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Gluten Free Dining In Chicago

bk-63

By bk-63
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

Recommended Posts

bk-63 Newbie
bk-63
Posted

Hello all,

I was hoping maybe I could get a little advise when it comes to gluten free dining around Chicago. I'm taking a trip there in a couple of weeks. Most of my time will be spent in and around the downtown loop and I was wondering what some good, local dining options would be? Maybe even pizza?? :D

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waitingdorothea Explorer
waitingdorothea
Posted

Hello all,

I was hoping maybe I could get a little advise when it comes to gluten free dining around Chicago. I'm taking a trip there in a couple of weeks. Most of my time will be spent in and around the downtown loop and I was wondering what some good, local dining options would be? Maybe even pizza?? :D

You're in GREAT shape - lots of options.

Pizza - best pizza in the area is Marcello's Father and Sons. I've eaten gluten-free pizza all over the country, and that is HANDS DOWN my favorite. My husband isn't gluten free and he says this is the best of pizza crust he's ever had. Lots of toppings options. They are not downtown, but they'll deliver to downtown. Edwardo's has gluten-free pizza, but it's only meh. Chicago's Pizza has a deep dish, which was pretty ok, but my understanding is that they have reformulated to be better.

Lunch / Fast Food - Roti is quite good - it's kinda like the Chipotle of Mediterranean food. Several locations downtown, but be aware that they do not actually have a list of their gluten-free items in store, so print it off their website before you go. They have gluten-free pita, but charge extra for it.

Downtown -

PF Chang's downtown

Weber Grill has a number of options on their website, and I order from here frequently. Never had any problems. Burger w/ gluten-free bun!

Wildfire has a nice menu, it's a steakhouse. They have an excellent burger w/ gluten-free bun, but also a pizza (never tried it) and a bunch of other options.

Fogo de Chao is a Brazilian Steakhouse where almost everything is gluten-free, just talk to a manager and they will run you through what isn't. I would suggest avoiding Brazzazz, I've had a terrible experience there.

Big Bowl is pan Asian and has a gluten-free menu. The pad thai is ok, and they have stuff that is actually SPICY. Like crazy spicy.

Ben Pao - Chinese. This place glutened me badly once via a delivery, but I have never heard anyone else complain.

Le Colonial - has a gluten-free menu online, but I have never tried it.

There are Uno's Chicago Pizza, but be aware that the downtown locations do not carry the gluten-free menu.

Maggiano's

If you want to leave downtown, there are a couple fun places worth seeking out farther north in Lincoln Park:

Wilde's - bar food primarily, including mac n cheese, burgers, ruebens, etc.

Fattoush - Medditerranean - They have revamped the menu since I was here last, but almost everything on the menu is gluten-free (one of the owner's has an anaphylatic reaction to gluten). The people who run it are super nice.

Tapas Gitana in Wrigelyville has an extensive gluten-free menu, and their sous chef is gluten-free. She is so sensitive she reacts to distilled grain alcohols, and really knows the food.

Geja's Cafe - Fondue in a classic Chicago establishment. Most of the items are gluten-free and they have a list at the front desk.

Adobo Grill - Old Town - has a gluten-free menu, but beware the chips (not gluten-free due to shared fryer)

Please be careful if you go to Karyn's Cooked - a vegan place that is pretty good, but they have a gluten-free menu that does not acknowledge that anything fried is fried in a shared fryer, and their servers don't know either.

bk-63 Newbie
bk-63
Posted
  • Author

You're in GREAT shape - lots of options.

Pizza - best pizza in the area is Marcello's Father and Sons. I've eaten gluten-free pizza all over the country, and that is HANDS DOWN my favorite. My husband isn't gluten free and he says this is the best of pizza crust he's ever had. Lots of toppings options. They are not downtown, but they'll deliver to downtown. Edwardo's has gluten-free pizza, but it's only meh. Chicago's Pizza has a deep dish, which was pretty ok, but my understanding is that they have reformulated to be better.

Lunch / Fast Food - Roti is quite good - it's kinda like the Chipotle of Mediterranean food. Several locations downtown, but be aware that they do not actually have a list of their gluten-free items in store, so print it off their website before you go. They have gluten-free pita, but charge extra for it.

