Brunching in Dallas: Top 3 Gluten Free Spots

In Dallas, brunching could be considered a sport.  The tradition of weekend brunch is sacred in this city, but can you blame us? Bottomless mimosas, great friends and a plate of gluten free goodness is all you need to start your weekend off right. 

Gluten Free Eggs Benedict

Brunch is the easiest meal in my opinion for Celiacs.  Why, you ask?  Well, most restaurants offer plenty of egg options and the only problem you have to worry about is whether they share the same cooking surface as other glutened items.  Potatoes are also a good bet typically (as long as they're not fried) and Dallas happens to have plenty of brunch spots that offer gluten free menus.

I've been to quite a few places in my past 2 years of Dallas living, but for now I'll share my top 3 gluten free brunch locations.


Company Cafe- Deserving of a restaurant review by itself, this gluten-free focused restaurant is a Celiac's dream.  Company Cafe has 2 locations in the Dallas area and offers everything you've missed from being tied to a gluten free.  Brunch items include scrambles, huevos rancheros, french toast, pancakes, biscuits and gravy and my personal favorite: applewood smoked bacon and jalapeno stuffed pancakes topped with fried chicken and real maple syrup.  (Pause for dramatic effect).  Yes, it's just as amazing as it sounds too. The restaurant serves up locally farmed food that’s all organic and yes, everything can be made gluten free. Check out the deserts too, they offer a plethora of decadent gluten free cakes.

Panna Cotta at the Mansion on Turtle Creek

Kozy kitchen- Similar to Company Cafe in that they can make everything on the menu gluten free, but different in the atmosphere and history.  Kozy Kitchen was the original gluten-free restaurant in Dallas and offers a much simpler, dare I say it, cozy, atmosphere. For brunch, the restaurant offers the typical breakfast classics with a gourmet spin. I've tried both the Migas and gluten free stuffed french toast and let me just say, that french toast was lethal (in a good way). Other items include pancakes, french toast, steak omelets, their famous hangover helper and various egg dishes featuring their grass-fed beef, buffalo and other game meats. Kozy Kitchen also offers a variety of gluten free desserts, the most infamous of which is the OMG cake.  Lastly, I should warn you that this restaurant is BYOB.  So if you want to brunch the right way, don't forget the champagne!

Brunch Desert: Creme Brulee

Mansion on Turtle Creek- While not realistic for a casual weekend brunch, TravelZoo occasionally offers brunch deals that make the meal much more affordable.  For about $65 total, a friend and I enjoy a full 3 course brunch in the gorgeous Mansion. To start I had a lovely panna cotta topped with mixed berries. For my main dish I ordered a gluten free Eggs Benedict (yes, they have gluten free english muffins) accompanied with a savory potato pancake and sauteed asparagus.  Because the restaurant keeps gluten free items on hand, they can pretty much alter anything on the menu to be gluten free.  For the third and final course the restaurant offered coffee and a variety of gourmet desserts, displayed in a buffet-style setting. The crème brulee and various chocolate truffles, as I was told, are all gluten free.

Gluten Free Restaurant Review: Kenny's Italian Kitchen in Addison Tx

When eating out, there’s a moment that will make even the seasoned Celiac feel a twinge of envy.  Yes, I’m talking about the moment the hot communal bread is set on the table.  I remember being a newly diagnosed Celiac and finding this to be one of the toughest challenges to overcome. Hey! It’s tough being hungry and watching your friends devour a delicious loaf of steaming hot bread!  Who wouldn’t be a bit jealous? But more on that later.

One afternoon we were celebrating a coworker’s birthday and found ourselves at a quaint Italian restaurant down the street called Kenny’s Italian Kitchen.  Being a Celiac, I figured I’d order a salad and then snack on chips or something once we got back to the office.  Not a big deal, we were celebrating a birthday after all!

Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan

When we sat down I was surprised to see the restaurant offered gluten free pasta and our waiter was extremely helpful. Once I put in my order for gluten free pasta, the waiter promptly brought out a steaming loaf of gluten free French bread.  That’s right, gluten free French bread.  I think I left my body for a few seconds I was so overjoyed and excited.  This bread was out of this world too.  Crispy on the outside, steaming hot on the inside with an incredibly light and fluffy texture.  I have no shame in admitting I ate the whole thing.  When lunch was over, I asked for a to go box for the remaining pasta and they included a new loaf of gluten free bread for me to take home!  To make matters even better, they didn’t even charge extra for the gluten free bread or pasta!! We had found a gem for sure.

I went back a few weeks later looking for a carb fix and hoping to see what else they could make gluten free.  After some convincing from the waiter, I decided to try the chicken parmesan (gluten free) over gluten free pasta with vodka sauce.  While the breadcrumbs did taste a bit different, the meal was decadent and something I don’t think I’d had since being diagnosed 5 years ago! And of course, it was accompanied by an amazing loaf of gluten free bread.

