State College, Pa In Sep

[deelletank]

Hello,

I've lurked about trying to find out info on State College, PA and found some...but was curious if there's more to be had. My husband might be transfered there in the next two months or so - we're in Denver, CO right now...and I'm looking for info on the Happy Valley area for gluten free shopping and dining. I also have a nasty soy allergy, so I'm always asking what's in food, etc. Are there many options near State College for groceries and dining? I'll also be traveling off and on to Harrisburg/Mountville area for my job - driving the two hours-ish won't be too much fun from the State College area, but a necessary evil to keep my job. Hopefully there's someone who knows of a nice place to stop off on the road to get food that won't make me sick all the way home (or to work)!

Thanks!

~Deb.

[NicoleAJ]

Hi Deb,

Did you see any of my posts on State College? I'm a graduate student here, and I thought that I'd be doomed moving from the metropolitan Miami to the rural State College, as far as my diet was concerned, but there are actually tons of options here. Wegman's grocery stores clearly label all of their brand name products, and if they are gluten free they will have a little round G icon on the upper left side of the product. In addition, we have one great health food store with a lot of gluten free/soy free products called Nature's Pantry. There's another that's not so good that's called The Grainery (or something like that). In addition, even Weis and Giant carry some gluten free products.

As far as restaurants, we have Golden Wok ( I can tell you which things are gluten free if you like), Outback, Chili's, TGIFridays (though I've never been there since I've never really been a fan of their food). In addition, the Tavern downtown is very accomodating, and under the dining category of this board I've submitted an entry on The Gamble Mill Tavern in Bellefonte (15 minutes from SC), which is the most amazing place in this area to go for a gluten free meal that you don't have to cook yourself.

Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of option for places to eat on the drive from State College to Harrisburg--in fact, there's not much on that drive except for mountains and fields. There's one McDonald's, but I never eat there because of cross contamination issues.

If you have any more questions please feel free to PM me.

[happygirl]

Although I was a Penn Stater (1999-2003), I was not diagnosed/sick when I lived there. Nicole has some great suggestions. I love the Tavern-I had my graduation dinner there.

In general, I find I do better at locally owned places where the people have more of a vested interest. I get sick at the local "gluten-free" places, but eat out reasonably well at a handful of small restaurants who "know" me now. For a small town, there are a lot of great "little" restaurants.

I am hopefully going back in Oct for Homecoming....and who knows what other games. LOVE LOVE LOVE Happy Valley! My parents live outside of Harrisburg (Mechanicsburg), and having made the trip between PSU and Harrisburg, I have to agree---there is just about NOTHING in between! I still remember getting sick at that McDonalds....and that had nothing to do with gluten (way before Celiac)---its just not a good McDs.

There is a great Harrisburg support group though...my mom had gone a couple of times since I am the Celiac. I think it is the GIG group. There is a new Giant in either Mechanicsburg or Camp Hill that does gluten-free cooking classes, etc.

Hope this helps---

By the way LETS GO STATE! BEAT AKRON! (I'll be out watching the game today!)

[mamaw]

There is a new gluten-free store in Dillsburg tha thas a very nice selection. If you ever stay over in Harrisburg it would be a nice ride to Dillsburg. The store is called "THe gluten Free source"

[deelletank]

Thanks to both of you! I'm hoping my trip goes well and we'll see how everything else works out! I have't been able to eat at a McDonalds (and Wendy's) for a long time too - cross-contamination. On the flip side - I don't ever seem to have issues with Burger King! Within a mile of our house here in CO, there is an Outback that is so great - they all know me and my need to be gluten-free - they really take care of us when we go in. I'd love to find the little places like that in PA.

We're flying into State College on the 11th and I'll be packing snacks, just in case! I'm looking forward to the trip and exploring the area...getting used to the new names of grocery stores, coffee houses, checking out homes for sale. On a side note - looking at the houses online (happyvalleyhomes.com) - none of them seem to have fences in the back yards...is that common? We have two large Labs that need a fence to keep them home (they're both roamers if they get loose). Am I just imagining no fences...or am I just not seeing them?

