I have been living in the Orange County area for most of my life. Throughout my journey of having celiac disease, I have discovered a few restaurants that I have consistently been able to rely on as someone with celiac disease. A majority of these restaurants are in the Irvine, Costa Mesa, and Newport Beach areas, and I hope to explore more places and add to this list! Unfortunately, all of these places are not certified gluten free, but all of the restaurants that I have listed have been able to accommodate my needs with celiac.
Maldon’s Brassiere
First, we have Maldon’s Brassiere. This is a recent discovery of mine that I found within the past six months. It is located in Irvine in the middle of several offices. While it may seem corporate at first, it has a charming look and feel. A few months ago, they moved to a larger space, remodeled, and added a bar as well as a dinner menu for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. I have yet to try their dinner menu, but if it is anything like their daily menu, I cannot wait!!
One thing that I love about this restaurant is that they are well versed on celiac disease. The owner herself actually has celiac disease and created the perfect recipes to replicate normal gluten filled foods. Every time I walk into Maldon’s, I have an immediate sense of relief. I know that everything on the menu and in the restaurant is 100% gluten free and celiac safe.
I personally love their croissants and crepes. Since I was eating gluten for the first 17 years of my life, I was familiar with how things were supposed to taste and the specific texture that came with them. At Maldon’s, even my family cannot tell the difference between a regular croissant and a gluten free croissant. If I could eat here everyday, I would do it in a heartbeat.
Mendocino Farms
Second, we have Mendocino Farms. Mendocino Farms has been a staple in my gluten free journey since practically the very beginning. It has been my go to for salads and sandwiches. They are not a dedicated gluten free restaurant, but they have options for those of us who are more restricted. If you’re wondering what my go-to meals from there are, I would say either the Avocado Quinoa salad or the caesar salad. If I want a sandwich, then 100% I will be getting the Farm Club sandwich with no bacon. These are my top meals from Mendocino Farms. It is the perfect meal to bring to the beach or on a picnic. I normally stop here and grab something before a dinner with friends where I know I am not going to be able to eat at.
If you have celiac when you go up to order make sure that you let them know you have a wheat allergy. They will sometimes ask you if you order a gluten free sandwich, if it is preference or allergy, but just to be safe always specify whether or not the salad or sandwich is gluten free. They may also respond back by stating that the item is already gluten free, just say that you are aware, but you would like to make sure that gloves are changed please. Unfortunately this will be the case for a majority of the other restaurants that I discuss in the rest of the blog, but we will make do with what we have!
Mooyah
Third, we have Mooyah! I recently tried Mooyah within the past month and had a really good experience. I was hesitant at first because they still offer regular buns, so I was unaware about the precautions that they took with their gluten free items. However, to my surprise, they were aware of celiac disease, which to me is always a green flag at any restaurant. When I went to order, I just asked for my burger as a lettuce wrap and let them know that I have celiac/wheat allergy, and they marked it down in order to let the kitchen know. Additionally, all of their french fries and potato chips are gluten free with no cross contamination, which was honestly my favorite part. You do not realize how hard it is to find gluten free french fries until you actually have to be aware of how they are being made. The burger was delicious, but I would totally go back just for the fries! It is located in Irvine, close to the mini golf course, Boomers. It is the perfect place to go before or after a date night at mini golf!
Ola Mexican Kitchen
Fourth, we have Ola Mexican Kitchen which has two locations, one in Huntington Beach at Pacific City and the other in Long Beach in 2nd & PCH. I personally have only been to the one in Huntington Beach and have had all good experiences there. It is definitely a more high end Mexican restaurant, so I think that is why they are more willing to be a little more accommodating to allergies. When you order your food, just let the waiter know that you have a gluten allergy, and they will be able to recommend the items you can have on the menu and will make the kitchen staff aware about no cross-contamination. I have had their chicken tacos and chicken taquitos and both are delicious. I honestly loved the taquitos, those were a recent discovery. Not to mention, the chips that they serve you before the meal, have never given me a problem!
Sweetfin
Fifth, there is Sweetfin. I am a huge poke lover, so when I found out that a lot of the sauces used in the U.S. have wheat in them, I was devastated. In many cultures, it is not traditional to add wheat to sauces, but in the United States, wheat is used as a filler in everything. But low and behold, I found Sweetfin, and I could finally get my poke fixation.
There are multiple different locations of Sweetfin, but the one I am most familiar with is in Newport Beach. Everything in there is gluten free. All of their sauces, rice, toppings, sides, everything. You can make your own bowl or burrito or they have premade ones that you can order. It is one of my favorite meals to grab before going to the beach with friends. If you are a poke lover, gluten free or not, I highly recommend going to Sweetfin.
True Food Kitchen
Sixth, we have True Food Kitchen. True Food Kitchen was one of the first restaurants I found, when I was first diagnosed with celiac disease, that could accommodate my dietary needs. They are not a certified gluten free kitchen, but they make an effort to not cross contaminate. The staff there are educated on celiac and are aware of cross contamination. If you order something and ask for it gluten free, normally they will ask if it is for preference or allergy. However, there are items on the menu that are already gluten free so make sure to specify to your waiter that it needs to be handled with care. True Food is the perfect place for a nice lunch or dinner. I have gone here multiple times for birthday dinners or celebrations.
Unfortunately my favorite dish is no longer on their menu, but it was the chicken mozzarella panini. It was SO GOOD!!!!!! If I could find a way to have them add it back I would. My second favorite is the truffle garlic pizza on a gluten free crust. I am not 100% sure if it is still on the menu since their menu is seasonal.
Vibe Organic Kitchen & Juice
Last but certainly not least is Vibe. Vibe is an all gluten free and vegan restaurant. I normally go there for their juices or smoothies, but they also have yummy food options! I am personally not vegan, but their food is actually quite yummy and everything is gluten free so I am more drawn to that aspect. My favorite smoothies are the chunky monkey and the iron man. Both are peanut butter and chocolate smoothies, but the iron man has cold brew which adds the perfect kick if I get this in the morning. I honestly do not go to Vibe as often as the other places I have mentioned, but it has been a great place for me to get a quick smoothie or juice without having to worry about any cross contamination!