Downtown -

PF Chang's downtown

Weber Grill has a number of options on their website, and I order from here frequently. Never had any problems. Burger w/ gluten-free bun!

Wildfire has a nice menu, it's a steakhouse. They have an excellent burger w/ gluten-free bun, but also a pizza (never tried it) and a bunch of other options.

Fogo de Chao is a Brazilian Steakhouse where almost everything is gluten-free, just talk to a manager and they will run you through what isn't. I would suggest avoiding Brazzazz, I've had a terrible experience there.

Big Bowl is pan Asian and has a gluten-free menu. The pad thai is ok, and they have stuff that is actually SPICY. Like crazy spicy.

Ben Pao - Chinese. This place glutened me badly once via a delivery, but I have never heard anyone else complain.

Le Colonial - has a gluten-free menu online, but I have never tried it.

There are Uno's Chicago Pizza, but be aware that the downtown locations do not carry the gluten-free menu.

Maggiano's

If you want to leave downtown, there are a couple fun places worth seeking out farther north in Lincoln Park:

Wilde's - bar food primarily, including mac n cheese, burgers, ruebens, etc.

Fattoush - Medditerranean - They have revamped the menu since I was here last, but almost everything on the menu is gluten-free (one of the owner's has an anaphylatic reaction to gluten). The people who run it are super nice.

Tapas Gitana in Wrigelyville has an extensive gluten-free menu, and their sous chef is gluten-free. She is so sensitive she reacts to distilled grain alcohols, and really knows the food.

Geja's Cafe - Fondue in a classic Chicago establishment. Most of the items are gluten-free and they have a list at the front desk.

Adobo Grill - Old Town - has a gluten-free menu, but beware the chips (not gluten-free due to shared fryer)

Please be careful if you go to Karyn's Cooked - a vegan place that is pretty good, but they have a gluten-free menu that does not acknowledge that anything fried is fried in a shared fryer, and their servers don't know either.

THANK YOU for the excellent suggestions! I can't wait to try some new places

kenlove Rising Star
kenlove
Posted

Try Bonefish in Skokie, Glenview and a number of other locations, great gluten-free menu. Very upscale chain owned by the same company that owns Outback and Roys.

Always go there when I get back to Chicago and never had a problem.

Hello all,

I was hoping maybe I could get a little advise when it comes to gluten free dining around Chicago. I'm taking a trip there in a couple of weeks. Most of my time will be spent in and around the downtown loop and I was wondering what some good, local dining options would be? Maybe even pizza?? :D

BullsAndBears Rookie
BullsAndBears
Posted

Definitely also try out Lou Malnati's. They have EXCELLENT pizza and it's right downtown.

I can also recommend Marcello's as the person above did - it was one of the best pies I've ever had, hands down.

I love going to Chicago and there is definitely an abundance of options for gluten-free eating. Have fun!

kenlove Rising Star
kenlove
Posted

Where Marcello's Father and Sons?

You're in GREAT shape - lots of options.

Pizza - best pizza in the area is Marcello's Father and Sons. I've eaten gluten-free pizza all over the country, and that is HANDS DOWN my favorite. My husband isn't gluten free and he says this is the best of pizza crust he's ever had. Lots of toppings options. They are not downtown, but they'll deliver to downtown. Edwardo's has gluten-free pizza, but it's only meh. Chicago's Pizza has a deep dish, which was pretty ok, but my understanding is that they have reformulated to be better.

Lunch / Fast Food - Roti is quite good - it's kinda like the Chipotle of Mediterranean food. Several locations downtown, but be aware that they do not actually have a list of their gluten-free items in store, so print it off their website before you go. They have gluten-free pita, but charge extra for it.

Downtown -

PF Chang's downtown

Weber Grill has a number of options on their website, and I order from here frequently. Never had any problems. Burger w/ gluten-free bun!

Wildfire has a nice menu, it's a steakhouse. They have an excellent burger w/ gluten-free bun, but also a pizza (never tried it) and a bunch of other options.

Fogo de Chao is a Brazilian Steakhouse where almost everything is gluten-free, just talk to a manager and they will run you through what isn't. I would suggest avoiding Brazzazz, I've had a terrible experience there.

Big Bowl is pan Asian and has a gluten-free menu. The pad thai is ok, and they have stuff that is actually SPICY. Like crazy spicy.

