general, Portland

Gluten-Free in Portland

This Portland post is way overdue. I have traveled to Portland twice since April due to work commitments. In my 30+ years of being gluten-free travel, I found Portland to be one of the most gluten-free friendly cities that I have ever been to. People don’t think it is weird when you ask for a gluten-free menu or gluten-free options. And even if they do think it is weird, so is Portland. See:

 

After my two visits to Portland, I have a long list of places I have been. My list of places I have yet to go is just as long! I have at least two more trips to Portland coming up in the next 4 months, so I will add to this list as I eat more gluten-free food in Portland.

Here are my top five places to eat gluten-free in Portland, so far:

New Cascadia Bakery
http://www.newcascadiatraditional.com/
Gluten-free breads, cookies, pizza, baked goods, etc.
In a more industrial neighborhood of SE Portland, but definitely worth the trip to this 100% gluten-free bakery. New Cascadia Bakery also supplies many Portland restaurants with their bread for sandwiches but it was worth the trip there to load up on gluten-free baked goods.

Northwest Public House
http://northwestpublichouse.com
The owner of this restaurant has Celiac and the GF menu is extensive. I gorged myself on gluten-free mac and cheese, pulled pork lettuce wraps, and deep-fried apple fritters. YES!!! DEEP FRIED GF DOUGH!! In a funky neighborhood that I want to explore more, I am definitely going back here on my next trip to Portland.

Mellow Mushroom
http://www.mellowmushroom.com/portland
Gluten-free pizza
I don’t normally like chain restaurants, but this doesn’t have the “chain” feeling. From the first email to customer service at Mellow Mushroom, I felt comfortable eating their gluten-free pizza. It is delicious and the staff was really knowledgable about which toppings were safe for me to eat. I will definitely go back here!

Deschutes Brewery
http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/
Gluten-free beer on tap and gluten-free menu
A popular brewery that brews their own GF beer. There is also a GF menu with bar food such as burgers, fries, and more. The waitstaff was extremely helpful and well-versed in gluten-free food.

Tula’s Bakery
http://www.tulabaking.com/
100% GF bakery
I didn’t make it to the actual bakery, but a coworker brought me some delicious gluten-free treats for breakfast one morning. I was most impressed with the texture and the leftovers. These gluten-free baked good were still moist and soft the next day which is very unusual for gluten-free products.

Here are some other gluten-free friendly places I ate at while in Portland:

Theo’s Deli
http://theosportland.com/
Gluten-free buns for sandwiches
Near my West Coast office, but in a random neighborhood.

MorningStar Cafe
http://www.morningstarcafe.com/Morning_Star_Cafe_Temp/Welcome.html Gluten-free bread available for toast

Prasad
http://prasadcuisine.squarespace.com/
Vegan and gluten-free menu

Laughing Planet Cafe
http://laughingplanetcafe.com/
Multiple locations in Portland, gluten-free “build your own” burrito bowls and really delicious smoothies

Tasting East
http://www.tastingeast.com/Welcome.html
Gluten-free Thai food

The one place I haven’t been yet, but really want to go is Abby’s Table. This restaurant serves two family-style, gluten-free meals a week. I need to remember to make a reservation for my next trip to Portland. I can’t wait to try this and I love the idea of a family-style dinner while away on a business trip. What a great way to meet other gluten-free friends!

There is also a Whole Foods pretty centrally located in the middle of Portland. I went to buy cereal, yogurt, etc. which I ate for breakfast most days. I also happened upon a Trader Joe’s while walking back from the Northwest Public House, but I will need to find it again on my next trip out.

Here are some helpful links when traveling gluten-free to Portland:
http://www.glutenfreeportland.org/restaurant-list/
http://glutenfreepdx.com/

4 thoughts on “Gluten-Free in Portland”

  1. Stephanie Pearson is a mother of three, nutrition consultant, herbalist, and community educator. She is also a member of Slow Food Portland and holds an appointed position on the Multnomah Food Policy Council. She is up and coming for her work with Daily Nectar in nutritional education and consultation , specializing in herbal and nutritional support for Autism Spectrum Disorders, sub-acute gluten sensitivity, and digestive imbalances. Stephanie is committed to spreading nutritional awareness and works diligently to offer free education and affordable nutritional support to individuals and parents nation-wide.

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