Chicago!

[Pegleg84]

Hi all

 

I'm headed to Chicago for Easter weekend. I've already done some research on gluten-free friendly (dairy and soy free too) restaurants and the findings have made me rather excited and also jealous that I don't live there. My man is vegetarian, so places that cater to both our needs seem to be in pretty good supply.

 

I'm sure there are previous Chicago gluten-free threads, but best to keep things up to date. Any suggestions? Places to avoid? We'll be there for 3 days. Of course, I'll be lugging plenty of emergency food to keep me going, but can hopefully get in a few good, reasonably safe meals.

 

Any suggestions welcome. Places with menus online preferred. (I'm planning to email all our potential eating spots to get more info)

 

Cheers

Peg

[Kate79]

Chicago has gotten really good for gluten free over the past couple of years.  If you like fine dining and don't mind spending a little, I highly reccomend Senza, which is a new, totally gluten free restaurant on the noth side.  They've got a 4-course or a 9-course tasting menu at dinner time, and they're also open for Sunday brunch.  The chef there used to work at an all-vegetarian restaurant, so they're good at that - and I know they accomodate other allergies if you give them 24 hrs notice.  Website here: Open Original Shared Link

 

The Lettuce Entertain You group of restaurants does a really good job with gluten free, in my experience. Don't know about soy and dairy, but I think they could do those, too. I haven't been to all of them, but I've eaten at Wildfire, Cafe Ba-ba-reeba, Antico Pasta, RPM Italian, and Mon Ami Gabi without any problems.  All the restaurants have gluten free menus online here:  Open Original Shared Link

 

Other ones that have done a good job include Girl & the Goat and Frontera Grill - not sure about dairy & soy, but they've got vegetarian options for sure - Green Zebra is almost all vegetarian and can accomodate gluten free, too.  I don't think these places have gluten free menus online, but they should be able to answer your questions if you call or e-mail.

 

There are some vegan/vegetarian places with gluten free menus, but I haven't been to them so I'm not sure if they do a good job or not regarding cross-contamination.  Chicago Diner is vegetarian and has a gluten free menu, but I know some people have been burned by their shared fryer.  Karyn's Cooked is all vegan, and has a gluten free menu, but I haven't tried it yet.

 

Hope you have a good time here!

[Pegleg84]

Thanks Kate

We're going to Karyn's Cooked on Friday, so I'll let you know how that works out. Chicago Diner is also on our list (I'll avoid the fryer, thanks). I looked at the menu for Senza and drooool, but not this trip. Also, I would LOVE to go to RPM Italian just for the fresh-made gluten-free pasta, but again, that might be the next trip.

I'll check out Green Zebra.

 

I also found a place near where we're staying called Mana Food Bar, that's all veggie and has great gluten-free options.

 

I've also had to scratch one of my man's favourite places (Hot Doug's) off the list. I sent them an email, and even though most of their sausages are gluten-free, cross contamination would be unavoidable because their kitchen's pretty small. Wanted to check before waiting in their infamous line for no reason.

 

Thanks a bunch

Peg

[kenlove]

The chain Bonefish   has always been really  good and has a great Gluten Free menu. 

HAve not been there in 3 years but still its a great place. 

 

Hi all

 

I'm headed to Chicago for Easter weekend. I've already done some research on gluten-free friendly (dairy and soy free too) restaurants and the findings have made me rather excited and also jealous that I don't live there. My man is vegetarian, so places that cater to both our needs seem to be in pretty good supply.

 

I'm sure there are previous Chicago gluten-free threads, but best to keep things up to date. Any suggestions? Places to avoid? We'll be there for 3 days. Of course, I'll be lugging plenty of emergency food to keep me going, but can hopefully get in a few good, reasonably safe meals.

 

Any suggestions welcome. Places with menus online preferred. (I'm planning to email all our potential eating spots to get more info)

 

Cheers

Peg

[Becks85]

Hi all

 

I'm headed to Chicago for Easter weekend. I've already done some research on gluten-free friendly (dairy and soy free too) restaurants and the findings have made me rather excited and also jealous that I don't live there. My man is vegetarian, so places that cater to both our needs seem to be in pretty good supply.

 

I'm sure there are previous Chicago gluten-free threads, but best to keep things up to date. Any suggestions? Places to avoid? We'll be there for 3 days. Of course, I'll be lugging plenty of emergency food to keep me going, but can hopefully get in a few good, reasonably safe meals.

 

Any suggestions welcome. Places with menus online preferred. (I'm planning to email all our potential eating spots to get more info)

 

Cheers

Peg

 

 

Hi all

 

I'm headed to Chicago for Easter weekend. I've already done some research on gluten-free friendly (dairy and soy free too) restaurants and the findings have made me rather excited and also jealous that I don't live there. My man is vegetarian, so places that cater to both our needs seem to be in pretty good supply.

