Ask for what you want! (Gourmet Burger Company)

I love a good burger. Thankfully several burger joints in Toronto have gluten-free bun options. (For example: Hero Burger). Skip the cheese, onions, garlic-laden sauces, make sure the fries are not dredged in flour... And you're good!

One of my favorite burger joints is Gourmet Burger Company (GBC). Unfortunately they don't have a gluten-free bun option. So I emailed them! And this was their response:

Hi Jessica,

Thank you for contacting us with your feedback re. carrying a gluten-free bun.

Currently, we offer a lettuce wrap for customers who request gluten-free meals. However, we will definitely look into a gluten-free bun option.

Have a wonderful week,

Jacqueline

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Jacqueline Grisé
Gourmet Burger Co.www.thegourmetburgerco.com

The very next day (today), I went to GBC. Excuse: I was in the neighbourhood! In fact, I'm sitting there right now.

I'm so glad I emailed them. Now they know there is a demand for gluten-free options and I know what they have now!

I got their lettuce-wrap beef burger with tomato, pickles, avocado, ketchup, mustard and mayo. I also got an order of their delicious hand-cut homemade fries. And a coke. (Caffeine quota done for the week). A little messy but so yummy! Remember to ask for a fork and knife! Then sit back, relax and enjoy your meal and the classic rock.

Dining out: sushi

This weekend I was treated to a lovely sushi lunch. For me, sushi is the perfect meal out- what you see is what you get. If you order carefully and avoid the soy sauce, you won't be bothered by a single allergen. Plus, the pickled ginger and green tea are great anti-inflammatories.

Things to look out for:
-cooked fish like unagi (eel). It is cooked with teriyaki/ soy sauce.
- tempura (it can be battered in rice or wheat flour, or a combination- better safe than sorry)
- anything labeled spicy
- artificial crab meat (it contains gluten)
- bonito (squid) flakes and rice seasoning. I have no idea what is in this but I'm betting it contains gluten
- salad with dressing

What I usually order:
- sashimi and nigiri sushi
- miso soup (avoid if you have a soy allergy)
- rolls: avocado roll, tuna roll, salmon and cucumber roll

My neighbourhood sushi place makes lots of specialty rolls- they have one with ingredients I can have! It is called the Boston roll: salmon, avocado, cucumber and tobiko (flying fish roe). Yum!


I like to share so I make sure my dining partners are aware of what I can and cannot eat. I also make sure to grab my fair share of wasabi before others use it (to prevent cross contamination) My boyfriend and I split a delicious sushi boat and I told him he could have everything on the left and I would have everything on the right. He got to enjoy a spicy tuna roll and I got to enjoy a lovely meal out without too much planning.

*note* if you have a serious gluten allergy it is important to advise the kitchen. Knives are often used to cut items with gluten and can contaminate your food. As always- ask your server if you have any doubts.