It used to be that if you were eliminating gluten from your diet, you could all but write off restaurant dining, too. Even as little as five years ago, most restaurants did not have gluten-free menus on their radar. But given how common gluten-intolerance has become (the latest statistics cite that 1 in 133 Americans have been diagnosed with celiac disease), changes are afoot. A significant number of places have begun offering gluten-free menus, from pizza to pancakes, from pan-Asian to Italian, from the national chains to the independents. Today, consumers can feel much more at ease knowing that most service staff and chefs understand how serious the dietary restriction can be. (Please note: Even when you see gluten-free options on the menu, you are encouraged to discuss your dietary needs with a server, chef or manager before ordering.)
Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Adults aren’t the only ones with gluten issues. Kids are susceptible to various health conditions that require them to stay off gluten as well. What a gift, then, to find a place that serves gluten-free pancakes. The chocolate chip pancakes ($6.95 for a full order, $4.95 for a short stack) are a hit with just about everyone at Original Pancake House, a breakfast staple that’s been doing business in Edina for more than 30 years. Thanks to Pamela’s gluten-free mix, the recipe can be revised for these and many of the other popular pancakes, like plain buttermilk, blueberry, strawberry, pecan, coconut and banana, in addition to crepes. There are even gluten-free breads for sandwiches here. 3501 W. 70th St.; 952.920.4444; Hours: 6:30 a.m.–3 p.m. daily
Grilled Rachel
Peoples Organic Coffee and Wine Café
Peoples Organic might be new in town, but it’s no stranger to gluten-free foods. Owner Lynn Gordon previously founded French Meadow Bakery, a certified-organic bakery known for its line of gluten-free breads (in addition to vegan, yeast-free and kosher breads). At this Galleria café, any of the sandwiches, along with the wraps, can be served on gluten-free bread or in a gluten-free tortilla upon request. The Rachel ($9.95) is made with natural, oven-roasted turkey, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut, with Thousand Island dressing. Also for your gluten-free enjoyment, find meal-sized soups like the Asian fresh ginger broth, a breakfast burrito, a couple of gluten-free beers and a gluten-free macaroon. Galleria, 3510 W. 70th St.; 952.426.1856; Hours: 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 6 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 6 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun.
Singapore Street Noodles
PF Chang’s
The gluten-free menu options at PF Chang’s are so comprehensive that it’s a challenge to choose one specialty, but the simple nourishment of the street-fare-inspired Singapore Street Noodles ($10.95) make it a favorite across the board. They’re made with chicken, shrimp, rice noodles and a gluten-free curry sauce. Other top-rated dishes that can be done minus the gluten include the chicken lettuce wraps, a best-selling appetizer, and Chang’s spicy chicken and Mongolian beef entrees. There’s even an option for your sweet tooth, the flourless chocolate dome, along with gluten-free beers, vodkas and wines. Operating partner David Richoz has been amazed by the response to the restaurant’s efforts to accommodate gluten-free diets, saying that approximately 20 percent of the parties being served have a gluten-free diner among them. 2700 Southdale Center, 952.926.1713; Hours: 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–11:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun.
Mekong Encounter with Tofu
Rice Paper
At Rice Paper, many of the dishes are rice-based, so it isn’t too much of a stretch to offer a separate gluten-free menu (the same menu is also dairy-free). In the Mekong Encounter, tofu, snow peas, asparagus and sweet bell peppers are prepared in a slightly spicy Thai coconut-curry sauce with kaffir lime leaf, for a hearty dish that’s big on flavor ($17.95 with tofu, add $2.50 for shrimp). Receiving gluten-free requests at least once daily, owner An Nguyen is very respectful of the dietary need, and though a few items just cannot be modified (for example, the peanut sauce, which contains a small amount of wheat), she’ll do all she can, even to modify items that aren’t on the gluten-free menu. 3948 W. 50th St.; 952.288.2888; Hours: 11 a.m.–2 p.m., 5 p.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 4 p.m.–8 p.m. Sun.
Farmers Market Flatbread
Tavern on France
Even though you’ve gone off gluten, there’s no need to do without pizza. At Tavern on France, the Farmers Market flatbread ($8.50), offered with a gluten-free crust, is one you won’t want to miss. The flavors are uber-fresh, from tomatoes marinated in their homemade balsamic vinaigrette with garlic and basil, along with Portobello mushrooms, spinach, roasted red peppers and mozzarella cheese. All pizzas can be ordered with gluten-free crust and in that case, get cooked in a separate oven from the traditional wheat-crusted ones. Many burger options can also be requested gluten-free (and without a bun), like the “veg head” made with marinated, grilled Portobello mushroom. 6740 France Ave. S.; 952.358.6100; Hours: 11 a.m.–12 a.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11–1 a.m. Fri.–Sat., 10 a.m.–11 p.m. Sun.
Grilled Chicken Quesadillas
Good Earth
At Good Earth, the staff is happy to help you maneuver your way through the menu to find gluten-free substitutions. In the case of the grilled chicken quesadillas ($10.95), an all-corn tortilla can be substituted for the flour one, then filled with grilled chicken, Monterey jack and cheddar cheese, topped with shredded lettuce, diced chilies, sour cream and guacamole. The Good Earth huevos can also be made with a corn tortilla. Vegetable bean soup can be served without croutons. A wide variety of salads, like cashew chicken or almond tuna, are popular with gluten-free diners. “As gluten-free becomes a way of life for many people, Good Earth has become very sensitive to helping people find appropriate choices,” says Donna Fahs of Parasole Restaurant Holdings, Good Earth’s parent company. Galleria, 3510 W. 70th St.; 952.925.1001; Hours: 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun.
Bacon Double Cheeseburger (hold the bun)
Nothing but the buns at Five Guys contains gluten, according to general manager Kyle Stevens, making it an unexpectedly fine quick-food option when you’ve gone off gluten. If you order a burger without the bun, the cashier will ask if it’s because of a food allergy, and precautions like changing gloves will be taken in the kitchen. The bacon double cheeseburger ($5.79) is by far the most popular burger here, but the hot dogs, which include up to 15 free toppings, ranging from jalapenos to grilled mushrooms, are also gluten-free. Burgers can be ordered with one or two patties. Fries are also gluten-free. 3871 Gallagher Dr.; 952.893.5489; Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily
