The #GF guide to CHS

There are many reasons why people go gluten-free. For some, it’s following the fad of the common misconception that a gluten-free diet is a healthier diet for everyone. For others, it is an actual medical necessity, as with those who have been diagnosed with celiac disease (a.k.a. gluten tears up your gut). My personal choice?– I genuinely prefer the taste.

Gluten-free (a.k.a. GF on a lot of menus) may not always be the easiest choice, but it can definitely be just as (if not more) delicious than options containing gluten.

In our quest for all things GF, I discovered that Minero offers GF tacos and chips—they are made in a separate fryer– and DYK that a ton of local pizza places offer GF crust? Like Monza, Crust Wood Fired Pizza, + Mellow Mushroom.

Even Cupcake DownSouth has GF cupcakes. Now we have you thinking about dessert at 6 a.m.

Cupcake DownSouth photo by @lionelthehog

Need more options? Here are some of our favorite GF picks around town.

Gluten-friendly cinnamon pancakes | Gnome Café | 109 President St. | Monday- Friday 7 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.- 3 p.m., + Sunday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. 🥞

Anson Mills Toasted Oats | Mercantile and Mash | 701 East Bay St. | Monday- Friday 7 a.m.- 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.- 7 p.m., + Sunday 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Gluten-free Rice Krispy | Brown’s Court Bakery | 199 Saint Philip | Monday- Saturday 7 a.m.- 7 p.m., + Sunday 7 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Juices + Smoothies + Bowls | Huriyali | 401 Huger St. | Monday- Friday 8 a.m.- 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.- 7 p.m., + Sunday 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. 🍍

Huriyali smoothie bowl | Photo by @claire_everett_

Beet Pesto + Quinoa Salad | The Harbinger Café & Bakery | 1107 King St. | Monday- Friday 7 a.m.- 5 p.m., + Saturday- Sunday 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Som Tum (spicy papaya salad) | Xiao Bao Biscuit | 224 Rutledge Ave. | Lunch Monday- Saturday 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m., + Dinner Monday- Saturday 5:30-10 p.m. (closed Sundays)

Lemon Pappardelle – substituting for GF rigatoni, request no breadcrumbs | The Obstinate Daughter | 2063 Middle St., Sullivan's Island | Lunch Monday- Friday 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Dinner Monday- Sunday 4 p.m.- 10 p.m., + Brunch Saturday- Sunday 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Note: All of their pastas can be made GF except for the Gnocchi

Lobster Roll – request GF for it to come on a corn tostada | 167 Raw | 289 East Bay St. | Monday- Saturday 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. (closed Sunday) 🦐

Cordon Blue Salad | Dell’z Uptown | 511 Rutledge Ave. | Monday- Saturday 11 a.m.- 8 p.m., + Sunday 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Note: All of their wraps can be made into a salad for a gluten-free option, just add $1

Cheeseburger – sub the bun for a GF option | Edmund’s Oast | 1081 Morrison Dr. | Sunday- Thursday 5:30- 10 p.m., Friday- Saturday 5:30- 11 p.m., + Brunch Sunday 10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. 🍔

Ultimate BLT | Five Loaves Café | Downtown, Mt. Pleasant, + Summerville | Hours vary by location 🥓
Note: All sandwiches are offered with choice of bread, which includes Udi’s Gluten Free

Wood Roasted Whole Fish | The Grocery | 4 Cannon St. | Dinner Tuesday- Sunday starting at 5 p.m., + Brunch Sunday 10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. (closed Monday)

‘21’ Club Steak Tartare – request GF | Charleston Grill | 224 King St. | Open nightly from 5:30 p.m.

Zucchini Melt on GF bread | Persimmon Cafe | 226 Calhoun St. | Monday- Saturday 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. (closed Sunday)

Shrimp & Grits | SNOB | 192 East Bay St. | Lunch Monday- Friday 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m., Dinner nightly from 5:00 p.m., + Brunch Saturday 11:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. + Sunday 10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.🍤

Pork Chop | Fat Hen | 3140 Maybank Hwy., John’s Island | Monday- Saturday 5:30-10 p.m., + Brunch Sunday 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Cookies | King Street Cookies | 370 King St. | Monday- Friday 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.- 9 p.m., + Sunday 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. | Offers nine varieties of gluten-free cookies each + every day– Snickerdoodle, Chocolate Chip, Sugar M&M, Toffee, Double Chocolate Chunk, Lemon, Sugar Sprinkle, Peanut Butter, + Chocolate Chip M&M

Ice Cream Sandwich—make sure it is Macaroon-based, confirm GF | Jeni’s | 501-A King St. | Daily 12-11 p.m.

Jeni's ice cream sandwich | Photo by @ktothecrave

Remember: Many CHS restaurants try to be accommodating to gluten intolerance and other allergies, but it’s super important to ask about food preparation to avoid potential cross-contamination.

If you are feeling inspired and want to make your own meals, Earth Fare, The Veggie Bin, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and our personal favorite Lowes Foods, have an ample supply of tasty GF options.

Do you have a favorite gluten-free dish in CHS? Let us know by shooting us an email.

– Nicole

You can learn more about the #glutenfreelifestyle by checking out the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America.