The Traveling Cupkate: Gluten Free Minnesota

Anyone else think of home and think of food? I’m a foodie and grew up in a food loving family… literally, we showed our love through food! Every family function had a hot dish or bars. Sunday’s after church was always a potluck complete with “church lady punch” and a cold potato salad. Summertime was watermelon, corn on the cob, and fried walleye sandwiches…and don’t get me started about Millie’s cookies at the State Fair or the caramel apples from Abdallah.

However since being diagnosed with a gluten intolerance six years ago, the deliciousness of home hasn’t been quite as alluring. However, don’t fret! If you’re going to be in the suburbs of Minneapolis St. Paul, there are some good gluten free finds around. Here’s a quick guide to some of my favorite highlights to GF eating in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area:

Bittersweet GlutenFree Bakery (Eagan)

Hands down, my favorite gluten free bakery I’ve ever come across in all my travels. I make MULTIPLE trips every time I go home. The entire bakery is gluten free so you’re in the clear and can drool at all the delicious looking treats and eat them all!

Muffins, scones, banana bread, cinnamon raisin bread, caraway bread, white bread, bread crumbs, stuffing, breadsticks, pumpkin bread, sandwich buns, lemon bars, brownies, pumpkin bars, cranberry bars, a half dozen different types of cookies, cupcakes, cakes, as well as pies, cornbread, granola, and my personal new favorite I found this last visit: donut holes!!

Don’t walk, RUN, to this place people.

French Meadow Bakery (Minneapolis + St. Paul)

French meadow Bakery & Café prides itself on fresh, organic and local. They have an entire gluten free and vegan menu to include things like:

Breakfast/lunch: Avocado toast, pancakes, French toast, waffles, hashbrowns, omelets and other breakfast staples like fresh fruit and eggs. They also have a coffee bar

Dinner: flatbread on a gluten free crust, scrumptious salads, almond encrusted walleye, fish tacos, gluten free mac and cheese and any sandwich on the gluten free bread

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sourced from Google

Save room for a sweet treat like a coconut macaroon, one of their rustic fruit tarts, a caramel chocolate brownie, a s’more, a scotch whisky pudding or a decadent rice krispy treat.

The Mad Hatter (Anoka)

A historic home turned into a charming little tea room and restaurant, the Mad Hatter is just the perfect girls afternoon. I am an afternoon tea connoisseur. It’s one of my favorite splurges to do in a city. This is hands down one of the best gluten free afternoon teas I’ve ever had in the world. The best part? They imitate everything that is in a normal tea but only they make it gluten free. None of this “normal people get traditional English cream scone, honey-drizzled herb chevre sandwich, and a lemon tartlette and the allergy person gets a piece of dry gluten free bread and three store brought cookies”! 

I actually got two different types of scones, three different tea sandwiches, and four different types of dessert. The only downside? There was a $10 upcharge, which I think is a bit steep, but if you’re gluten free you know you just suck it up, hush, and be grateful you've got options. 

Doolittles Woodfire Grill (Eagan)

I love when a restaurant has a specific gluten free menu, it makes things a little bit easier navigating eating out. 

They're known for their wood fire grill, so stick to the fire roasted chicken, the grilled walleye dinner and the salmon. Great midwestern cabin vibe.

Crooked Pint Ale House (Chaska)
Chaska, a southwestern suburb of Minneapolis, holds a cool little gem for you. Literally cool! Where else but in Minnesota can you grab a pint and watch curling?! Attached to the Chaska Curling Center, the restaurant has an entire glass wall that you can watch people practicing curling! However if you're there in the summer, definitely get a table outside and enjoy the perfect Minnesota summers.

They menu is chalk-full of Minnesota classics like tuna noodle hot dish and tater tot hot dish but unfortunately none of that is gluten free. However they have gluten free buns so that opens up a lot more sandwich and burgers to you. Their salads looked great too though, so that's always a good standby. 

D’amico & Sons (Edina)
Finally, rounding out a place that holds a lot of memories. We'd meet here for family gatherings or lunch after church with my extended family. Five years ago they didn't have many gf options but luckily today they've upped their game! They have....drum roll please.... gluten free pizza crust, gluten free pasta, gluten free bread and of course gluten-friendly salads and soups.

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sourced from Google

sourced from Google

sourced from Google

Their a family-owned restaurant that has expanded but still holds that local Italian  feel. Get something to go, stop in and eat, just sit and enjoy! 

Happy GF eating lovelies! 

A map of all my favorite GF eats in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area

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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! 

Gluten Free Travel Tips

The Traveling Cupcake's Five Gluten Free Travel Tips

1. Pre-make homemade trail mix with GF Friendly components.

I have snack-size baggies of cashews, pistachios, almonds, golden raisins, chocolate chips and cranberries ready to go for travel trips.

2. Make your own dinner ahead of time.

I'm a huge proponent of meal prepping, so on the weekends I spend time cooking up easy meals that I can reheat (or eat cold). Meals in airports are expensive and most of the time can't be certified GF so I usually bring a Tupperware for my dinner: chicken with rice and veggies, leftover steak and mushrooms and asparagus, or always a hearty salad. For dressings for that salad pick up one of these handy to-go dressing containers for your quart-size liquid carry on!

3. Wine is gluten free.

Just saying. A long layover and cancelled flight...usually you can find a wine bar or restaurant to sip on a nice glass of Malbec or Pinot. Eat that with your tail mix and you'll be set.

4. Yelp or Find Me Gluten Free app.

I have two go-to apps when I'm on the road looking for GF food and restaurant: Yelp! and Find Me Gluten Free. Both apps allow you to search the location/area you'll be in + narrow it down by price, hours of operation, style of food etc. Best off, both the apps are free!

5. Breakfast on the road.

Being gluten free and on-the-go at breakfast is challenging. When you think of breakfast on-the-run it's stuffed between two biscuits, croissants, bagels etc. and gull of gluten! Usually when I get to a new town I try to find a local grocery store or market and pick up some simple things I can keep with me for breakfast. I will stop and grab bananas, dried fruit, turkey jerky, and if I have a place to keep it chilled than some yogurt or fresh sliced fruit. Simple, cheap and healthy options that will leave you full and satisfied.