When you’re close to someone who has Celiac disease, you quickly learn the difference between “gluten-free” and “celiac-safe.” While it’s great that people with gluten sensitivities have options in many restaurants today, individuals who have Celiac disease may not be able to enjoy foods if there’s a possibility of cross-contamination. This makes it difficult for celiacs to find food options that won’t make them sick.
Here are 10 spots – local businesses and chain restaurants – that offer gluten-free foods with little to no cross-contamination.
Koro Koro
538 Jersey Ave, Jersey City
Koro Koro serves Japanese-style onigiri with daily specials available throughout the week and tasty soups to accompany the rice balls. Their whole menu is gluten-free, including desserts, and they also offer vegan options.
Celiac-friendliness – 100% gluten-free
Website: http://korokorocafe.com/
Busy Bee Organics
491 Palisade Ave, Jersey City
Busy Bee Organics has prepared meals available, all of which are gluten-free with locally sourced produce. You can stop by to grab items like breakfast sandwiches, winter bisque, and paleo carrot cake.
Celiac-friendliness – 100% gluten-free
Website: https://busybeeorganics.com/
The Little Beet
Newport Centre, 30 Mall Dr W, Jersey City
If you’re looking for a quick lunch while you’re shopping at the mall, The Little Beet offers Make-Your-Own bowls with a fully gluten-free menu. Choose a base, veggies, and protein of your choose for a filling and healthy meal.
Celiac-friendliness – 100% gluten-free
Website: https://www.thelittlebeet.com/
Om Sweet Home
708 Anderson Ave, Cliffside Park
https://www.instagram.com/p/B86ZKrvnrlv/
Having celiac disease doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy baked goods anymore! Om Sweet Home is a gluten-free and vegan bakery that serves anything from scones and cinnamon buns to egg sandwiches and prepared meals in their Hello Marketplace. You could also find some of their items in local shops.
Celiac-friendliness – 100% gluten-free
Website: https://om-sweethome.com/
WHOS Gluten Free
483 Rt 17 S, Paramus
WHOS Gluten Free was created by Steph Wong after being diagnosed with Celiac disease and having a difficult time finding good snacks. They serve brunch on weekends along with baked goods and snacks including trail mixes, cupcakes, brownies, and granola. While they’re no longer in Jersey City at the moment, you could still find some of their items at local shops!
Celiac-friendliness – 100% gluten free
Website: http://www.whosglutenfree.com/
Senza Gluten
206 Sullivan St, New York (restaurant)
171 Sullivan St, New York (cafe/bakery)
If you want to enjoy a delicious Italian dinner, Senza Gluten is an entirely gluten-free Italian restaurant offering dishes like Lasagna, Aragosta, and Bruschetta Originale. Their cafe serves sandwiches, flatbreads, and other tasty lunch options along with desserts and pastries like tiramisu, Southern red velvet cake, and shortbread butter cookies.
Celiac-friendliness – 100% gluten free
Website: http://senzaglutennyc.com/
October
384 Broome St, New York
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9KsZ41l8Kp/
If you’re looking for a casual, quick lunch in the city, October is a newly opened quick-serve spot in Manhattan. Their menu is free of the top 8 allergens: dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat/gluten, and soy. You can enjoy salads, hot dishes, smoothies, and shakes.
Celiac-friendliness – 100% gluten free
Website: https://www.orderoctober.com/
Seasons 52
Seasons 52 has 4 locations in New Jersey – Edison, Bridgewater, Princeton, and Cherry Hill. The chain has a gluten-sensitive menu available with items that are naturally gluten-free as well as dishes with alternatives.
Celiac-friendliness – Separate gluten-sensitive menu
Website: https://www.seasons52.com/
California Pizza Kitchen
If you’re out with friends and in the mood for pizza, California Pizza Kitchen prepares their gluten-free pizzas in a separate kitchen as per the Gluten Intolerance Group procedures. Enjoy certified gluten-free pizzas like their Original BBQ Chicken, Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage, Pepperoni, Margherita, and Traditional Cheese. California Pizza Kitchen has locations in Northern New Jersey – Paramus, Wayne, Bridgewater, and Short Hills.
Celiac-friendliness – Separate gluten-free menu
Website: https://www.cpk.com/
Red Robin
Grab a burger and fries at Red Robin with fries before heading out to the movies in Secaucus. Red Robin offers a gluten-free bun, lettuce wraps, and gluten-free fries (they don’t share a fryer). Their tortilla chips can also be fried in a dedicated area to avoid cross contact. You can use their Interactive Allergen tool to determine what to order and what modifications to make per menu item. Be sure to tell the server if you’re Celiac to minimize the potential of cross-contamination!
Celiac-friendliness – Allergen-specific menu
Website: https://www.redrobin.com/
