Recent Gluten-Free (Celiac!) Faves

As I've explained multiple times (because it frustrates me so much!) my full-blown searchable website has become infected so I can't search for many of my favorite locations. I also am unable to help others!

Therefore, I just wanted to bring to the top of my blog some of my favorite (and safe) gluten-free restaurants in and around Austin. I have spoken to the managers at every single one of these and eaten successfully dozens of times. 

Please feel free to comment and add to the list!

Breakfast Tacos:

• Torchy's Tacos
• TacoDeli + chips & queso!

American:

• HopDoddy - buns, fries
• Chez Zee

BBQ:

• Salt Lick - everything but bread and dessert
• County Line

Tex-Mex:

• Maudie's - special gluten-free chips (make sure to ask!) and queso
• Iron Cactus

Asian:

• Thai Fresh
• Koriente

Italian:

• Brick Oven
• Taverna - also great for brunch
• The Grove

Pizza (both use separate pans, utensils and toppings):

• Via 313
• Austin's Pizza

100% Gluten-Free: Wildwood Bakehouse!

Steak:

• Sullivan's Steakhouse
• Perry's Steakhouse

True Food Kitchen Opens in Austin!

About a year and a half ago, my fiancé Aaron and I discovered True Food Kitchen...in Houston. It was a fantastic fresh food and gluten-free experience and we were hoping that some day it would make its way 2.5 hours down the road to us.

The Seaholm Power Plant area of downtown has been under construction for quite some time and the "coming soon" signs continued to showcase new, exciting businesses that would be opening. During a run around Town Lake, Aaron looked over and said "Look!!! True Food Kitchen has been added to the Seaholm sign!" - we couldn't wait.

So when I received an email invitation to attend the soft opening, I jumped at the chance. Tonight we had a chance to try this new downtown restaurant, and were not disappointed.

Upon arrival we were greeted by a friendly staff, who encouraged us to have our first drink at the bar. After ordering a refreshing Skinny Citrus Margarita, we were seated and immediately ordered the hummus appetizer - which came with gluten-free pita bread. We requested a side of veggies to go with our hummus as well and the plate was beautiful. The vegetables were so fresh and not your typical collection of carrots and celery, but root vegetables and unique seasonal offerings.

Since it was our chance to try it all, we then decided to split the grilled chicken salad and it did not disappoint. Note: we did have to request that the farro be left off because of my Celiac Disease. Along those same lines, my waiter made quick note of my severe gluten-intolerance and brought a manager over to answer any questions I had. I did suggest that they make sure to tell those with gluten-intolerance that items that are not marked can be iterated to be safe as well.

For my entree I ordered the Spicy Thai Curry with Chicken and it was amazing, the perfect amount of spice and a tasty side of brown rice mixed with quinoa, which was such a nice change of plain rice! Aaron ordered the turkey wrap, which we learned later could be made in the pita as a sandwich as well - definitely next time.

We closed out the night with dessert, which included the lemon ginger frozen yogurt (similar consistency to sorbet) for me and the flourless GF chocolate cake for him. Even though we were quite full by this point, we enjoyed every bite we DID take.

Overall, True Food Kitchen did not disappoint - actually the complete opposite. We are SO excited to have another option downtown for my special dietary needs that allows us to not only feel safe eating but also have fresh and real food paired with a full cocktail bar.

I suggest everyone check them out and soon! Enjoy :)

Off the Menu: Cover 3

Cover 3 is right down the street from both  my house and my new internship, with the added bonus of being centrally located for almost everyone! It is a great happy hour location with free wi-fi if you have business meetings.

In addition to the official gluten-free menu items listed below (from their on-site menu) you can get the hamburgers without a bun as long as you make sure to explain that it must be kept from cross-contamination.

_________________________________________________________________

Cover 3 Salad
Mixed greens, candied walnuts, sliced fuji apples & crumbled goat cheese, raspberry-dijon vinaigrette

Allendale
Baby spinach & mixed greens with brick chicken, applewood smoked bacon, dates, avocado, chopped egg, red onion, blue cheese & candied walnuts with honey-balsamic vinaigrette

Brick Chicken
Semi-boneless 1/2 chicken with classic Sicilian vinaigrette & garlic mashed potatoes

Jumbo North Atlantic Scallops
White wine & goat cheese sauce, applewood smoked bacon & toasted almonds

8oz. Filet Mignon
With gorgonzola butter & garlic mashed potatoes

Sides: sauteed spinach, seasonal vegetables

Off the Menu: J. Black's

SO excited that one of the west 6th locations has jumped on the gluten-free bandwagon! Since starting my work with Smart Flour Foods I've been thrilled at some of the locations coming through the pipeline that are choosing to carry g-free pizzas and more. Find the menu items below!

Added bonus - they have fantastic happy hours and all toppings are gluten-free too! I know what I'm suggesting next time :)

Off the Menu: Franklin Barbeque

Franklin Barbecue has become an Austin legend. It currently rivals the Salt Lick BBQ as the best in Austin according to recent "reports". Even the New York Times has discussed its break-out success. My classmates have been asking for months that I accompany them to Franklin's but I was unable to find information online regarding gluten-free options. Within minutes of emailing them I received the following back:

Hi Jaime,

All of our meats and sides are gluten free.
Our espresso barbecue sauce (the darkest on the tables) does contain gluten, so be sure to avoid that, bread and our chopped beef (has espresso sauce in it.)
Thanks,
Stacy

Stacy Franklin
Franklin Barbecue
900 E. 11th St.
Austin, Tx 78702

I am SO excited to give it a try this Friday. I have no doubt that I'll be pleased :) Thank you Stacy for your help and everyone enjoy!
________________________________
Update! Ate at Frankin's today and it was awesome. I got the ribs and sausage as well as potato salad and coleslaw here is a pic of the menu:


Make sure to ask the guys at the counter to change their gloves for you before putting your food together!! They touch buns and bread at the same time as other things so there is cross-contamination if you forget to ask. They knew exactly what to do :)

My G-Free Future...?

