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November 3, 2022

Samba Steak & Sushi Restaurant

Gluten Free Hibachi

In March, we visited Samba Steak & Sushi Restaurant for the first time in a while. This was the first time we actually visited the restaurant with my daughter as she was diagnosed with Celiac a few years ago.

A large part of the reason people come to Samba Steak and Sushi Restaurant is for the excellent sushi selection and the fact that it is cooked right in front of your eyes. The whole point of visiting this restaurant is to be entertained and to enjoy a wonderful meal.

Samba Steakhouse Framingham

Four Things We Learned Eating at Samba Steak & Sushi Restaurant

As a rule, if you are going to eat gluten-free, it is best that everyone around the grill eat gluten-free as well. They can separate the non-gluten-free items, but to be on the safe side, they suggest that everyone eats gluten-free.

We were told that they did not have a gluten-free menu at the time, so we talked to the server about whether they would be able to prepare the dish in a gluten-free fashion.

There is a gluten-free sauce available for the rice at Samba - you will have to ask for it.

The meal was delicious, the service was great, and we all had a good time. It's a little pricey to dine here - as most Hibachi places are - but we will certainly return. It's a great place to celebrate the holidays!

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October 27, 2022

Fire Dough Kitchen

Great Wood-Fired Gluten Free Pizza

Looking for a delicious and gluten-free pizza option in Framingham? Look no further than Fire Dough Kitchen! This local spot specializes in wood-fired pizzas made with gluten-free dough, so you can enjoy all your favorite toppings without any of the guilt. Whether you're celiac or just trying to eat a little healthier, Fire Dough Kitchen is the perfect place to satisfy your pizza craving.

Fire Dough Kitchen is located at 624 Waverly Street in Framingham. They are in the same space that was recently occupied by "Wings over Framingham."

Fire Dough Framingham2022

Four things that I've learned about fire dough pizza.

We really like their gluten-free pizza. You can make it any way you like, and they will carefully place it in the wood-fire oven to prevent cross-contamination.

There are gluten-free wings at Fire Dough Kitchen as well as gluten-free pizza. I was not sure if the boneless wings were gluten-free. They didn't really know and just said 'yes' without understanding my allergy. I suggest ordering the regular wings.

The restaurant has seating, but most orders are takeout. Even if you order in-house you need to ask for plates and utensils when the order is ready.

They have a loyalty program where you can earn points for every $1 you spend - with lunch earning double points. When you reach 50 points you can save $5 on any order.

We'll be Back!

Fire Dough Kitchen was a great place to eat and will certainly be returning! We were very impressed with the wood-fired pizzas, and the location was ideal. We can't wait to go back!

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October 20, 2022

Gluten Free Halloween Candy

Top 5 Favorite Halloween Candy

This is our list of the top gluten-free Halloween candy picks for the year 2022, which are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. My daughter, who suffers from celiac disease, is always looking forward to treating herself to these yummy sweets on Halloween.

  • Hershey's Chocolate - Hershey's chocolate is my daughter's favorite candy, so it's no surprise that this is what she searches for the most. If she wants a simple chocolate treat, this is what she wants..
  • Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - This is the #1 candy that most children are looking for.
  • Sour Patch Kids - She likes to snack these in the car on road trips.
  • Jelly Beans - Every year, a neighbor would give her one of these, and she is very happy to receive it..
  • Mike & Ike - She is known to buy a box or two of these during dance competitions.

Gluten Free 2022 Halloween

There is an interesting side note: she does not like Snickers. She told me that it is too sweet and there is a lot of caramel in Snickers.

Teal Pumpkin

Be sure not to forget the Teal Pumpkin this Halloween! The Teal Pumpkin Project is a great way to ensure that everyone can enjoy Halloween, regardless of food allergies. You can let trick-or-treaters know you have non-food treats available by placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep. So if you're looking for something to do this Halloween, consider participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project!

Related Posts

Here are some of the past blog posts we have written about Halloween candy:

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October 13, 2022

Gluten Free Gillette Stadium

Easy to Find Hot Dogs

Looking for a delicious, gluten-free option at Gillette Stadium? Look no further than Kayem hot dogs! Made with all-natural ingredients and no artificial flavors or preservatives, Kayem hot dogs are an excellent choice for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Plus, they're juicy and flavorful - perfect for enjoying at any New England Patriots game!

Check out the full Concessions menu.

Gillette Stadium Gluten Free

Four things We Learned

At Gillette Stadium, gluten-free buns are available at just about every stand. There isn't a gluten-free cart that is dedicated to gluten-free products. When you get to a food vendor, you should see something that says, "Gluten Free Roll Available on Request" on the menu. We saw it below the "Entrees" at the Stadium Pizza concession stand.

As soon as we placed our order, someone in the back got our hot dog and bun for us, but when we got the order, I noticed that the bun was a little cold - not ice cold - just very cold. Maybe the buns are refrigerated and they don't have a dedicated toaster.

Despite the cold bun, My daughter ate the whole hot dog. She liked the hot dog but said the Fenway Frank was much better. (It had been less than a week since she had a Fenway Frank and she still remembered what it was like.)

