Today we continue with final topic of our three-part interview with Carolyn Lynch McKinley.
3. Gluten-free restaurant dining in Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri.
nwafoodie: We’ve already talked about how the gluten-free section came to be at Walmart and how you were personally involved in making that happen. Before that we discussed the local celiac support group and your willingness to help others embrace their new gluten-free lifestyle. Now, I’ve got to know… what are YOUR favorite restaurants with gluten-free options in Northwest Arkansas and what are your favorite menu items? Can you share that with us?
Carolyn: Sure!
nwafoodie: Before we start your list, is there any advice for us when ordering gluten-free?
Carolyn: Yes! The first time you ever go to a restaurant, always, always, always do not be afraid to ask questions! Talk to the manager. If a menu items comes out wrong, tell them. For instance, on Monday a meal I ordered came out wrong and I told them. They ended up not charging me. Other example is Copelands’ restaurant in Rogers. They do not have a gluten-free menu, but the manager will work with me to ensure my meal is gluten-free.
nwafoodie: Great advice! I always forget to ask and I make assumptions. Just because a chicken is grilled does not mean that the glaze isn’t gluten-free. Okay, ready to share your favorites? I know that Boston’s Grill in Bentonville is one of them, because here we are, enjoying gluten-free pizza while we chat. I have to tell you, it’s AWESOME!
Carolyn: It IS awesome! They are in my top three!
1. PF Chang’s in Rogers: They have an entire gluten-free menu, which is extensive. They even have gluten-free soy sauce.
2. Mama Fu’s in Bentonville: Steam bowls are great. Be sure to order them without soy sauce. You can have the sweet and sour instead. And now they have a gluten-free menu!
3. Boston’s Grill in Bentonville: They have a gluten-free pizza option. I will usually order one and share it with someone or take half of it home. They also have gluten-free beer varieties, so be sure to ask which ones because it is not noted on the spirits menu.
4. Red Robin in Rogers and Fayetteville: Ask for the gluten-free menu. Tell your server when you order that you want EXACTLY what is on that gluten-free menu. Their burgers can come in a lettuce wrap. Watchouts: their seasoning salt that’s out on each table has gluten and there is wheat in their milk shakes.
5. Las Fajitas in Bella Vista, Bentonville, and Springdale: Order the chicken fajita taco salad without the shell. Ask them to replace with fresh peppers and onions because the cooked ones run a risk of cross-contamination with gluten.
6. Acambaro in Bentonville, Lowell, Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville: Again, order the chicken fajita taco salad without the shell. No need for any other request. Beans are gluten-free.
7. Carrabba’s in Rogers: Ask for the gluten-free menu. This is the same family of restaurants as Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill. All have gluten-free menus. Outback has the most variety.
8. Bordino’s in Fayetteville: They actually have gluten-free pasta. The chef has a family member with celiac disease.
9. Jose’s in Springdale and Fayetteville: Ask for the gluten-free menu.
10. World Garden in Bentonville: They have a limited gluten-free bakery. It depends what time you visit whether there are items available. Note: World Garden let me know that they stopped making the gluten-free bakery items. So sad to hear that.
11. Chili’s in Rogers and Fayetteville: Talk to the manager and tell him or her you need a gluten-free meal.
12. On The Border in Rogers: Again, tell the manager you are gluten-free and ask for his help.
13. Fast foods: Chick-fil-a in Rogers, Bentonville, and Fayetteville: Grilled chicken without the bun, cole slaw and fruit bowl. Arby’s in Rogers, Bentonville, Springdale, and Fayetteville: Roast beef with no bun and apple market salad. Be careful with French fries in general. French fries are usually blanched with wheat. Dairy Queen in Bella Vista, Springdale, Lowell, and Fayetteville: Ice cream here is gluten-free. In general, you need to be careful with milk shakes and ice cream to make sure they do not contain wheat.
14. Starbuck’s in Bentonville, Rogers, and Fayetteville: Now offers Lucy’s branded cookies. Caution: If you are newly diagnosed, give it three years before you eat products with oat fiber. Lucy’s cookies have oat fiber.
