Category: Local Favorites

These Minnesota restaurants have earned the title of our local favorites. They have earned our trust for safety, allergy awareness, service, and of course delicious food.

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Local Favorites

Crepe and Spoon

Sound the alarm bells Everyone! I tried a new ice cream place last night and my mind was blown. It was called Crepe and Spoon, and it is located in Minneapolis, MN. All of the ice cream flavors are dairy free and they had many gluten free flavors as well. But that is not the most exciting part. The most exciting part is that they make their own gluten free waffle cones! I had not had a waffle cone for years and was so excited to try one again. It was so delicious and I cannot wait to go back and bring Brooke. My roommate found this spot after we went to dinner last night and needless to say we will be go back very soon. I hope you all have a great week and from my kitchen to yours: share a smile a stranger and be well this week.

Until next time,

Brynn

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Local Favorites

Agra Culture

This just in from St. Paul, MN: there’s a new local favorite to discuss. Agra Culture. Agra Culture has a broad menu that can be tailored to many dietary requirements; this includes gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, dairy free, and paleo. My roomates and I represent a wide variety of dietary restrictions, so needless to say we were very excited to give Agra Culture a try. Here is a link to their menu: https://www.agra-culture.com/menus/. The food was light, fresh, and so delicious-we cannot wait to go back soon. I am thrilled to have such a great dining option just seven minutes from campus. If you all ever find yourselves in St. Paul, I would 11/10 recommend you make the stop at this delightful eatery. From my kitchen to yours be safe and eat well.

Until next time,

Brynn

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Local Favorites

100% Gluten Free Food Truck!

Yes Folks you read that right, I found a 100% gluten free food truck. The best part is I didn’t have very far to look. It was Homecoming at St. Thomas this week and to celebrate they brought in dessert food trucks. I originally assumed there would be nothing for me to eat there, but I went to check it out with my roommate anyway. Low and behold we found Gray Duck Concessions! They are a 100% gluten free food truck in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area that serves MINI DONUTS, pigs and a blanket, and coffee. I had not had fresh mini donuts in well over four years. They were delicious. I want my sister to use this food truck for her graduation party in a few years. The donuts were so amazing and I am so grateful to have found this truck and I am so happy I can share it with all of you. If you ever find yourself in the area and want some amazing, melt in your mouth, fresh mini donuts check out Gray Duck Concessions! From my kitchen to yours share joy and eat well.

Until next time,

Brynn

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Local Favorites

Brasa

I’m heading back to school tomorrow for the fall semester. As nervous as I am about the safety of campus life and Covid-19, I am cautiously optimistic about returning. I know that if my roommates and I control all we can and act responsibly we will have a higher chance of being okay. On a happier note, I will now be only seven minutes from one of my favorite restaurants of all time, and the best part: it has an outdoor patio. The name of the restaurant is, Brasa. My roommates and I will for sure be heading over there for dinner this week. Wow, my mouth is already watering. They have delicious chips and guac. The food served is creole-style comfort food with vegetarian & gluten-free items. If you are ever in St. Paul you need to come over and give Brasa a try. All food on the menu is gluten-free except for: cornbread, rolls, macaroni, and pound cake. My menu suggestion is the pulled chicken plate with yellow rice and beans. Here is a link to the restaurant: http://www.brasa.us/. I look forward to writing to you all from school. Please stay safe, healthy, and be sure to eat well.

Until next time,

Brynn

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Local Favorites

The Original Pancake House

Sound the alarm Everybody, and wake up! We have a delicious breakfast restaurant that serves non-cross contaminated gluten free waffles, pancakes, french toast, crepes, and so much more. What is this gluten free breakfast Eden you ask? The Original Pancake House. OPH, as we locals call it, is located in Edina, Roseville, Eden Prairie, Burnsville, Minnetonka, and Plymouth, Minnesota. Here is a link to their website: https://www.ophmn.com/menu/. It is so exciting to go and enjoy these foods that I had accepted never eating again. As a family we go to this restaurant for a special brunch treat, and I feel so blessed to have a location just 20 minutes from my home. The staff is very knowledgeable of food allergies and all gluten free dishes come out on a different colored plate. It is so nice to have so many choices and finally have the option to be indecisive when it comes to ordering, rather than just getting a hard boiled egg and a fruit cup. The food is delicious and no matter what you choose it will be delicious. My family members recommend the crepes, pancakes (obviously), and omelettes. Next time you’re visiting the Minnesota Metro area wake up and smell the gluten free crepes, make the trip to OPH for a delectable breakfast feast. Feel free to comment your favorite gluten free breakfast restaurants below. Eat well and stay safe.

