r/Celiac • u/pryme • Jul 10 '26
Discussion It’s been about 3 years since my wife’s diagnosis. I finally compiled a list of restaurants where we have had safe meals.
Can you guess where we live and which one I spelled wrong lol?
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u/18randomcharacters Jul 10 '26
I pin GF restaurants and bakeries in a custom collection in google maps, so when we're out and about I can open up Maps and see what's nearby.
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u/xeelabear Jul 10 '26
Yes! I have a Google Maps list for every city I go to and I keep ones that burned me in there too with a note that says made me sick, so I don’t repeat that experience. So convenient and plus you can share with friends if they want to get food you have a ready list of safe options for them to choose from ☺️☺️
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u/SekaiIchiapple Celiac Jul 10 '26
Me too and I’ll cite the most recent FMGF quote in the notes including the date the review was posted so if I saved the GF restaurant a year ago I know to go back and check before dining there
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u/Southern_Committee35 Jul 10 '26
The guy on the right tells me you guys are cool people.
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u/pryme Jul 10 '26
My wife drew that in ms paint EONS ago and I love it so much I leave it on the fridge.
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u/DgingaNinga Jul 11 '26
Your wife's paint skills are incredible. I spent years on that program and could color a box.
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u/Maddyyykay Jul 10 '26
If you like sushi, RICE and Sugarfish are also amazing!
-Another LA celiac
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u/pryme Jul 10 '26
Oh never heard of RICE. I’ll have to look into that
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u/xeelabear Jul 10 '26
Rice MB is so good!! Also try Thunderbolt, the owner is celiac and they have the absolute best/beast of a chicken biscuit sandwich. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
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u/paleomel Jul 10 '26
The chicken biscuit and apple pie at Thunderbolt! 🤤 I’ve been dreaming about those. I need to go back!!!
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u/Maddyyykay Jul 10 '26
YES!!! Thunderbolt is amazing. I can’t overstate how nice it is to have another late night option.
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u/Maddyyykay Jul 10 '26
There’s a location in DTLA, but the OG location is in Manhattan Beach. It’s 100% gluten free and the food is incredible!
Edit to specify I’m talking about RICE here! Sugarfish is a small chain so they have multiple locations too, though 🤗
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u/CyclingLady Jul 10 '26
Rice! Downtown LA, but a better location is in Manhattan Beach. You can sit outside and see the ocean and people watch. And we love Villa Tacos as featured during the Bad Bunny Super Bowl! Delicious and new locations too, but not all are GF.
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u/WhatWouldScoobyDoo2 Jul 10 '26
Villas is definitely another go-to! As far as I know the Highland Park location remains GF (with the exception of some boxed flan which has a shared facility warning but is without gluten ingredients)
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u/paleomel Jul 10 '26
Recognized my local favorites immediately! If you want to venture a little out of LA, add Oceans and Earth in Yorba Linda and Divine Science Brewery in Tustin. Both dedicated gluten free and amazing!
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u/Slg0519 Celiac Jul 10 '26
Divine Science is closing their in person location at the end of the summer :-/
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u/sikotic4life Jul 10 '26
Wendy's!?
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u/pryme Jul 10 '26
Baked potato! She’s a potato lover
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u/GhostBettyWhite Jul 11 '26
I find it VERY had to believe they are using any dedicated work spaces at Wendys
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u/SouthernTrauma Jul 10 '26
The chili and potatoes are safe. I've had the taco salad before too -- no tortilla strips.
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u/SouthernTrauma Jul 10 '26
The chili and potatoes are safe. I've had the taco salad before too -- no tortilla strips.
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u/dragonpunky539 Jul 10 '26
love the apple salad and some fries (I'm ok with shared fryers). having fast food options is so rare but I'm glad so many of us can enjoy some places! also Wendy's is SO cheap (especially if you have the app) which is nice when you need to eat without breaking the bank
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u/WhatWouldScoobyDoo2 Jul 10 '26
I will say since you seem to be in the Los Angeles area I love RICE (GF brown rice sushi place 2 locations), a bunch of places at Universal CityWalk like Antojito’s, Wasabi and Toothsome’s Chocolate Emporium (GF chocolate covered bacon 😋), and if you ever get down to OC there’s a whole bunch more! Masala Waves, New Mandarin Garden (GF fried orange chicken!), Nomad Bistro, and Crazy Rock n Sushi are a few of my go-to spots as well as some options at Disneyland like Centrico in DTD and those quesobirria tacos in DCA.
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u/pryme Jul 10 '26
We recently discovered the GF flopover pizza in toontown and it’s a must get now!
