Known as America’s next great food town, Austin has so much to offer in terms of food.
By Malayna Ellis
However, Austin isn’t considered one of the best cities when it comes to gluten-free dining options. Finding restaurants with gluten-free menu items can be hard at times, so ORANGE compiled a list of five gluten-free dishes in Austin to make the search a little bit easier.
Wildwood Bakehouse — Chicken Fried Steak
Holding the title as the only 100 percent gluten-free kitchen in Austin, Wildwood Bakehouse is a paradise for gluten-free eaters. Wildwood offers a variety of options, but I would definitely recommend its chicken fried steak. The chicken fried steak is served with crispy green beans and a hot, buttery baked potato. I also ordered its fried onion rings, a fried side dish I’ve never been able to eat until now. Wildwood is the first restaurant I’ve seen that has gluten-free fried food. It also have an assortment of gluten-free beers to pair with any meal.
Picnik — Spaghetti Squash Lasagna and Chicken Caesar Collard Wrap
Picnik, a paleo coffee shop food truck known for their signature butter coffee, serves a wide selection of paleo meals. The spaghetti squash is a filling hot meal made of grass-fed bolognese, stringy spaghetti squash, eggs, savory roasted tomatoes and a smooth cashew cauliflower cream. The chicken caesar collard wrap is a lighter option, with a fresh, yet savory taste. Picnik has outdone themselves with this wrap, and I can honestly say they serve my favorite chicken salad.
East Side Pies — The MOJO
The gluten-free pizza at East Side Pies is heavenly. With their seemingly endless amount of options to choose from, ESP caters to just about anyone’s taste buds.. Slathered with pesto sauce instead of the traditional red sauce, the MOJO pizza is topped with savory meatballs, crispy bacon, fiery jalapenos, ripe sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh cilantro, all over a molten layer of dripping cheese. The gluten-free crust is thin and crisp, and is served as a 10” pizza. The rich flavor of this pizza, pairs well with a side of ranch dressing, which cuts down some of the spiciness in the toppings.
Burro Cheese Kitchen — The Coppola
I never thought I would be able to indulge in a good grilled cheese sandwich, but along came Burro Cheese Kitchen, which uses sourdough bread that breaks that dry gluten-free bread stereotype. My favorite grilled cheese from Burro is the Coppola, which is made with rich gouda cheese, creamy almond aioli sauce, fresh basil, and juicy tomatoes.
Thai Fresh — Thai Fried Rice with Chicken
Thai fresh is an almost completely gluten-free Thai restaurant and coffee shop. The restaurant’s Thai fried rice is light and refreshing with juicy chopped tomatoes mixed into the dish. Thai Fresh also has a gluten-free and vegan bakery to satisfy your sweet tooth. Their coffee cake, because it pairs well with a cappuccino.
