I'm newly gluten free and trying to navigate restaurants in Chicago. I've been kind of paranoid of eating out since my diagnosis. I live downtown, and work in the medical district. We usually order food for dinner when we are on call...and I was curious if anyone knows of places in that area that deliver and have had good success with. I've ordered from Ben Pao...but so far that's it. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!
Rachel

Used to go to the Whole Foods on Division St. ( I think). Don't know if there is a Bonefish downtown but it's great place with a gluten-free menu.
ken


think

Hi Rachel!

Welcome to the Board. I am not from Chicago but I wanted to say hi anyway

Yup Rachel,
There is a whole foods down town where you can always pick up something. I go to whole foods often even though the price is kinda high.

I order salads everywhere I go and most restaurants will accomodate a slightly different diet. I will ask for extra tomatoes and onions if I don't get the cheese or the croutons, etc.

I look at their entres and see what veggies they have and usually order some steamed or grilled veggies without any sauce. I bring my own home made dressing or in a pinch buy some at WFs.

If you are really hungry a baked potato with salsa is really good. Bring your own if you need one that does not have sugar in it. There are quite a few now that do not have sugar in them.

I hope this helps a bit.

ML

Thanks for the advice! I love Whole foods- eventhough it is expensive...but it has been great, especially when you are new to everything. It made me feel better initially going there and knowing there was plenty I could eat.


I'm thinking salads may be the way to go...i just know I'm going to get so sick of that. We order delivery so much in the evenings at work...and I'm kind of worried the delivery might be worse than if you were there in person to ask/make sure things are not contaminated. Right now I'm bringing two meals to work when I have to be there for both, but it isn't that easy.

I guess it will be a learning process. Thanks again.


Rachel

I usually do salads when I am out unless it is like Outback or somewhere which has a gluten free menu.

Hi Rachel,

I was in downtown Chicago over the holidays and hate to say that I had a very difficult time eating at the lunch hour with something healthy and quick. I didn't eat out much at dinner and didn't do any delivery but had more success with a full restaurant than with a "fast food" or sandwich place (trusted nothing at all at Food Life in WaterTowerPlace looking at the preparation). It is very important, however, that you always specify to the food server that you have celiac disease or if they cannot understand what that is/means even with your explanation you might just want to say allergy which is more commonly understood.

I noted that in many salad prep lines the items are already prepared and in bins. The line cooks just grab a handful from each bin to compose the salad (wearing gloves). You are at a risk of cross-contamination if they have the practice of using the same gloved hand for the croutons that goes back in to lettuce bin for the next customer. You should always ask.

Somewhere on this forum there was a post of Chicago-area celiac disease friendly restaurants but they were mostly on the North side.

Best -

Amelia