We saw the Cavendish Fry Cart and noticed that they only served french fries with their dedicated fryer. She didn't seem interested in asking if they were gluten-free. It turns out that the store version of Cavendish's "Crispy Straight Cut Stadium Fries" contains wheat. I suspect the ones they sell at the stadium also contain wheat.

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October 6, 2022

Gluten Free Cart At Fenway Park

New Cart for the 2022 Season

This week we made our yearly visit to Fenway Park - just as the Red Sox finished a disappointing season. Since my 11-year daughter loves Fenway Franks, we ventured off to find where we could get a gluten-free hot dog bun. We were directed to a cart that was located near the Gate A Concourse.

Fenway Food 2022 Desktop
Fenway Food 2022 Mobile

Four Things We Leaned on Our Adventure

A helper at Fenway Park told us about the cart. They instructed us to walk up the ramp behind home plate and look for the golf cart with the baseball cap, which was parked nearby the Gluten Free cart.

As far as the price of the hot dog is concerned, it is the same as the regular Fenway Franks. (You will not be paying an extra fee for gluten-free hot dogs.) However, $9 for a hot dog seems a bit extravagant.

At the cart, there was a person working on hamburgers - which was different than in the past, since they had microwave ovens available to cook/warm up hamburgers and hot dogs.

You are asked about tip amounts when you order from the cart. This is the case at other locations in the park as well. This seems odd since they didn't go above and beyond what they were supposed to do, yet they asked for a tip. At Disney World, a cast member would engage in a conversation with you to see how you are doing - we did not get that at Fenway Park.

Did you buy food at Fenway Park in 2022? What do you think about the tipping at concession stands?

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September 29, 2022

2Mauro's Cafe

Great Breakfast and Lunch Place

If you're looking for a delicious and hearty breakfast or lunch, then you should definitely check out 2Mauro's Cafe! This local restaurant offers a variety of comfort foods, all made with the finest ingredients. From bacon to eggs to sandwiches, there's something to suit everyone at 2Mauro's Cafe. There are two locations in Ashland and Southborough, so it will be very easy for you to get what you're looking for!

To find out what 2Mauro's Cafe has to offer, check out the online menu.

2 Mauro Gluten Free

Four Things I Learned

Gluten-free bread is available at 2Mauro's Cafe, which is toasted in an oven.

There was a waitress at 2Mauro's Cafe who told us that she also eats gluten-free and appeared to be very knowledgeable about the gluten-free options available there.

The corned beef hash is gluten-free and very good - definitely a dish to try if you like corned beef. You can order the hash as a side dish or try the "Hashing it Out".

The Fruited Breakfast Sundae is gluten-free if you do not want granola included. Our server told us they were not able to confirm the granola's gluten-free status.

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September 22, 2022

The Bagel Table

Gluten Free Bagels and Donut Holes available

There is an awesome bagels chain in Ashland called The Bagel Table. They have stores in Burlington, Natick, Wayland, Boston Landing, Ashland, and Chestnut Hill. We love going there every Friday for Bagel Friday because it's a popular spot for locals to shop for fresh bagels.

Bagel Table Ashland

Gluten Free Options

They have a special refrigerator stocked with gluten-free bagels from Something Sweet Without Wheat.

Currently, Bagel Table does not have a dedicated toaster for toasting Gluten Free bagels.

All gluten-free bagels can be topped with cream cheese available next to the register.

In addition to gluten-free donut holes, they also sell gluten-free donut cones. But my daughter did not like them and told me never to buy them again..

It seems that the Ashland store does run out of Gluten Free Everything bagels, so people are buying them.

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September 15, 2022

Uncle Chungs

Best Gluten Free Chinese Food in Metrowest

Do you miss the taste of authentic Chinese food? Does the thought of General Tso's chicken make your mouth water, but worry about another disappointing takeout experience leave you afraid to try again? Are you tired of bland, Americanized Chinese food that has nothing to do with real Chinese cooking? If so, then we have good news for you! It is possible to get real Chinese food that is also free of gluten and MSG. Uncle Chung Framingham offers a line of authentic, gluten-free Chinese cooking.

Who is Uncle Chung?

Uncle Chungs is a Chinese-food restaurant located at 585 Cochituate Road, in Framingham (about 15 minutes away from downtown Boston). It's a small cozy space with seating for about 20 people. They have a separate gluten-free menu available on request. Their gluten-free menu has more than 10 options, including sweet and sour chicken, general Tso's chicken, orange chicken, kung pao chicken, spicy chicken and broccoli, sesame chicken, honey garlic shrimp, veggie lo mein, and fried rice. They also have gluten-free soy sauce for dipping your food. Each meal costs around $8 $10.

Authentic Gluten-Free Chinese Cooking

If you are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease, you know how difficult it can be to find good Chinese food. Almost all Chinese food is made with soy sauce, which is made with wheat. Many Chinese sauces also contain monosodium glutamate, or MSG, which is a chemical that many people have adverse reactions to. MSG was once thought to be dangerous, and while it has since been proven to be safe, many people still avoid it. Authentic Chinese food is usually made with gluten and MSG-free ingredients. It is also often made with real ingredients, such as real ginger, garlic, and sesame seeds, rather than with sodium benzoate, disodium inosinate, and disodium guanylate, which are chemicals that are often put in American Chinese foods.

