I very rarely eat out. This is actually quite sad because I am a self-proclaimed foodie and, as much as I enjoy cooking, I really love for somebody else to do it for me every once in awhile.
A recent discovery of mine, thanks to the Find me Gluten Free App, is a place called FirstWatch. This is a chain that promises to take your food allergies seriously, so I decided to seriously give it a try. It is a breakfast and lunch place only, so I'm still on a quest for a good dinner joint. I'd love some recommendations in my comments…yes, I mean it!
The place has the feel of a refreshed diner. More modern, cleaner, fresher. Less Grease.
They have a separate Gluten Free menu, but you can discuss all your individual needs with the server, who will *hopefully* convey your needs to the chef, who will then look after you. My issues are not solely gluten, but soy and dairy as well. They did some checking for me to make certain I'd be safe.
FirstWatch Chicken and Cherry Quinoa Power Bowl sans dressing
My Husband's Gluten-filled breakfast
Notes for the chef
Cobb salade sans dressing, bread and Blue cheese substituted with goat
Greek Fetish Omelet sans Bread
This menu can also be found at FirstWatch.com
Daughter's Hot Chocolate (Contains wheat starch)
She proclaimed it to be the best hot chocolate in the world
Everyone was happy with their food. Was it spectacular? Do I dream of it at night? No, but it sure beats Denny's. My hunger was satisfied and I didn't feel like a heart attack waiting to happen afterwards. The only real complaint was over the coffee. A breakfast place should have really good coffee, just saying! It came out quickly, but tasted very fresh. Fast, inexpensive…and you can let somebody else do the dishes!
Ok, maybe just for me and others with food allergies...or serious public anxiety. Anyhow, I do digress...
Eating out became a necessity when we moved to Boca. For awhile I had no kitchen...'cause I had no house. Just a hotel room with a coffee maker. Can't even cook soup with that thing. So what does a transplanted lady with a food allergy do? Consult Lord Google, of course!
I came across one called Maoz. It appealed to me because it also claimed to be vegetarian. We are a quasi-vegetarian family. Don't ask me how that works, it just does. Most of the time. Plus, Maoz is famous for Falafel.
This place is not fancy. It is not sit-down. In fact, the one I visited was located in a mall food court. It was crazy busy...which led me to believe it would be good.
{cliff hanger}
It was.
...Good, that is.
Actually quite good. I would recommend it.
Hey, I guess, I just did.
The place was bright, eye catching and just looked....fresh.
Every item was clearly marked whether they were gluten free or not. You could choose your own fixings (Virginia word?) to go either in your pita or on your salad. I, of course had the salad since pitas are not usually safe for me. At the end of the line you can add your own Tahini or Chili sauce (also gluten free). The Falafel was really yummy and well seasoned. Crispy on the outside, doughy Garbonzo-beany goodness on the inside and not too greasy. This was definitely a step above typical food court fare!
As an allergy sufferer, I was a little nervous when they used the same tongs to pick up my "fixings" as they did to stuff other food into pitas. I would suggest to them that they have separate "Gluten free" tongs on hand. I almost requested clean tongs... I suppose I was feeling dangerous (ok, more likely shy) that day because I didn't say a word. Even so, I did not get sick! Yay Maoz!
