Restaurants

Eating on the run is one of the hardest things to do when you have to follow a strict gluten-free diet. No one likes to have to depend on fast food or food on the go, but let’s face it, in this day & age, it is inevitable. It isn’t always possible to plan ahead & pack something safe to eat. Enter: fast food restaurants. More fast food restaurants are starting to cater to those with special dietary needs. Hardee’s is a great example.

Hardee’s not only has a gluten-free burger, but they have a salad & breakfast bowl option as well. Hardee’s sent me the following email today: Read More »

The following restaurants in and around Philadelphia have gluten-free menus or are able to prepare gluten-free cuisine.

Looking for a gluten-free restaurant for your next meal? You came to the right place because Philadelphia is fast becoming one of the nation’s top destinations for gluten-free cuisine.

Due to hard work by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness and other organizations, Philadelphia city and suburban restaurants have taken an active interest in offering safe gluten-free fare to the public.

The following list of restaurants can be found at the Phillyceliacs blog and Glutenfreeworks.com. The GFPhilly blog is another great resource with a wealth of information about eateries in and around Philadelphia.

Applebee’s Restaurant
Applebee Dietary Inquiries
888-592-7753
You can call this number and someone will provide information on gluten free menu items. I have spoken with them while seated in the restaurant – though you could certainly call ahead

Arpeggio
542 Springhouse Village Center
Springhouse, PA 19477
{GPS} 1101 BETHLEHEM PIKE OR SPRINGHOUSE VILLAGE CENTER
215-646-5055
Mediterranean BYOB. Per my GI doc, the owner is very in tune to the needs of celiac patients.

Baggataway
31 Front St
Conshohocken, PA 19428-2867
(610) 834-8085
The same owner of the Ugly Moose in Manayunk. They carry GF beer and their staff understands GF foods. A bartender has celiac disease and instructed the staff. The steak is fantastic. Read More »

(UPDATE: Starbucks no longer carries the Valencia Orange Cake.)

Starbucks Corp. will begin selling its first gluten-free pastry in its U.S. stores next month in response to requests from its customers.

The pastry, called Valencia Orange Cake, will be made with seven ingredients which are all 100 percent gluten-free, the company said. The cake will be sold in individually wrapped packages for $2.25 each and will be available beginning May 5.

Starbucks said it wanted to offer its gluten-free customers more choices.

“I think one of the things we learned right from the get-go from our gluten-free customers is they can’t eat away from home very easily,” said Adrienne Knapp, a product manager in the food category at Starbucks. “A cake is actually really hard to find for someone that’s a gluten-free consumer.”

Gluten is a protein common in rye, wheat, barley and other grains. More than 3 million Americans are thought to suffer from a condition called celiac disease, which is associated with intolerance to gluten. Even more people claim they are sensitive to wheat and other gluten-filled grains.

Starbucks said it has received numerous requests from its customers for gluten-free foods on its mystarbucksidea.com Web site. The site allows customers to submit ideas for how to improve the company, its drinks and its food.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/04/17/ap6305750.html

Celiac disease – Gluten Free friendly restaurants in Philadelphia (listed alphabetically)

Applebee’s Restaurant
http://www.applebees.com/
Applebee Dietary Inquiries
888-592-7753
You can call this number and someone will provide information on gluten free menu items. I have spoken with them while seated in the restaurant – though you could certainly call ahead of time.

Arpeggio
http://www.arpeggiobyob.com
542 Springhouse Village Center
Springhouse, PA 19477
{GPS} 1101 BETHLEHEM PIKE OR SPRINGHOUSE VILLAGE CENTER
215-646-5055
Mediterranean BYOB. Per my GI doc, the owner is very in tune to the needs of celiac patients.

Boston Style Pizza
447 N Sumneytown Pike
North Wales, PA
(215) 699-3977
Has gluten-free pizza as well as a recently expanded gluten-free menu.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill
http://carrabas.com/index.aspx
2575 Maryland Road
Willow Grove, PA 19090
(215) 659-3950
Has a gluten-free menu

Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse
324 W. Swedesford Road
Berwyn, PA 19312
(610)240-0997
www.charliebrowns.com/
Has a gluten free menu and location information online.

Chipotle
www.chipoltle.com
Plymouth Meeting Mall location
Website has a gluten-free listing. Staff and management were very receptive to requests as well as the food being delicious and healthy.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries
www.fiveguys.com
Check website for local sites – coming soon to K of P mall. Great burgers and fries! Locations I visited were very gluten-friendly.

JB Dawson’s
http://jbdawsons.com/index.html
Has a gluten free menu available online as well as upon request at each location. This is a local chain with five outlets –one near Plymouth Meeting Mall. The corporate Director of Kitchen’s is very Celiac aware as he has family member with Celiac.

Jules Thin Crust Pizza
http://www.julesthincrust.com/
Offers great gluten –free pizza and crusts to make your own. Locations in Doylestown and Newtown.

Legal Seafoods

Home

King of Prussia Mall. Great food and great attention to gluten-free concerns. Gluten-free menu is available.

Morton’s Restaurant
http://www.mortons.com/
King of Prussia Mall location is actually working on an allergy menu for customers, though other locations have been very responsive to gluten-free requests. My waitress, Gina, was very well versed and great at offering gluten-free alternatives.

Outback Steakhouse
http://www.outbacksteakhouse.com/
Has a gluten free menu available online as well as upon request at each location.

Pasta Pomodoro
http://www.pastapomodoronj.com
Won 2007 NFCA Gluten-free cooking competition
Voorhees NJ

PF Chang’s China Bistro
http://www.pfchangs.com/
Great Chinese food. They have a gluten-free menu available and are very responsive to concerns. Plymouth Meeting Mall location is now open.

Redstone American Grill
www.redstonegrill.com
Plymouth Meeting Mall
Have spoken with Director of Culinary Operations from corp office. Gave me local chef’s name and email as well as a listing of gluten-free menu items.