Gluten has become a buzzword in our culture. Depending on the source, gluten can be vilified or deified as a food ingredient. For many, eating gluten-free is non-negotiable. With gluten allergies and intolerances increasing each year, our society has had to learn to accommodate this food-intensive issue. For others, though, gluten-free is a voluntary lifestyle. Many foodies are taken with the trend, touting the gluten-free-lifestyle health benefits including reduced stomach issues, increased alertness and generally getting sick less.
Those with gluten intolerances live with the difficulty of finding food products to replace their gluten-filled predecessors, such as gluten-free breads, crackers and pizza. Eating dinner at restaurants can also be a nightmare if the menu options are few and far between. To meet the needs of a rising gluten-free public, many restaurants and food brands are beginning to create menu items and products sans gluten.
Kennett Square is leading the way in gluten-free food offerings. Guests and residents alike may be surprised at just how many options are available around town! Although just about every eatery has an option for those with gluten allergies, here are a few spots to stop by to get started:
Top Spots for Gluten-Free Products in Kennett Square:
Sweet Christine’s Gluten Free Bakery
Probably the area’s most notable gluten-free vendor, Sweet Christine’s is headquartered in town! Sweet Christine’s offers every imaginable pastry in gluten-free form: cookies, brownies, pretzels, bagels, donuts and even pizza! The texture and taste cannot be beat, and it’s a true treat for those who thought they’d never have a pastry again.
Philter
Kennett Square’s newest poured-over coffee shop has a great gluten-free selection. For breakfast, consider a prosciutto and sun-dried tomato egg sandwich (sans bread) with a side of greens. People love the breakfast “sandwiches” served this way. Philter also carries an assortment of cookies from Sunset Park as well as sweet loaf slices. Many of the soups are gluten-free and all lunch sandwiches can be made into a salad.
Mushroom Cap
An easy-to-grab snack is a luxury many gluten-free foodies have had to let go of. The Mushroom Cap makes snacking simple again with their fantastic line of mushrooms, which are naturally gluten-free. From fresh mushrooms to Dried Exotic Kennett Square Mushrooms, The Mushroom Cap is stocked up. One of their most interesting gluten-free snacks is their original Snack-n-Shrooms, which are seasoned dried mushrooms (think of it as tasty mushroom chips). Grab a bag of Snack-n-Shrooms and walk around town. The Mushroom Cap also offers gluten-free mushroom soup, gluten-free mushroom stock and gluten-free mushroom pasta.
The Woodlands at Phillips
Situated on the outskirts of town in the rolling hills of Kennett Square, historic retail store, The Woodlands at Phillips, stocks a variety of mushrooms–all gluten-free. Pick up frozen gluten-free food to keep the freezer stocked with items such as Phillips gourmet frozen fire roasted sliced portobello and gluten-free mushroom ravioli. Top off the ravioli with any of the three gluten-free pasta sauces The Woodland’s carries. Gluten-free soup, dip mixes and seasonings are also on hand. For those new to eating and cooking gluten-free, The Woodlands offers gluten-free recipes as well as gluten-free mushroom demonstrations and cooking classes.
Portabello’s
Portabello’s of Kennett Square has garnered attention for both their food and their customers (Vice President Joe Biden, Delaware native, has been known to dine at a table by the front window!). As a chef who stays on top of food trends, Owner Brett Hulbert offers an extensive list of gluten-free options. They purchase their gluten-free breads from Sweet Christine’s right in Kennett. Many of Portabello’s current menus items are gluten-free, including soups, crab cakes, sandwiches, salads and more. Chef Brett shared that he strives to cook for those with any special dietary needs, and has even hosted a dinner for the Chester County Gluten Intolerance Group.
Liberty Place
Liberty Place is the perfect spot to find a plethora of gluten-free options all under one roof. Every meal of the day is covered. Nourish offers gluten-free muffins, cakes, frittata and delicious gluten-free flatbreads.
Yo’R So Sweet makes gluten-free French fare look good! Here, the customer is always right. At the request of their regulars, Yo’R So Sweet has started offering gluten-free crepes, both sweet and savory. They will also make crepes dairy-free and gluten-free upon request. State Street Pizza is in the process of offering a gluten-free pizza. Owner and head Pizza Maker, James, is tweaking the recipe to find what he believes is the most representative of the taste of his pizza. Look for these gluten-free Italian pies in the next few weeks.
Rick Oliveri, owner of Rick’s Steaks, knows the strife of the gluten-free lifestyle: his daughter has a gluten intolerance. They are now offering breakfast sandwiches with the option of gluten-free bread with a mission to find the perfect roll to offer cheesesteaks on in the future.
There is always room for dessert, and Punk’d Pineapple makes it worth the wait. All of their frozen treats are all gluten free. Get a vanilla cone or a pineapple float to top off a gluten-free dinner. Happy Hour is happy again thanks to Paradocx Vineyard, who not only offers their wine (which is gluten-free), but also has Jack’s Hard Cider on tap (also g-free). For take home, Terra Foods offers a multitude of gluten-free pantry products.
Country Butcher Fine Foods Market
Gluten-free can also be gourmet, as evidenced by the amazing array of options at Country Butcher Fine Foods. Spaghetti Sundays will resume after one visit to Country Butcher. Gluten-free pasta options include corn pasta, rice pasta and quinoa pasta. With more than 10 varieties of gluten-free crackers and pretzel thins, snacking becomes easy again. Gluten-free cookies (chocolate chip, ginger, raspberry linzer, chocolate sandwich) make for a tasty dessert. Stop into the Country Butcher cafe, where chefs prepare gluten-free menu items each week, including chicken salad, waldorf turkey salad, quinoa with black beans and cilantro, farro salad and roasted fresh vegetables.
You can find more Kennett Square gluten-free options at Talula’s Table, Sunrise Cafe, Byrsa Bistro and Half Moon Restaurant & Saloon.
Where is your favorite local stop for gluten-free products?
Photo credits: all photography provided by corresponding businesses, markets and restaurants.
