Venice, Sarasota And Tampa, Florida...where To Eat?

[icelandgirl]

We are planning our first vacation since my diagnosis. Well...last year we headed up to the mountains for a few days but brought a camp stove and cooked everything. But this will be out of state and I'd love to have somewhere safe to eat. We will be staying in a condo so will cook most of our meals and really I could cook all of our meals. I do that every day though and being on vacation I'd love to be able to go out.

Any suggestions for Venice, Sarasota or Tampa? Or surrounding areas? Thanks so much! I'm so excited to be doing this...but a little scared too!

[mamaw]

Don't  be  scared... Go to  one  of  the gluten-free  travel  sites ie; gluten-free registry, gluten-free roads, find me gluten free there are  many  & they  will give  you the places  in  the  area (town)  you could ever  want....

Of  course  if  you can get  to Disney  a wonderful gluten-free  meal  is always  there!

We  always feel  safe  at Outback, PF Chang's, Red Robin, Chik f lay, Wendy's.

 when  we  stay at  a  place  with a  kitchen  the  first  thing I do  is  inspect  & wash  everything  I will be  using  from  the place....I always  take  a lot of things  myself  ie  my own toaster  or  toaster  bags....

That  is  why  we  have  a fifth wheel  it  is so  nice  not to worry  about  things  in a  motel... We  have  our own bed  , cooking  space  &  private  everything.....the  best  investment  we ever  made....with  being  celiac  double  that best investment....

[icelandgirl]

Thanks mamaw...my husband wants a 5th wheel or something like it. I'll have to tell him how much you like yours. We are really far from Florida so we won't be driving. It would take 2 days each way. But the condo is owned by relatives who are super clean. Since becoming gluten free I've eaten at 4 restaurants...got sick after 2 of them...Red Robin and Outback. I know other people eat there safely so not sure what happened to me.

What do you eat at chicken fil a? My kids love it...

[mamaw]

You should  do well at  the family condo.....I get  naked  nuggets  & fries (gluten-free)  at  chik f lay....that  is  terrible  you got  sick at  Outback  & Red Robin... I know  some  chains  are  better  with  food  handling than others... There are  some  gluten-free  places  I just  can't  trust... 'I did  get  sick at  Outback my  very first  visit... I'm not a  choc  person  but  my hubby  insisted  on me  having  the  choc down under  big  dessert... three small bites  & the big D  hit  me!. Honestly  our  celiac  daughter  downed  the  whole thing but  she  is  a  big  choc  lover.... I was  upset  for  days... I do believe  it was all that  choc  which I don't  eat  much of.....it is now a  joke...they  encourage  me to order  so  the  kids  can  pig  out!

Main thing  is  to  enjoy  your  vacation, do  a  bit of  research for gluten-free  food  before  you go  that  way  you will not get  stressed about  where to eat...or  shop for gluten-free  staples....

We go a lot so I  always do my homework  before  hand &  have  a list  on hand  where we  can  eat....&   my  hubby  will tell you I know  where  every bathroom is located!!!!!

[Gemini]

icelandgirl.....try using Open Original Shared Link

 

Punch in the zip code or city name where you will be and it usually comes up with a load of choices for gluten-free dining, with reviews by other people who have eaten there.  I find it very useful when traveling. 

[icelandgirl]

Thanks Gemini...you are so much braver than I am! I was really hoping someone would say that there is a wonderful gluten free place that they eat at all the time...no such luck yet.

[Gemini]

Finding a completely gluten free place is rare, although they do exist.  I am not braver, just completely comfortable with my screening process when dining out!  I have been doing this for so long that it's second nature to me.....you will get there too!

 

There are reviews on the website and I would trust the ones that are vetted by actual Celiac's.  Higher end places work out well, most of the time. I only eat out for dinner when traveling as it's pretty easy for that meal.  I cook brekkies in and we take snacks for the day.  It works out well.  Not that I haven't been glutened but it has only happened twice in 10 years of travel but I was further along in the recovery process so it didn't take me out for days on end.  But considering the amount of times I have eaten out when away from home in that time period, twice is nothing. I was also in the UK and Ireland and they just accommodate so damn well.  No one looks at you cross eyed when you say the Celiac word.......extremely helpful!  It is different in the US but not impossible.

