Newport Rib Company - Gluten free menu

http://www.ribcompany.com/

Has anyone tried the Newport Rib Company? Looks like they have an extensive GF menu including ribs, BBQ chicken, burgers with buns, and mouth-watering steaks.

ALL DINNERS SERVED with fresh fruit, corn bread muffins and your choice of two of the following: garden salad with GF/CF dressing, GF/CF rice pilaf, steamed vegetables, french fries, Kettle™ brand potato chips, or baked potato served with Smart Balance Omega™ margarine.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company

http://www.bubbagump.com/

For the longest time, I hadn't tried Bubba Gump's. We just aren't really drawn to themed restaurants. Big mistake! Bubba Gump's has a gluten free menu with several choices. My favorites are the Pear & Berry Salad, Shrimp and Veggie Stir Fry, and the Salmon and Veggie Skillet.

Locations in Anaheim and Long Beach.

Bob's Red Mill Shortbread Cookie Mix

http://www.bobsredmill.com/gf-shortbread-cookie-mix.html

I am a big believer in GF baking mixes. Leave it up to the experts to find that perfect blend of flours that create the same taste and texture as "regular" baked goods. I was excited to get Bob's Red Mill's latest catalog in the mail yesterday. They now offer a gluten free shortbread cookie mix, just in time for holiday baking season. I've always wanted to decorate sugar cookies and am eager to try this new mix. Has anyone tried it?

Skosh Monahans in Costa Mesa - Pub with GF Menu

http://www.skoshmonahans.com/

Skosh Monahan's is one of the best restaurants I've found that has a GF menu. They serve burgers with gluten free buns, pizza, chicken tenders, chicken wings and even Clam Chowder...all gluten free. They also have a gluten free-casein free children's menu.

For me, I am always happy to find great GF choices for kids. I hate seeing my nieces and nephews eat a plain hamburger or piece of chicken, especially while others at the table have better choices. Just doesn't seem fair. Skosh's lets a kid be a kid, enjoying the hearty staples kid's love.

Skosh's is also a great place to catch a game, they have big screen TVs throughout the restaurant. You'll also find live entertainment on the weekends.

Gluten Free Pancakes at Original Pancake House in Orange

Yep, you read it right. Move over bacon and eggs, bring on the pancakes. The pancake mecca, Original Pancake House, serves gluten free pancakes and waffles (at select locations). They'll whip them up with blueberries, chocolate chips, or simply plain. They are light and fluffy and taste great. Portions are so big you can take home and eat for breakfast the next day.

3322 E Chapman Ave
Orange, CA 92869

(714) 221-8674

Great Eats at Disneyland and Disneyland Resort

Nobody does it like Disneyland.

Disneyland truly is the happiest place on Earth, especially for Celiacs. Whether you're eating breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen (yep, fresh made waffles and pancakes, too!), or enjoying a hamburger with a bun, the sky is the limit.

If you're visiting the park, stop by City Hall on Main Street for a list of gluten free dining options throughout the park. GF pizza and pasta are available in Tomorrowland, enchiladas in Frontierland, turkey legs and more...you won't go home hungry.

My family went to Disneyland on Christmas Day last year. For many reasons, we needed to break the mold and have a Christmas like no other. I have 3 nieces and nephews who require a GF diet, as well as my mom and sister. We all had hamburgers for lunch and it was so fun to see the look on my mom's face enjoying her sandwich! To see the kids holding the hamburger in their little hands and eating it like everyone else does was a wonderful treat. No one had to sit their sawing through their hamburger with a fork and knife, we just picked it up, devoured it and went on the next ride.

There are also three main hotel restaurants that offer gluten-free products: Storytellers Café at the Grand Californian Hotel, Disney’s PCH Grill at the Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, and Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. I love the Storyteller's Cafe. For some reason the service is a little slow, but worth it if you have the time. When they bring dinner rolls to the table, they even bring GF rolls. So nice not to have to sit there enviously watching as others lather up a warm roll in delicious butter!

Z Pizza offers Gluten Free Pizza!

www.zpizza.com

Growing up, we often ate pizza on Friday night. The weekend was finally here and we would excitedly share stories from the week or talk about weekend plans all while eating cheesy, comforting pizza.

These last few years the closest I've come to eating pizza in a restaurant is requesting no dough--basically, a pizza bowl. Finally, I can enjoy eating pizza with my family again! Z pizza offers a gluten free crust and many toppings to choose from. They prepare the pizza in a special dish to avoid cross contamination. Woo hoo!

Instant Oatmeal!

http://www.glutenfreedafoods.com/oatmeal.html

I was thrilled to find Glutenfreeda's Instant Oatmeal at StellaLucy in San Clemente. I purchased the variety pack and they all taste great. It is a delicious hearty breakfast on the go--perfect for work and travel.

Great Resource from San Diego

http://glutenfreeinsd.com/

This is one of the most useful gluten free web site's I've seen. I use it regularly to find out about GF restaurants and new products on the market.

Stella Lucy - San Clemente

http://www.stellalucy.com/

Stella Lucy is a great little totally Gluten Free market in San Clemente. They have many unique products that can't be found in Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Sprouts, or Mother's Market.

A few of my favorites:

Namaste Gluten Free flour blend - This is a must for any cook. Great tasting flour that you can substitute one for one in your recipes.

Simply Organic Carrot Cake Mix - If you want a full size cake, you'll need two packages. One box turns out more like a bar. This mix tastes wonderful, is easy to make and offers three options, pumpkin cake, spice cake or carrot cake.

Udi's bread and frozen pizza crust - you will want to buy two of each and store them in your freezer. They are that good! If you haven't heard of Udi's bread it is phenomenal. Most gluten free breads require that you warm them to soften them up. No need with Udi's. You can make a sandwich and just eat it! Revolutionary!

Haven Gastropub - Old Town Orange

Haven is my new favorite restaurant in Orange County. They serve delicious gourmet comfort food. But the best part is they offer gluten free beer (Green's Endeavor Dubble Ale) and gluten free cider (Samuel Smiths Organic Cider). Although you still have to mention to your server that you require a gluten free meal, they are knowledgeable and helpful. I usually choose the Haven burger - no bun and served with a vegetable.

Sure, you can get a cider and a burger with no bun at most restaurants. So, why do I really love the Haven pub? It has great atmosphere and a warm and friendly staff. We've been back a few times and the second time, they remembered me and the waiter called me his gluten free friend. I know, sounds corny, but it was genuine. One of the owners or servers came by and suggested a dessert that could be made gluten free. They didn't make me feel like an oddball for needing to eat GF, they just made me feel welcome. You can't beat that.

The other great thing about Haven is they try to purchase locally grown, organic, sustainable, humanely raised food. Whether they do or not, I don't really know, but the food tastes fresher. I can get a hamburger anywhere, but this one just tastes better. It is flavorful! My husband tried the Roasted Jidori Chicken Breast and loved it.

Welcome

Welcome to Gluten Free OC! For those of you who follow a gluten free diet, this blog will help you learn about great gluten free products and accommodating restaurants in Orange County, CA. Gluten free products tend to be costly so I value all the recommendations I've received over the years. In this blog, I will share what I've learned and look forward to your comments as well. Enjoy!