Until next time,

Brynn

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Local Favorites

Carbone’s Pizza

Yet another a delectable family favorite on takeout night. This pizza restaurant was one of the first local restaurants to carry gluten free pizza crust. As long as I can remember this has been our gluten free pizza go to. The service is always great and we have never had any cross contamination issues. There is only one location within the local chain with the gluten free crust, and that is the Eagan location. Here is their location information: Address- 1665 Yankee Doodle Rd. Eagan, MN 55121. Menu-carbonespizzeria.com, phone-  (651) 452-6000. If you find yourself in Eagan “Enjoy The Za” at Carbone’s pizza.

Until next time,

Brynn

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Local Favorites

Andiamo 🇮🇹

Italian? The answer is simple: Andiamo! Located in Eagan, MN, Andiamo has some of my favorite gluten free Italian food. They carry gluten free bread, pasta, and pizza crust. Not only does the food taste amazing, but the service is always great. My mom and I love to go here for girls night out, or we also love to take the food to go. There are many delicious menu items to choose from, but my all time favorite is their gluten free Penne Cardinale. The staff is very knowledgeable about allergies and how to properly accommodate gluten free customers. You always know which plate is gluten free because they mark it with a mini Italian flag. If you ever find yourself in the area stop in to Andiamo for some great Italian comfort food.

Until next time,

Brynn

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Local Favorites

Bittersweet Bakery

This bakery is a gem! Bittersweet Gluten Free Bakery is an entirely gluten free bakery located in Eagan, MN. Not only do they have gluten free products, but they also have a variety of dairy free treats as well. I am telling you these treats are amazing. My family and I have been going to this bakery since Brooke was first diagnosed. The bakery was established in 2004. Here is a link to their website: https://www.bittersweetgf.com/. Their goodies can be ordered online or picked up in store. It is always so hard to choose what to get when I go because everything is so yummy, and I always end up buying more than I plan. My favorite thing to get is the banana chocolate chip muffins. They are moist, rich, and so delicious. I also love their donuts, pumpkin bars, and cookies. So often being gluten free means making everything by yourself, and while I love cooking and baking everything at home, it is so nice to have this alternative for treats. This bakery is truly something special, they have great products, and each treat is made with love from people who support the gluten free/Celiac community. I feel so blessed to live close to such an incredible place. I would 100% recommend giving Bittersweet Gluten free Bakery a try if you ever find yourself in the neighborhood. Feel free to comment some of your local favorites.

Until next time,

Brynn

Categories
Local Favorites

Great BBQ, Try ZZQ!

Listen up Y’all this is huge! When was the last time you guys had delicious gluten free brisket slathered in stress free sauce, barbecue chicken sandwiches, and non-cross contaminated fries? Well if you’re anything like me before trying ZZQ Smokehouse, it has been a while. I found this delectable dive about a year ago, and have been a loyal customer ever since. It is located in Eagan, MN. Last night, for the first time, ZZQ’s and I took the next step: I brought it home to my parents, and Brooke. To my delight they loved it. Now, we will be adding ZZQ’s into our family’s local favorites rotation. The owner has Celiac in his family, so he gets it. They only have one frier, and guess what?! It’s gluten free only baby, so get excited. For their sandwiches, they have the best gluten free buns I have ever had. Sadly I still don’t know the brand. As soon as I get the chance to go again and ask I will, and I’ll update you all immediately. It’s finally summer! In Minnesota that means being outside as much as possible, and enjoying time out on the lake with family. That said, if you’d rather do more chilling and less grilling, leave it to ZZQ Smokehouse. Here is a link to their website: https://zzqbbq.com/. I would 11/10 recommend giving them a try if you’re ever in the neighborhood.

Until next time,

Brynn