Restaurants with good gluten-free options?
One of the things that's remarkable to us is that many places seem to have at least some gluten-free options now, and many spots work GF items into their menus as a matter of course. This cookie was part of the lunch from the from the Peck's Arcade Alleycarte pop-up in Troy -- it was gluten free. And as Peck's pastry chef Greg Kern notes in the comments, their entire dessert menu has been gluten free for the past year and a half. / photo: Steve Noisseau
Kara emails:
I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease a few months ago, and was wondering if you can solicit recommendations from your readers on area restaurants that are good for someone who has to follow a gluten free diet. I know you did this in 2011, but I'm hoping there are more places to add to the list at this point!
I have been to the New World Bistro Bar and El Loco so far and had great experiences at both. I'm especially interested in places that understand Celiac Disease and how to avoid cross contamination- that is really important but isn't always obvious from seeing a menu or website that has gluten free items listed (and may not be a concern for people who are following a gf diet for reasons other than Celiac). Thank you!!
As Kara mentions, this question has come up before -- and we even turned the suggestions into a map/listing. But that was five years ago, and things change. (Looking at that old listing, some of those places are no longer in business.)
So, got suggestions for Kara? Please share! And a sentence or two about why you're suggesting a place can be very helpful.
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Comments
Hey Kara! I also have to watch for gluten (and am a local dietitian/blogger) while dining out but Albany has some great places, have no fear! To name a few: City Line Bar & Grill (they have zucchini noodles!), Umana Restaurant and Wine Bar, Iron Gate Cafe, Cafe Madison, and The Ginger Man. El Mariachi is another one of my favorite Mexican restaurants with corn tortillas :)
As noted in the other article, The Point, Dino BBQ and Wheatfield's are all great choices too!
And if you have a sweet tooth, Different Blend Bakery off of Carman road in Schenectady/Guilderland is a designated gluten free bakery and Jess the owner has Celiac and is all kinds of awesome!
Hope that helps!
... said Laura on Aug 30, 2016 at 2:54 PM | link
my entire dessert menu at pecks arcade has been gluten free for close to a year and a half now.
... said Gregory Kern on Aug 30, 2016 at 4:12 PM | link
I should specify - I am referring to my dessert & mignardises menu. That being said - we are not a gluten free kitchen - so cross contamination with wheat is always a possibility.
... said Gregory Kern on Aug 30, 2016 at 4:31 PM | link
Beirut in Troy has an decent Gluten-Free menu & lots of vegan options.
... said Katie on Aug 30, 2016 at 4:36 PM | link
O'toole's in Colonie is really great with gluten free options! They even have a separate fryer if you want some fries :)
... said Katie on Aug 30, 2016 at 4:48 PM | link
I was going to mention Greg K's pastries at Pecks and little pecks. The signs keep saying things like his brownies and cookies are gluten free. But then I eat them, and I think that it's impossible something this good could be GF.
Besides, I never want to tell people these treats are GF, because gluten free food is typically worse than its gluten-full counterparts. However, even my kids though the brownie was one of the best they had ever eaten. And they eat gluten all the time.
I don't know what Greg is doing, or how he's doing it. All I know is that it's great.
... said Daniel B. on Aug 31, 2016 at 12:38 AM | link
Hi Kara!!
I've been gf for 3 years now, I'm super sensitive to cross contamination so I have to be extremely careful. Here are some of my favorites to get you going.
Ama Cocina: Albany
Honestly ask to sit in Matt's section because he will make sure your meal is safe. We go there almost weekly, the tacos, street fries, street corn, margaritas, pop corn & guac is all fantastic.
Sunhee's Farm & Kitchen: Troy
Authentic Korean food, get the Bimbimbop with Sunny Side egg, let them know you are gluten free & they will make sure you have gf chili sauce & they even have a gf soy sauce (The owner Jinah & her family are wonderful)
Muddaddy Flats: Troy
Just about everything on the menu is gf, they recently added a few new flavors in gf tortillas and they are great. But most importantly they understand cross contamination & have a separate grill/utensils to keep you safe. We actually ate there last night, their ice cream is gf also.
Five Guys: any location
Though they don't have gf buns they will "wrap" your burger in lettuce, their fryer is gf so you can still get the fries. We usually get our food to go and reheat it at home where we have Udi's rolls on hand
Different Blend Bakery is amazing, little far for us so when we go we stock up! We've gotten quite a few cakes, the breadcrumbs are a must & make sure you get an ice cream sandwich, oh and a poptart & the cinnamon buns.
Oh Corn: Clifton Park/Halfmoon
This place is also really great, whole menu is gf. It's authentic Venezuelan, try everything :)
... said Jamie on Aug 31, 2016 at 9:23 AM | link
Check out the FindMeGF app for smartphones and read the reviews. I try to review every place I've dined at.
... said Laci on Aug 31, 2016 at 10:57 AM | link
Being a family that is GF most restaurants in the area are very accommodating with having a GF bread or GF pasta substitute:
E.L. Cibo's, Johnny's these are good places that will just use a GF pasta. (Schenectady)
Druther's has GF bread and everywhere has nine pin cider instead of wheat beers.
Next Door Kitchen and Bar has a lot of GF apps and entrees. (Ballston Spa)
Iron Roost has GF waffles. B Spa.
The Capital Region is great. We travel a lot. The south and other areas aren't so accommodating.
... said Amelia on Aug 31, 2016 at 11:30 AM | link
Dolce & Biscotti - amazing Italian bakery in Clifton Park. Just ask the person behind the counter which items are gluten free, & they'll point it all out. Amazing stuff! (Paleo options as well.)
Mexican Radio in Schenectady also has plenty of Gluten free options.
... said Anonymous on Aug 31, 2016 at 10:21 PM | link
Whistling Kettle in Troy and Ballston Spa has a whole GF menu. So does the Circus Cafe in Saratoga
... said Jessica RW on Sep 1, 2016 at 9:34 AM | link
Great list! I am gluten intolerant and I go to many of these places. The only thing I would add are a few pizza options:
Crispy Basil on Western in Guilderland.
Blaze in Stuyvesant Plaza.
Noho on Lark (not my favorite, but it's there).
Of course, cross contamination is a possibility, so depends on the degree of your sensitivity.
I also recommend Sweet Basil (Thai) on Delaware.
And if you're in the mood for a gluten free beer that tastes like actual beer, Madison Pour House has bottles of Omission Lager and Pale Ale.
... said Joanna on Sep 3, 2016 at 7:53 PM | link