New Jersey Beaches

[tammy]

Hi,

Soon, we plan on making reservations for the New Jersey beach. However, now we need to choose our location more carefully. Obviously it must have several gluten-free dining choices. We want a clean beach with long beach hours and a low beach fee. We hope to find a beach that has offers several activities and entertainment.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

[kerri124]

I live by the Jersey shore and I'm not sure what restaurants are gluten-free or not. I am sure most places will be willing to accomodate you. When you get back, if you don't mind let me know if you had any luck or not. That way I'll know where to go when I go to the beach! THanks and have a great time.

[dana-g]

Tammy and Kerri-- I'm a former Jersey girl tansplanted to Southern California, where the beaches are free, but NOT clean like they are back home! We always went to Jenkinson's in Point Pleasant Beach, for $3 a day, but I bet it's a lot more now. And we loved Perkin's Pancake House--a definate no-no these gluten-free days! Oh well, good luck planning your trip and have a cold (gluten-free) one at the Rip Tide Bar for me!

[debmidge]

Tammy

I'd like to know your experiences when you are back from vacation. My husband ususally go to Wildwood Crest (clean and free beach with motels right on the beach) but we are not going this year as this is his first Summer with celiac and we aren't even adjusted yet for doing stuff here at home. So next year we'll go again or maybe instead go to Long Beach Island, but I don't know anything about any restaurant being gluten free. I do remember "Kohr's Ice Cream" as saying their soft ice cream is gluten-free, but of course not the cone part but you can't live on ice cream. I mean, I'd like to try.....

Have a great time where ever you go!

Debmidge

[good4something]

Heading down the shore in April--Cape May, NJ. Have a suite with full kitchen -- just in case. Spoke with staff at the Ugly Mug -- will make burger with crab and chedder (our tradition) with no problems. Rolls are never placed on the flat grill. At the Mad Batter--all their eggs are done in saute pans and do not touch any pancakes, french toast or bread. Spoke with the staff the Lobster House--all broiled seafood is OK plus a few other items. They were very receptive and asked that we alert the hostess and wait staff, so they could coordinate with the kitchen.

[blueeyedmanda]

I go to Cape May every summer. The Ugly Mug is great. I usually get the hot dog without the bun. We also have dinner at the Belle Vida, which has gluten free pasta and everything. I was so pleased with their knowledge of gluten free.

Wildwood has free beaches!

[Patti B]

Some good gluten-free places to go to eat at the Jersey Shore (We've tested these all and not gotten sick):

Mileto-

Higgens Ave in Brielle. It's a Polish/Italian Deli. One of the owners has celiac. They make any of their sandwiches on homemade gluten-free bread. They also have homemade frozen gluten-free meals and bread and cookies and othert grocery items.

Carlo's Gourmet Pizza-

Rt 9 in Englishtown. gluten-free pizza, pasta, eggplant parm, garlic bread... Lots of choices. delicious food! Employees are very careful to prevent cross contamination and knowledgeable of a gluten-free diet.

Charlie Browns-

Rt 71 in Brielle, Hooper Ave in Toms River, Rt 70 in Lakewood (I'm sure there's more.. those are just the ones I know) Aside from the one in Brielle, neither of us have gotten sick and I'm not sure if our stomach aches were from cross contamination or just a stomach bug for the one in Brielle.

Olive Garden-

Hooper Ave Toms River, Rt 35 in Eatontown. gluten-free pasta was gross. Other gluten-free foods ok

PF Changs-

Rt 9 in Freehold, in the Tropicana Quarter in Atlantic City. Awesome food, pretty big gluten-free menu. Food is served on different plates than regular food. Make sure you ask for gluten-free soy sauce.

Places to stay away from:

Outback Steak House- Rt 70 Brick. My bf has been repeatedly glutened here.

Fat Cat Bake Shop- Brick. Despite selling "gluten free" baked goods, they are prepared with the same equipment, by the same people and the same utensils. We asked if they tried to prevent cross contamination and they seemed to have no idea they needed to.