I recently spent a few days in Chicago while attending Digestive Disease Week. Along with the conference, I was also able to spend time with family, which made the trip a nice mix of work and downtime. During my visit, I made it a point to try a few gluten-free spots around the city and revisit a favorite dedicated gluten-free bakery. Learn more about my Gluten Free Chicago eats below! Shout out to my sister in law’s gluten-free friend for many of these recommendations. Recommendations from locals are always the best!
Tuco and Blondie
One of the highlights of this trip was visiting Tuco and Blondie, a lively Mexican restaurant with a wide range of gluten-free options.
While the menu itself isn’t specifically labeled gluten-free, the staff were very knowledgeable and able to answer questions about ingredients and preparation. That made ordering feel much more straightforward and gave helpful context on what to expect.
I visited just before Cinco de Mayo, so they were offering a few seasonal specials. I started with a tequila-based drink featuring watermelon and mint. It definitely leaned on the stronger side, but it was incredibly refreshing, something I could easily see being a go-to during the summer months.
We also shared chips and guacamole to start. One standout detail here is that the chips are fried in their own dedicated fryer, which is always something I appreciate seeing at a restaurant. They do serve other fried options that contain gluten such as fried fish, but these are fried in a different fryer.
For my main meal, I ordered the three taco plate, which came with rice and beans. I chose:
- Steak
- Al pastor
- Chicken tinga
Each taco had great flavor, and everything was well-seasoned. The steak taco was my personal favorite, but all three were solid choices. The portion size was satisfying, and overall it was one of the more memorable meals from this trip, definitely a spot I would return to.
Summer House Santa Monica
Of all the restaurants I visited during my trip, Summer House Santa Monica ended up being my favorite.
My sister-in-law had eaten here before with a friend with Celiac Disease. Once I spotted truffle fries cooked in a dedicated fryer on the menu, I was immediately interested. Safe fried food is always exciting when you’re living gluten-free, and Summer House delivered.
The restaurant itself is beautiful. I’ve never been to California, but the restaurant felt like what I imagine coastal California to feel like. The decor is bright and airy, with abundant greenery, rattan chandeliers, and a relaxed beach-house atmosphere. We were seated outside for dinner, though the weather had other plans. Rain rolled through during our visit. We had to scoot our table more than once to stay dry and keep our food from getting soaked.
We started the meal with the Post Water-Melone mocktail. But the real star of the night was the truffle fries. They were slightly saltier than I would have preferred. However, the truffle flavor was delicious. Most importantly, they came from a dedicated fryer.
For my entree, I ordered the gluten-free fried chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries. My sister-in-law chose the gluten-free pizza. The chicken was crispy and flavorful, topped with a sweet barbecue sauce that worked surprisingly well. The sweet potato fries were crispy and well-seasoned. However, the truffle fries were still my favorite.
I also sampled a slice of the gluten-free pizza. The pizza was my least favorite item of the meal. The crust was softer than I prefer. It also felt slightly greasy. Other menu items stood out more to me. I likely wouldn’t order this in the future.
Despite being completely full, we couldn’t leave without trying dessert. Summer House offers several gluten-free dessert options, so we took dessert to go. I chose the gluten-free brownie. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the rest of the meal.
Even with a few items that didn’t quite hit the mark for me, Summer House was my favorite restaurant from this trip. Between the dedicated fryer, gluten-free fried chicken sandwich, beautiful atmosphere, and overall dining experience, it’s a restaurant I would happily recommend to others looking for gluten-free dining in Chicago.
Wheat’s End Cafe
I also made a stop at Wheat’s End Cafe, a dedicated gluten-free bakery that I’ve visited on a previous trip to Chicago.
I already have a full review of Wheat’s End here, so I won’t go too in depth, but it’s a place I like to revisit when I’m in the area.
They are currently operating as carryout only, with a mix of ready-to-eat items and a variety of frozen options to take home. It’s a great setup if you’re looking to stock up or bring items back with you after your trip.
This time around, I picked up a few things to enjoy right away, along with some items to take home.
The menu is extensive, and I decided to try a few things I hadn’t had before including a cinnamon roll and a lemon poppyseed donut. The cinnamon roll didn’t have a traditional cream cheese frosting due to being dairy-free, but it still had a really enjoyable texture and flavor. It’s something I would order again without hesitation.
The lemon poppyseed donut was more of a cake-style donut. The texture was good, and while most of the lemon flavor came from the frosting, it wasn’t overly sweet and had a nice balance overall.
I also took home a dozen bagels to enjoy in my gluten-free toaster at home. I bought some blueberry and cinnamon raisin bagels from the grab and go coolers and thoroughly enjoyed them when I got home.
Final Thoughts
This trip to Chicago was a great reminder of how many different types of gluten-free options are available, from restaurants with a variety of gluten-free dishes to dedicated gluten-free bakeries.
Even with a busy schedule, it was easy to find meals and treats that felt both enjoyable and worth sharing. I’m looking forward to trying even more spots on my next visit.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this blog are based on my personal experiences with restaurants offering gluten-free options. While I aim to provide accurate and helpful information, I cannot guarantee that the gluten-free options at these establishments will meet everyone’s needs or expectations. Cross-contact and ingredient changes are always a possibility.
Please exercise your own judgment and diligence when dining out, particularly if you have Celiac Disease or gluten sensitivity. I am not liable for any adverse effects that may occur from consuming food at any of the restaurants mentioned in this blog. Always confirm with the restaurant staff to ensure your meal meets your specific dietary requirements.
Your safety is your responsibility—eat smart and stay gluten-free!
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