Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Mama's & Cafe Baci - Hackettstown Nj

notme

By notme
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

Recommended Posts

notme Experienced
notme
Posted

i used to be a foodie before my dx 2 years ago. i used to look up menus and drool til we got to the restaurant and i was willing to try all sorts of strange and unusual foods.

i am freaked out by eating out anywhere anymore - i think i have eaten in a restaurant maybe 4 times and been extremely nervous doing so. but i really REALLY wanted to find some gluten-free pizza when i went to visit in northern new jersey this past week so we went to mama's & baci cafe in hackettstown nj. they are open late, thank goodness, (till 11 or 11:30) because by the time we got there, it was 9:30. the place was not packed (wed night) so we were seated right away. the waitress came and i said i needed a gluten free menu.

she brought me a freaking book!!!!!

fried calamari (yes, fried!), pierogies, mozzerella sticks, 3 different kinds of eggplant, including rollantini, all kinds of bready, battered deliciousness. what to order, what to order......!! what a terrible problem to have!!! so i got the fried calamari :) sister ordered 'regular'fried zucchini and when i got mine, it had a few fried zucchinis mixed in with the calamari: DISASTER! didn't they have a dedicated fryer??? i flagged down the waitress and asked her - she assured me that my food didn't come anywhere near anything with gluten in it: the fried zucchinis were a little addition and also gluten-free. i started eating cautiously....it was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside just like it's sposta be - yummmmmmmy - then the owner/chef came to our table and introduced himself. he said there were 4 other celiacs in the restaurant *right now* (i was all like "where?? where??" as i have never seen any lolz) he says they average 30 per day and many are repeat customers/regulars.

he leaves and a few minutes later, complimentary gluten-free mozzerella sticks arrive - omgosh they were to die for. the breadcrumbs were like italian seasoned panko :)

we order our dinner: RAVIOLI for me w/rosa sauce (creamy pink sauce akin to vodka sauce) the other 3 in our party order off of the (humongous) 'regular' menu. while waiting for our dinner, the waitress comes back with complimentary (pasta for them, risotto for me) sampling of the wonderful champagne sauce - yummy yums! i had ordered a salad for me and the hubs to split - good thing b/c it was huge - with prosciutto and provolone... delicious! at this point i'm wondering how i'm going to fit my dinner into my belly. until i took the first bite and then i couldn't stop feeding my face :D

everybody had to take some home; the portions were giant sized. the waitress said 'gluten free cannoli' and naturally i had to take some home :P and a pizza lolz

the hostess (the place seemed very family-run and everybody knew their stuff) gave us each a little gift bag with a coupon for free appetizer for next visit and discount card for 10% off each visit and a gluten-free menu and regular menu. husband was the last one out the door and the owner had given him a qt jar of the pink sauce - complimentary!

the best time i ever had eating out at a restaurant since i have been diagnosed. most of the time i feel like a freak trying to explain (what my food can't have in it or touch or please can you bring me the bottle or can i quiz the chef, blah, blah...)

if you live or visit north jersey, DO go and eat there. i was like a blind dog in a meat house = biting on everything. :) thanx for a great experience, mama's!!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


alex11602 Collaborator
alex11602
Posted

Thank you so much for telling about your experience there. Never tried it but the stuff on the menu sounds absolutely delicious.

notme Experienced
notme
Posted
  • Author

alex: when she brought out the gluten-free bread w/garlic & herb butter, i almost cried!! at the same time as the gluten eaters got their bread basket :) they sell the sauces, pasta and breads there, too. yayy!!!

justlisa Apprentice
justlisa
Posted

Wish there was a Mama's in CT...sigh...

  • 7 months later...
alex11602 Collaborator
alex11602
Posted

So I finally tried Mama's, Heaven!!! I have a problem going out places so my husband went there and ordered it. All four of us had sandwiches. mine was a proscuitto melt and it was absolutely delicious. We also got the pierogis (since Easter is coming up and we wanted to try them beforehand) and mozzarella sticks and I too was amazed that it was gluten-free. My husband also treated me to a cannoli since that is one thing that I still really miss from gluten days.and it was absolutely amazing! There was also a sample of the risotto with champagne sauce and the 10% discount card. I was incredibly impressed and would definitely go back again.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to pothosqueen's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      16

      Positive biopsy

      In the study linked above, the little girl switched to a gluten free diet and gained enough weight that that fat pad was replenished and surgery was not needed. Here's the full article link... Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Girl with Final Diagnosis of Celiac Disease https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6476019/
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jordan Carlson's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      Fruits & Veggies

      Hello, @Jordan Carlson, So glad you're feeling better. Tecta is a proton pump inhibitor. PPI's also interfere with the production of the intrinsic factor needed to absorb Vitamin B12. Increasing the amount of B12 you supplement has helped overcome the lack of intrinsic factor needed to absorb B12. Proton pump inhibitors also reduce the...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to pothosqueen's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      16

