CeliacAndCfsCrusader

Try the Concierge Desk at the better properties, they usually know everything.

There IS a newer Whole Foods at the south end of The Strip. You might have to raid their gluten-free Freezer if you're desperate.

I'd also try a local Celiac support group, if there is one.

Best of luck and congratulations to all!

Sorry for the delay, I only check-in here periodically.

Don't give up hope!

Chipotle: Here in CO is where the chain started and I've noticed that our locations are the best compared to outside of the state. The only item that actually HAS gluten is the actual flour tortilla (the red, hot sauce has vinegar, and I can't vouch for it). Everything else is gluten-free! So, if you're mindful of cross-contamination (you can ask them to change gloves, be careful, etc), you shouldn't have a problem. Some will say that the spoons may get cc'd, but honestly I've never had that problem after eating here literally hundreds of times (and I'm sensitive to cc'ing). Again, our locations here are spotless, use your common sense.

PF Changs: They have an entire menu that is gluten-free

Pei Wei: an abbreviated menu that is entirely gluten-free as well

Ling & Louies: Regular menu has gluten-free choices available and listed

Outback: Has entire, separate gluten-free menu (a bit more expensive I think? No prices here in CO). Note that they have a great dessert called Chocolate Thunder, but I've heard here that the whipped cream may no longer be gluten-free. This is a great choice if you want everyone else to have a variety of dishes that are non-gluten-free.

PLEASE NOTE: I'LL CAPITALIZE THIS FOR YOU NEWBIES. IF YOU HAVE CELIAC DISEASE, IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO MAKE SURE THE RESTAURANT/STAFF UNDERSTAND WHAT gluten-free IS ALL ABOUT. MY FIRST QUESTION IS "ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH YOUR gluten-free MENU"? IF I GET A BLANK STARE, I KNOW I NEED TO EITHER SPEAK WITH THE MANAGER, EDUCATE THE SERVER, SPEAK WITH THE CHEF....OR ALL 3. WHEN MY ORDER ARRIVES, I ASK "THIS WAS PREPARED gluten-free, RIGHT"? AGAIN, ASK QUESTIONS, BE POLITE BUT FIRM AND EXPECT THE OCCASIONAL SCREW-UP...IT HAPPENS.

Don't let the prospects of a possible bad meal ruin your night. Find a few places you trust and enjoy your evening. If things go wrong, just pretend it was another day of your "old" life and move ahead. Yes, it's disappointing to be sick, but think of the joys of feeling like a "normal" person again, without the worries that you can never eat out.

The more you do it, the easier it will be to expand your comfort zone.

I gladly patronize the above restaurants because they give a darn about my business and my health. When and if they stop doing so, they'll lose my business.

Best of luck!

We make a cheesecake for special occasions and I like to use gluten-free cookies and butter in the food processor.

Basically, it's goof proof, as long as it tastes good...accept it!

Put the cookies and some butter in the food processor. Blend. Put in bottom of greased baking dish/pan. Bake for awhile in the oven to firm it up (depends on what you like). Take out, maybe add a layer of preserves, cheesecake filling and eat!

It's not always pretty, but it's our go to recipe when we can't be bothered trying to get it "perfect" or if we don't want to spend $8 on a gluten-free pie shell product that may not work.

We usually use a combo of Mi-Del gluten-free cookies, ginger and chocolate, etc etc

Never a problem eating this cereal either.

I still can't find the Rudi's at the Aurora Costco...is it in the frozen section?

Thank god for Vitamin Cottage. Reasonably priced and caring local chain. Check it out!

Kirkland brand by Costco!

Absolutely the cheapest, highest quality you can buy for a "regular" line of vitamins. Unless you want to spend 3-5x more for basically the same ingredients.

They have different varieties and are Gluten free.

I'm not sure if it's sold nationally yet, but a company called Boulder Sausage offers multiple gluten-free sausages that are all natural and clearly marked. Some are not, but they DO have gluten-free Italian and breakfast sausage. Perhaps your local store can order it in?

If not, look for HORMEL products, they do a great job with their sliced meats, ready to heat meals (Pot Roast with gravy!), sausage, pepperoni etc etc

I really wanted to enjoy these Brazilian places, but I found that the training and the ability to communicate with some employees was a problem.

