Off the Menu: Doc B's Fresh Kitchen

Oh, the baked chicken wings :) Doc B's has been one of our staples for years now. With one location in

Austin at Domain Northside, it's an easy to-go or dine-in for us. Their menu is diverse with a mostly American fare tilt. 

Their dine-in menu calls out gluten-free options and their staff is very knowledgeable about cross-contamination, and if you sit at the bar you get free bacon! It is one of the few locations where I don't get the same thing every single time. 

Options (make sure you tell them you have Celiac so they can make the proper adjustments:

Snack + Start + Share

- Our "Famous" Candied Bacon

- Rustic Salsa

- Housemade Guacamole

- Oven Roasted Chimichurri Wings

- Grilled California Artichokes

Salads (All can be altered!)

Burgers + Sandwiches (w/gluten-free bun)

- Traditional Cheeseburger

- The Wedge Burger

- Turkey Burger

- "All Green" Burger

- The Wright Chicken Sandwich

- The Number Six (sub grilled chicken)

- Crispy Chicken Sandwich (sub grilled chicken)

- Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

- Carnitas Sandwich (no onion ring)

- West Coast Steak Sandwich

Very Special Entrees

- Chicken Kebabs

- 6oz. Petite Filet

- 10oz. Chimichurri Steak

- Fall Off the Bone Danish Barbeque Ribs

- Simply Grilled Salmon

Wok Out Bowl (all - double check on teriyaki dressing)

Sides

- French Fries (yes they are fried without cross-contamination!)

- Sautéed Broccoli

- Coleslaw

- Kale Slaw

- Cucumber Salad

Enjoy!!

SXSW Gluten-Free

The time has come for techies, musicians, artists, actors and all of their fans to rain down upon Austin for the 2012 SXSW Festival. I have been in Austin for almost 10 years now and am shocked at how huge it has actually gotten over time. With almost three weeks of events it is nothing short of a phenomenon.

I am well-aware that eating gluten-free and traveling aren't the most friendly mix. So...I wanted to put my mapping tool front and center for all of our visitors so no one will miss out on the amazing food that Austin has to offer for those of us who are normally don't get to be excited about food.

My goal in collecting the menus from these locations was not just to tell you that they are "gluten-free friendly" but show you what you can actually order. Each pinpoint has got the contact information as well as a link to my blog post that highlights that restaurant and it's menu items.

In addition, here is a link to the food carts and trailers that have gluten-free menu items. I don't have specific information for each one but they are always accommodating!
http://g-freeinthecity.blogspot.com/2011/07/gluten-free-options-at-austin-food.html

Please enjoy the food, music and fun!

Off the Menu: G'Raj Mahal

Not only do I have the joy of working with Sidney at G'Raj Mahal for an entrepreneurship project, but was also able to sit down with her and find out which of their menu items are gluten-free. Luckily for all of us they don't skimp on ingredients or the cooking process so most of the dishes are naturally gluten-free and free of thickeners and preservatives.  Of course, always tell them that you are eating gluten-free so they can be sure to take care with the process.

Their goal is to provide authentic Indian food, enjoy!

Starters:
- Pakoras
- Tamatar
- Papri Chat - ask for without naan crisps

Breads:
- Crispy Lentil Papadam

Non-Creamy Sauces Curry:
- Classic Curry
- Madrasi
- Vindaloo
- Jalfrezi

Cream Sauces:
- Saag
- Makhani
- Tikka Masala
- Korma
- Kashmiri
- Rogan Josh
- Malabar

Biryani:
- Vegetable/chicken/beef/lamb/shrimp

Strictly Vegetarian Dishes:
- Aloo Gobi
- Baingan Bartha
- Malai Kofta
- Mushroom and Peas
- Mushroom Masala
- Chana Masala
- Dahl Makhani

Tandoor/Kebabs:
- Chicken
- Fish or Shrimp
- Lamb Rack

Goan Specials:
- Coconut curry
- Rechaad Masala
- Sorpotel

Desserts:
- Kheer
- Kulfi

Thanksgiving Dinner Success @Maggiano's

First off, bravo Maggiano's for not only making so many of your dishes naturally gluten-free but for making my family Thanksgiving fantastic and full of options. I cannot tell you how impressed I was with their staff cooperation and my meal.

The Thanksgiving menu was family style and I could eat multiple things from almost every course (minus dessert and bruschetta). Here's a quick snapshot of the menu:

I made a reservation through Open Table and put in the notes that we had a gluten-free diner. After that I proceeded to call them and talk to a sous chef who walked me through the Thanksgiving menu and made sure that I felt comfortable with their knowledge of gluten-free dining, I was surprised to find out that I had options beyond just the gluten-free pasta, whoo!

First course was salad and I could have both the Caesar and Italian salads with just the croutons removed. Since the family style allows you to choose two from each portion of the menu we got the Caesar with croutons on the side for me and the glutenous eaters got the Chopped salad.

