Gluten Free Eats in Myrtle Beach

When I think of eating in Myrtle Beach, I don't exactly think of a plethora of gluten-friendly options. If you've ever been to Myrtle you know what I'm talking about: gigantic flashy light up crabs that say "SEAFOOD BUFFET" and underneath something like "192 options". Then right next door, a pirate ship that says "PIRATES BUFFET" and "193 options". Keep driving and you'll see another dozen seafood buffets and overly priced pancake houses. So basically, the town is gluten with a side of gluten.

On a recent trip with a friend to Myrtle Beach I did some research beforehand however and found a few cute gluten free options! No flashing signs, no buffets, no gaudy seafood decor - just cute, locally owned restaurants and cafes that offer some great #GF options.

Gluten Free Guide to Myrtle Beach 

- Hook & Barrel

Located half way between North Myrtle and Myrtle Beach right on North Kings Highway. Great location if you're staying in either locations of Myrtle Beach.

*** Always talk to your waiter about your gluten allergy and ask him to speak with the chef. They have several options for fresh fish you can get grilled with a sauce (make sure you mention you're gluten allergy in case they change their menu and start thickening with flour, but it was safe when I went in 2018).

GF Options

Fresh fish, grilled, with a pineapple mango salsa sauce or the white wine butter sauce

Ribeye steak, filet mignon 

Sides like vegetable skewers, rice, grits, and fingerling potatoes 

Flourless cake: they had a flourless chocolate cake when I went in 2018 but not sure if it's a staple menu item or seasonal

- Croissants Bakery

Located half way between North Myrtle and Myrtle Beach right on North Kings Highway. Great location if you're staying in either locations of Myrtle Beach. It's actually attached to Hook & Barrel

Anytime I can find some gluten free options for breakfast, I'm a happy gal. First off this place is adorable and has cute outdoor seating.

GF Options

They have gluten free bread! YAY! So they can make any of the breakfast sandwiches on the GF bread. Or you can get toast as a side with eggs, fruit, bacon etc. 

Steel cut oats and fruit

Yogurt and fruit

Smoothie Options (smoothie bar)

Omelettes 

a wonderful café bar with yummy coffee drinks 

- Cafe de Paris

Located in Barefoot Landing.

If you're looking for a little cafe to grab a treat or coffee, or just a spot to escape a rainy afternoon on the beach this is your spot. 

GF Options
They have a selection of French macarons daily
Gluten free apple bundt
Coffee and tea selection

- Mr. Fish Cafe

Located in Myrtle Beach, off North Kings Highway 

We stopped here one night and got some sushi to go before hitting up the beach at night. 

GF Options
Sushi - sushi rolls, sashimi, nagiri, as well as other sushi appetizers like edamame  
ceviche
poke (gluten free soy sauce)

Totally forgot to take a picture of our sushi before we devoured it, sourced this one from Google 

- Ocean Blu

Located at the Marriott Grand Dunes in Myrtle Beach 

If you happen to be staying at the Marriott Resort & Spa Grand Dunes, this is a poolside cafe and lounge. Although not a ton of great options, there are a few in a pinch and if you just don't feel like leaving the pool, it'll work.

GF Options
Cobb Salad
Casar salad no croutons  
Beach burger (no bun) 
Grilled fish tacos (no taco shells)

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Gluten Free Guide to Eat: Charleston

This past week dad turned the big 5-0! It also happened to fall on  Easter weekend this year, so the whole family converged upon Charleston to have a long weekend together. I have been to Charleston before but the rest of the family experienced this sweet Southern town for the first time. I love Charleston for it's culture, it's history but most importantly...it's food! If you're a foodie you have to make Charleston a top destination. Even if you're cursed with a lovely gluten intolerance like me, you'll find some amazing options for you as well!

Here is a list of some gluten-free or gluten-free places to stop in Charleston

Fleet Landing
186 Concord St. Charleston, SC 29401
What to get: seafood with a view
Menu  - they have a specific "gluten free" menu in house, just ask!
If you're here in the spring, bring a jacket and sit outside on one of the only waterfront restaurants in Charleston. Their menu is predominately seafood but they do have a chicken, pasta and red meat option for those who aren't sea-dwellers. 

Another Broken Egg Cafe
99 Market Street #4, Charleston, SC 29401
What to get: gluten free pancake
Menu - they have 'gluten free' items on the menu
Another Broken Egg is a chain in the South, great traditional Southern breakfast staples. I've found that each one is a tad different with their gf options, so just ask; some have gluten free bread and others don't. However the pancake was as big as the plate- literally HUGE! I couldn't finish the whole thing, so you may want to split it.

Magnolia
185 E Bay St. Charleston, SC 29401
What to get: shrimp and grits -- some of the BEST I've ever had
Menu - they have a physical gluten free menu and went above and beyond to make sure my meal was safe,  the chef even came out to my table! A++
Literally can NOT recommend this place enough. The atmosphere is charming and elegant with Southern touches. The food was phenomenal and the staff was outstanding. Pricey but worth a splurge if you're looking for an amazing evening out in Charleston. 

