March 27th, 2012
Eating Gluten Free in Delray Beach, Florida, Village by The Sea, South Florida, Palm Beach County, Gluten Free Pizza?, You got it!!
For the past 3 years we have been eating gluten free in my household. It is something we had to get used to. When you have to, then you do it. Pretty soon you become an expert; reading labels, being protective and proactive; outspoken, and informed.
I embraced new flours made out of chickpeas, rice, coconut; did not know they even existed.
Since 1 in 133 people are afflicated with Celiac Disease; we better get used to the idea of eating gluten free. It is the only way to get healthy again; a commitment to eating gluten free forever.
Celiac disease is a genetic, autoimmune disease. A percentage of diabetics also contract it. Besides the Celiac disease, there are people with intolerances to gluten, but do not have the full blown disease.
Not only do you have to avoid foods like breads, pasta, crackers, cookies and beer; but also soy sauce, soaps, shampoos, food colorings, that may contain gluten. Reading labels and contacting the manufacturing companies will be your best bet. I do it all the time. And, they are very helpful.
Another thing you have to check out is medications, generics, and over the counter.
Some companies will tell you that their plant is gluten free and that their products are, as well. Others will tell you that they cannot guarantee it because some of the compounds come from foreign countries. It takes some time to find the right companies, but they are there.
I was just at my local supermarket, Giant. On top of the gluten allergy. I took pictures of the give-away magazine; “gluten free” right on the front cover, and back.
Restaurants have been a challenge in Delray Beach and South Florida, in general, but they are getting better all the time. Only a few here or there have menus, but they seem to be happy to accommodate you. The Chefs have not been overzealous and are willing to adjust the recipes.
When you go to a restaurant, make sure they know you have a food allergy. You do not want your food contaminated and please don’t bring me a piece of bread on my plate.
If you are in Delray Beach, you can call the restaurants. The following ones will work with you.
Ziree Thai & Sushi located at 401 West Atlantic Ave., 561-276-6549, http://www.zireethai.com. This restaurant has Tamari gluten free soy sauce. We kept asking them to have it and slowly other customers did ask and voila!!
Cabana El Rey at 105 East Atlantic Ave., 561-274-9090, www.cabanarestaurant.com. The picadillo, the roasted chicken, churrasco, rice, beans, do not contain gluten.
Vic & angelo’s, 290 East Atlantic Ave., www.vicandangelos.com. The chefs at this restaurant are willing to work with you. Make sure you mention the gluten allergy. They will substitute.
Mellow Mushroom, 25 S.E. 6th Avenue, www.mellowmushroom.com/delraybeach. They have gluten free pizza. Even though I think the gluten free pizza will never be as good as the “real” pizza, if you have not had it in a long time, it will start tasting pretty good.
Brule Bistro, 200 NE 2nd Ave., 561-274-2046, www.brulebistro.com. Salads, soups and other entrees are easily adjusted. Again, make sure you mention the gluten allergy.
Bru’s Room, www.brusroom.com. They have the best grilled wings. Ask for the Triple Threat (not hot, just with a nice kick and garlic), or the Sweet and Tangy, my favorites. They are gluten free and Bru’s Room does have a gluten free menu.
Just recently someone wrote to my website regarding Bru’s Room and my mentioning it to be gluten free. They got a piece of bread on their plate and the server said the menu was new. I had written originally, in 2010.
I guess it is a good as time as any, to mention a disclaimer from AboutMyBeaches. This blog is my diary; I guess you could say I am an open book. These are my experiences and my pictures. I enjoy food and the company of friends and family. Then, I pass it on to you. Again, you have to take control in the restaurant, afterall, you are the customer. If you do not think you are being served and attended they way you deserve, then you do know what you need to do….
The Sundy House is located at 106 S. Swinton Ave., 561-272-5678. www.sundyhouse.com. They have a new gluten free menu. I have not tried it.
South of downtown Delray Beach, on Linton Boulevard:
Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 335 East Linton Blvd., 561-266-9393, www.carrabbas.com. They do have a gluten free menu. A tip: If you see so many people waiting to get in, just go into the bar and you can grab any of those tables without a reservation, as they become available.
Outback Steakhouse, 1300 Linton Blvd., 561-272-7201. They do have a gluten free menu.
Note: On Atlantic Avenue, in downtown Delray there is Nutrition Cottage at 407 E. Atlantic Ave., http://www.nutritioncottage.com. They have a wide selection of gluten free products, including a freezer with frozen breads, desserts and other goodies. On January 7th I wrote about them on this blog. All you have to do is click on the month of January, 2012 and scroll down to the 7th.
Regarding grocery stores…..some better than others; Publix, Winn Dixie, Whole Foods, not in that order, though.
You can check the website of Celiac Disease Foundation of South Florida, http://www.cdfsouthflorida.org.
If you do happen to get that glazed look from your server as you mention the “gluten allergy”, ask to speak with the Manager. Good luck and have a great day!!
Tags: Bru's Room, Brule Bistro, Cabana El Rey, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Delray Beach, Florida, Gluten Free Awareness in Delray Beach, Gluten Free in Deleray Beach, Gluten Free Pizza in Delray Beach, Mellow Mushroom, Nutrition Cottage, Outback Steak House in Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, Restaurants, Restaurants serving gluten free in Delray Beach, South Florida, Sundy House, Vic & Angelo's, Village by the Sea, Ziree Thai and Sushi
Most times when I ask, they look as if you are talking in another language or they say they will ask about it and never come back to tell me if they have a gluten free menu. It is just not fun to eat out any more, it comes down to hamburger with no bun or some salid. I wait for the day when I can have a good gluten free soup or appetizer, or a awesome pasta dish. But then they will probably charge double as the grocery stores are doing.Not to happy as you can see about this restriction on my diet. Also has any one had problems with Cascadian arm granola. It seems to be gluten free but not stating that on their packaging.
It is true that some servers have a blank look on their faces when you mention the word gluten free. How easy it would be for restaurants to instruct their staff about food allergies; so many people have them. We ask questions when we go to a restaurant. You have to ask if soups have thickeners. Thai restaurants and Indian restaurants are good because they really don’t use flour. If they have fried calamari, ask them if they can just grill them. Most restaurants are happy to accommodate customers; they do want you to come back. Keep trying and good luck. You can check the restaurants on the internest and go over the menu. Give them a call. You don’t state what state you are writing from. See you.
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