 

Just remember to relax because you want to have a good time! 

[Gemini]

I just did a quick search for the areas you mentioned and great to see so many choices, with reviews!  Not to mention this dedicated, gluten-free bakery.....

 

Open Original Shared Link   Yeah, I know, you can't live on sweets but a little on vacation is a good thing! 

[icelandgirl]

Lol Gemini! It's like you know me! I'd already spotted the bakery and planned to go there! There do seem to be some good options...it's my first time so I'd love for it to go well. I remember when you went to the UK...The gluten free options sounded so great. I'd love to go back there...it's been a long time.

[Gemini]

Who can resist a dedicated bakery?  I do not eat that many sweets but when you go on vacation, treats are a must.  It will put a smile on your face. 

[Lobstah]

I just looked at the link for the bakery...Holy ...are you kidding with those prices?  Yikes.

An 8X8 pan of brownies is $13?...9X13 is $24?

 

I'm in the wrong business.  Life must be good down there in Sarasota

 

I live North of there in Dunedin.  Small town.  We only have 1 gluten free spot, Serendipity, but the restaurant community as a whole is pretty gluten aware, and pretty much every place has gluten-free menu items and is aware of cross contamination.

 

Btw, speaking of cross contamination, does Chik-fil-A actually use a separate fryer for fries?  I know most places don't...and they cook breaded chicken and non-breaded chicken in the same oil, along with fries and whatever else needs to be deep-fried.

 

Jim

[icelandgirl]

Hi Jim...I hadn't looked at the prices...but gluten free stuff does tend to cost more. I'm spoiled because where I live we have a dedicated gluten free restaurant and a bakery. I love going and being able to order anything and not having to explain anything.

[Gemini]

Gluten free goodies are always more expensive but they use good ingredients and those don't come cheap.  The flour prices alone are much higher than the wheat crap.

I know when I have looked at the ingredients list on regular, wheat filled bakery items, there is a lot of junk in there and that's when you have cheaper prices.  You get what you pay for!  Plus, who cares when you are on vacation?  I pay more for food anyway when I dine out and don't care....as long as I don't get sick, I am OK with that.  I also like the fact that the place is dedicated...takes the worry and the homework out of it.

 

As for Chick-Fil-A...I would not do it!  I never eat at fast food places, not only because of the odds of getting glutened but I do not like fast food.  I would feed it to the kids if they were not Celiac but I would eat elsewhere that is safer.

[Lobstah]

Having dealt with this for awhile now, and with both of us being pretty good cooks...we are well aware of the cost of ingredients and "healthy" foods...

BUT  We buy and prepare these ingredients all the time.  I just feel like that's an obvious overcharge...but hey, that's just me.

 

I wouldn't have gone near Chic Fil A either...but based on your comment I looked at them online and was very surprised to see their gluten-free menu.

Good to know they get the concept.  As for not liking fast food...I think a chargrilled chicken breast may be acceptable , at least for me

 

Jim

[Gemini]

I guess you also have to take into account that they are doing all the work.  Same as dining out.  Restaurants will charge a lot more than what I could make the food for myself at home but if you want the convenience while away and the peace of mind that comes with a dedicated facility, then I'll gladly pony up $13.00 for a pan of brownies.

I still say the ingredients used are far more expensive than their gluten filled counterparts.  The prices are better than they were 10 years ago but gluten free flour is not cheap....unless you buy in bulk and I don't do that.  I just don't use that much.

 

I like a chargrilled chicken breast too but ........never from a fast food place.  The risk is too high and I hate getting sick on vacation.  If some can do it without problems, that's fine.  I just find I have better luck with not getting sick from a higher end place.  It is encouraging to see so many businesses popping up that cater to us, though.

It does make travel a bit easier.