Rocco's Tacos - Orlando

Last Sunday, we had lunch with friends at the Rocco's Tacos on Sand Lake Road, which is about 5 minutes away from Universal Orlando.  They also have restaurants in Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and Fort Lauderdale.  Outside of Florida, you can find Rocco's Tacos in Brooklyn, New York.

I love the Day of the Dead theming at Rocco's Tacos, and they even incorporated some of my favorite Star Wars characters.  Just look up near the stand where you check in to see them.

Hot Krust Panini Kitchen - Orlando

Yesterday, we had lunch at Hot Krust Panini Kitchen, which is located next to the Whole Foods Market on Turkey Lake Road.  I have had great feedback from blog readers about this fast casual restaurant, the Orlando Celiac Support Group recently had a meetup there, and my friend Amanda wrote a review on The Gluten & Dairy-Free Review Blog that convinced me I needed to try Hot Krust.  

When I asked about gluten free options, I was told that any of the panini can be made gluten free, and the cactus chili and butternut squash soup were marked gluten free on their menu.  Hot Krust uses Udi's, which appeared to be their whole grain bread, and they leave blue cheese off sandwiches for gluten free orders.  Gluten free panini, which cost 75 cents extra, are double wrapped in paper and foil to protect them from cross contamination before being placed on a panini press.  My friend Amanda has detailed information on the precautions they take to prepare allergy-friendly food in her review of Hot Krust Panini Kitchen, which you can read here.

Fat Head's Saloon and Primanti Bros. - Pittsburgh

When I was diagnosed with celiac disease 8 years ago, we did not live in Pittsburgh, but when we traveled back to our hometown to visit family, I was always sad that I could no longer eat at Fat Head's Saloon or Primanti Bros.  That all changed last year when I found out that Fat Head's Saloon now has an extensive gluten free menu, and Primanti Bros. could make me one of their famous sandwiches without the bread.  So in 2015, we were able to introduce our daughters to two restaurants that represent what Pittsburgh is all about.

Gluuteny Bakery - Pittsburgh

Gluuteny Bakery in Pittsburgh is one of my favorite gluten free bakeries in the United States.  I have been enjoying baked goods from Gluuteny on all of our trips to our hometown since my celiac diagnosis eight years ago.  We always stay with my aunt and uncle when we are in Pittsburgh, and lucky for me, Gluuteny is just a few blocks away from where they live in Squirrel Hill.

Gluuteny is a dedicated gluten free and dairy free bakery.  They ship their dry mixes and a variety of fresh baked goods, which you can view here.

Mandy's Pizza - Pittsburgh

Twice last year, we traveled to Pittsburgh, which is a great city for gluten free dining and shopping.  

That feeling of being home always sets in when I see the Franco Harris statue at the airport.

Boatwright's Dining Hall - Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside

Earlier this month, my family had dinner at Boatwright's Dining Hall, a table service restaurant at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside.

Boatwright's has an allergy-friendly menu that lists options for people with gluten/wheat, milk, egg, soy, fish/shellfish, and peanut/tree nut allergies.

Trader Joe's Rice Noodle Soup Bowls

Yesterday, we had some time to kill before we met friends for lunch at Rocco's Tacos, so we decided to check out the new Trader Joe's on Sand Lake Road, where we discovered their rice noodle soup bowls.

The signage did not indicate that the noodle bowls are gluten free, but all three varieties were labeled gluten free on the packaging, so we decided to buy them for dinner last night.

Mamak Asian Street Food - Orlando

Last night, we had dinner at Mamak Asian Street Food on Colonial Drive in Orlando's Mills 50 District.  There is parking available behind the restaurant, and they have a back entrance.

 I found Mamak using the Find Me Gluten Free app, and one review mentioned a gluten free menu, which is rare for Asian restaurants in Orlando's Little Vietnam district.

Cape May Cafe Breakfast - Disney's Beach Club Resort

Earlier today, I had breakfast at Cape May Cafe with my friend Sarah from Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free at WDW.  This was my first time dining there, but Sarah has had dinner at Cape May Cafe several times.

For breakfast, Cape May Cafe features character dining and an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet.

The Kitchen Restaurant at the Hard Rock Hotel - Universal Orlando

I first read about how gluten free friendly the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando is in a post by Taylor from GlutenAway, which you can read here.  Then Anna, one of my blog readers, sent me this menu from The Kitchen Restaurant inside the Hard Rock Hotel.

La Cantina de San Angel - Epcot

This post was last updated September 2, 2018

When La Cantina de San Angel opened in the Mexico Pavilion, it quickly became my favorite quick service restaurant at Epcot, because everything on the menu was gluten free except the chicken tenders on the Kids' Menu, and their churros.My favor ite meal was the Empanadas con Queso, which used to be gluten free. Everything changed when the empanadas were switched from being made with corn tortillas to flour tortillas, which made that menu item off limits for me, and contaminated their fryers.

For years, we did not dine at La Cantina de San Angel, but I recently stopped there to inquire about gluten free options. I was told that the following entrees are gluten free:

• Pollo Cascabel - grilled chicken, Mexican rice, corn, Cascabel sauce, and pickled onions
• Tacos de Barbacoa - seasoned beef, homemade corn tortillas, Mexican rice, black beans, and red salsa
• Tacos de Pollo - seasoned chicken, homemade corn tortillas, Mexican rice, black beans, and red salsa

The tortilla chips are not gluten free, because they are made in a shared fryer. For dessert, they serve watermelon, mango, lime, and coconut paletas, which are traditional fruit popsicles, and they are all gluten free.

Pizza Window - Disney's BoardWalk

I have known for several years that the Pizza Window on Disney's BoardWalk serves gluten free pizza, and I have heard from several blog readers that it is pretty good.