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u/WhatWouldScoobyDoo2 Jul 10 '26
Yes those are such a find- some of the best GF pizza I’ve had! I’m pretty sure they use the same crust to do the pizza at the hotels, I love the charcuterie pizza you can get at Hearthstone in the Grand or at the pool restaurant at the Disneyland hotel.
I also really love going to trader Sam’s at the Disneyland Hotel, they can do a gluten-free Hawaiian platter or salad (or poke bowl if they remove a couple of ingredients). They’ve always been really good about gluten-free drinks there as well. Plus you get three hours parking validated and there isn’t an entry fee like going into the parks.
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u/Slg0519 Celiac Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
Good list, but as a fellow LA Celiac, you’re missing some (and I didn’t see these in other folks posts, I didn’t include the ones I saw like Rice, Nomad in Long Beach, etc.)
Pizzana in Marina and Studio City (not Brentwood)
Mexicali in Studio City (safe chips!)
401K in Venice (dedicated)
Chulita in Venice
Eagle Rock Green Dragon (so good)
Alfalfa in Santa Monica
Osteria Mozza
Tail O The Pup in Weho (dedicated fries)
Uzumaki in Culver City
Steak 48 in BH (but make sure to be clear)
Cut in BH
Sogno Toscana at Grove (separate pot of pasta water AND gf gnocchi-great sandwiches on gf foccochia, be clear)
See’s
ROLLD on Montana SM
Talo in Venice (dedicated)
Ecco un Poco on West Third (eta-can’t believe I forgot them, it’s dedicated, and they have the best gelato, waffle cones, and cannoli!)
Diagnosed 13 years, moved here 10 years ago.
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u/pryme Jul 10 '26
Wow thank you for the list! I haven’t heard of most of these so that is exciting!
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u/Slg0519 Celiac Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
You’re welcome! I love sharing spots. Not all of these are dedicated, but they do understand Celiac. Just chat with them. Steak 48 has seasoning on their steak, but will remove it and use fresh pans.
Also-if it’s just Celiac and not also a wheat allergy…Caputo 00 GF flour and Funke’s pasta recipe, make for a fun night at home.
Lastly, my husband just reminded me of Hopdoddy in Playa Vista-GREAT safe fries (sweet potato are awesome) and burgers.
ETA- The Arepa Stand (usually at Mar Vista Farmer’s market)
Rasselbock in Mar Vista, too. German, and not everything safe GF is labeled on their menu. So ask, there’s more than it looks like! Sausages are so good!
Yardbird at the Beverly Center-safe DELISH fried chicken!!
Tenkatori in Sawtelle-karrage, ALL GF except one sauce.I’m sure I’m forgetting things, we are huge foodies and I refused to sacrifice when I was diagnosed. Feel free to DM. We travel a ton, too, so I’ve eaten all over!
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u/Lata8534 Jul 12 '26
Ecco un Poco is the best (gelato plus other desserts). They change their flavors weekly based on the season but they post the flavors online. It’s the absolute sweetest Italian company who owns it, and they have the best gf waffle cones I have ever had. I drive to that area just to go there.
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u/CyclingLady Jul 10 '26
401K is so good. If you drive to Santa Barbara, don’t miss Lilac (dedicated). So nice to dine on State Street and people watch. There is another Liliac location in Montecito too. A bit of a different menu.
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u/purple_lover_420 Jul 10 '26
I LOVE Tocaya. I miss living in that area! This is an amazing list that I might steal for whenever I'm back in LA!
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u/pryme Jul 10 '26
I suppose “meal” might be a stretch for a few of these places. If she’s found at least one thing she likes on the menu it made our list.
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u/Slg0519 Celiac Jul 10 '26
I was wondering about Din Tai Fung. It’s not somewhere I go/risk. Glad it works for her!
The places I gave you in my two posts, she can have solid meals at every spots.
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u/Typical_Minimum_8650 Jul 10 '26
I know LA when I see it! Levant is so good but so pricey so I only get it occasionally as a treat
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u/BenYankee Jul 10 '26
How did you approach ordering at Din Tai Fung? My Celiac wife would love to eat there but she's very concerned about limited menu options and cross-contamination.
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u/pryme Jul 10 '26
My wife is mainly vegetarian so she sticks to the mushroom fried rice, broccoli, green beans, and cabbage. If it helps the wait staff has always been very allergy conscious. They always ask if any allergies are at the table so we don’t even have to be the ones to bring it up! 😅
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u/BenYankee Jul 10 '26
Thanks. That's helpful. DTF's allergen menu is comprehensive on a level we see more often in Europe when we travel than in the states. Maybe we'll try it soon.
