Recently Chicago Magazine released a list of restaurants that can accommodate a gluten-free diet. Obviously this is terrific for those who live in Chicago but also for everyone who travels there—now, if only one of these places were located in O’Hare.
I have a few places to add to their list:
Frontera Grill is an amazing restaurant that serves traditional Mexican food with a twist. There were several menu items that I could have, including the fabulous guacamole. Their margarita list is quite extensive, and the drinks are delicious. Our meal was completely amazing, and I didn’t even have to alter my entrée—it was naturally gluten-free and the best thing on the menu. You might recognize the name if you’ve tried Frontera salsa, which is absolutely amazing and also gluten free. Both the restaurant and the salsa are the creation of Chef Rick Bayless.
Lou Malnati’s offers terrific gluten-free pizza. It must be supremely unhealthy because the “crustless” gluten-free pizza substitutes sausage for traditional pizza crust. Thus, it is both gluten free and very meaty. I have to admit that it was nice to be able to order pizza with friends, though. And it maintains the wonderful flavor and texture of Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Yum!
Bistro 110, as reviewed previously, provides delicious French food and many gluten-free options upon request.
We also had terrific luck eating at the Garden Restaurant in the Art Institute of Chicago. Sadly, the restaurant is now closed, but I imagine that the new restaurant, Terza Piano, located in the new modern wing would also accommodate a gluten-free diet. However, I recommend that you call ahead to confirm.
Of the restaurants on the list that I have tried, here are my personal favorites:
Wildfire has the best (ok, the only) gluten-free hamburger on a gluten-free bun that I have ever eaten in a restaurant. It came with a side of cheesy, scalloped potatoes, and it was heaven! I couldn’t stop raving to the poor waitress, who probably thought I was totally nuts, but it really was incredible. For dessert, we had gluten-free chocolate cake, which was also totally fantastic. The service was also great and so was the atmosphere. This is one of my favorite restaurants ever! I don’t have anything bad to say about it. You must go if you haven’t been there yet.
P.F. Chang’s, as reviewed previously, is a fantastic Chinese restaurant chain.
Pizza Fusion, as menioned previously, is a terrific, earthy friendly and organic pizza chain. Their salads are also very good, and they have an extensive list of organic, gluten-free wines and beer. The food is delicious, and it smells exactly like my favorite pizza place when I was growing up. I especially love this company because it is socially responsible, all of the ingredients are organic, and they have a killer gluten-free brownie.
One last thing: Beware–Uno Chicago Grill is listed as accommodating a gluten-free diet. However, what Chicago Magazine doesn’t tell you is that neither of the downtown locations (Pizzaria Uno nor Pizzaria Due) provides any gluten-free menu items. So, you have to go out to the suburbs to get the gluten-free menu, which includes gluten-free pizza…
Credit: doug.siefken
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Actually Uno’s Chicago Grill and Pizzaria Uno are totally unrelated companies. Ran into this problem myself hunting for pizza downtown once. Uno’s Chicago Grill has an incredibly well-trained staff and an extensive menu. Pizzaria Uno has good, non-commericial tasting, gluten-full deep dish pizza. Sad thing that the gluten-intolerance means eating only at big chains, but oh well.
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