Must-try Restaurants In Eastern Los Angeles Area?

[brigala]

I'm taking my husband to the Pepsi 500 for his birthday (shhh... he doesn't know yet). We'll be spending most of our weekend at the race track, and I'll be packing my meals, so I don't need a huge list of tolerable places to eat. But we can probably eat out once or twice if there's a super-duper Celiac-friendly restaurant we really need to try while we're in the area. :-) Any suggestions? I'm not looking for anything specific -- American, Chinese, or even Pizza would be fine, as long as it's GOOD and relatively safe.

I think we'll be flying into and out of the Long Beach airport, and we probably will want dinner out when we arrive. So restaurant suggestions in that area (or between Long Beach and Ontario) would be welcome as well. If I don't get any other ideas I'll probably look up an Outback or something.

-Elizabeth

[angieInCA]

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

I am 60 miles North of LA so I really can't be of much help as far as actual address locations but most of these are chains you can look up locations before you go.

Fast Food

Baja Fresh = fresh baja mexican food. no actual gluten-free menu but there are many options and you can order with out flour tortillias, like a bare burrito.

In-N-Out Burger = Order Protien burger (wrapped in lettuce), special sauce and everything on the burger is gluten-free. When a protien burger is ordered they are cooked on the same grill but prepared on a separate line to avoid cross contact, french fries are gluten free too.

El Polo Loco = Flame Broiled Chicken , no brine in the chicken and the seasonings are gluten-free. I get the grilled chicken plate. Two pieces of chicken and choice of two sides. I usually get double veggies but the beans and rice are supposed to be gluten-free. You can get a salad but ask for no tortillia strips. I don't eat the chips here because there is no dedicated fryer but they do serve soft gluten-free corn tortillias and all the sauces are gluten-free.

of coures there is Wendy's

As for Full Service chains with gluten-free menus, there several all over the place.

Outback

P.F. Changs

Chili's

Claim Jumpers

Also google "Gluten free resturants in L.A." and you will get several hits.

I'll ask around of people who knows that area better and find out if there are any "local" spots you should check out.

[angieInCA]

I forgot to add CHIPOTLE Mexican Grill to the fast food list.

EVERYTHING on their menu is gluten-free except the flour tortillias

[nasalady]

I'm taking my husband to the Pepsi 500 for his birthday (shhh... he doesn't know yet). We'll be spending most of our weekend at the race track, and I'll be packing my meals, so I don't need a huge list of tolerable places to eat. But we can probably eat out once or twice if there's a super-duper Celiac-friendly restaurant we really need to try while we're in the area. :-) Any suggestions? I'm not looking for anything specific -- American, Chinese, or even Pizza would be fine, as long as it's GOOD and relatively safe.

I think we'll be flying into and out of the Long Beach airport, and we probably will want dinner out when we arrive. So restaurant suggestions in that area (or between Long Beach and Ontario) would be welcome as well. If I don't get any other ideas I'll probably look up an Outback or something.

-Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth,

There's a great Irish pub/restaurant in Costa Mesa that has a gluten free menu with LOTS of choices....it's close to the John Wayne Airport though, not the Long Beach Airport. It's probably at least a half-hour drive from Long Beach. Here's the link in case you're interested. We had a great experience there and our waitress was very knowledgeable about the issues with the gluten free diet and cross-contamination.

Open Original Shared Link

Have a nice trip!!

JoAnn

[brendygirl]

Z's Pizza, Pizza Fusion, Tony Roma's (ribs), Joe's Crab Shack, P.F. Chang's, Chic-Fil-A (to die for waffle fries), Chili's, Ciao Bella (gluten-free pasta), The Spaghetti Factory (gluten-free pasta), Carino's (Italian). Most of these have gluten-free menus online or at the restaurant. There are also bakeries like Sweet Addictions and The Sensitive Baker.

I could put more, but I think I left my list at someone's house.

[msmini14]

In-N-Out is the best! You must go there. The sauce they use is safe unless you can not consume eggs. Most of those chains are very familiar with our diet and they will work with you.

The one I go to always starts a burner in the back for me, takes a bit longer but at least they try their best to avoid cc. Plus they dont share any friers because all they serve are burgers and fries.

I love that place.

[nasalady]

I just found the *best* gluten free pizza at Garlic Jim's! Check out their unbelievable gluten free menu!

Open Original Shared Link

Here are all of their locations in California which serve gluten free pizza:

Burbank NOW OPEN! Call 818-556-JIMS (5467)

2128 N. Glenoaks Blvd. #103 Burbank CA 91504 Map

Tel: 818-556-JIMS (5467)

Hours: Open Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm; Fri, Sat 11am-11pm

Now serving gluten-free pizza! Peel-A-Deal fundraiser participant.

Pasadena (on Colorado Blvd) NOW OPEN! Call 626-844-3546

2982 E Colorado Blvd. #110 - Pasadena, CA 91107 Map

Tel: 626-844-3JIM (3546)

Hours: Sun - Thurs 11am-10pm; Fri - Sat 11am-11pm

Now serving gluten-free pizza! Peel-A-Deal fundraiser participant.

Redondo Beach NOW OPEN! Call (310) 543-5500

1876 S. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach CA 90277 Map

Tel: 310-543-5500

Hours: Open Everyday 11am-10pm

Now serving gluten-free pizza! Peel-A-Deal fundraiser participant.

Simi Valley NOW OPEN! CALL 805-526-1500

131D Cochran St Simi Valley CA 93065 Map

Tel: 805-526-1500

Hours: Mon.-Thur. 4pm-10pm; Fri.-Sat. 11am-11pm; Sun 11am-10pm

Now serving gluten-free pizza! Peel-A-Deal fundraiser participant.

South Pasadena (on Fair Oaks Avenue) NOW OPEN! Call 626.799.JIMS (5467)

700 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, Suite J - South Pasadena, CA 91030 Map

Tel: 626-799-JIMS (5467)

Hours: Open Daily 11am - 11pm

Now serving gluten-free pizza! Peel-a-Deal Fundraiser Participant.

[brigala]

I'm just bumping this up since we're leaving Friday. I appreciate the suggestions! Most of the chains (including Garlic Jim's) are available where we live. I'd love to make it down to the Irish pub but it's probably too far out of our way.

We'll be eating at Disneyland on Monday; I called their food service people today and the lady told me that gluten-free is such a common request they no longer suggest people make prior arrangements for that; most places have gluten-free sandwiches, pizza, pasta, etc..

We'll probably swing by El Pollo Loco for dinner when we land in Long Beach, and swing by Trader Joe's for some microwaveable foods for the rest of the weekend. But if anybody has any more suggestions for local places in the places we'll be, they're still welcome.

Ontario

Fontana

Long Beach

Thanks again, everyone! If I find anything interesting while I'm there, I'll be sure to report back.

-Elizabeth