      Positive biopsy

      @pothosqueen, Welcome to the tribe! You'll want to get checked for nutritional deficiencies and start on supplementation of B vitamins, especially Thiamine Vitamin B 1. There's some scientific evidence that the fat pad that buffers the aorta which disappears in SMA is caused by deficiency in Thiamine. In Thiamine deficiency, the body...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Inmate with Celiac Disease Wins $630,000 After Jail Denies Gluten-Free Food

    5. trents
      - trents replied to pothosqueen's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      16

      Positive biopsy

      Wow! You're pretty young to have a diagnosis of SMA syndrome. But youth also has its advantages when it comes to healing, without a doubt. You might be surprised to find out how your health improves and how much better you feel once you eliminate gluten from your diet. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that, when gluten is consumed, triggers an...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,019
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Nancy Adams
    Newest Member
    Nancy Adams
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Positive biopsy

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      In the study linked above, the little girl switched to a gluten free diet and gained enough weight that that fat pad was replenished and surgery was not needed.   Here's the full article link... Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Girl with Final Diagnosis of Celiac Disease https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6476019/
    • knitty kitty
      Fruits & Veggies

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jordan Carlson, So glad you're feeling better.   Tecta is a proton pump inhibitor.  PPI's also interfere with the production of the intrinsic factor needed to absorb Vitamin B12.  Increasing the amount of B12 you supplement has helped overcome the lack of intrinsic factor needed to absorb B12. Proton pump inhibitors also reduce the production of digestive juices (stomach acids).  This results in foods not being digested thoroughly.  If foods are not digested sufficiently, the vitamins and other nutrients aren't released from the food, and the body cannot absorb them.  This sets up a vicious cycle. Acid reflux and Gerd are actually symptoms of producing too little stomach acid.  Insufficient stomach acid production is seen with Thiamine and Niacin deficiencies.  PPI's like Tecta also block the transporters that pull Thiamine into cells, preventing absorption of thiamine.  Other symptoms of Thiamine deficiency are difficulty swallowing, gagging, problems with food texture, dysphagia. Other symptoms of Thiamine deficiency are symptoms of ADHD and anxiety.  Vyvanse also blocks thiamine transporters contributing further to Thiamine deficiency.  Pristiq has been shown to work better if thiamine is supplemented at the same time because thiamine is needed to make serotonin.  Doctors don't recognize anxiety and depression and adult onset ADHD as early symptoms of Thiamine deficiency. Stomach acid is needed to digest Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in fruits and vegetables.  Ascorbic acid left undigested can cause intestinal upsets, anxiety, and heart palpitations.   Yes, a child can be born with nutritional deficiencies if the parents were deficient.  Parents who are thiamine deficient have offspring with fewer thiamine transporters on cell surfaces, making thiamine deficiency easier to develop in the children.  A person can struggle along for years with subclinical vitamin deficiencies.  Been here, done this.  Please consider supplementing with Thiamine in the form TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) which helps immensely with dysphagia and neurological symptoms like anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms.  Benfotiamine helps with improving intestinal health.  A B Complex and NeuroMag (a magnesium supplement), and Vitamin D are needed also.
    • knitty kitty
      Positive biopsy

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @pothosqueen, Welcome to the tribe! You'll want to get checked for nutritional deficiencies and start on supplementation of B vitamins, especially Thiamine Vitamin B 1.   There's some scientific evidence that the fat pad that buffers the aorta which disappears in SMA is caused by deficiency in Thiamine.   In Thiamine deficiency, the body burns its stored fat as a source of fuel.  That fat pad between the aorta and digestive system gets used as fuel, too. Ask for an Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test to look for thiamine deficiency.  Correction of thiamine deficiency can help restore that fat pad.   Best wishes for your recovery!   Interesting Reading: Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Girl with Final Diagnosis of Celiac Disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31089433/#:~:text=Affiliations,tissue and results in SMAS.  
    • trents
      Positive biopsy

      By trents · Posted

      Wow! You're pretty young to have a diagnosis of SMA syndrome. But youth also has its advantages when it comes to healing, without a doubt. You might be surprised to find out how your health improves and how much better you feel once you eliminate gluten from your diet. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that, when gluten is consumed, triggers an attack on the villous lining of the small bowel. This is the section of the intestines where all our nutrition is absorbed. It is made up of billions of tiny finger-like projections that create a tremendous surface area for absorbing nutrients. For the person with celiac disease, unchecked gluten consumption generates inflammation that wears down these fingers and, over time, greatly reduces the nutrient absorbing efficiency of the small bowel lining. This can generate a whole host of other nutrient deficiency related medical problems. We also now know that the autoimmune reaction to gluten is not necessarily limited to the lining of the small bowel such that celiac disease can damage other body systems and organs such as the liver and the joints and cause neurological problems.  It can take around two years for the villous lining to completely heal but most people start feeling better well before then. It's also important to realize that celiac disease can cause intolerance to some other foods whose protein structures are similar to gluten. Chief among them are dairy and oats but also eggs, corn and soy. Just keep that in mind.
    • pothosqueen
      Positive biopsy

      By pothosqueen · Posted

      26F!
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.