How to Pick Out a Restaurant with Gluten Free Food In America!

Ever been wandering the streets of some new place desperately searching for somewhere you can eat? Even if it's just a salad? You know the people you're with are getting frustrated, they could have eaten at the first place you stopped at! And now you're on your tenth? Everyone is hungry and tired and you feel horrible because you're the one who is holding everyone up. Been there? I've been there too many times but through that I feel I've gotten pretty good at picking out restaurants that will have gluten free options. So here are my tips for finding a restaurant (somewhat) faster in America! It's somewhat different in other countries and the only other country I feel a little more confident talking about is Italy. I'll have another post on how to look for food in other countries.

 How it can feel looking for Gluten Free Food

1. Hippy, organic, or just plain health restaurants

Not a restaurant but delicious nonetheless 

While most of my friends turn up their noses at places like these I run to them! It's not about health for me, it's about those magic words "Gluten free". And for some reason most of those somewhat out there health conscious tiny restaurants have gluten free options and are knowledgable about it! If I see one of these places I always head there to check it out first. I'm not sure how to describe it more but soon you'll develop an instinct for which types of restaurants to go to.

2. Bright colors

This may go along with the above tip but for some reason I've found that many places with gluten free foods (excluding hole in the wall places) are painted in bright, fun colors. That place with a green, pink, and yellow store? Go, check it out! The worst that can happen is your wrong (which as previously discussed can happen A LOT when you're in a new place).

3. Big Cities

 For tips one and two, big cities are your best friend. I've found that the bigger, more health conscious the city the more options you'll have! I haven't been to California yet but I'm dying to get over there for the large variety of options I keep hearing about! I've found more options in NYC and Chicago so I'm assuming it will hold true in other big cities, especially the health conscious ones. If you're traveling to a small town or passing through on your way to somewhere else those will be your biggest challenges. When you can walk down a street and have tons of restaurants trying to pull you in it's easier to follow tips one and two however small towns? You have to drive everywhere! Hopefully the next few tips will help with that.

4. Italian

This is cheating a little since this was actually IN Italy… but the concepts the same

I honestly discovered this when I was in Italy and found when I came back that it still applies here! Italy is great about testing and dealing with celiacs. Celiacs get government help and every child is tested when they are little for celiacs. Living over there was a little like paradise which is surprising for such a gluten loving country! But I've found that many Italian restaurants back in America still have this kind of awareness. It may not be to the level of cross contamination and how careful they should be during preparation but most often they have gluten free pasta! You may have limited options and the wrong kind of pasta with the sauce, but hey! You've got pasta! Even Olive Garden has gluten free options though I'm not a huge fan of them for cross contamination, quality, and knowing how to cook gluten free pasta (too many crunchy noodles served to me) but it will always work in a pinch.

4. Word of Mouth

Some of the best places I've found have been from recommendations from people who know I'm gluten free but aren't gluten free themselves! I'm always up to check out the smallest rumor that a place may have gluten free food! I found a bakery up here in Houghton, Michigan called Roy's that makes the most delicious muffins, cupcakes, and cookies.  Letting people know about your food restrictions can often lead to helpful information. So don't be too embarrassed! Especially if it's a medical thing (rant about that later) I've found most people are willing to help! Plus you never know when you'll find someone else who is gluten free and make a friend! When you stop at a hotel try asking someone at the front desk, most of the time they will be clueless but on the off chance they aren't you may find a spectacular meal you weren't expecting!

5. Good old Google Search

I fall back to this one a lot even though I've found it doesn't work very well. I don't know if most restaurants just don't advertise gluten free in a way that is easily detected by Google or what. But I wouldn't count on this helping you out as much as you hope. Usually it comes up with chain restaurants and Wendy's. However, occasionally you will find a gem and be thankful you used Google! In Ann Arbor, Michigan my then fiancé and I found a great pizza place called the Original Cottage Inn which had great options close to the University of Michigan. And another place in Ypsilanti I've found was called Aubrey's which had burger options with a gluten free bun!

Aubrey's- both meals are Gluten Free

 And if all that fails, well wine is Gluten free!