 

I'm sure there are previous Chicago gluten-free threads, but best to keep things up to date. Any suggestions? Places to avoid? We'll be there for 3 days. Of course, I'll be lugging plenty of emergency food to keep me going, but can hopefully get in a few good, reasonably safe meals.

 

Any suggestions welcome. Places with menus online preferred. (I'm planning to email all our potential eating spots to get more info)

 

Cheers

Peg

 

HI. I was in Chicago for a conference last year, and ate at the Weber Grill. It was pretty good. They have an online menu: Open Original Shared Link. Vegetarian options are marked on the menu--there seem to be more vegetarian options on the regular menu than the gluten-free menu (don't know if the vegetarian in your group also requires gluten-free). The restaurant is located downtown. Hope this helps!

[Pegleg84]

Thanks for the recommendations all.

 

Chicago was amazing! Not just because of the food, of course, but that was pretty freaking spectacular. It's only Wednesday so it's always possible symptoms might sneak up on me out of the blue (I actually have a cold right now, but that's entirely my boyfriend's fault. He's got the exact same thing), but so far so good! Nothing delights me more than knowing I went a whole weekend of eating out and got away scott free!

 

So, for future reference:

 

Karyn's Cooked - vegan with gluten-free options,

I had trouble finding something here, due to the soy prevalence (it was in everything!!) but their special was a lovely gluten-free primavera. I just left the vegan cheese off. Delicious. And a glass of mead!

 

Big Star - tacos and mexican

We stayed in the Wicker Park area, which is a hub of amazingness. Big Star is a pretty popular spot, but we were there early on a Saturday so didn't have to wait too long. They only use corn tortillas, and the only thing not-gluten-free on the menu is their beer-battered fish and I think the hot dog. Soo goooooood.

 

Handlebar - vegetarian with some fish

This is a really awesome bar/restaurant, great posters on the walls, good music, etc etc. I loved this place. Best meal all weekend. Their gluten-free options aren't marked on the menu, but our server knew his stuff inside and out. I had the blackened catfish with mashed potatoes (no butter in em either!) and green beans and the only downside was that I couldn't finish it all! Accompanied with a New Planet. I want to go back. Now.

 

Chicago Diner - meat free since 83

Not only does this place have a gluten-free menu (with anything from the shared frier clearly marked), they also have a soy-free, or corn-free (or both), or onion/garlic free... just about anything you might need to avoid. I had the portabello melt sans cheese, and a pint of New Planet raspberry ale. Again with the massive portions. Highly approved.

 

Native Foods - vegan "fast" food

How I managed to not know about this place before we went I don't know, but it also has a gluten-free and soy free (and other stuff free) menu. this was a late dinner (snack) so I just had the polenta, which was amazing. Again, with more new planet. Again, very tasty.

 

after 6 meals out, stomach status: normal!! This has never happened before! I love Chicago!

 

On Monday (after an attempt to go on Sunday but they were closed) we went to Kuma's Corner, the famous metal burger place. I would have gone even if limited to salad, but was reassured that they do not do buns on the grill, and the staff was gluten-free savvy even though it was my one real risk of the weekend. I got a burger sans bun (cheese on the side so my man could eat it for me), nothing from the frier, salad on the side. Mmmmm.

I did have a headache after, but no stomach upset, so that could have been due to raw onions and eating more beef than I usually do, or the fact that I was catching a cold. it's still possible that cc symptoms could show up from this, but I think I would have started noticing them by now.

 

I even found gluten-free food at the airport!

 

Now It's back to a few weeks of kitchen only.

 

If you're looking for a gluten-free friendly city, Chicago will not disappoint!

 

So, Chicago is awesome. I've never gone that long away from home without a single issue.

[kenlove]

Thanks for the update on Chicago places.  What did you find at the airport?

 

Thanks for the recommendations all.

 

Chicago was amazing! Not just because of the food, of course, but that was pretty freaking spectacular. It's only Wednesday so it's always possible symptoms might sneak up on me out of the blue (I actually have a cold right now, but that's entirely my boyfriend's fault. He's got the exact same thing), but so far so good! Nothing delights me more than knowing I went a whole weekend of eating out and got away scott free!

 

So, for future reference:

 

Karyn's Cooked - vegan with gluten-free options,

I had trouble finding something here, due to the soy prevalence (it was in everything!!) but their special was a lovely gluten-free primavera. I just left the vegan cheese off. Delicious. And a glass of mead!

