Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Gluten Free in the OC

I'm spending a few days in Orange County.  These are some reminders for myself of gluten free places I should check out or perhaps avoid.

Check Out.
Paul Martin's American Bistro- in Irvine Spectrum. Looks good but rather pricey. 
Original Pancake House - Orange and Anaheim locations only.  Gluten free pancakes, waffles, crepes, and soon french toast.  Not sure if they cross contaminate with cooking surface. Ask first.
Pei Wei Asian Diner - GF menu here.  I'm excited about the GF sweet and sour chicken.  1302 Bison Avenue, Newport Beach, CA. (near MacArthur and the 73).  
Also in Terminal C of John Wayne airport (now with limited GF options at airport as of 8/21/2013)
Sensitive Sweets Bakery - in Fountain Valley. Looks like babycakes (see my GF in New York postings), but with more muffins.  Custom cakes are a small fortune, but the rest seems reasonable (for GF).  Closed Sunday and Monday.
118 Degrees - Raw food place in the Camp in Costa Mesa. Folks claim lost of GF stuff (including beer, brownies, pizza...) but their website is less than revealing. They mention wheat free. Make sure they know that some things not called wheat also contain gluten.
Z'Tejas - in South Coast Plaza mall. Menu here, separate GF menu at store.
Taco Mesa - gf options delineated on the menu above the counter.  Hole in the wall vibe with modest prices.  $1.25 tacos on tuesdays. Four locations.
Rutabegorz - Fullerton, Orange, Tustin. Word on the theoretical street is that they have a separate GF menu upon request. Not sure, so don't go there when starving.  Or, call the location ahead of your visit.
Stonefire Grill - Irvine and Fountain Valley locations.   GF options listed here.  They have a lot of CYA language which makes me sketchy.

Don't forget to check out my previous posts about Orange County for other options.
        example: Newport Rib Company, BJ's, Red Brick Pizza, Chipotle, PF Changs, Outback,





Avoid
Z Pizza - I have asked at different locations. All locations have admitted openly that they "like, totally, cross-contaminate."  Good to know. Too bad they can't take some steps to prevent that.  They use same utensils, sauces, pans, etc.  I wish there was a Garlic Jim's in the Newport Beach area (Garlic Jim's is my GF pizza of choice...haven't written them up yet as I was waiting for a place with tables....I digress.)