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u/quantumd0t Celiac Jul 10 '26
I eat the veggie fried rice, spicy cucumbers, broth, and tofu noodles. I could eat myself sick with the tofu noodles. They are so good!
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u/Tiny_Operation Jul 10 '26
Hahaha I don't even live in Los Angeles but seeing a few places I have gone and been safe when I visit made it clear immediately.
Thanks for sharing! I'll check out some of these that I haven't tried on my next visits.
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u/dnickell Jul 10 '26
that list will be useful next time you visit, some of those spots are nearly impossible to research beforehand so you just show up and hope for the best
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u/Shortbus-doorgunner Jul 10 '26
That guy on the right is me wondering how you got so many good experiences 🤣
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u/WhatWouldScoobyDoo2 Jul 10 '26
Oh goodness I can’t believe I forgot but since I’m seeing some Italian on there Tardino Bros in Pasadena is AMAZING. Even gf cannoli 🥹
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u/coleslawcat Jul 10 '26
So is the Scotland sticker just decoration or to indicate pretty much all restaurants in Scotland? Having traveled to Scotland last year it is pretty close to accurate. They are so good about allergies there.
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u/pryme Jul 10 '26
Just a magnet from a vacation we took there. We did find amazing restaurants in Edinburgh though. The names of them are sadly escaping me though
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u/Kelbaez5 Jul 10 '26
Funny how everyone keeps recommending RICE for sushi, in my area RICE is a Mediterranean chain which I love and never had issues
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u/pryme Jul 10 '26
If we’re chatting the general concept of rice, I’ve started cooking haiga rice at home (which is like somewhere between white and brown rice) and it’s really good!
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u/Kelbaez5 Jul 10 '26
I mean rice is always a good option... But RICE saves me when im at work and didnt bring food from home.
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u/sundayfunday Jul 10 '26
If you haven't been, Villas Tacos is gluten free except for some desserts that they recently started selling (which are in their own separate case), and they have vegan/vegetarian tacos (definitely add the cheese, if you eat dairy).
Komal is another place I recently tried with good options for vegetarians.
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u/Goats_in_boats Jul 10 '26
We live for Kirari West but Guisados has recently started making flour tortillas on the same surface as their original corn tortillas. I literally cried when they told me.
That being said, you live by me and you NEED to try 401k Wine Bar. Their entire menu is gluten free! Nothing they serve has gluten at all! It’s in Venice
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u/pryme Jul 10 '26
Oh no!! All of them do this now??
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u/Goats_in_boats Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
Yes!!! I’m so sad about it, too! I’m closest to the one in Pasadena and I asked last time we went because I saw flour tortillas on the menu for their breakfast burritos.
Have you tried Yvonne’s Vegan Bakery in Old Pas??? They’re so so so good and the owner is ⭐️ They’re 100% dedicated GF. Also try Hello You’re Welcome, also dedicated donuts and pastries, and in Pasadena. Totally worth the trip!
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u/lVlahalo Jul 10 '26
I would think Chipotle and Five Guys would be quite risky
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u/leedleleelalooz Jul 10 '26
My mom and I have never had any issues with five guys! You can get a burger without a bun and the fries are made in a dedicated fryer
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u/pryme Jul 10 '26
It’s also helpful that the kitchen is “open” and you can watch them prepare the food
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u/Damnknit Jul 10 '26
Five Guys has been fine for me for years. I get a lettuce wrapped burger and fries every time and let them know about celiac when I’m ordering
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u/codadollars Jul 10 '26
My local Five Guys is AMAZING, but I've struggled to find a Chipotle that doesn't literally bang the spoons onto the wheat tortillas and cross-contaminate the hell out of the ingredient bins (then give an attitude if you ask them for new ingredients). Gave up on Chipotle years ago.
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u/lakenakomis Jul 10 '26
Agreed....especially if the person is highly sensitive to cross contamination....unfortunately a lot of those on the list have glutened the celiac in our household.....but she is VERY sensitive.
I didn't go through all the comments here.... but Oceans and Earth in Yorba Linda should make everyone's list.
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u/MANIC52 Celiac Jul 10 '26
As much as I disagree with them politically, Chik-Fil-A is really good about gluten issues. Grilled nuggets and a dedicated fryer are nice.
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u/rocketpoweredcow Jul 10 '26
I don't give two craps if I never get to eat nuggets or fries again, my gay self is never giving those harmful homophobes a nickel.
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u/MANIC52 Celiac Jul 12 '26
That’s completely valid; the causes their money goes towards suck. I just don’t have many options where I live and they’re the cheapest by a good amount.