15. PJ’s Bakery in Joplin: Every Monday PJ sets aside the entire day for gluten-free only. You name it, she makes it. She has awesome hamburger buns, muffins, biscuits, apple walnut bread, and even pre-made dough where you can make your own pizzas, strombroli, and calzone. While you can drive up to Joplin yourself, those of us in the Celiac Support Association will often group order and share the pick-up and delivery duties. PJ’s Bakery is located at 3500 Apricot Drive in Joplin, Missouri. You can pre-order, pick-up or have these products shipped to you. She can be reached at 417-781-5854. Note: PJs is closed on Mondays (this is the day she is making gluten-free items in the kitchen).
nwafoodie: These are great! Thank you so much for sharing! I’ve really enjoyed my time getting to know you and picking your brain. Thank you Carolyn!
Carolyn: You are welcome. Thank you for getting the word out. I am also organizing Gluten Freedom Day in July here in Northwest Arkansas, partnering with Celiac Sprue Association (CSA) and others. [Click here for more information about Gluten Freedom Day.]
nwafoodie: Looking forward to hearing more about that and spreading the word. Thanks again Carolyn.
Carolyn: Thank you!
Hopefully you have enjoyed this three-part series and found Carolyn’s advice, expertise, and honesty as stirring as I did. Carolyn can be reached via email or facebook and welcomes your comments!
have you ever thought about thegratefulkitchen.com,
its a lunch time only healthy food server, she cook's in the silver bullet type campers.
(Its right outside
Rogers Natural Foods & Vitamins
310 North 13th Street)
She does Vegan, gluten-free, and its all healthy! I've seen it while biking around Rogers and Andy (The owner of The Fitness Zone) showed me what they ate and I started drooling (being the cyclist foodie of Rogers) 🙂
Hello yeast-n-math, THANKS for your comments… I just checked out thegratefulkitchen.com and CANNOT WAIT to eat there this week (closed Mondays, so Tuesday it will be!).
Thanks for sharing!!!!
Lynfi
yeast-n-math… you know… cyclist foodie of Rogers has a nice ring to it! 🙂 Lyndi
Thank you for posting this!!! I'm also a big fan of U.S. Pizza and Bliss Cupcakes in Fayetteville for GF options. I had no idea about PJ's – looks like I'll be stopping by next time I'm in SWMO.
Hey Anonymous, I am so glad it's helpful!! I wasn't aware of Bordino's gluten free pasta until Carolyn told me about it! So I went and it was great!!! Have fun at PJ's… I've yet to check her out!
FYI – PJ's is closed on Monday.
Hey nwafoodie, I just wanted to let you know that Cafe Rue Orleans in Fayetteville offers almost their entire menu gluten free, all you have to do is ask your server. Love your blog, keep up the good work!
Hey Anonymous's… Thanks for the 4-1-1 on PJs being closed on Monday (I'll add it to blog post).
Also, thanks for the information about Cafe Rue Orleans… who knew? i think their building on College Avenue is adorable and has a lot of character! Thanks for the nice comments about the blog! I have so much more to share with you guys!!! 🙂
Lyndi
Mama Fu's is gluten free heaven
That pizza actually looks very delicious for being gluten free!
Seriously, it IS!
That is so sweet, thank you!
Thanks for this great post! Just found out I'll be gluten-free for the rest of my life. In Fayetteville, Greenhouse Grille makes a lot of gluten-free options, and Something Better Foods near Ozark Natural Foods is not just an all-vegan restaurant but an almost-everything gluten-free restaurant as well! Their pizza is pretty amazing.
Good stuff for NWA GF foodies. For sweet stuff like cakes, cupcakes, or cookies, we make gluten free and dairy free products (even gluten free wedding cakes). Check our menu at sweetdzbakery.com
Celi's in Fayetteville is delicious and almost everything is gluten-free (so long as you get their tortillas). YUM!
BHK is open for lunch in Fayetteville, and they ONLY serve gluten-free food. The chef has Celiac.
Have you thought about doing another list, Carolyn?