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Anyone In The GTA?

Cheryl-C

By Cheryl-C
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

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Cheryl-C Enthusiast
Cheryl-C
Posted

I've been enjoying reading the different threads about restaurants that are (or not) gluten-free, but a lot of them are in the US. I was wondering if there were any members posting who live in Toronto or the GTA and could offer me some advice? I'm new to gluten-free living, so I'm testing the waters.

Incidentally, I had the gluten-free pizza from Pizza Nova the other night. It was great! I went to bed with a happy stomach. I was wondering about the chicken wings though... I ate them and didn't have any trouble, but I'm wondering if I maybe just got lucky?

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psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

Hi there! Welcome aboard.

I live in Markham and own a business in North Toronto.

I haven't tried the Pizza Nova gluten-free option, but have done the Pizza Pizza one a number of times. I do prefer our home-made pizzas. Boston Pizza reportedly has a new gluten-free option, but we haven't yet tried it. Can you tell we like pizza.

Swiss Chalet have a number of gluten-free options. The rotisserie chicken is gluten-free, and so are a number of the sides. The dipping sauce is gluten-free, too (but NOT the gravy).

Il Fornello is a small chain of restaurants in the GTA that cater to celiacs. The have gluten-free pizza, gluten-free pastas, and other offerings.

If you are looking a bit upscale and eat meat, The Keg are fully celiac aware--just tell them you need gluten-free.

Loblaws carry a good selection of gluten-free products. You can find some at Longo's if you are near one.

I hope that helps get you started. Feel free to ask me if you want more. I have eating gluten-free for ten years, and can help.

Cheryl-C Enthusiast
Cheryl-C
Posted
  • Author

Thanks!

I took your advice and tried Swiss Chalet. I got the quarter chicken with a side of steamed veggies and of course (sadly) no bun. Everything was fine and I felt great.

Yesterday we ended up at a Pizza Hut - they don't have any gluten-free pizza at all. In fact, when I asked the server, she had this "what's a gluten?" look on her face. So I ended up having the spinach salad. She was nice enough to bring me the salad dressing label so I could check the ingredients, and it was fine. So no issues there.

I love Il Fornellos, but haven't been since before I went gluten-free, so I wasn't aware they did a pasta. I'll definitely check that out. I'm really going to miss their bruschetta ... best in the city :(

On Friday night we went to Remezzo (Warden & Sheppard) and they do a gluten-free corn pasta. It was alright - a little undercooked maybe, but edible. I asked the manager about the kitchen set up, and he told me they have a separate space for their gluten-free dinner prep, separate dishes, etc. I had the corn pasta and wasn't glutened or anything - I felt great that night and the next day.

Thanks for the info about the grocery stores, too. I'll definitely be on the lookout!

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

Okay, play the theme from The Twilight Zone.

Prior to my diagnosis, I worked for several years at the corner of Vic Park & Sheppard. We would occasionally go for lunch at Remezzo. I am hardly ever in the area anymore.

Yesterday afternoon, due to a closure on the 404, I drove down Warden to the 401. As I passed Remezzo, I had memories of gluten-loaded food that I had once enjoyed. I had no idea they had anything gluten-free.

naiiad Apprentice
naiiad
Posted

I'm in the GTA, and I'm totally ecstatic to hear that Pizza Nova sells gluten free pizza! I'm sooo getting some the first chance I get. It's been so long since I've had pizza!!

The only place I've been to that's a 100% gluten-free restaurant is Raw Aura in Port Credit Mississauga. As the name suggests, its a totally raw organic vegan restaurant, and the food is actually better then you'd expect. Theres also no fear of cross-contamination, and even the delicious desserts and smoothies are 100% wheat-free.

Heres also a fantastic list of wheat-free dining options in Toronto: Open Original Shared Link

Cheryl-C Enthusiast
Cheryl-C
Posted
  • Author

Okay, play the theme from The Twilight Zone.

Prior to my diagnosis, I worked for several years at the corner of Vic Park & Sheppard. We would occasionally go for lunch at Remezzo. I am hardly ever in the area anymore.

Yesterday afternoon, due to a closure on the 404, I drove down Warden to the 401. As I passed Remezzo, I had memories of gluten-loaded food that I had once enjoyed. I had no idea they had anything gluten-free.

Haha wow, I guess it really is a small world!

Remezzo is great, and I'm happy to still be able to have their oil-sauce pasta by subbing in the corn pasta.

Next time you're in the neighbourhood, check it out! It was pretty good, and the leftovers heated up really well the next day, too - always a bonus for me, since I can never finish anything in a restaurant.

Cheryl-C Enthusiast
Cheryl-C
Posted
  • Author

I'm in the GTA, and I'm totally ecstatic to hear that Pizza Nova sells gluten free pizza! I'm sooo getting some the first chance I get. It's been so long since I've had pizza!!