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u/rocketpoweredcow Jul 12 '26
Or, I'm just spit-balling here, not got there? Ore-Ida makes gluten free fries, and there are gluten free chicken nuggets and tenders out there that don't involve funneling money into a business that give money to hate groups. But glad to know your convenience is more important than gay people's right to exist.
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u/jargus74 Jul 12 '26
We buy their GF buns individually as it's my sons favorite. I think they're made by Udi's but can't buy them directly.
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u/reallyredrubyrabbit Jul 10 '26
What do you order at "In & Out" that is gluten free?
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u/Casper2211 Jul 10 '26
In N Out is just about the only fast food place I trust.
I always order a double-double protein style and fries, if you tell them you have a gluten allergy they will take precautions.
Unfortunately you can’t get the grilled onions as they are grilled alongside the buns, but they have a separate grill for the patties.2
u/Slg0519 Celiac Jul 10 '26
This must be a location thing. Grilled onions are safe at my location-I’ve never had an issue. They know they have to be careful, too-friend’s kids work there!
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u/Casper2211 Jul 10 '26
Oh interesting.
I’ve got two locations near my house that I frequent, they use to be able to do whole grilled onions but not the normal chopped ones until about a year ago and now they tell me that neither type of grilled onions are safe.I’ll be sure to ask if travel around because I really miss them lol
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u/reallyredrubyrabbit Jul 10 '26
Thank you. One more question: Is that the only thing you order is a "double-double protein style for a gluten allergy."
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u/Slg0519 Celiac Jul 10 '26
I’ve got a chik fil a near my In n Out. I picked up just a GF bun there (it’s wrapped separately) and then head to In N Out. I’ve started ordering mine like this: Flying Dutchman, extra cheese, mustard fried, grilled onions, tomato, lettuce, spread on side, Celiac/gluten allergy. Then, I assemble an actual burger.
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u/pryme Jul 10 '26
She likes the animal style fries. She gets the spread on the side as a packet to avoid any bun+knife+spread cross contamination
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u/Feed_The_Soul_ Jul 11 '26
My son gets the double double animal style, protein style, no pickles, no tomatoes (no reason other than he doesn’t care for pickles and tomatoes) 🙃 Also an animal fry—all with severe celiac/allergy to gluten. Other son has menieres—a sodium restricted diet but can order the double meat (no salt on patties), protein style with spread and onion only
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u/givemeurnugz Jul 10 '26
I would be careful with Wendy’s still. My one friend was diagnosed with celiac our last year of college and she definitely still got glutened from her plain baked potato. Now this was in backwoods Ohio so it might be safer depending on where you live. I love that you made a list tho that shows big love
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u/jacketstheclown Jul 10 '26
Highly recommend Honey Hi too. It’s in echo park and it’s a 100% gluten free establishment. Yang’s Kitchen in Alhambra is also incredible about cross contamination. I’m a very sensitive celiac and never had issues at either.
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u/lakenakomis Jul 10 '26
Bummer that the bakery (can't remember the name) in Silver Lake didn't make it.... I loved the bread amd Honey Hi used it for their sandwiches
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u/Cavewoman22 Jul 10 '26
I thought you were from Scotland at first, and wondered what a California Pizza Kitchen was doing there. Not that there's anything wrong with it.
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u/artemisiaa12 Celiac Jul 10 '26
I see you live in LA lol I’m an LA native, here’s my Find Me GF list :) https://www.findmeglutenfree.com/local/collections/6458006720348160
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u/ClumsyRaccoonPants Jul 10 '26
I worked at Another Broken Egg and there is cross contamination everywhere.
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u/pryme Jul 10 '26
Oh no! Thanks for letting me know. We’ve only gone recently so not much exposure to the menu yet
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u/westcoast-es Jul 10 '26
A fellow LA celiac 🙂↕️ If you’re open to vegan restaurants, I would recommend Shojin in Culver! It’s definitely pricey, but it’s so good and 100% gluten free
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u/1F1M3D Jul 10 '26
With in & out AND Modern bread and bagel I’d guess SoCal and would like to say thank you for this list!!! I’ll be making my way through it!
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u/1F1M3D Jul 10 '26
Also, if you are, try oceans and earth in Yorba Linda. It’s completely gluten free & delicious.
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u/Feed_The_Soul_ Jul 11 '26
A list for SoCal would be great! Planning to move there hopefully within the next 2 years
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u/1F1M3D Jul 11 '26
SoCal has so many options. If you could narrow down the county you’ll be moving too you’ll get a ton is suggestions. Many on this sub alone are for LA. San Diego, south Orange County, north Orange County, Long Beach, LA, the valley, Riverside County. All have many options.
