After doing a search on Google, I found a website sponsored by the Westchester Celiac Sprue Support Group (http://www.glutenfreerestaurants.org). They work with the American Dietetic Association. You can do a search for gluten-free restaurants, according to geographic location. Unfortunately, they seem to have a limited number of entries. At least, they're trying, though! Hopefully, they will get more entries, as time goes by. I didn't find anything for the Midwest, but hipefully, the site will be helpful to those in other parts of the country. They also have other helpful features, such as a printable restaurant card. They seem to be a fairly new website. They started expanding their program to a national level in September, 2003. They are going to work with local Celiac Support groups. So, maybe we can help by getting the word out! I think this could prove to be a good resource.
Hi Dianne,
I've known about that site since I came to the board and Molly (flagbabyds) told me. Whether or not it is helpful really depends on where you are...there are some restaurants for NYC (where I live)...10...which is actually a fair number......but it says that it's a Westchester group, so I guess it is likely that it would have more restaurants for areas in NY than areas further away or smaller (like places in the mid-west)....with this, location matters.....this site might be helpful if they add on.....wow....I am just rambling on and on....sorry....good site to post, though for anyone who doesn't know about it from other posts on the board........
I don't like that site to much because they only have a handful of states. Why are there none for each major city? I don't get why they list some for New England and nome for the NW but that't it. I am in Atlanta and know there must be some places here to eat. Maybe I will contact them directly.
I'm sure there are some excellent places in Atlanta for eating gluten-free, but you can't just say "I make gluten-free stuff" and they put you on the Westchester list. It's a lot more complicated than that.
To be listed on the Westchester site, the restaurant has to agree to bascially put its employees thorugh training to cook gluten-free and to avoid contamination. The whole menu has to be gone over carefully. It takes a big commitment from the owner/chef. Also, to get it going in area, a local celiac support group needs to buy material from Westchester (about $50 per restaurant I believe, this just covers printing expenses). Then group members have to go out and recruit local restaurants to commit to this and train them. Westchester is looking to spread the program so if you belong to a local group you should talk to them.
This is a group from NY so they only have restearuants that they know of that are glten free. You can probably find asome place in Altlanta. They probably don't know of gluten-free restaruants in Atlanta because they are from NY.
Wow, it's great reading all your posts, I'm going to do a search in my area which is Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and see how many gluten-free restaurants I can find. If I get a decent amount I'll post it. Thanks for all your suggestions.
I don't like that site to much because they only have a handful of states. Why are there none for each major city? I don't get why they list some for New England and nome for the NW but that't it. I am in Atlanta and know there must be some places here to eat. Maybe I will contact them directly.
I agree with Kristina on that....I am not a big fan of the site, either....even though I live in NYC, cause it doesn't list other major cities (so it's not helpful for traveling).....and I don't eat out in the city, much, anyway....I really dislike restaurants.
I can honestly say that I have a deep aversion....not quite HATE, cause it's not their fault that I have celiac disease, but a deep aversion to all restaurants...it makes me feel sick just to look at their menu....esp. the pastas and breads....yuck...so I stay away from restaurants, anyway....I never liked to eat out.
I e-mailed info@westchesterceliacs.org
and this was the reply! Very nice people!
"Hello Kristina
We are working hard to expand the restaurant program across the nation. But we
are all volunteers and are doing this (the restaurant program) in our spare
time. Since we are located in the NorthEast, and we originally developed the
restaurant program for our support group, the listing right now is predominated
by restaurants in our area. Cynthia Kupper, the executive director of GIG has
started the program in the Northwest. We currently have support groups in
Utah, Florida, Indiana, Tennessee, Texas, California, Maryland, Massachussetts,
and CT actively working to implement the program in their areas.
Support groups can contact us to purchase the restaurant packets in order to
start the program in their area. The restaurant packets include laminated
color posters in spanish and english, a forty page gluten-free diet guide book, a
restaurant liaison handbook, menu stickers, window sign etc. Most support
groups are forming a restaurant committee and then selecting a restaurant. The
support group appoints a support group member as the restaurant liaison and the
liaison works with the restaurant to implement the program. The restaurant
remains in charge of exactly how they choose to run the program in their
restaurant. Because of liability issues, we only say that we are providing the
restaurants with information. We do not certify or educate the restaurants,
nor can we 'guarantee' that a participating restaurant will serve a 100% gluten
free meal. But our experience shows us that if you pick the right restaurant,
the GFRAP program becomes a "win-win" for all parties involved. The
restaurants get the increased business (most celiacs don't dine alone) and
exposure on the website and the celiacs get a "safe" place to eat.
So if you think this sounds great, take it up with your local support group!
Tell them that this is a proven program and invite them to contact us or one of
the other support groups involved in GFRAP.
The restaurant packets cost $50 plus shipping. This is our cost. Because we
have to print "on demand" the costs are higher than what they'd be if we could
afford to print several thousand packets at once. There are ways for support
groups to raise the money to purchase the restaurant packets. I know of one
group that passed around a can and got enough money to start the program in
their area. Our own group held a gluten-free bake sale and raised $1500 for the
restaurant program.
If you have more questions, feel free to write back."
Unfortunately, they seem to have a limited number of entries. 
At least, they're trying, though! Hopefully, they will get more entries, as time goes by. I didn't find anything for the Midwest, but hipefully, the site will be helpful to those in other parts of the country. 
They also have other helpful features, such as a printable restaurant card. They seem to be a fairly new website. They started expanding their program to a national level in September, 2003. They are going to work with local Celiac Support groups. So, maybe we can help by getting the word out! I think this could prove to be a good resource. 