Why is Chinese Food Usually Off Limits for Those With Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance?

Chinese food is usually off limits for those with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance because of the soy sauce in most Chinese dishes, as well as the MSG in many Chinese sauces. However, gluten in Chinese foods can also cause problems for people who do not have celiac disease or an intolerance to gluten. Real Chinese food, though, is usually gluten-free, as well as MSG-free. Chinese cooking is often done in a wok, which is a type of pan that can be used on a stovetop, in an oven, or even on a barbecue. The wok is a great tool for stir-frys, and the best woks are made of carbon steel. Carbon steel woks are non-reactive and do not cause the chemical reactions that non-stick pans do. They can also be seasoned and are an excellent, long-lasting tool for Chinese cooking.

How is Uncle Chungs Authentic Chinese Food Made?

Uncle Chungs foods are made with real, whole ingredients, as well as with gluten-free ingredients. The recipes are authentic Chinese recipes that have been tweaked to make them safe for those who cannot eat gluten. The recipes come from real Chinese chefs who have been trained in the art of Chinese cooking. Therefore, the recipes for authentic Chinese food are followed exactly, making the food much more than just gluten free.

Uncle Chungs Sweet and Sour Chicken

Uncle Changs sweet and sour chicken is a recipe that was created with people who cannot eat gluten in mind. The sauce has all the flavors of a sweet and sour sauce, with a slight addition of soy sauce, but without wheat. It is an excellent example of the kind of food that Uncle Chungs has to offer. This recipe starts with a marinade made of real ingredients. It uses real ginger, garlic, vinegar, and sesame seeds to give the chicken a sweet, spicy flavor that is reminiscent of the classic Chinese dish. The chicken is then cooked in a wok, using a sauce that is made with the same ingredients as the marinade, but with the addition of a small amount of soy sauce.

Final Words

Uncle Chungs Authentic Chinese Food may not be Chinese food as it is made in China, but it is Chinese food that has been tweaked to meet the needs of those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance. It is made with real ingredients, and it is MSG-free. It is Chinese food, made by real Chinese chefs, for people who cannot eat gluten, and it is made to be enjoyed by all.

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September 8, 2022

The Knack - Orleans Mass.

Pickle and Spice Burger

This week we were in Orleans, Massachusetts and we decided to try a local popular burger place:

The Knack Orleans

My daughter wanted to try The Knack, 5 Route 6A in Orleans, as we heard the food was very good - one local said it was the best burger on Cape Cod. Could it also be the best gluten Free Burger?

Pickle And Spice Burger
Pickle and Spice Burger made Gluten Free

Taste Results

My daughter loved the burger! She ate more of the burger than any other burger she had before- she has had a lot of them.

The only thing we don???t know is if the french fries were gluten-free. She told me it didn???t matter as the burger filled her up. Compared to other foods she had, the burger wasn't too spicy. It had a bite to it, which she liked since it wasn't just another burger.

We highly recommend The Knack as a place to go! If you go, try to park behind the restaurant as there is usually more space.

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September 1, 2022

Taco Bell

Supreme Taco is Gluten Free

The Supreme Taco at Taco Bell is gluten-free. Did you know that?

My 11-year-old daughter loves this fast food item. There is no Big Mac from MacDonald's or a Whopper from Burger King for her, but Taco Bell offers Crunchy Supreme Tacos. Best of all it???s gluten-free.

Taco Bell Gluten Free

Taco Bell Statement

Taco Bell officially does not recommend their restaurant for people with celiac disease. In the kitchen, there is cross-contamination.

There are some Taco Bell dishes that do not contain gluten ingredients, and there is a guide that explains how to eat Taco Bell while you are avoiding gluten. It is called href="https://www.tacobell.com/blog/how-to-avoid-gluten">How To Eat Taco Bell When You???re Avoiding Gluten.

Our Experience

As a matter of fact, we have eaten at Taco Bell a number of times and my daughter has never had a reaction to eating the taco. She only complains that we don't eat there often enough.

This is definitely something worth considering if you or someone you know has celiac disease or is otherwise gluten-intolerant. The options are fairly limited when it comes to fast food, but Taco Bell seems to be doing a good job with its gluten-free offerings.

Upon ordering, you can request that the Supreme Taco is prepared with extra care.

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About

This series of posts will cover some tips and tricks that I have learned about my twelve-year-old daughter's gluten-free lifestyle in the Boston area. Gluten-free eating can be challenging in any big city, but especially in Boston due to the high number of restaurants and availability of options. I've been learning what I can to make sure my daughter can still enjoy eating out, and I want to share what I've learned so that other families in the same situation can benefit.

Check out all the blog posts.

Schedule

FridayMacintosh
SaturdayInternet Tools
SundayOpen Topic
MondayMedia Monday
TuesdayQA
WednesdayNew England
ThursdayGluten Free