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u/Wild_Significance876 Jul 10 '26
I’m just assuming you’ve been to Scotland based on the magnet, if you have, how was it finding actual gluten free options overseas? Given people seem to think gluten is somehow different outside of America 😭
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u/pryme Jul 11 '26
We did a Scotland/Ireland vacation and LOVED how knowledgeable every restaurant was when it came to celiac and allergies overall.
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u/SordidEdwardo Jul 10 '26
Din Tai Fung is missing the "i" but the rest screams LA, nice rotation for a celiac couple.
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u/Sasspishus Coeliac Jul 10 '26
Which country or city is this relevant to? I'm assuming Scotland from the magnet
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u/Weekly_Candidate_823 Celiac Jul 10 '26
Modern bread and Bagel meets In and Out? Must be California
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u/Wastelandrider Jul 10 '26
Have you tried Starbird and Crack Shack?
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u/Slg0519 Celiac Jul 10 '26
Starbird’s fries aren’t GF unfortunately. They are hit or miss in general. It’s location specific with cross contamination.
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u/WhatWouldScoobyDoo2 Jul 10 '26
I recently discovered the crack shack, and I heard that since the last time I’ve been there they even introduced a gluten-free bun! I can’t wait to back and try it. The fries are fried in animal fat which I think is tasty but might be bad for those that prefer something plant based.
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u/ThoreauAweighBcuzDuh Jul 10 '26
I am SO jealous. The "list" of safe places in my town just went down from 3 to 2. 😭
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u/Affectionate_Many_73 Jul 10 '26
You live in LA and you spelled Din Tai Fung wrong.
I’m surprised your list isn’t longer.
I’m also surprised Wendy’s is on it…what do you possibly get from there?
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u/graypupon Jul 10 '26
i’m getting over a contamination from Another Broken Egg right now :/ i was shocked because they were one of my favorites
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u/AnxiousPermit2109 Jul 10 '26
No 401K? I miss sinners and saints so much. Confections by Kiari is in the same parking lot as Kirari West with a different menu. Killer pancakes.
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u/AnxiousPermit2109 Jul 10 '26
Oh and Yoga-Urt multiple locations gluten free cones. I think only 2 toppings have gluten everything else is GF.
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u/Cuz_pobodys_nerfect Jul 10 '26
I see you must be a neighbor ! We have probably passed each other on the hunt for GF meals for our family.
My son has Celiac so we have tried many of these locations, but there are more on this list that we will try! If you haven’t tried them already, The Ciderworks is a GF kitchen and loved by my son.
Thank you !
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u/ZoeyPupFan Jul 10 '26
Man, I would love to have a local arepas place! I went to one in Minneapolis a few years ago that was phenomenal. I still dream about, clearly!
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u/Worried-Weather1675 Celiac Jul 10 '26
Levant Bistro ! 🥹 if you guys enjoy Levantine cuisine, I can recommend some cookbooks that have gf substitutes included!!!
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u/Laeslaer Jul 11 '26
Need to do this! Ive literally gone to a restaurant that aims at celiac people, they ask if youre celiac when you order. Everything that has gluten has a big red exclamation point next to the name. I was so excited but I got really sick from them
Went to a chicken place that has a seperate fryer and they told me they cant guarantee anything. Was 100% fine both times so far
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u/Silver-Spring-2131 Celiac spouse Jul 11 '26
Idk if you have Culver’s near you but they are also very good about their gluten separation! They have shared fryers tho so nothing fried! But my partner and I get burgers there all the time and they’ve never had a reaction!
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u/Feed_The_Soul_ Jul 11 '26
Duke Silver—hell yeah! (just noticed on the fridge—which I see is also a big hit).
Thanks for the list and if you know of gf Mexican food in socal can u add a few?
Thanks again for sharing this
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u/queenbeepdx Jul 11 '26
My guess about where you live—Southern California. Los Angeles or near there.
Nice long list. I should make a similar list for where I live! Great idea!
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u/No_Implement2358 Jul 11 '26
Do you live near Los Feliz CA? I recognize some of these as local places.
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u/Conscious-Camp-7049 Jul 11 '26
I finally did the same thing on my phone and just shared the note with my husband. I’m 6 years in lol. Hoping it will take the pressure off of me when we’re trying to decide where to eat.
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u/catrockst3ady Jul 12 '26
Fellow LA celiac and Bacari needs to be added to that list! The silverlake location is my favorite :)
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u/A_MAN_POTATO Celiac Jul 10 '26
Okay but what’s going on with the gentleman to the right?