This week we have finals for the full-time MBA program, which is the unspoken signal that we should start to think about summer internships and future careers. Most of the individuals in my class are switching careers, industries and even discovering brand-new opportunities, which leave us all feeling a little lost and overwhelmed by the potential we've got. They tell us a top 20 program will get us in the door, but first we need to decide what door we wish to knock on.

When I started my MBA application I was dedicated to going back into higher education (I was working for www.myedu.com) but then I got diagnosed, right before completing my essays. After a month I realized that this is what would now drive my life, I switched all of my essays around, and I not only dealt with it but became truly passionate about learning and teaching others how to make the best of this crappy diagnosis. At that time I started my blog and have been pondering how to make gluten-free a "career" ever since.

In a world dominated by doctors and dieticians I feel as if an MBA could make an impact that wasn't originally foreseen by the people who run Living Without and Celiac.com so I've made it my mission to get into lifestyle marketing for the gluten-free community. The question is...how? I've had the opportunity to speak with and conduct informational interviews with individuals such as Kim Koeller with GlutenFreePassport.com, individuals from Enjoy Life Foods and Mary's Gone Crackers and even dietitians in the Austin area.

What I've realized is that I have the personal experience, a lot of marketing background and about .25 of an MBA so I could provide a lot to this industry in some way or another. Ideally, I'd love to take G-Free in the City to the next level (and am in the works) but I've decided that my summer internship should be dedicated to learning the business and market side of things from within the walls. So my goal is to find one of the special dietary CPG companies, a large conglomerate who has a goal of expanding their product line, a local business or an amazing publication that serves the community and convince them to take me under their wing for the summer.

That being said, I've got an uphill battle. Such a niche industry takes a lot of hard work to break into, but I'm dedicated and determined so wish me luck!

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

My Top 10 Most Challenging G-Free Situations

Along with a poll I'm running on my Twitter account, I wanted to discuss some of the most challenging situations that pop-up for one who has to eat gluten-free. These are mine...feel free to comment with any others that are especially hard for you! Each time I am faced with one of these scenarios it gets better, but it is still never easy.

1. Visiting family and friends out of town - they feel like they have to cater to you, which they kind of do because if not then you are either starving or spending the whole trip making phone calls and no one wants to feel like even more of a burden - and it's usually a WHOLE weekend of eating out

2.  Long airport travel days - especially with delays (airports SUCK at having g-free, usually it's McDonalds fries and a Wendy's Frosty for each meal)

3. Networking events/get-togethers with new people - that involve food - having to explain over and over why you aren't eating gets old...I have learned to just say I'm not hungry

4. Traveling for work to random small towns - I did this a lot with my last job...it takes a bunch of research and a prayer that they at least have a Chili's

5. Wedding weekends - especially if you are in them...rehearsal dinners, brunches, dinner...and no time to sneak off and find your own food or bring some with you to heat up - bring me the champagne!

6. Any situation where you simply have to go with the flow - being out and about for happy hour and everyone wants to go eat dinner together, or the whole office is going to lunch...do I want to come? It's never that simple anymore.

7. When a hostess offers you gluten-free food that they prepared special for you...how do I politely ask them to rattle off all of the ingredients to make sure, withOUT being rude

8. Dining out at restaurants that say they can make x, y, z gluten-free and I don't like any of the choices...they don't seem to understand that I have taste buds too and don't have to like everything that is gluten-free...sorry!

9. Being the one who always has to "pick", no matter what. It sounds good in theory but in reality it's a pain in the butt to have to think that hard about any meal.

10. Any situation involving cake. Birthdays, parties, going-away...god, I really miss cake with butter cream frosting!

Off the Menu: Abel's on the Lake

As an undergrad at UT Cain & Abel's was the place to be on Tuesday nights, however, once we graduated it was quite awkward to be the older individual surrounded by frat guys and sorority girls. Luckily, the owners of C&A decided to open a second location that is PERFECT for us "older folks" - Abel's on the Lake.

Since they've opened I've been there many times for drinks, to hang out by the water, etc. but numerous times have been disappointed that they didn't have gluten-free menu items. However, our MBA class went there for Sunday brunch and I was thrilled when the waitstaff told me they had finally put together and printed out a gluten-free menu...and a pretty good one at that!

Starters:
- Oysters on the Half Shell
- Poached Shrimp Cocktail

Salads:
- Spinach Salad (grilled chicken incl.)
- Southwest Chicken Salad (no tortilla strips)
- Texas Chopped Salad
- Salmon Salad

Entrees:
- Atlantic Salmon w/ red potatoes and asparagus
- Chicken Under a Brick - w/ rosemary potatoes and pan jus
- Grilled Airline Chicken Breast - w/ mashed potatoes, asparagus and chicken jus
- Skillet-Roasted Ribeye - w/ bleu cheese mashed potatoes and green beans
- Beef Short Ribs - w/mashed potatoes
- Trout Almondine - w/ vegetables

Enjoy the view and the food!

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 :)