If I'm paying $50-60 per person to eat, I want to be SURE that I'm not going to pay for it again later.

Tried Rodizio and another chain here in Denver. Didn't have an issue at either, but I avoided most everything after I got mixed signals at both. Hard to enjoy a meal that way....

My "go to" restaurants are as follows:

Chipotle (CO locations are much better than out of state IMO)

Pei Wei

PF Changs

Outback

Ling & Louie's

Everyone else that has a gluten-free menu is "suspect" to me. Sometimes and issue, most times not. The above 4 have a terrific average with my multiple visits.

Iffy feelings about:

Mimi's, Chili's, the Brazilian BBQ's,

1 Chain I don't trust:

Ted's Montana Grill (1 for 3 good experiences, zero training)

I actually ate there tonight. I LOVE Pei Wei!

I've been there about 20 times over that past 2 years and have never even been close to cc'd. I eat there and RELAX, while I enjoy the meal.

It's not fair to compare to PF Changs, IMO, one is a full, sit-down nice restaurant. The other is a nice, quick service (but still nice enough to feel like you're eating "out") restaurant.

In fact, I prefer Pei Wei. It's half the price for the same amount of food, just not as big of a selection.

It's great for take-out too!

Entree's are about $8-9, the same as your "regular" Asian restaurant.

THANKS PEI WEI and please open MORE locations!

Hi- I was at my local Vitamin Cottage (CO chain) and I noticed something I haven't seen before. It was a box of Kinnickinnick Panko Bread Crumbs.

Totally gluten-free. Totally delicious.

If you're craving something with a "real crust" on it, like chicken cutlets for chicken parm, you're gonna love it.

The CRUNCH WAS THERE!

Smallish box, but reasonably priced. Much better than others I've tried.

Made in a decicated facility and I had no reaction. Thanks Canada!

Since you're newly diagnosed, eliminate ALL possible sources of Gluten.

Once you're on track and better equipped to know how your body is off of the gluten, you can experiment a bit.

It's been 3+ years since I've been diagnosed and I'm still taking baby steps.

But, when I tried the "certified" gluten-free oats, I reacted. Go figure.

I've resigned myself that my GI Tract is very sensitive and I take any reaction as a warning that I'm at risk for doing unseen damage. Some things are just not worth it, I can live without oats.

My latest venture is seeing whether I'm also reactive to sorghum. Doesn't make any sense that I would be, other than cc, but you'll help yourself if you figure out your own body. You know it best.

Stick with plain, drip coffee. I don't trust Starbucks with anything else.

Did you know that their gluten-free cookies that they now carry contain OATS?

OATS=The most likely cc'd grain there is.

We went to PF Changs one night, but I really wanted to try new places. The ones I listed in the first post-Can't recommend more! Great staff, Great time had by all!

Bumping this post to add my two cents on travel to Oahu.

Yes, it's best to have a kitchen. So much easier.

However, there is an Outback in both Waikiki and in Hawaii Kai. I've been to the the Hawaii Kai location many times with no issues at all (near Hanauma Bay for you newbies, it's a good stop).

The new(er) Whole Foods in Kahala is fantastic. All of the "usual" gluten-free offerings are available. It's our first stop.

The other supermarkets will always have a limited supply of this and that, Whole Foods is your best bet (or Costco).

The smaller health food store in Kailua, a local chain, is also wonderful. The Kailua area has a ton of vacation rentals and I highly recommend staying on the Windward side (you'll need a car, but it's cheaper when you're making your own food).

Most restaurants in Hawaii DO use lots of Soy Sauce, so CC is very possible. That being said, I've never been CC'd there, mostly due to my own paranoia and eating at home.

I think this next trip, we'll give Dukes Canoe Club another try. We had a wonderful get together there prior to my diagnosis.

Aloha!

Wow, I can't believe how many of you would not try it!

I've been gluten-free for 3 1/2 years now, after 20+ years of symptoms that were un/misdiagnosed.

I feel soooo much better since being diagnosed, BUT...I would die for decent bread, pasta, pastry etc etc.

