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Being gluten-free can sometimes mean sticking to salads with no croutons (joyless) and skipping out on the bread baskets (brutal). As a former five-year resident of Birmingham and a gluten-free gal, I can tell you with absolute certainty that the Magic City still has plenty to offer in its continually evolving and growing food scene. Whether you’re on the sensitive tummy team, or just exploring new ways to eat, there’s plenty to taste and savor in “The HAM.”
Slice Pizza & Brew
Pizza is generally on my “don’t bother list.” Crusts that taste like vegetables, gummy centers with no rise, and a six-inch diameter… no, thank you. Thankfully, Slice Pizza and Brew comes in and flips the switch on those preconceived norms. Their gluten-free crusts are more than enough to fill up two people (date night anyone??) and are baked to perfection–no gummy centers or vegetable tastes in sight. I personally go for their “Old School” pizza with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms and red onions paired with their famous Fire-Baked Wings–and a side of ranch, of course.
Okinawa Sushi & Hibachi Steak House
Hibachi is frequently on the “do not consume list” for gluten-free diners due to the presence of wheat in most soy sauces. As a college student and then as a young professional, I would often go to this hidden restaurant in Homewood to get a sodium and flavor heavy classic hibachi chicken plate complete with the best fried rice I ever tasted. What really sets apart Okinawa however, is the attention to detail from the staff. Every time I called to place an order, the owner took over the phone to make sure my gluten-free, no-egg order was made correctly.
Yo Mama’s
This family owned and run gluten-free business began as a pop-up at the Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Florida, where they were consistently the busiest food vendor. Now with a Birmingham-based brick and mortar location, Yo Mama’s truly classic Southern-style cooking takes the cake for lunch any time I’m back in town. They feature a rotating menu with daily specials, but I never leave without their Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles with a side of deep-fried Oreos–a meal so good and so real you would never guess it’s gluten-free.
El Barrio
El Barrio is located right in the heart of downtown. With a menu housing the perfect fusion of Southern cooking and Latin American cuisine, you truly cannot go wrong. They set themselves apart with a menu that is almost 100 percent gluten-free (with the exception of their flour tortillas) and staff that are excellent at handling allergies. There is plenty I could rave about, but the real reason I come in is for their famous Pumpkin Sopapillas served with cream cheese ice cream and candied pepitas.
Blueprint on 3rd
Blueprint on 3rd is a brasserie perfect for date night–no matter if the vibe is heels or sneakers, you’ll fit in just fine. Known for their top-notch front-of-house service and consistent reports that servers are well versed in gluten-free menu options and substitutions (including a gluten-free pasta), this classic American fare-style restaurant will not disappoint. I enjoy starting with the Pinkies Up cocktail and grilled dates stuffed with blue cheese and prosciutto.
Galley and Garden
This farm-to-table restaurant is one of Birmingham’s hidden gems. Located in a historic home known as “The Merritt House,” Galley and Garden merges a little bit of history with its Southern-influenced menu. For those of us who are perturbed by asking the waiter thirty-two questions about the menu, rest easy in the knowledge that their menu denotes gluten-free, pork-free, vegetarian, and dairy-free dishes. I’d personally recommend the Pimento Cheese Fritters washed down with the Forbidden Rum-mance cocktail.
Ocean
Ocean is perhaps one of Birmingham’s most distinguished restaurants, boasting not only an abundance of awards but also plenty of options for gluten-free diners. They are well known for their fresh-caught, seafood-forward menu which rivals even those found in coastal cities, but when I dine, I enjoy the Demkota Angus Filet Mignon which is served with a heavenly house Worcestershire onion bacon butter. And I never forget to wash it down with their signature Ocean Martini.
Big Spoon Creamery
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times–no meal is complete without a sweet treat. The creators at Big Spoon Creamery have mastered the art of funky fresh ice cream flavors–many of which are gluten-free. Their menu changes frequently based on what’s in season–right now they have a divine peppermint straciatelli– but their classic menu staples like chocolate and vanilla bean never miss.
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