If you’ve got Celiac disease or other gluten allergy, eating out can be risky.
You might try a dish that seems safe, and then suddenly your body will tell you otherwise. To help you out, we’ve compiled some North Shore dining establishments that offer a gluten-free gastronomic experience. Enjoy!
Francesca’s
Put pasta back in your food plan at Francesca’s, where you can dine on gluten-free linguine made from quinoa. They also have gluten-free desserts like semisweet-chocolate flourless cake or gelato, and chicken or seafood entrees that can be prepared gluten-free on request.
208 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, 847-394-3950
100 E. Station St., Barrington, 847-277-1027
293 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest
1145 Church St., Northbrook
Gluten Free Cookie Passion
Although not technically a restaurant, we couldn’t keep this one off the list. This gluten-free bakery offers a cornucopia of goodies like peanut butter oatmeal cookies, lemon spice pecan cookies, brownies, carrot cake and more. Many items are also dairy-free. There is no storefront, but you can pick up items at their bakery or order online.
26529 N. Hwy 83, Mundelein, 847-651-3550
Golden Chef Restaurant
Restaurants that serve a lot of rice – such as Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, or Indian – are fairly safe, as long as you stay away from regular soy sauce. At Golden Chef in Wheeling, however, you can request gluten-free soy sauce, plus their menu clearly labels gluten-free items.
600 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, 847-537-7100
Mitchell’s Fish Market
It’s easy to eat gluten-free at Mitchell’s, a seafood restaurant where almost all items can be simply prepared (without being breaded or fried), and come with potatoes, rice and fresh vegetables. Order the “Shanghai” style preparation, which comes with a rice wine soy sauce. There’s also a separate menu for gluten-free diners as well.
2601 Navy Blvd., Glenview, 847-729-3663
My Pie Pizza
Treat yourself to an individual 8-inch gluten-free pizza, with a crust made out of brown rice flour, at this restaurant across from the Northbrook train station. They also have rice pasta that can be substituted for any regular pasta item.
1361 Shermer Rd., Northbrook, 847-715-9009
Nirvana Wine Bar and Grillerie
This sleek, urban restaurant offers a wide range of gluten-free options, all designated with GFA on the menu. Some of the highlights include Chilean sea bass, chicken tikka kabobs and tilapia with pineapple mango salsa.
701 N Milwaukee Ave. #280, Vernon Hills, 847-918-7828
Rose’s Wheat Free Bakery
This all gluten-free bakery has everything from gluten-free brownies to cookies, breads, pizza crusts and more. Plus, the café offers sandwiches on their signature French bread rolls, as well as pizzas, salads, quiches and more. They even have a kids menu.
2901 Central St., Evanston, 847-859-2723
Walker Brothers
Oh heaven! Pancakes! Yes, the famous Walker Brothers has developed a special gluten-free pancake, giving you a great reason to wake up early on Sunday mornings again.
825 Dundee Rd., Arlington Heights, 847-392-6600
1615 Waukegan Rd., Glenview, 847-724-0220
620 Central Ave., Highland Park, 847-432-0660
200 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire, 847-634-2220
153 Green Bay Rd., Wilmette, 847-251-6000