Yesterday, I found out that gluten free options include a cheese, pepperoni, or signature personal size pizza with Italian sausage, onions, and peppers.  I asked what kind of pizza crust they are using, but the cast member I spoke to did not know, and we did not have time to wait to hear from the chef she called.  It is probably Udi's pizza crust, but it could also be OMG...It's Gluten Free, another brand used at some Disney restaurants.

Raglan Road Brunch - Disney Springs

On Valentine's Day, we had brunch at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant in Disney Springs.

Raglan Road is not Disney owned and operated, so they do not have an allergy-friendly menu, but food allergies and special dietary restrictions are taken very seriously.  A chef will not come to your table, but I have found their servers to be extremely knowledgeable, and when they are not sure of something, they will check with the kitchen.  Recently, Raglan Road added a gluten free menu to their website, which you can view here.  The menu lists options that are naturally gluten free, and those that can be made gluten free.

Nine Dragons Restaurant - Epcot

Last updated January 10, 2019 

Earlier today, we had lunch at Nine Dragons Restaurant, a table service restaurant in the China Pavilion at Epcot.

In the 7 1/2 years we have lived in Orlando, we have only eaten at Nine Dragons Restaurant twice, because their gluten free options are very limited.

Sunset Ranch Market - Disney's Hollywood Studios

After having dinner at Boatwright's last night, we headed to Disney's Hollywood Studios to see the new Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular.  The fireworks were amazing, and the fact that all the music was from Star Wars has made this my new favorite fireworks show at Walt Disney World.

Before the fireworks started, we stopped at Sunset Ranch Market on Sunset Boulevard to get something to drink.  While we were there, I asked to see their allergy-friendly menu.

Terra Treats Allergy Kiosk - Disney's Animal Kingdom

Earlier this week, I stopped at the allergy kiosk in Disney's Animal Kingdom, and noticed that it had a new name.  When Disney first opened an allergy kiosk at the Animal Kingdom two years ago, it was called the Gardens Kiosk, and it was located right outside of DinoLand.  Then, it was moved to Discovery Island, across from Starbucks, and named the Discovery Island Kiosk.  It is now being called Terra Treats, and Disney's Animal Kingdom guidemap says it sells allergy-friendly snacks, and has information on special dietary options throughout the park.

Oddly enough, there was no one working there when we stopped by around 10:00.  On past visit to the Animal Kingdom, I remember the allergy kiosk always being open when the park opened, but it seems like they have more limited hours than they used to.  Checking a bunch of dates on Disney's website, it looks like Terra Treats opens at 10:30 now, which makes it hard for someone to pick up a doughnut, muffin, or fruit cup for breakfast.

Mariposa Baking Co.

In the summer of 2013, we took a trip to California, because my brother-in-law was getting married in Temecula.  Before the wedding, we spent a few days in Disneyland, and after the wedding, we flew up to San Francisco.  While we were in San Francisco, I had breakfast every morning at Mariposa's San Francisco Ferry Building Bakeshop.

This blurry picture is the only one I could find of the baked goods I had from Mariposa while we were in San Francisco.  Mariposa's bear claws might be the best gluten free pastries I have ever had.  The bear claws, which are gluten, dairy & soy free, have an almond filling that reminds me of the almond croissants I used to love pre-celiac.

Pizzafari - Disney's Animal Kingdom

Pictures of Pizzafari's Allergy-Friendly Menus were updated June 13, 2016

I recently stopped at Pizzafari in Disney's Animal Kingdom to check out their allergy-friendly menu.  Pizzafari, a quick service restaurant, is open for lunch and dinner, but it is no longer serving breakfast.

Pizzafari's allergy-friendly menu lists options for people with gluten/wheat, milk, egg, soy, fish/shellfish, and peanut/tree nut allergies.

Maya Grill - Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

Last night, we had dinner at Maya Grill, a table service restaurant at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort that serves traditional Mexican and American dishes.  Maya Grill is run by the same restaurant group as Las Ventanas and the Pepper Market at Coronado Springs, and La Hacienda de San Angel, San Angel Inn Restaurante, and La Cantina de San Angel in the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot.  I was told that they will soon be opening a Mexican restaurant in Disney Springs, which must be Frontera Fresco.  Because these restaurants are not owned and operated by Disney, they do not have the allergy-friendly menus that were introduced at Disney World last year.

Maya Grill used to mark gluten free options on their menu, but now, they only label dishes that contain nuts.  Our server told me that most dishes can be made gluten free, and was ready to take my order, but I asked to speak to a chef before I made any decisions.  

Namaste Waffle & Pancake Mix

In January, we took a cruise on the Disney Fantasy, where I had gluten free Mickey waffles for the first time on any of my seven cruises on the Disney Cruise Line.  They tasted so good, I asked the chef how he made them.  Chef Sinclair told me that he uses Namaste Waffle & Pancake Mix, and adds a little honey, which is why they tasted slightly sweet.  Namaste is one of the waffle mixes used at Walt Disney World restaurants to make Disney-themed waffles.

When we got home, I had no luck finding the mix at any of my local grocery stores, so I ordered it from Vitacost.com.

The Tasty Trend - Winter Garden

Last week, I had a chance to sample four different gluten free cupcakes made by The Tasty Trend, a 100% gluten free bakery specializing in cupcakes.  On February 13th, just in time for Valentine's Day, they will celebrate the grand opening of their storefront in Winter Garden.

My favorite cupcake was the tasty chocolate, which my gluten-eating daughters enjoyed as well.  As I ate it, I kept thinking that it reminded me of milk chocolate, which is great, because I love milk chocolate.  The chocolate cake was moist, and the chocolate buttercream was not overly sweet.