Chipotle

Sometimes you make dinner plans. Then sometimes when you're on the way to the restaurant, burritos pop into your cute friend's brain and the next thing you know, you're headed to a different restaurant.

Restaurant spontaneity can be scary if you have celiac disease. The unknown! Quick, do a google search! Typically scenarios like that end up with a sad, overpriced salad in exchange for good company, which is not terrible because at least I don't get sick.

However this time, the new route led us to Chipotle. Thankfully, they've got an easy, mobile-friendly allergen menu, which I was able to quickly pull up on my phone and order WITHOUT holding up the line. Sweet.

So I happily enjoyed my bowl (with guac, duh), and suffered no ill-effects from the spontaneous restaurant choice. Gotta love that.

True Food Kitchen, Austin

You know how I keep mentioning how awesome Austin is for gluten free noms?

Well I've got another one for ya. True Food Kitchen.

In addition to the fantastic weather on the patio and custom mimosas, the menu was very clearly marked with several gluten free options. Which always makes my little heart sing, mimosas or not.

I had the inside out quinoa burger with a side of kale salad, planning to eat half and take the rest home for late-night post-bar noms.

Yeah, that didn't happen. The darn thing was SO GOOD. I kept eating and the next thing I knew, I was staring at quinoa crumbs.

No regrets.

Wildwood Bakehouse

My recent travel adventures have taken me to Austin, which is about the gluten-friendliest place I've ever been. Not only do waiters know what you're talking about when you say the words, "gluten free," but there are several restaurants that are ENTIRELY gluten free.

Like Wildwood Bakehouse, a cute little COMPLETELY GLUTEN FREE restaurant with an impressive menu.

I was particularly thrilled to see plain old chicken tenders on the menu, because I haven't had anything breaded and fried in years! Which is probably a good thing.

My pretty sister, who suggested the place, ordered a pasta dish (which I got to TRY) and it was good. My breaded and fried chicken tenders with fries were crispy and tasty and excellent.

Of course, when I find a gluten free bakery, I get some desserts to go.

I wish I could say that I froze them or shared them, but I ate them all. No regrets.

gluten free musings

It's always been hard to safely eat at restaurants. But lately, I think it's gotten harder.

I think it's due to the whole "gluten free" movement and many restaurants now offer "gluten-friendly" dishes with a big fat disclaimer about how you should only eat them if you're gluten intolerant and they're not meant for those with Celiac disease.

Gee, thanks.

Eating gluten free has become a fad. In the past, you'd utter the word gluten and no one knew what you were talking about. Now, everyone knows that word, but few fully understand what it means.

Many restaurants now offer a gluten free menu but take zero precautions to avoid cross contamination in the kitchen.

I can't tell you how many times I've been excited to see "gluten free" on a menu and gotten sick because of that.

As a result, I'm skeptical of all gluten free claims. Yes, gluten free is everywhere but it's frequently not safe for celiacs.

For now, I'm avoiding all restaurants unless it's a 100% gluten free kitchen, because I'm tired of getting sick after ordering off of the "gluten free" menu.

Even if they say they take measures to prevent contamination, you never really know what goes on in the kitchen. All it takes is one tiny mistake to contaminate something.

It's not worth it.

Just another wave in Celiac adventures!