Gluten-Free in the Loop...for lunch?

Try this one on for size...

I am going out to eat with a former boss of mine on Friday and she works in the loop. Last time we were talking, she mentioned she is on a new diet where she avoids gluten and dairy...I guess they don't agree with her.

Is there anyplace within walking distance to Michigan and Randolph that might be able to accommodate her? Maybe not 100%, but at least give a nod to her way of eating and make finding something satisfactory a little easier.

I tried the search function with various combination of "loop", "gluten", and the like with no luck...

I will be VERY impressed with any responses I get.


Thanks!

Just spent a week with a gluten-free relative...she had an easy time at Asian & Mexican restaurants. Can't recommend one in that area, just an observation about GF dining.

Not a specific rec, but - sushi? Most places will have wheat-free Tamari. My FIL has celiac's and tuna sashimi is a stand-by for him. Dairy-free too!

Good Luck - Lynn

I eat gluten free in the loop every day. It's not difficult. I just don't order any bread (i.e., I eat a lot of meat augmented salads). I don't have specific recommendations as this can be done with ease in any restaurant with halfway decent service.

Example: go to a steakhouse and tell the waiter not to bring any bread. Don't get creamed sides.

I'll caveat that I do not have celiac disease and won't be in pain if I ingest SOME gluten; I avoid it because I believe grains are not meant for human consumption. My comments were grounded in the assumption your boss is also not celiac.

No, I don't believe she is...it came off as more of a lifestyle choice.

I guess I didn't realize how easy it could be to find some decent choices for lunch. Not having that limitation on what I can eat, I wanted to be understanding and make sure we went somewhere that suited her (I will eat pretty much whatever) but, now I am sure we can find an easy middle ground.

I WAS wanting to go to Cafecito...but I KNOW that isn't going to work.....

I believe Ben Pao on Illinois & Dearborn has a gluten-free menu.

skyblue23 wrote:I believe Ben Pao on Illinois & Dearborn has a gluten-free menu.

This is true...our celiac-having friend keeps Ben Pao in mind for when she's tired of Zocalo, another place that is very understanding of gluten restrictions.

I agree with the steakhouse idea. I'm going to Rosebud Prime today to have the steak salad. I'm sure the Gage or Tavern on the Park, Park Grill has a fresh fish with veg or a salad with protein on it.

More about gluten-free in the loop:

Most of the Rosebud restaurants keep gluten-free pastas on-hand as well as Trattoria 10 (the Francesca's restaurants do too). They all suggest you call ahead to make sure they have it available.

It is pleasantly surprising how many more restaurants can now accommodate a gluten-free diner than a few years ago. Most restaurants suggest you call ahead to make a reservation and give the kitchen a heads up. Sometimes this doesn't do much, but often the server/manager will have checked with the kitchen as to which items may be easily prepared gluten-free.

Many restaurants have a dedicated gluten-free menu - and more seem to be developing one each week.

Some of our choices for easy gluten-free dining: vinci, adobo, wildfire, pf chang's, most leye restaurants, ina's, trattoria 10, rosebuds, francesca's, the list goes on.... We now call ahead anywhere we'd like to go and ask if they can accommodate a gluten-free/celiac diner. Surprisingly, these days, the answer is much more often "yes" than "what's that?"

If you're looking for more of a quick option, the Sopraffina in the concourse of the Aon center has plenty of gluten free options. Quite a few salads to choose from, along with their "antipasto" counter, which features 12 or so non-lettuce based salads (think chicken salad, tuna salad, cucumber-feta, quinoa, bean salad, etc).

I was just going to recommend Sopraffina's - I have celiac, and that's one of the very few quick service places in the Loop that I trust. BUT, you do have to ask for clean utensils for the individually tossed salads, and ask them to put on clean gloves, as they can be contaminated by croutons. But if your friend isn't actually celiac, it'll be fine. I've also had wonderful salads at Pastoral on Lake - not much room for seating, but very tasty.

Reviving an old thread with the hope that folks have more places to recommend.

I wanted to mention Mista Pizza, on LaSalle between Washington and Randolph. Gluten free organic vegetable lasagna (they use thin slices of eggplant in place of pasta--side of meatballs is available, though not sure on their GF status) as well as gluten free wraps and pizza. I have had them all (recently started working nearby) and am so happy this place is there. The pizza and wraps are made using the same tortilla-like-item, but it works in the case of the pizza. I think their regular pizzas are cracker crust, and the GF pizza is credible in that context. It suffers a bit from traveling, especially if you get one of the regular cheese and sauce pizzas (which are a steal at about $6 for a 10"). I believe there are more locations, though I wouldn't characterize this exactly as GF destination dining. But absolutely worth a few (or more) block walk for lunch given the dearth of GF options downtown.

Mista Pizza
134 N. LaSalle in the Loop
312/368-3000

DClose wrote:I WAS wanting to go to Cafecito...but I KNOW that isn't going to work.....

Cafecito has salad options as well as daily plate lunches (breadless entree versions of selected sandwiches served with plantains, black beans and rice).