 

Big Star - tacos and mexican

We stayed in the Wicker Park area, which is a hub of amazingness. Big Star is a pretty popular spot, but we were there early on a Saturday so didn't have to wait too long. They only use corn tortillas, and the only thing not-gluten-free on the menu is their beer-battered fish and I think the hot dog. Soo goooooood.

 

Handlebar - vegetarian with some fish

This is a really awesome bar/restaurant, great posters on the walls, good music, etc etc. I loved this place. Best meal all weekend. Their gluten-free options aren't marked on the menu, but our server knew his stuff inside and out. I had the blackened catfish with mashed potatoes (no butter in em either!) and green beans and the only downside was that I couldn't finish it all! Accompanied with a New Planet. I want to go back. Now.

 

Chicago Diner - meat free since 83

Not only does this place have a gluten-free menu (with anything from the shared frier clearly marked), they also have a soy-free, or corn-free (or both), or onion/garlic free... just about anything you might need to avoid. I had the portabello melt sans cheese, and a pint of New Planet raspberry ale. Again with the massive portions. Highly approved.

 

Native Foods - vegan "fast" food

How I managed to not know about this place before we went I don't know, but it also has a gluten-free and soy free (and other stuff free) menu. this was a late dinner (snack) so I just had the polenta, which was amazing. Again, with more new planet. Again, very tasty.

 

after 6 meals out, stomach status: normal!! This has never happened before! I love Chicago!

 

On Monday (after an attempt to go on Sunday but they were closed) we went to Kuma's Corner, the famous metal burger place. I would have gone even if limited to salad, but was reassured that they do not do buns on the grill, and the staff was gluten-free savvy even though it was my one real risk of the weekend. I got a burger sans bun (cheese on the side so my man could eat it for me), nothing from the frier, salad on the side. Mmmmm.

I did have a headache after, but no stomach upset, so that could have been due to raw onions and eating more beef than I usually do, or the fact that I was catching a cold. it's still possible that cc symptoms could show up from this, but I think I would have started noticing them by now.

 

I even found gluten-free food at the airport!

 

Now It's back to a few weeks of kitchen only.

 

If you're looking for a gluten-free friendly city, Chicago will not disappoint!

 

So, Chicago is awesome. I've never gone that long away from home without a single issue.

[Kate79]

Glad you had good luck with the food here!  Chicago has become much better - even in the couple of years since I was diagnosed.

 

Another Chicago place I want to reccommend: The Bountiful Eatery - all 100% gluten free!  It's new and I only went for the first time last weekend.  Had a delicious buffalo burger in a gluten free pita, with quinoa salad and a side salad.  Husband had a chicken kabob.  They also have bean and tofu options for vegetarians/vegans, lots of quinoa-based bowls and salads, and a good selecton of baked goods.  It's BYOB and really reasonably priced.

[kenlove]

Where is it located? gluten-free pita would be worth the trip by itself!

 

Glad you had good luck with the food here!  Chicago has become much better - even in the couple of years since I was diagnosed.

 

Another Chicago place I want to reccommend: The Bountiful Eatery - all 100% gluten free!  It's new and I only went for the first time last weekend.  Had a delicious buffalo burger in a gluten free pita, with quinoa salad and a side salad.  Husband had a chicken kabob.  They also have bean and tofu options for vegetarians/vegans, lots of quinoa-based bowls and salads, and a good selecton of baked goods.  It's BYOB and really reasonably priced.

[Kate79]

Where is it located? gluten-free pita would be worth the trip by itself!

 

Bountiful Eatery is on the 3300 block of North Broadway in the Lakeview neighborhood.  The pita they use is from Rose's Wheat-free Bakery in Evanston - it's really good, although I haven't liked other Rose's products that much. 

[kenlove]

Thanks much, going to have to get back soon and try these. Rose's  just opened when we left Chicago  after  40 years there.

 

Bountiful Eatery is on the 3300 block of North Broadway in the Lakeview neighborhood.  The pita they use is from Rose's Wheat-free Bakery in Evanston - it's really good, although I haven't liked other Rose's products that much. 

[Pegleg84]

That's the place! A friend of mine was trying to tell me about some completely gluten-free cafe on Broadway, but I looked it up and couldn't find it. Next time. And BYOB! that's awesome. Just find me a pack of New Planet and I'd be set!

 

We flew out of Terminal 2. There was a tea place called... umm... I can't remember what it was called but it was something tea. They had pre-made salads and rice bowls that were mostly gluten-free. They had sandwiches there too, but no CC as far as I can tell.

 

(I had a horrible cold last week. But no glutening! That almost makes the cold worth it. Karma).