If you’re in the area, I strongly suggest paying Kenny’s a visit.  Not only do they carry gluten free pasta, but they can make their Italian sandwiches gluten free, fry anything on the menu to be gluten free (think chicken parmesan) and will top off your gluten free dining experience with a fabulous gluten free chocolate mousse.  Okay, so what could be better?  Well, you may want to sit down for this one.  The restaurant will actually prepare gluten free lasagna, made from scratch, if you call at least a day ahead of time.  What could possibly be better?!

The restaurant pride’s itself on serving the best gluten free products around, and those products happen to come from a local bakery in Carrollton.  I’ve also been reassured that the kitchen does an excellent job of keeping gluten free foods separate at all times to avoid cross contamination.  So feel comfortable and taken care of when visiting Kenny’s.  I am still impressed with the food, service, and care when it comes to gluten free dining and will be back many times. This is definitely a ‘must’ for Celiacs living in the DFW area.

Gluten Free Bread at Kenny's Italian

Gluten Free Pasta with Vodka Sauce

Dallas Love Field Gluten Free

Dallas Love Field happens to be my favorite airport.  Why you ask? Well, I live just a few miles away, it’s a small airport that’s never crowded or stressful and they’ve recently undergone a major renovation.

Luckily, the renovation included a restaurant revamp and there are some great gluten free options.  Next time you find yourself in the DAL airport with an unexpected delay, don’t worry ‘bout it!  Below is a list of restaurants that offer gluten free items. To view each restaurant's allergen list, simply click the links!

Cru Wine Bar – While expensive, Cru is able to adjust most of their entrees to be gluten free. You’ll find a variety of cheese plates, charcuterie boards, salads, filets, seafood and wine flights for those looking to take the edge off.

Sky Canyon – I never found the restaurant while in the airport, but I know it’s got to be great!  It’s the newest Stephan Pyles restaurant and offers a variety of Tex-Mex dishes, brisket, Southern cooking and a moderately priced brunch menu.  I’ve heard great things about this restaurant and that the staff is extremely helpful and accommodating.

Moe’s Southwest Grill – Opt for a bowl or salad for a quick meal in the Dallas Love airport.  As their allergen menu states, all of their meats, beans and condiments are gluten free.  Beware of the crispy corn taco shells and Southwestern Chili though as these are not gluten free.

Dickey’s BBQ Pit- All of their meats are gluten free along with most of their sides.  Go for the beans, coleslaw, dill potato salad, mustard potato salad, green beans with bacon or baked potato casserole, as they all are gluten free.  Meat plates are served with a slice of bread, so make sure to notify them beforehand.

Cantina Laredo- Find a variety of gluten free Tex-Mex dishes noted by a gray triangle on each menu.  Options include guacamole, queso, salads, and chicken fajitas (the beef is not gluten free). 

Gluten Free in Florida: Destin, Rosemary Beach & Aly's Beach

The family in Destin

I don’t think there’s anything more relaxing than a day spent at the beach.  What more could you want than a good book, margarita and the sound of the Ocean? Summer trips to Florida became a tradition for my family before I was born. Each year we stay in the same quaint neighborhood and visit the same restaurants and shops.  In fact, I feel like I grew up at Miss Lucille’s Gossip Parlor.  When I was younger I’d beg my parents to take me for ice cream. During middle school I’d walk over to get on AIM and now I reminisce over coffee. This year was an extra special vacation because for the first time in 6 years, all 6 of us were able to make it to Florida together.  It gets tough aligning 6 schedules nowadays! 

Rosemary Beach

While my parents are now excellent gluten free cooks, I was shocked at the cuisine my brother, Jeff, whipped up while on the trip.  For starters he made gluten free blackened tilapia tacos with a homemade mango pico, cilantro lime rice and black beans. Then on our last night he concocted a gluten free coconut/blue corn fried shrimp with a mint-cilantro yogurt sauce.  Guys, I’m telling you, it was all out of this world (which means a lot because I tend to be picky with food).  If you’re single and in Nashville, you should definitely think about meeting this guy. (Shameless proud sister plug over) While Jeff cooked some spectacular meals, we also explored a few local restaurants. 

Because you’re on the coast, delicious seafood is readily available everywhere and is always an easy gluten free option.  Seafood not your thing?  No problem, from what I’ve found, the area is really accommodating.