Next course was the full-on Thanksgiving style meal, yes even Italian restaurants do it traditionally! The options for meats were turkey with gravy and stuffing, ham with mashed potatoes and tilapia. When the sous chef came out to talk me through it (awesome!!) he said that I could have both the ham and turkey meats and that they would simply make me a small plate of plain without the stuffing and gravy so there wouldn't be any cross-contamination. It came out on a HUGE plate and I even have some turkey leftovers. The family also got the tilapia which was breaded so that was out, but I was happy. In addition we got to choose two sides and two pastas. I could have the following: creamed corn, creamed spinach, mashed sweet potatoes and garlic mashed potatoes - we chose the creamed spinach and garlic mashed potatoes, yum! For the pastas they allowed my family to choose two and made me my own side of the gluten-free spaghetti and meat sauce. I could've also gotten gluten-free versions of the rigatoni, ziti or gnocchi.

I was so full by this point I wasn't even disappointed that I couldn't have the huge piece of chocolate cake or pumpkin cheesecake. My whole family was impressed with the food and it worked out so well that I could have a full meal and they could have their traditional Turkey Day food. So, bravo Maggiano's you did great!! I would definitely come back for Thanksgiving in the future and suggest it to all of my blog readers :)

Gluten-Free Family Visit to Austin

Although my family has been to visit me multiple times, it hasn't been much since I was diagnosed and definitely not all at the same time. However, tomorrow my brother, mom, dad and grandma will all be here for the Thanksgiving holidays, which means I'm playing hostess. While they are used to tradition, as you may know, I don't necessarily live life that way so we're doing things my way :) Gluten-free all the way! Here's the food agenda:

Wednesday - late lunch/dinner at original Salt Lick

Thursday (Thanksgiving!) - we have a reservation at Maggiano's Little Italy who is having a specific turkey meal, which allows me to have their gluten-free pasta and salads and my family to have turkey, stuffing, etc. which couldn't have happened in my small kitchen due to cross-contamination. So...even though it isn't a home-cooked meal my family can eat a "normal" meal while I feel safe with my Turkey Day feast too :)

Of course, I also had to get some snacks for all of the hanging out and family time we'll be enjoying, so I stopped by Natural Grocers and got some gluten-free Nut Thins, cheese cubes, hummus and carrots - healthier than most holidays but it'll work.

Friday - lunch in Fredericksburg (will have to do some research on that one, but there is always cheese...and a LOT of wine!) and then dinner at Trudy's for Tex-Mex

They are heading out Saturday but we might squeeze a quick lunch in at Abel's on the Lake for a great view.

I cannot WAIT for them to get here!!

Off the Menu: Torchy's Tacos

Thanks to Brittany Neighbors, Director of Communication at Torchy's Tacos, I got their full gluten-free list. Torchy's is well-known in Austin for being amazing so I'm thrilled that I can eat at one of their multiple locations around the city. If you come visit or read because you live here, check them out!


GLUTEN FREE ITEMS

TORTILLAS
Corn Tortillas

MEATS
Jalapeno Sausage, Bacon, Pork, Barbacoa, Brisket

SEAFOOD
Tuna, Grilled Shrimp

SALSA
Red Salsa, Green Salsa, Diablo

DAIRY
All cheeses, Queso, Egg

SIDES & TOPPINGS
Rice, Beans, Escabeche, Pickled Onions, Guacamole, Pickled Jalapenos, Fajita Veggies, Pico, Fresh Avocados, Green Chilies, Potatoes, Mangos
___________________________________________________________________________
www.torchystacos.com

Off the Menu: Texican Cafe

Hey all, first off, THANK YOU for reading my blog! I hope it helps you all as much as it helps me while learning how to cope with a gluten-free lifestyle.


Please find the Texican Cafe locations here: addition to the map coming soon! As always make sure to tell your server that you are gluten-free to ensure they won't add anything incorrectly.


Appetizers:

Botana Platter     

Four stuffed jalapenos, four chicken taquitos, a guacamole slad and chile con queso. Served with sour cream.

Nachos:

“Texican Nachos”

A pile of chips with your choice of ground beef or shredded chicken, smothered with black beans, chile con queso, lettuce, pico de gallo, jalapenos and sour cream.

Nachos al Carbon

Tostada chips covered with your choice of beef or chicken fajita with refried beans, white cheese, topped with lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream.

Nachos Supreme

Nachos wth a twist! Refried beans and ground beef with cheddar cheese or shredden chicken with white cheese, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole and sour cream.

Bean & Cheese Nachos

Tostada chips with refried beans and melted cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.

Soups, Salads y Mas

Tortilla Soup

Best in town! A zesty spicy chicken soup. Served with rice, white cheese, fresh homemade tortilla strips and lime.

Add avocado slices – 1.50

Shrimp Soup Cozumel

Large tomato based shrimp soup topped with cilantro. Served with fresh homemade tortilla strips and lime.    (made to order)

House Salad

Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and tortilla strips.

Grilled or Crispy Chicken Salad

A large House Salad with grilled chicken breast strips or fried chicken strips.

