Gluten Free In Boston

[simwalrus64]

Hi everyone! This is my first official post on this forum (yay!) Since being diagnosed with Celiac almost exactly 3 years ago (Nov. 13th, 2008) I've always come to this site researching pretty much anything you can think of, and it's so great to have so much support and answers from everyone.

Ok, time for a question!

I'm currently a college student in Boston, and I'm going out to dinner with friends at a restaurant they recommended, Woody's Grill and Tap. Like my usual self, I researched the menu online and unfortunately, there is nothing specifically stated as being "gluten free." However, I did see a menu item that appeared gluten free: "Roasted Half Chicken- herb oil rubbed with garlic potato and french green beans."

First off, does this seem like it could possibly be containing any "secret" gluten ingredients? Of course I'll ask the waiter at the restaurant, but is there anything specific I should ask, like does anyone see any cross contamination issues that could possibly arise? Since getting to college I've had to adjust to eating at restaurants that do not specifically have gluten free menus, so I'm just a little nervous. Any advice on eating out would be incredibly appreciated!! Thanks so much guys.

[Gemini]

Hi everyone! This is my first official post on this forum (yay!) Since being diagnosed with Celiac almost exactly 3 years ago (Nov. 13th, 2008) I've always come to this site researching pretty much anything you can think of, and it's so great to have so much support and answers from everyone.

Ok, time for a question!

I'm currently a college student in Boston, and I'm going out to dinner with friends at a restaurant they recommended, Woody's Grill and Tap. Like my usual self, I researched the menu online and unfortunately, there is nothing specifically stated as being "gluten free." However, I did see a menu item that appeared gluten free: "Roasted Half Chicken- herb oil rubbed with garlic potato and french green beans."

First off, does this seem like it could possibly be containing any "secret" gluten ingredients? Of course I'll ask the waiter at the restaurant, but is there anything specific I should ask, like does anyone see any cross contamination issues that could possibly arise? Since getting to college I've had to adjust to eating at restaurants that do not specifically have gluten free menus, so I'm just a little nervous. Any advice on eating out would be incredibly appreciated!! Thanks so much guys.

Hey there! I live outside of Boston and go into the city as much as I can. Bostonians are very Celiac savvy so don't worry too much about it if you do all the proper things to ensure a safe meal. That meal you asked about sounds like a good pick but I would ask what seasonings, etc. are used on the chicken for roasting. Herb oil with garlic sounds very safe but make sure if there is anything else, you know what it is. I have never had a problem with roast chicken but always ask to make sure. Potatoes and green beans should be fine...never had a problem with veggies before unless they are in a sauce. Make sure you tell them you are Celiac and need to follow a gluten free diet. Most wait staff do a good job of helping people out with food issues, at least from my experience.

Here is another website to help you find gluten-free food: Open Original Shared Link

There are many options in Boston. Good luck and have fun!

[simwalrus64]

Hey there! I live outside of Boston and go into the city as much as I can. Bostonians are very Celiac savvy so don't worry too much about it if you do all the proper things to ensure a safe meal. That meal you asked about sounds like a good pick but I would ask what seasonings, etc. are used on the chicken for roasting. Herb oil with garlic sounds very safe but make sure if there is anything else, you know what it is. I have never had a problem with roast chicken but always ask to make sure. Potatoes and green beans should be fine...never had a problem with veggies before unless they are in a sauce. Make sure you tell them you are Celiac and need to follow a gluten free diet. Most wait staff do a good job of helping people out with food issues, at least from my experience.

Here is another website to help you find gluten-free food: Open Original Shared Link

There are many options in Boston. Good luck and have fun!

Thanks so much for the advice/help! (I apologize for responding so late...) Luckily, the waitress I had at the restaurant was very accommodating, although she did tell me to "eat at my own discretion, since there is wheat flying around the kitchen." (a very interesting way to put it haha.) I received my dinner and ate it with no problems (yay!) which was definitely nice and reassuring that I could eat at a restaurant without a specific gluten-free menu. Also on a side note, gluten free registry is such a great website, I'm definitely adding a bunch of the Boston restaurants to my list of places to go in the city! Again, thanks so much and I really appreciate your help!

[Gemini]

Thanks so much for the advice/help! (I apologize for responding so late...) Luckily, the waitress I had at the restaurant was very accommodating, although she did tell me to "eat at my own discretion, since there is wheat flying around the kitchen." (a very interesting way to put it haha.) I received my dinner and ate it with no problems (yay!) which was definitely nice and reassuring that I could eat at a restaurant without a specific gluten-free menu. Also on a side note, gluten free registry is such a great website, I'm definitely adding a bunch of the Boston restaurants to my list of places to go in the city! Again, thanks so much and I really appreciate your help!

Your welcome! Always makes me happy to help a fellow Celiac in need...especially with restaurant choices. You will find that Boston is a pretty celiac disease friendly city, with high awareness in general.

There is a great Italian place in the North End, I believe it's on Hanover St, called Marco and they do gluten-free pasta and will make just about anything on the menu, within their power, gluten free. It is not a cheap eats but if you want a real Italian meal, they will even make a loaf of gluten-free bread, which is brought to the table still warm, when you make a reservation and they know in advance. Food is very, very good. Just so you know.....

[converge]

I live near Northeastern University, so I know Woody's. I will say this- I am of the very sensitive celiac variety and wouldn't eat there. The fact that you can means you should be good eating at a decent spread of places.

In that neighborhood is a place called The Otherside Cafe, if you're of age you can get some gluten-free beer / cask cider and they do gluten free salads and appetizers and other stuff. It is a hipster joint so expect tattoos and fixed gear bikes. On Newbury is Stephanie's, Joe's, and Sonsie, all of which will do gluten-free stuff. If you head towards the common you will find Vlora which is Mediterranean and does gluten-free. Wagamama in the Prudential should be good too, as will Five Napkin Burger (I haven't been impressed by them but your mileage may vary).

The Cactus Club on Boylston, not too far from that area also has gluten-free beer and has some decent mexican food which they'll make gluten-free. On that block is Atlantic Fish Company and I've had good luck eating there as long as I checked with the wait staff first.

Connor Larkin's, a Huntington ave Northeastern kid spot, carries gluten-free beer. No food though. Same with Penguin Pizza in Brigham Circle.

A friend of mine has had good luck eating at Pho & I on huntington ave, its a vietnamese joint. They gluten'd me, so I guess if you want to roll the dice...

Both of the Bolocos in that neighborhood know about gluten and are very accomodating. One thing- I usually don't get cheese on anything because I notice the people doing food prep are NOT careful about putting their hands in it (hello cross contamination).

[silk]

I love this thread! We visited Boston about 5 years ago, before I was diagnosed and fell in love with it! We definitely plan to go back so it is great to know that there are options out there. One thing I know I will miss that I don't think they could ever duplicate is the lobster roll. Such good memories of that deliciousness.

We also loved Salem and Portland so we will have to scope out the gluten-free prospects for those places too.

[MJ-S]

Flatbread is a great place for gluten-free and vegan pizzas, and brownies!

They have locations in Somerville (Davis Square), Portsmouth, Portland, and a few others.

They wrap the tray in foil, and prepare and cook in a separate area. I'm very sensitive and I've been fine there. It's one of the only places I would still eat out at. They also serve Bards beer in Somerville, but you need to ask cause it's not on the menu. The Somerville location also has bowling, so it's a lot of fun.

I've also been ok (other than once when they screwed up) at Not Your Average Joe's. Gluten-free menu.