 Since being diagnosed with Celiac Disease I’ve eaten at a few restaurants in the area.  Here’s a short recap of my favorites:

Rosemary Beach

Bud & Alley’s- Named after two beloved dogs, this restaurant is located in idyllic SeaSide, in the center of great shopping and across the street form the famous Modica Market. Call a few days in advance to make reservations as they fill up very quickly.  The dining room has a country feel to it and the atmosphere changes with the sunset.  The menu focuses on seafood but does offer a filet and chicken dish. The most exciting part about the menu is that all their gluten free items are marked!  Beware though, we ordered the oysters because they were marked gluten free but we came to find out that it wasn’t a naturally prepared gluten free dish.  Make sure to notify your server so that the chef can prepare these items to be gluten free. For dinner I had the grilled grouper with butter peas, herbed basmati rice and lemon aioli. Their salads looked fantastic but were a bit on the large side and could easily feed 2. For dessert their gluten free option is a chocolate paté that was absolutely to die for!

Bud and Alley’s also own a pizza parlor and taco shack.  I’m not sure if these offer gluten free options and are a bit more casual but may be worth looking into if you’re wanting a quick bite.

Fire- located behind Miss Lucille’s Gossip Parlor and around the corner from some fabulous local art exhibits and shops is this cute restaurant.  While there wasn’t a dedicated gluten free menu, the chef was very comfortable altering dishes to fit my needs.  I ended up having the Red Snapper with a sunflower seed crust, rice and pasta caviar, tomatillo peppadew relish and sriracha remoulade sauce.  Everything was adjusted to be gluten free and it was out of this world!

My friends enjoying George's at Aly's Beach

George’s At Aly’s Beach – This cute restaurant with a quirky frog theme is located off Highway 30-A and provides some amazing dishes.  They don’t take reservations and told me your best bet at getting a table without a wait would be to arrive no later than 5:15 (also, they’re closed on Sunday).  I ate the jerk crusted gulf snapper with black rice, roasted plantains, pineapple salsa and coconut cream. Yum, just typing that makes me want to make a trip back!  Their menu does have gluten free options listed, but the chef was able to alter this dish so that it could be gluten free.  Again, everyone seemed happy to accommodate my allergy and I greatly appreciate it!

Goatfeathers - While many people venture over here for fresh fish, it also doubles as a restaurant. The atmosphere isn’t what you’d expect for the quality of food they serve, but I don’t think you’ll find fresher fish anywhere in the area. Their menu is based mainly around seafood but there are other options available.  The waiter was extremely nice and told me anything on the menu could be altered to be gluten free.

Destin Sunset

Miss Lucille’s Gossip Parlor-When looking for quirky coffee and ice cream shops, this place is a ‘must!’ While they don’t offer gluten free food per say, they do offer a variety of ice creams, snow cones and coffee drinks.  This gossip parlor is a ton of fun and I highly recommend visiting if in the area. The parlor is located across the street form the public beach and hosts a variety of shops and local artists behind the shop.  It’s a great way to spend the afternoon if you find yourself in the area!

Gluten Free in Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Dawn from 30,000 feet

When you’ve got Celiac Disease, airports can be your worst nightmare.  Short trips are fine because you can plan ahead and can avoid airport food, but long trips, or unexpected long trips, can really become trouble for us.  I don’t know about you, but the additional stress of knowing I don’t have another option and will stuck in public if I start feeling bad is incredibly stressful.  Hopefully within the next few years airports will start becoming a little more allergy friendly, but for now I hope my experiences will make traveling a bit easier for you.

I’ve been to the Houston Hobby airport many times.  I live in Dallas and frequently fly out of Love Field, which pretty much guarantees a connection through Hobby when traveling anywhere in the South.  This summer I met my family in Destin for a few days and got to spend a few hours wandering around the airport.

3rd Bar Oyster & Eating House in IAH

I left Dallas at 5:45am and arrived in Houston in time for a really early brunch.  I was really surprised at the swanky, chic and relaxing ambience of 3^rd Bar Oyster & Eating House.  I chose a secluded and comfortable booth towards the back of the restaurant and totally plugged into the jazz music playing overhead.  With a mimosa in hand (an expensive mimosa, mind you) I knew I had chosen the perfect place to start my trip.  The waitress was extremely helpful and directed me towards their omelet, hashbrowns and bacon.  Their breakfast potatoes are made with corn starch and are sautéed instead of fried-great news for a Celiac!  The meal was great and I’d highly recommend it.  Their lunch and dinner menu seemed to rival any nice restaurant you’d find in the city, but it did seem a bit expensive.  So if you’re traveling with a family, this may not be the place for you.

