The Traveling Cupkate: Gluten Free Minnesota
Anyone else think of home and think of food? I’m a foodie and grew up in a food loving family… literally, we showed our love through food! Every family function had a hot dish or bars. Sunday’s after church was always a potluck complete with “church lady punch” and a cold potato salad. Summertime was watermelon, corn on the cob, and fried walleye sandwiches…and don’t get me started about Millie’s cookies at the State Fair or the caramel apples from Abdallah.
However since being diagnosed with a gluten intolerance six years ago, the deliciousness of home hasn’t been quite as alluring. However, don’t fret! If you’re going to be in the suburbs of Minneapolis St. Paul, there are some good gluten free finds around. Here’s a quick guide to some of my favorite highlights to GF eating in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area:
Bittersweet GlutenFree Bakery (Eagan)
Hands down, my favorite gluten free bakery I’ve ever come across in all my travels. I make MULTIPLE trips every time I go home. The entire bakery is gluten free so you’re in the clear and can drool at all the delicious looking treats and eat them all!
Muffins, scones, banana bread, cinnamon raisin bread, caraway bread, white bread, bread crumbs, stuffing, breadsticks, pumpkin bread, sandwich buns, lemon bars, brownies, pumpkin bars, cranberry bars, a half dozen different types of cookies, cupcakes, cakes, as well as pies, cornbread, granola, and my personal new favorite I found this last visit: donut holes!!
Don’t walk, RUN, to this place people.
French Meadow Bakery (Minneapolis + St. Paul)
French meadow Bakery & Café prides itself on fresh, organic and local. They have an entire gluten free and vegan menu to include things like:
Breakfast/lunch: Avocado toast, pancakes, French toast, waffles, hashbrowns, omelets and other breakfast staples like fresh fruit and eggs. They also have a coffee bar
Dinner: flatbread on a gluten free crust, scrumptious salads, almond encrusted walleye, fish tacos, gluten free mac and cheese and any sandwich on the gluten free breadSave room for a sweet treat like a coconut macaroon, one of their rustic fruit tarts, a caramel chocolate brownie, a s’more, a scotch whisky pudding or a decadent rice krispy treat.
A historic home turned into a charming little tea room and restaurant, the Mad Hatter is just the perfect girls afternoon. I am an afternoon tea connoisseur. It’s one of my favorite splurges to do in a city. This is hands down one of the best gluten free afternoon teas I’ve ever had in the world. The best part? They imitate everything that is in a normal tea but only they make it gluten free. None of this “normal people get traditional English cream scone, honey-drizzled herb chevre sandwich, and a lemon tartlette and the allergy person gets a piece of dry gluten free bread and three store brought cookies”!
I actually got two different types of scones, three different tea sandwiches, and four different types of dessert. The only downside? There was a $10 upcharge, which I think is a bit steep, but if you’re gluten free you know you just suck it up, hush, and be grateful you've got options.
Doolittles Woodfire Grill (Eagan)
I love when a restaurant has a specific gluten free menu, it makes things a little bit easier navigating eating out. They're known for their wood fire grill, so stick to the fire roasted chicken, the grilled walleye dinner and the salmon. Great midwestern cabin vibe.
Crooked Pint Ale House (Chaska)
Chaska, a southwestern suburb of Minneapolis, holds a cool little gem for you. Literally cool! Where else but in Minnesota can you grab a pint and watch curling?! Attached to the Chaska Curling Center, the restaurant has an entire glass wall that you can watch people practicing curling! However if you're there in the summer, definitely get a table outside and enjoy the perfect Minnesota summers.
They menu is chalk-full of Minnesota classics like tuna noodle hot dish and tater tot hot dish but unfortunately none of that is gluten free. However they have gluten free buns so that opens up a lot more sandwich and burgers to you. Their salads looked great too though, so that's always a good standby.
Finally, rounding out a place that holds a lot of memories. We'd meet here for family gatherings or lunch after church with my extended family. Five years ago they didn't have many gf options but luckily today they've upped their game! They have....drum roll please.... gluten free pizza crust, gluten free pasta, gluten free bread and of course gluten-friendly salads and soups.
sourced from Google
sourced from Google
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sourced from Google
They’re a family-owned restaurant that has expanded but still holds that local Italian feel. Get something to go, stop in and eat, just sit and enjoy!
Happy GF eating lovelies!
A map of all my favorite GF eats in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area.
