Judging Season: AKA Many Trips to San Antonio

August to October is gymnastics judging season - and I am lucky enough to be a judge for levels 2-6 here in Texas. It is my favorite time of year because I get to be in the gym and see the excited faces of these little girls as they get better and better. At this age they are still learning and having fun without stress...it is a great lesson in realizing the real value in your experiences.

Anyway, our region spans from Austin all the way down to Corpus Christi, but I happen to spend most of my weekends in San Antonio - not necessarily known as a gluten-free hub but luckily well-stocked with chain restaurants. 

When we judge gymnastics we normally head down on Friday evenings and stop to eat - this has included many trips to Chili's and just last weekend, Logan's Roadhouse. I was pleased to find a large gluten-free menu at the New Braunfels location (see below) but unfortunately the "salad person was new and didn't know to avoid bacon bits". Either way they fixed it and it came out wonderfully - so we have a new option! 

This does tend to be the only eating out experience of the weekend since the gyms actually provide breakfast, lunch and dinner for Saturday and breakfast and lunch for Sunday. With 10 hours of judging to do we don't have time to dine out between sessions. This means that I have to bring my own food, since I would never expect the mom's or owners to go out of their way just for me.  

Riding in on their white horse is Snap Kitchen. I know I have talked a lot about them before but they literally are a god-send for me. I can bring quick, healthy meals with me that are easily microwavable and filling. Phew! I personally love the spaghetti, bison and quinoa hash and the mayan pork - but everything is amazing. 

In a nutshell - I always know that I can fall back on the lovely restaurant chains of Chili's, Logan's Roadhouse, Maggiano's, Macaroni Grill and more to survive - then focus on surviving the brand new little gymnasts who are just trying to remember their routines :) 

Logan's Roadhouse Gluten-Free Menu:

Appetizers:

Smokin' Hot Wings

Farm-Fresh Salads: NO croutons and NO bacon bits:

Dressings: Ken's Foods: Red French, Bleu Cheese, Parmesean Peppercorn, Honey Mustard, Deluxe Ranch, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Texas Petal Sauce  Kraft: Golden Italian Marinade/Dressing, Thousand Island, Classic Dijon Mustard

Mesquite Wood-Grilled Chicken SaladRoadhouse Salad

Grilled Steak Salad

Grilled Shrimp Salad

Entrees:

Fresh hand-cut steaks ONLY these listed ones: 

The Logan

Sirloin 6oz & 8oz

NY Strip 11oz & 18oz

Filet 6oz & 8oz

Ribeye 16oz & 20oz

T-Bone

22oz Porterhouse

Chopped Steak served plain

Logan's Grilled Chicken

Mesquite Wood-Grilled Salmon

Mesquite Wood-Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Santa Fe Tilapia

Logan's Famous Baby Back Ribs

Burgers & Sandwiches - no buns or chips:

Cheddar Jack BBQ Burger

Roadhouse Burger

Old-Fashioned Cheeseburger

Mesquite Wood-Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Sides:

Seasonal Veggies

Grilled Vegetable/Grilled Mushroom Skewer

Baked Potato

Logan's Sweet Potato

House Salad

Dessert: Vanilla Ice Cream

Seasonings:

Newly Wed's Foods: Lemon Pepper, Southwest Seasoning, Grill Spice, Seasoning Salt, Blackening Seasoning, Rib Rub, Venture Foods: Liquid Phase

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G-Free Weekend in San Antonio

Last weekend I traveled down I35 to San Antonio to spend some time with my parents. My dad was in town for a fraternity convention and of course my mom couldn't pass up the opportunity to be so close to me and hang out :) "Frat camp" (as it was referred to) was at the Grand Hyatt on the Riverwalk and was quite the event.

As usual I had done my research and unfortunately didn't get very far. I shot emails out to a number of restaurants and only heard back from one! So...that's the one we went to, it is called Barriba Cantina.

From the email I was told that "most" of the menu was gluten-free - which I hate - but since it was my only response it was the deciding factor...plus I saw that they were owned by County Line where I have always had success in Austin. Unfortunately, I got sick. Now, I cannot pinpoint what it would've been because it was a minor attack so I want to say it was more likely cross-contamination or maybe a sauce thickener they are unaware of? Regardless, I ordered tacos, chips & queso and a margarita. In the end it could've very well been the taste of my dad's margarita with Grand Marnier in it (but then again that is listed as a safe alcohol, so I don't know). Suffice it to say, we went to bed early that night.

The next day we were determined to aim for safety so we went with fruit for breakfast and then decided that Achiote at the hotel would be the safest bet from that point forward (they had gotten back to me later, AND I called - they knew EVERYTHING - awesome). I was able to speak to a chef on duty who had worked for a Celiac GM previously so he was well aware. For lunch I successfully got a turkey and avocado wrap with cucumber salad, for dinner a burger with gluten-free bread and fresh french fries, and for breakfast on Sunday eggs, bacon, gluten-free bread and fruit.

Bottom-line - I am now destined to stay at the Grand Hyatt each and every time I am in San Antonio! I want to thank them for their help and hospitality. :)