Grilled Specialties:

Steak Juana Maria (10 oz.)

Tender rib-eye steak in a citrus marinade with grilled bell peppers, onion and tomatoes. Served with homemade fries, charro beans, guacamole and pico de gallo.

Steak Tampiquena (10 oz.)

The Owner’s Favorite! Juicy succulent rib-eye steak in a citrus marinade with one cheese “El Paso” enchilada and a side of ranchero sauce, refried beans, guacamole and pico de gallo.

Steak Fabian (10 oz.)

Tender rib-eye steak strips in a citrus marinade with whole Serrano peppers and onions. Served with Mexican rice, charro beans, guacamole and pico de gallo.

Golla’s Pollo

Grilled chicken breast smothered in white cheese and topped with sauteed tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, bell peppers and whole Serrano peppers. Served with Mexican rice, charro beans, guacamole and pico de gallo.

Pork Chop Platter

Two tender pork chops grilled to perfection with onions, tomatoes and whole Serrano peppers. Served with Mexican rice, charro beans, guacamole and pico de gallo.

Seafood:

Fish Tacos

Two corn or flour tilapia fillet tacos, grilled with bell peppers, onions and roasted tomatillo salsa, lettuce and tomatoes. Served with Mexican rice, black beans, guacamole and pico de gallo.

Tilapia Oscar

Tilapia fillet and shrimp topped with a rich creamy sauce. Served with Mexican rice, black beans, guacamole and pico de gallo.

Tilapia Cozumel

Grilled tilapia fillet with onions, bell peppers, whole Serrano peppers and tomatoes with one “Shrimp Enchilada Cozumel.” Served with Mexican rice, black beans, guacamole and pico de gallo.

Shrimp Enchiladas Cozumel

Two enchiladas stuffed with shrimp, topped with Cozumel (a buttery red tomatillo) sauce and white cheese. Served with Mexican rice, black beans and pico de gallo.

Shrimp Flautas

Two red chile corn tortillas stuffed with grilled shrimp and white cheese and fried crisp. Served with Mexican rice, black beans, guacamole, pico de gallo and Ancho Mayo sauce.

Traditional Plates:

Carne Chile Colorado

Traditional Mexican pork tips cooked in our New Mexico chile sauce. Served with pico de gallo.

Flautas

Two corn tortillas filled with your choice of ground beef or shredded chicken, rolled and fried crisp, topped with guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and sour cream.

Plato de Tamales

Two shredded pork tamales with red chile sauce and white cheese. Served with pico de gallo.

Carne Guisada

Tender beef tips in a brown gravy. Served with pico de gallo.

Enchiladas

Sour Cream Enchiladas

House Specialty! Two shredded chicken enchiladas with our homemade sour cream sauce

Santa Fe Enchiladas

Three flat stacked enchiladas with ground beef, shredded chicken or cheese with a smokey red chile sauce.

Chef suggests adding two eggs on top – 1.50

San Antonio Enchiladas

Two cheese enchiladas topped with carne guisada and creamy chile con queso.

Chef suggests adding red chile sauce – 1.00

Spinach Enchiladas

Sauteed onions, mushrooms and spinach rolled in two corn tortillas and topped with a cream cheese cilantro sauce. Served with black beans.

Shrimp Enchiladas Cozumel

Two shrimp enchiladas topped with Cozumel (a buttery red tomatillo) sauce. Served with black beans.

Enchiladas Rancheras

Two corn tortillas with your choice of ground beef or shredded chicken topped with our spicy ranchero sauce. Served with chile con queso.

Migas:

Migas with Cheese

Not just for breakfast anymore! Scrambled eggs with salsa, tortilla strips and cheddar cheese. Served with ranchero sauce.

San Antonio Migas

Migas with a twist! Scrambled eggs with tortillas strips, topped with carne guisada and chile con queso!

Monterey Migas

Scrambled eggs with tortillas strips, topped with chile colorado and chile con queso!

Off the Menu: Opal Divine's Freehouse

I had no idea that Opal Divines had a gluten-free list! Now, there are multiple locations in Austin but this one was for the Freehouse location (West 6th). It may be the same across the board but I don't want to make that assumption so make sure you ask!

The list is not necessarily a menu, but it's there to guide you along with the menu on what you can order. There are a few missing things (salad dressings, etc.) so there might be a little back and forth with your waiter, but they are laid-back there and ours was more than willing to help me out.

- Chicken Soup (no tortilla strips)
- Garden Salad (with chicken, mahi or shrimp)
- Honey Mustard, Lite Italian, Prickly Pear Vinaigrette dressings
- Grilled Chicken
- Beef (that's all it says, not sure what that means!)
- Bacon, Eggs, Sausage Patties
- Steamed Veggies
- Bratwurst and Sauerkraut
- Cole Slaw
- Mahi-Mahi Plate
- Burger (no bun) - be careful with cross-contamination
- Black Bean Pico
- Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream

Good luck and enjoy! Sounds like brunch is a good call :)