Thanks again!

[happygirl]

I was a student in the dorms and apartments, and students (in general, esp undergrads) live off in their own little world...I have no idea about houses or fences, sorry

It is a small town, but I hope you love it. I have so many wonderful memories there...there is a reason why it is called Happy Valley. To me and my family, it is one of the best places on earth. Gotta try the creamery ice cream! And get ready to bleed blue and white!!!

Hope you have a safe trip-I'll be excited to see how it went!

[NicoleAJ]

As far as fences are concerned, as with many rural areas, there are several houses near the downtown area that have fenced in back yards and there are many on the outskirts of town that do not. State College is a very dog friendly place, and there are plenty of areas to take dogs on really long walks. You might just have to build some sort of pen if the house you find doesn't have a fence. You'll also notice that the housing is completely affordable. Two of my friends bought nice houses this year close to campus with decent lots for just under $100k. Also, I forgot to mention that there's a steakhouse on the SC side of Harrisburg called DaPitts, and it has great food. If you get the steak, they simply use McCormick Montreal seasoning, so it's fine, and if you get the grilled vegetables, you just have to ask for them without seasoning/butter. They have been accomodating each time I've gone there.

If you get confused about where to eat or get gluten free groceries, just PM me, and I can give you my phone number--it's easier to give directions over the phone rather than writing them all down.

[deelletank]

Thanks Nicole! I'm getting more and more excited about our trip! I'll have my laptop with me and will pin you if I need help! My husband talked to a realtor today and they mentioned that fences just weren't really a big thing there. I'm just afraid my wanderlust pooches will love it too much there! We'll figure out something though. It really is fun going to a new place and exploring!

I've been going thru a bad reaction to salad dressing the last few weeks - a salad dressing that appeared to be perfectly normal on the label. So, the first time I tried it - almost 2 weeks ago now - I got sick but thought everything I ate was fine and that I was just coming down with something. So, I had it again, twice, in a two day period and then the real full-force 'glutened' reaction hit...ugh. It's been a long time since I've been glutened and now I remember why it sucks so much.

I always have some fear on eating out...but I have high hopes for this trip. I've gotten so much better at asking every waiter/cook about whats on the food, where it's cooked, etc. It's just those little stupid things that trip you up when you're not looking.

[happygirl]

delletank-which salad dressing? xoxo

[NicoleAJ]

Sorry to hear that you were glutened--salad dressings are always a tough one. I just stick with a few stand-bys. I'm so glad that you're getting excited about your trip. Let us know how it goes.

[deelletank]

delletank-which salad dressing? xoxo

It's a brand called "Lighthouse" (I think - already threw out the bottle in disgust). I'm not sure if they sell it in PA, but it's a typical brand in the Denver area.

Well, we made it to State College! Went to Weis to get some easy stuff to eat tonight in the hotel room and found the Amy's brand of salad dressing I like (didn't see the Lighthouse brand of dressing). Got some pre-packaged sushi - awesome - gluten-free and soy free! woohoo! I'm off to discover State College tomorrow...got a rental car while my husband is tied up with work. I feel like I'm off to see the wizard!

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Wegman's supermarket has lots of gluten-free stuff, tooo, and there is one in State College (we were just there a couple of weeks ago!) Have fun!

[NicoleAJ]

It's a brand called "Lighthouse" (I think - already threw out the bottle in disgust). I'm not sure if they sell it in PA, but it's a typical brand in the Denver area.

Well, we made it to State College! Went to Weis to get some easy stuff to eat tonight in the hotel room and found the Amy's brand of salad dressing I like (didn't see the Lighthouse brand of dressing). Got some pre-packaged sushi - awesome - gluten-free and soy free! woohoo! I'm off to discover State College tomorrow...got a rental car while my husband is tied up with work. I feel like I'm off to see the wizard!

I'm so glad that you're enjoying State College so far. Good luck in all of your exploration.