If the scientists can treat, trick, change and/or develop wheat into something that is safe for my body, I AM IN!!

Ultimately, they'll do a bunch of studies, including the GI scopes to look at the villi and they'll give a thumbs up or down.

I trust science. If it's been peer reviewed by "real" doctors that have an interest in practicing good medicine (instead of getting a bonus to sign off on the latest and greatest) I would have no reservations.

I look at it this way: I'm already getting cc'd no matter how careful I am. If I can find a "few" things to eat that are found to be safe, but taste like real food, I'll do it.

I fully support the efforts to find out more.

"Kudos to Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix. I use it all the time for both banana bread and pumpkin bread. I don't think anyone can tell the difference. Surprisingly I've not yet tried it for pancakes but have made pancakes using gluten-free Bisquick."

I use Pamela's for pancakes just about every week. I substitute skim milk for water and add no oil at all. Tastes like a "whole grain" pancake, pretty tasty.

Hello fellow Denverites and travelers.

I'm pleased to report an excellent experience at a restaurant in the Cherry Creek area of Denver - Abrusci's.

They've had a location in Wheat Ridge for years, but it's on the opposite side of town for me. The Cherry Creek location was opened this year and it's the first "real Chicken Parm." I've had since being diagnosed.

I had the minestrone soup, Chicken Parm., freshly baked gluten-free Bread AND a great dessert.

I HAD ZERO REACTION!

Please patronize them, the staff is well informed and the room is pleasant but not stuffy. Great bar area and prices too.

www.abruscis.com

PS: Wife had a non-gluten-free meal and was impressed as well.

I made pizzas as a teenage (before my diagnosis).

I can't imagine ANY pizza place being safe. Too much flour dust, untrained employees, cc's mixing bowls/paddles/pans/tongs/etc etc.

Make it at home and/or buy Udi's crusts.

I agree, Betty Crocker makes good stuff at a good price.

BTW, Pamela's Pancake/Baking mix makes a GREAT carrot cake. Made a homemade cream cheese frosting and honestly couldn't tell the difference. Amen!

I've tried them all and keep coming back to Tinkyada.

I use only the regular Brown Rice varieties, usually the spaghetti.

I ALWAYS use the covered pot, off the burner method that is listed on the front.

Large pot of boiling water, add pasta, stir for 2 minutes.

Take off the burner, covered and set timer for 17 minutes. Rinse with cold water immediately. Perfect each time.

Never as good the next day, but edible.

I avoid chips, tortillas and other sauces. In fact, I never eat corn chips in a restaurant- 99% of the time they have probably been dropped in the same fryer as the flour tortillas for taco salads and other fried dishes.

FYI, Chipotle is a better choice (watch out for cc obviously). Their chips are fine, as is everything else, except for the flour tortilla.

I eat there at least once per week (for years), never a reaction and I'm very sensitive.

FYI: Mimi's has a gluten-free menu, but talk to the manager, the staff is sort of clueless at my location. I have gotten the broccoli/cheese omelette without incident (I can't remember if their potatoes are gluten-free).

Another option is Original Pancake House, they have a separate grill for gluten-free pancakes and the meats are gluten-free too (always double check).

Good luck!

Seems pretty simple to me.

I patronize those restaurants that "get it", whether their Corporate HQ is interested in serving gluten-free patrons or not.

For example, I gave Ted's Montana Grill 3 chances (2 different locations), I got cc'd twice. No need to write to Corporate, I just gave up giving them my business.

If they were the only restaurant in town, maybe I'd make the effort, but they are not.

It's pretty apparent when all 3 of their servers had no clue about gluten-free dining, even though they have a separate menu.

On the other hand, if I DO find a restaurant that is a favorite and something suddenly changes for the worse...then I'm absolutely going to mention it.

Everyone is different, but life is too short to fight each and every battle.

I think I would want only glutenfull stuff. That way I wouldn't be tempted all the time.

Planter's Nuts (read label, but cashews are good)

Snickers

Nut Roll

Mentos

I have had good luck with Colgate Sensitive Enamel Protect.

Colgate Sensitive, pink on box. Used for 2+ years, never an issue. Best.