Five Loaves Cafe
Multiple locations
Bakery Downtown: 43 Cannon Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Cafe: 1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd #100, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
What to get: 1/2 a gluten free sandwich and 1/2 a fabulous salad and save room for their yummy desserts- get the blondie if they have it that day
Menu- They have daily specials + normal menu items. Salads, sandwiches (with gluten free bread options) 
We drove to the Mt. Pleasant location (just a short 5-10 minute drive from downtown) and it was an absolutely adorable location. The cafe is so funky and zen complete with outdoor seating. Even my non-gluten free people found things they enjoyed as they have 'normal' bread options as well. I love that you can do 1/2 and 1/2 with gluten free bread, salads, soup etc. so you can try a little bit of both.

Nothing Bundt Cake

1145 Johnnie Dodds Blvd #105 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 

What to get: Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Bundt 
Menu- only one option, but that's better than none right?!
Nothing Bundt Cake is a national chain I discovered about a year ago and they only have one gluten free option at the moment (chocolate chip bundt) but it is d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s! Seriously, you wouldn't know it's gluten free in my opinion (or maybe I just don't remember what gluten stuff tastes like anymore). It's right next to Five Loaves Cafe so it's worth it to bop in and grab one for later!

Hominy Grill
207 Rutledge Ave. Charleston, SC 29403
What to get: the "vegetable" plate with gluten-friendly choices (which a.k.a are so not 'healthy' veggies but so good) 
Menu: They had a specific GF menu so ask for that when you sit down
We walked from downtown which was about a mile walk (you can walk it but warning, you may  walk through some not-so-great parts of town). Get there for a cocktail outside on the patio while you wait for your table to be ready. It's a perfect spring evening spot. Inside is rustic, Southern and country. I love it!

Palmetto Cafe (Brunch)
Inside the Belmond Hotel - 205 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401 
What to get: We did Sunday  brunch which had plenty of gf options for morning including mimosa's! 
Menu - Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch only

I've been eyeing this place for a while to try, and Easter brunch seemed like the perfect opportunity to try it. I'm glad we did. Brunch was a tad pricey but the atmosphere is breath-taking, the food was delicious and the staff was friendly and attentive. I'd recommend a nice dress attire: men in slacks and button up, women in something other than workout clothes or jeans. Not required, but recommended! 

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You could spend months and months here and not try every amazing restaurant they have on King Street and East Bay Street (and everywhere else in between) but I hope this helps give you a little insight to some great finds! You can be gluten free and not have to sacrifice flavor or options! 

Whole 30 Week 1

The Whole 30. And so it begins. 

Today was the end marker of my first week on the Whole 30 journey. Last week while driving back from Florida, my mom read the book "It Starts With Food" and wanted to try the Whole 30 challenge. So after a few months of travel and a holiday weekend, mom and I decided to start the whole 30 challenge. Interested in the Whole 30? Not sure what the hype is all about? Check it out here. 

The Whole 30 was "established by Dallas Hartwig and Melissa Hartwig (of Whole9) in April 2009, the Whole30® is our original nutritional program designed to change your life in 30 days. Think of it as a short-term nutritional reset, designed to help you put an end to unhealthy cravings and habits, restore a healthy metabolism, heal your digestive tract, and balance your immune system" Basically it's a 30-day reset of your body that changes your relationship with food, resets your metabolism and helps restore order and harmony in your body.

So here is an overall recap of my first week on the Whole 30.

Day 1

Breakfast was great: eggs, bacon and fresh fruit. Nothing too crazy. Lunch on the other hand, I would've quit if I wasn't doing this whole thing with my mom. A stressful day at work had me craving things I couldn't have, chips, pretzels and lemonade tea. So instead I made a "tuna salad" boat made with avocado and a side of grapes. Eh. I survived. Dinner was a simple grilled chicken, green beans, sweet potato mash with ghee and cinnamon. Not too bad overall but again- a support system is 

Day 2

Breakfast is simple and easy, eggs, bacon and fruit. Lunch was a salad that was less than thrilling and left me starving by mid-afternoon. Dinner was a failure, I overcooked pork chops and failed at making cauliflower rice so I ended up going to bed just tired, grumpy and hungry. Day 2 wasn't shaping up to be much better either.

The rest of the week was a mix of emotions. Breakfasts were always easy although I'm getting a little sick of eggs and bacon; I felt great and could head to work energized and ready for the day. Lunch time made me annoyed because I wanted things I could't have (have I mentioned that sugar is in EVERYTHING?!). However dinner time was the hardest. Getting home from work and being purely exhausted, all I wanted to do was snack or munch. The carb flu also hit me hard at the end of the week; I felt tired, sluggish, kind of in a daze somedays, hungry and just ill in general. 

Things I learned on Week 1:

1. I love sugar…oh wait, I already knew that

2. I get exhausted during the afternoon…but I already knew that too

3. I workout in the morning before work so by 10am, I'm hungry again- I think I need to add a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack in, almost as a "post workout" snack

4. Cauliflower rice isn't as easy as it looks

5. When in doubt…just go to bed.