Brunch at IAH Airport

On my way home, my flight from Destin was delayed which in turn cased me to miss my connecting flight.  Always a fun afternoon, right? Luckily, it only extended my time in Houston by about 2 hours, so I wandered around again and chose to sit down at the airport Chili’s.  My waiter was not very helpful and told me that the airport Chili’s get their supplies differently than the chains do; leading me to doubt if the Chili’s gluten free menu would hold up in the airport.  After many questions, I had clearly exhausted my waiter but felt comfortable enough ordering the Caribbean salad.  I was hoping for some type of carb (in the form of French fries or mashed potatoes) but he told me those were probably not safe.  The salad came in a very small portion, but was able to hold me over until I got home.  Airport Chili’s aren’t always the best, but with some questioning, you can usually find something to eat.

A few other options I found while perusing the airport’s website include:

Barcuterie- If you bring your own crackers or are in the mood for a good cheese platter, this seems like a great option.

Camden Food Co – Looks like a great place to grab a salad, omelets and the like.  Their website says that they offer gluten-free fare, so this definitely is worth a try!

Cat Cora’s Kitchen- Okay, if I had known this existed, I would have never eaten at Chili’s during my unexpected layover.  While the airport restaurant does not have a website, nor does she have a gluten free menu, I’m sure you’d be able to find something delicious and free of gluten.

La Tapendade – This Mediterranean Café offers fresh cuisine but seems like it’d offer more of a light meal for us gluten-free travelers.  Choose this restaurant for fresh cheese, meats and salad options.

Le Grand Comptoir- Again, I’m wondering what I was doing during my layover to not know a place like this existed in the airport.  This restaurant seems to offer an elegant steakhouse-like atmosphere with quality foods.  In 2010 it was ranked the “Best Airport Hotspot” by Travel + Leisure and seems to live up to it’s award.

Nature’s Kitchen Fresh Café – Another great spot to grab a salad on the go.

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen – Like their chains, the Pappadeaux are always an easy bet when dining gluten free.  Choose from a variety of seafood and chicken options that can be prepared gluten free (just notify your waiter).

Wendy’s – Doesn’t require much explanation.  As a chain they provide an extensive gluten-free menu, but make sure to check with the airport restaurant before ordering.  

Gluten Free Options at the Detroit International Airport

Traveling back from Greece ended up being a 24 hour affair and our last stop of the day was at the Detroit International Airport. We weren’t there for very long, but I’ve compiled a list of potential gluten-free restaurants based off their restaurant page: www.metroairport.com/pdf/maps/mcnamara_concession_map_new.pdf

Wendys- Doesn’t need much explanation as everyone is familiar with the chain, but if you’re unsure of their gluten-free items, check out their online allergen menu 

Boar’s Head Deli-If you bring along a box of gluten free crackers, or snag a bag of PopChips from a snack shop, you can make your own lunchable with gluten free cold cuts and cheese.

Chilis- Find a variety of salads and main dishes that are gluten-free with their online allergen menu here.   I typically opt for the Caribbean salad when dining at airport Chili's and haven't had any negative reactions. 

Max and Ermas- According to their gluten free menu, you can get a variety of salads, steaks, grilled chicken, salmon, tilapia and vegetables.  Check out their gluten-free menu here  for more details.

Hope this helps anyone traveling through the airport.  Please feel free to leave comments if you find another gluten free option in the Detroit airport.

Dining Gluten Free in Greece

Traditional Greek Breakfast

With the help of a friend, I compilied a list of authentic Greek dishes that may naturally be gluten free before embarking on my spontaneous Greece trip.

While short, I hope this list will give anyone traveling to Greece a few ideas when dining out.  As always though, make sure to double check!

Breakfast- this meal was my lifeline during my trip as it was always a safe bet.  Everywhere we stayed the breakfast consisted of greek yogurt, an assortment of fruit, cheese, local meats, bacon, hard boiled eggs and on occasion potatoes, scrambled eggs and bacon (to appease the American travelers I'm sure).  One word of caution though: ask about the salami before eating it.  I found that our Athens hotel's salami was actually a beer cured salami.  Strange, I know.

Greek Salad

Greek Salad- This salad is very refreshing and is simply cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, tomato, olive oil, capers and feta cheese. Word of Caution: In Crete I’ve read they may include cracked wheat.

Svoulaki-traditional meat skewer that’s brushed with olive oil, lemon and oregano.  It’s typically served on pita bread, so make sure to order it without the pita.  Word of caution: you may run into cross-contamination issues as most skewers are grilled alongside their pita counterparts.

Svoulaki and Greek Salad

Dolmas-vine leaves stuffed with rice, vegetables and possibly lamb.  Everyone makes them differently, so make sure to ask before ordering.

Paidakia-grilled lamb chop usually seasoned with only lemon, oregano and salt.

Gemista- vegetables like tomatoes or peppers stuffed with minced meat and then baked.

Arakas Me Anginares- peas and artichokes mixed with olive oil and baked in the oven.

Kotopoulo sto fourno me patates- Oven roasted chicken or lamb served with a side of potatoes.