Ben Pao - Chinese. This place glutened me badly once via a delivery, but I have never heard anyone else complain.

Le Colonial - has a gluten-free menu online, but I have never tried it.

There are Uno's Chicago Pizza, but be aware that the downtown locations do not carry the gluten-free menu.

Maggiano's

If you want to leave downtown, there are a couple fun places worth seeking out farther north in Lincoln Park:

Wilde's - bar food primarily, including mac n cheese, burgers, ruebens, etc.

Fattoush - Medditerranean - They have revamped the menu since I was here last, but almost everything on the menu is gluten-free (one of the owner's has an anaphylatic reaction to gluten). The people who run it are super nice.

Tapas Gitana in Wrigelyville has an extensive gluten-free menu, and their sous chef is gluten-free. She is so sensitive she reacts to distilled grain alcohols, and really knows the food.

Geja's Cafe - Fondue in a classic Chicago establishment. Most of the items are gluten-free and they have a list at the front desk.

Adobo Grill - Old Town - has a gluten-free menu, but beware the chips (not gluten-free due to shared fryer)

Please be careful if you go to Karyn's Cooked - a vegan place that is pretty good, but they have a gluten-free menu that does not acknowledge that anything fried is fried in a shared fryer, and their servers don't know either.

crimbles Newbie
crimbles
Posted

does lou malnati's have a gluten free pizza? I never knew!

I would definitely head up to lincoln park for restaurants its a great neighborhood full of fun bars and shops. Take the 151 or 156 CTA buses!

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GlutenGladi8or Apprentice
GlutenGladi8or
Posted

Hello all,

I was hoping maybe I could get a little advise when it comes to gluten free dining around Chicago. I'm taking a trip there in a couple of weeks. Most of my time will be spent in and around the downtown loop and I was wondering what some good, local dining options would be? Maybe even pizza?? :D

I worked at three different addresses on North Michigan avenue back in my advertising agency days. If you are a carnivore like I am.... and thrive on the fact that meat is Gluten Free baby.... then you are in for some real food:

- Sullivan's on Dearborne

- Gene & Georgetti's on Franklin

- Wildfire on West Erie (Bone in pork chop)

- Chicago Chophouse on West Ontario

- Lawry's (Yes the spice company) on East Ontario (Cheap prime rib for lunch)

- Kinzie Chop House on North Wells

And you have to love the traditional Chicago steakhouses. White table cloth, waiters/waitresses who know EVERY cut of meat in the place, HUGE oversized steak knives, tons of veggies as sides, and reasonable wine lists.

You are traveling to one of the best food cities in the Union. Enjoy every bite.

Canary Newbie
Canary
Posted

Hello all,

I was hoping maybe I could get a little advise when it comes to gluten free dining around Chicago. I'm taking a trip there in a couple of weeks. Most of my time will be spent in and around the downtown loop and I was wondering what some good, local dining options would be? Maybe even pizza?? :D

Please check out Mon Ami Gabi.

The have a separate gluten-free menu and have the best gluten-free bread. The food is french and the prices range from 6.00 to 30.00

I live in DC(where the second restaurant is located) and love to go there.

BullsAndBears Rookie
BullsAndBears
Posted

does lou malnati's have a gluten free pizza? I never knew!

This might sound incredibly amazing to you (like it did to me), or it might give you a heart attack haha, but...

Their gluten-free option basically replaces the traditional deep dish crust with a "crust" made entirely out of sausage. Yes, you read that correctly. You have a 14 or so inch pie with the base being nothing but a giant flat piece of sausage. I was literally in heaven. The toppings are obviously the same as any other pie.

Kate79 Apprentice
Kate79
Posted

Almost all the lettuce entertain you restaurants have extensive gluten free menus and they are all around the Chicago area. Wildfire and some of the others above are part of their network. See here for all the gluten-free options at their restaurants: Open Original Shared Link

If you happen to go into the burbs, Daluciano's in River Grove is really good, too!

bk-63 Newbie
bk-63
Posted
  • Author

The trip to Chicago was a success, thank you for all of the suggestions!! Marcello's gluten free pizza was excellent! I don't remember the last time I had gluten free pizza that was so delicious. :D I also discovered while poking around downtown that Gino's East now does gluten free as well! It's not on the menu, but it's also VERY tasty. Thanks again!!

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