Before leaving for Canada I spent a lot of time online searching for gluten free options so we wouldn't waste time or worry so much about food during our trip. I found it quite difficult to find information - a lot of restaurants were listed as gluten free in online searches, but then when I checked the menus they didn't have any gluten free options marked. Frustrating! In the end one of the best sources for where to go was blogs - thank God for bloggers!!!
We only had 1 bad eating experience in our 5 weeks of travelling across Canada and the States. We did cook and prepare our own food a lot of the time, but I think that's still a pretty good outcome.
White Spot
The bad experience was at a White Spot in Vancouver. We both had the Big Bowl Breakfast without toast and pretty soon after finishing, Chris was sick. Not good for your first day overseas.
Nothing was marked as gluten free on the menu, but a friend emailed for us and we were advised of dishes that could be modified.
Red Robin
Mainly in British Columbia and some in Alberta
We had a great experience at Red Robin - the manager came out to speak with us, went through the menu and reassured us that there would be no cross-contamination or any problems. There weren't a whole lot of choices, and a lot of them involved taking out the ingredients which made the food tasty (I really hate it when they do this!). So Chris chose a burger, which meant that the bun was replaced with lettuce. He was a little skeptical at first, but by the time he was finished he was a convert.
The Lighthouse Bistro and Pub
Nanaimo
Chris went with the safe option here of steak. I think it was a little dry, but no ill effects. I had a wrap - who knows why when what I really wanted was the chicken wings!
Moxie's
Located right across Canada
Chris went for the safe option of steak again here, and I finally got my wings :) The staff have a gluten free info sheet which they showed us. It said across the top that staff should not show it to customers - who knows why, especially when the wait staff didn't really know what gluten free meant.
The Blue Moose
Grand Forks, North Dakota
We went shopping in the States one weekend and both nights we ate at The Blue Moose. It was brilliant! Chris finally got to have ribs, so he was in food heaven. Gluten free options are marked on the menu and we had no problems at all.
It is quite a challenge to eat out when you have food problems. It is nice to know there are some restaurants trying to accommodate their customers.
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