxury,” said Alice Bast, founder and president of NFCA.

Earlier this month, NFCA quizzed chefs and restaurateurs on the floor of the National Restaurant Association Show, an international gathering of professionals in the foodservice industry, and the results were alarming. Many of the chefs and restaurateurs said they have gluten-free options at their restaurants, yet less than four percent of them responded correctly to four questions regarding gluten (see “Survey Questions” below). Read More »

Chevys Fresh Mex Launches Gluten-free Menu

[We have been informed Chevys no longer offers a gluten-free menu. 1/1/2017]

The chain is the third to introduce gluten-free items this month

 

Chevys’ Guac My Way guacamole is part of its new gluten-free menu. Instead of chips, the dish is served with corn tortillas.

Chevys Fresh Mex this week became the latest restaurant chain to launch a gluten-free menu in its company-owned locations.

Chevys’ launch follows the debut earlier this month of Domino’s Pizza’s new gluten-free crust and Chuck E. Cheese’s test of new gluten-free products, including a pizza and a cupcake.

The new menus, which cater to those with gluten-related disorders, have also raised controversy over whether restaurants can accurately label a menu item “gluten free” if there is a risk of cross contamination.

Read More »