The only place I've been to that's a 100% gluten-free restaurant is Raw Aura in Port Credit Mississauga. As the name suggests, its a totally raw organic vegan restaurant, and the food is actually better then you'd expect. Theres also no fear of cross-contamination, and even the delicious desserts and smoothies are 100% wheat-free.

Heres also a fantastic list of wheat-free dining options in Toronto: Open Original Shared Link

The Pizza Nova pizza was quite good. If you go on the website and click on the "allergy information" link, it'll give you a list of everything they have, even individual pizza topping ingredients, and will show you which ones have gluten, which are gluten-free but processed in a gluten environment, which ones are totally gluten-free, etc. We had the pizza with the pesto sauce instead of tomato sauce (my favourite) so I'm not sure how it tastes with the pizza sauce. With the pesto sauce it was tasty. I would get it again.

Thanks for the link! I'm going to check it out now :)

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naiiad Apprentice
naiiad
Posted

I called two different Pizza Nova locations in my area. Both said (contrary to what was claimed on the website) that they didn't use separate ovens for the gluten-free pizza, and only did so when they had the time. I was assured that the gluten-free pizza "wouldn't touch" the wheat ones.

I worked in a pizza place for a short period of time when I was younger, and I know from experience that unless you scrub those ovens down, they're covered in dough and pizza droppings. I just think that if they advertise Gluten-free pizza, they should take the care to make sure its made in a safe environment.

I'm glad you didn't have any problems with Pizza Nova Cheryl.

I'm kind of scared to try them now, but might do so sometime in the future (maybe when they dont have a busy day!)

Cheryl-C Enthusiast
Cheryl-C
Posted
  • Author

I called two different Pizza Nova locations in my area. Both said (contrary to what was claimed on the website) that they didn't use separate ovens for the gluten-free pizza, and only did so when they had the time. I was assured that the gluten-free pizza "wouldn't touch" the wheat ones.

I worked in a pizza place for a short period of time when I was younger, and I know from experience that unless you scrub those ovens down, they're covered in dough and pizza droppings. I just think that if they advertise Gluten-free pizza, they should take the care to make sure its made in a safe environment.

I'm glad you didn't have any problems with Pizza Nova Cheryl.

I'm kind of scared to try them now, but might do so sometime in the future (maybe when they dont have a busy day!)

Ick. Why advertise gluten-free if they're going to do it that way? Interesting...I didn't react, like I said (I've had it 3 times now) but I may not be as sensitive to cc as others.

Do you mind if I ask which area of the GTA you're in? I'm in Scarborough, so I use the Pizza Nova on Lawrence @ Birchmount.

naiiad Apprentice
naiiad
Posted

I live in Mississauga. There are a few in my area but I'm not sure about intersections.

I caved into today and ordered a gluten-free pizza from Pizza Nova (plain with tomato sauce and cheese). I asked the cook whether they took measures to make sure the pizza wasn't contaminated, and kind of seemed irritated that i was being so particular and told me that they used the same oven but put the pizza on a clean pan. It seemed safe enough.

I was super hungry and even more excited about being able to eat pizza, so I devoured 4-5 large delicious pieces. It tasted great. However, I did get a reaction :( The big D, cramps, piercing migraine, mouth sores starting to develop. I can say though it was almost worth it :P

I'm glad to hear that you haven't had a problem with them. I'm guessing that if I didn't eat so much maybe I wouldn't have gotten a reaction.

I think it really depends on the manager and his sensitivity to people with allergies and intolerances. Pizza Nova was really tasty, but I won't be going there again, or anywhere who doesn't have a strict policy when it comes to dealing with wheat-free foods.

Ugh and that pizza was so good too...

Cheryl-C Enthusiast
Cheryl-C
Posted
  • Author

I live in Mississauga. There are a few in my area but I'm not sure about intersections.

I caved into today and ordered a gluten-free pizza from Pizza Nova (plain with tomato sauce and cheese). I asked the cook whether they took measures to make sure the pizza wasn't contaminated, and kind of seemed irritated that i was being so particular and told me that they used the same oven but put the pizza on a clean pan. It seemed safe enough.

I was super hungry and even more excited about being able to eat pizza, so I devoured 4-5 large delicious pieces. It tasted great. However, I did get a reaction :( The big D, cramps, piercing migraine, mouth sores starting to develop. I can say though it was almost worth it :P

I'm glad to hear that you haven't had a problem with them. I'm guessing that if I didn't eat so much maybe I wouldn't have gotten a reaction.

I think it really depends on the manager and his sensitivity to people with allergies and intolerances. Pizza Nova was really tasty, but I won't be going there again, or anywhere who doesn't have a strict policy when it comes to dealing with wheat-free foods.

Ugh and that pizza was so good too...

Oh no! That really sucks :( I'm sorry you had such a terrible reaction. I'm so disappointed, because I've never had a problem and it's so tasty. Did you call them and yell at them?

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