:: Gluten Free Works Blog ::

By John Libonati

Try KIND bars for free at Starbucks on February 5th!

Kind bars are one of my favorite gluten-free snacks. They taste phenomenal and are gluten-free, dairy-free and cane sugar-free.

On February 5th. Starbucks will sample KIND bars at all of their 7,000 stores across the country! Drop in to try one of the two delicious flavors selling at your local Starbucks: Fruit & Nut Delight and Cranberry Almond+Antioxidants. Click HERE to find a Starbucks near you.

Almond Cashew + Omega 3 now available at Starbucks

Last week Starbucks added Almond Cashew + Omega 3 to its existing superstar lineup of KIND flavors: Fruit & Nut Delight, Cranberry Almond + Antioxidants and Mango Macadamia + Calcium. Almond Cashew is only 150 calories and packed with 500mg of Omega 3 Fatty Acids (ALA), which helps support a healthy heart and immune system. Almond Cashew + OMEGA 3 is a snack that you can feel good munching on.

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"Author Information: John Libonati, Philadelphia, PA
Publisher, Glutenfreeworks.com.
Editor & Publisher, Recognizing Celiac Disease.
John can be reached at john.libonati@glutenfreeworks.com."

By Trish Deitemeyer

The word is getting out that even though we can’t eat wheat, celiacs (and others who must follow a gluten free diet) still love to eat pasta. There are a few establishments in the Philadelphia area that offer gluten free pasta, such as Giorgio on Pine in Center City, Café Alessio in Doylestown, Café Monterosso in Yardley, City Kitchen Pizzeria in Southampton, and Maggiano’s Little Italy in Center City, King of Prussia and Cherry Hill, NJ. However, if you’re really missing home-made pasta, just like Nonna used to make, why not try to make it yourself? (more…)

By Trish Deitemeyer

Five Guys has earned quite a following up the East Coast since 1986, when the first one opened in Virgina. Most Celiacs (or anyone keeping away from gluten) wouldn’t think of eating at Five Guys Burgers and Fries, having been burned by fries cooked in non-dedicated oil and having to pick pieces of bun off their burgers. Five Guys is more than happy to make a hamburger or cheeseburger with no bun, and since they’re made on the spot, when you order, you can have it any way you want it. Five Guys’ toppings, which are all FREE, include mayo, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, grilled onions, pickles, onions, relish, grilled mushrooms, jalapeno peppers, green peppers, hot sauce, A1 sauce and barbeque sauce. And because they’re not frying onion rings or anything else breaded, the French fries are free of gluten and full of flavor. In fact, at my last visit to the Five Guys in Devon, Bob, who took my order, made sure to tell the people who were making the food to keep my burger FAR AWAY from the buns. Thanks, Bob! (more…)

by Trish Deitemeyer

For better or worse, the Gluten Free lifestyle is gaining in popularity. While some in the community may bicker over its trendiness, one thing is for certain: bringing GF food into the mainstream is causing more and more restaurants and stores and manufacturers to sit up and take notice. There are more GF offerings at more locations than ever before.

One surprising addition has been The Olive Garden’s Gluten Free menu. Who would have thought that an almost strictly pasta restaurant would have GF offerings? Of course, you can always get their salad sans croutons, but now they have a GF pasta on their Garden Fare options menu. Pennine Rigate with Marinara is a hearty marinara sauce made from tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and herbs served over gluten free penne pasta. (more…)

The following restaurants in and around Philadelphia have gluten-free menus or are able to prepare gluten-free cuisine.

Baggataway
31 Front St
Conshohocken, PA 19428-2867
(610) 834-8085
The same owner of the Ugly Moose in Manayunk. They carry GF beer and their staff understands GF foods. A bartender has celiac disease and instructed the staff. The steak is fantastic. (more…)

Celiac disease – Gluten Free friendly restaurants in Philadelphia (listed alphabetically)

Applebee’s Restaurant

http://www.applebees.com/

Applebee Dietary Inquiries
888-592-7753
You can call this number and someone will provide information on gluten free menu items. I have spoken with them while seated in the restaurant – though you could certainly call ahead of time.

Arpeggio

http://www.arpeggiobyob.com

542 Springhouse Village Center
Springhouse, PA 19477
{GPS} 1101 BETHLEHEM PIKE OR SPRINGHOUSE VILLAGE CENTER
215-646-5055
Mediterranean BYOB. Per my GI doc, the owner is very in tune to the needs of celiac patients.

Boston Style Pizza
447 N Sumneytown Pike
North Wales, PA
(215) 699-3977
Has gluten-free pizza as well as a recently expanded gluten-free menu.

Carrabba's Italian Grill

http://carrabas.com/index.aspx

2575 Maryland Road
Willow Grove, PA 19090
(215) 659-3950
Has a gluten-free menu

Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse
324 W. Swedesford Road
Berwyn, PA 19312
(610)240-0997
www.charliebrowns.com/
Has a gluten free menu and location information online.

Chipotle
www.chipoltle.com
Plymouth Meeting Mall location
Website has a gluten-free listing. Staff and management were very receptive to requests as well as the food being delicious and healthy.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries
www.fiveguys.com
Check website for local sites – coming soon to K of P mall. Great burgers and fries! Locations I visited were very gluten-friendly.

JB Dawson’s

http://jbdawsons.com/index.html

Has a gluten free menu available online as well as upon request at each location. This is a local chain with five outlets –one near Plymouth Meeting Mall. The corporate Director of Kitchen's is very Celiac aware as he has family member with Celiac.

Jules Thin Crust Pizza

http://www.julesthincrust.com/

Offers great gluten –free pizza and crusts to make your own. Locations in Doylestown and Newtown.

Legal Seafoods

http://www.legalseafoods.com/

King of Prussia Mall. Great food and great attention to gluten-free concerns. Gluten-free menu is available.

Morton’s Restaurant

http://www.mortons.com/

King of Prussia Mall location is actually working on an allergy menu for customers, though other locations have been very responsive to gluten-free requests. My waitress, Gina, was very well versed and great at offering gluten-free alternatives.

Outback Steakhouse

http://www.outbacksteakhouse.com/

Has a gluten free menu available online as well as upon request at each location.

Pasta Pomodoro

http://www.pastapomodoronj.com

Won 2007 NFCA Gluten-free cooking competition
Voorhees NJ

PF Chang’s China Bistro

http://www.pfchangs.com/

Great Chinese food. They have a gluten-free menu available and are very responsive to concerns. Plymouth Meeting Mall location is now open.

Redstone American Grill
www.redstonegrill.com
Plymouth Meeting Mall
Have spoken with Director of Culinary Operations from corp office. Gave me local chef’s name and email as well as a listing of gluten-free menu items.