Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods Au Naturel Granola – $6.49+
Eat This Not That named one of Udi’s gluten-free granola the worst granola on the market. For real. THIS granola from Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods…is not that granola.
I actually never would have bought Udi’s gluten-free granola…because Eat This Not That scared me. But…given that this pack was on the Manager’s Special table at my local grocery store, and it was not the kind that was hailed as the absolute worst granola on the market, I decided to give it a go. So, I purchased the pouch…and it sat in my pantry…and sat in my pantry…and sat.
I don’t know why I had to convince myself to give this granola a go. But after a lot of sitting, I was determined to give it a fair shake. So…to the grocery store I went for fresh organic strawberries and some Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt. My infamous breakfast parfaits were making a comeback this week and my featured crunch…would be Udi’s granola.
The next morning, I assembled my parfait…granola on the bottom, Greek yogurt, more granola, strawberries, Greek yogurt, granola, strawberries, Greek yogurt, a drizzle of honey, granola, top off with a strawberry. My non- gluten-free roommate would be enjoying one as well, so I was really interested in her opinion. But…she loved it. And, one of the biggest shockers ever…even liked the Greek yogurt.
I, naturally, had to test out the granola on its own. The Udi’s Gluten-Free Au Naturel Granola is a clean, crisp granola. Honestly. It has a light caramelized flavor that brings out just enough sweetness without overpowering the gluten-free oats themselves. Local Colorado honey (Udi’s is based in Denver) is the source of the sweetness in the oats themselves. The granola isn’t sticky or heavy. In fact, it has this lightness about it that only something that goes au naturel would.
That brings me to the ingredients and nutrition. The ingredients list is uncluttered and simple – gluten-free oats, honey, canola oil. As for the nutrition…this one isn’t bad when it comes to granola. A serving size is 1/4 cup. In that serving, you get 120 calories, only 4 grams of fat, and the sugars…are down at 7 grams. That’s impressive. Most granola is loaded with sugar. When paired with the Greek yogurt, the 3 grams of protein gets an added boost. And the crunch and flavor is fantastic.
I don’t know why I let this sit for so long. But as far as granola goes on the market, this truly is one of the best ones out there. So eat it on its own, pair it with yogurt, or add it to a recipe. However you like to serve it…Udi’s Gluten-Free Au Naturel Granola is one of the finest offerings on the market for the gluten-free…and beyond.
I am a believer.
Breakfast parfait featuring Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt, fresh strawberries, and Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods Au Naturel Granola
Picky Bars are my new favorite bar of choice when it comes to my intensive training days for my runs. I have you to thank for bringing these allergy-friendly bars into my life. You…and the running store I purchased them at in St. Louis, Missouri. I am completely over-the-moon with not only the texture and flavor but the overall nutrition these bars provide. Most are laden with sugar and it sort of kills the whole ‘healthy’ aspect of the workout in the first place.
After my first sub-2 hour half marathon, I refueled with the Nutless Wonder Picky Bar. But this time…I had the only other one I had purchased of the limited selection the running store carried (which were…the two varieties I bought). It was the original.
Lauren’s Mega Nuts Picky Bar.
It was Saturday morning and I was preparing myself to head out for a long run. That morning, I ate my cereal and needed to find something to give me some carbohydrates and protein. My option…Lauren’s Mega Nuts Picky Bar. I hate half of it with my cereal and saved the rest of it for post-run.
I absolutely loved the flavor and texture of this bar. It is a generous mix of organic dates, organic peanut butter, raw honey, organic rice cereal, rice protein, organic apricots, cranberries, organic almonds, organic pumpkin seeds, organic walnuts, pistachios, organic cashews, chocolate chips, cinnamon, kosher salt, and canola and sunflower oil. Recognize every ingredient? Yep…me too. And that makes me enjoy these bars even more. Too often, protein and energy bars are chemicals and preservatives. But not Picky Bars. Picky Bars contain real food and provide real nutrition. Don’t believe me? It’s all in the science.
Picky Bars clock in at 198 calories, 7 grams of protein, 6 grams of fat, and 28 carbs. What this provides is the ideal ratio of calories to protein (4:1) which helps with recovery and maximizes the absorption of nutrients. And these are packed with a powerhouse of good stuff. Peanut butter, fruits, nuts…all of it mashed together to create this perfect little protein bar…that I love…and will have to order because none of the running stores in my area carry it.
You can literally taste the ingredients in these. The nuts, the fruits, the chocolate chips…they are all evident. And they all work together. I loved not only the taste but how this little bar could help me recover better from a long weekend run. Even more…it seems this bar was designed for me. Both dairy-free and gluten-free…this bar ideally fits into my often challenging diet. Being a vegetarian doesn’t make getting the right amount of protein easy when I’m running 10 or more miles. That’s a lot of protein to take in. This is a step in the right direction.
So, yes, Lauren Fleshman…my hat is off to you. My long run days are far more delicious now that these bars have entered into my life. So…thank you for providing something that the allergic athlete can eat…when most other protein/energy bars out on the market are off limits. Delicious. Nutritious. Science.
You know…it is so tough to maintain good athletic health at times and properly fuel pre- and post-race or run. Here’s why. A lot of those protein bars that athletes swear by…have gluten and/or dairy in them. Yep. And that just won’t work for this girl.
Enter to the scene Lauren Fleshman, US champion runner. She was down with an injury and set out to create a gluten-free and dairy-free energy bar for her husband to take on his long bike rides. The one key…it had to taste good.
What emerged from this initial idea, and after lots of trial-and-error, were Picky Bars.
I don’t actually have these in my area. I bought these when I was in St. Louis and stopped in at a running store. They had them on the counter and I admit…I was totally intrigued.
The basic concept that Lauren came up with was that she wanted the 4:1 carbohydrate to protein ration. In addition, she wanted slow releasing carbs for level blood sugar, minimal soy content, and healthy fats making up 25% of the calories. Oh…and it had to taste good too.
Picky Bars were the result of that brainstorm and the downtime she had from injury. And they come in a variety of flavors. I decided to use mine as a post-run fuel after running in the Minneapolis Half Marathon on June 3. After crossing the finish line in my first ever sub-2 hour half marathon, I downed a gluten-free/vegan protein shake and then tore into my first of two Picky Bars I bought in St. Louis.
I chose the Nutless Wonder because I was going to be in a house with children in it with nut allergies. And in case they had stumbled upon my stash, I wanted to make sure that they would be safe. Thankfully, it was just a precaution and the kids were good about staying upstairs. Now, after my half marathon…I was starving. And I brought along an energy bar last half marathon and ended up throwing it away.
Not the case with my Nutless Wonder Picky Bar. I actually downed this bar faster than anticipated. I happily tore into the package and began to chow down. It tasted great. And it should. There is nothing in these bars that I don’t recognize. The Nutless Wonder is a simple blend of organic dates, organic sunflower butter, raw honey, organic rice cereal, rice protein, organic apricots, cranberries, organic pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, semisweet chocolate chips, cinnamon, kosher salt and a mix of canola and sunflower oil. Yes…that’s it. Recognize everything? I do. And that really puts my mind to ease.
Even better…I enjoyed it bite-for-bite. These are really good. So, I think I might be making an online order just so I can have some here for my long run mornings and the like. And each bar clocks in at under 200 calories so I don’t feel like I’m going stupid on the calories either, despite having just done a long run. I appreciate that.
If you can find these in your area and you are an athlete who needs to fuel properly pre- and post- activity…I recommend Picky Bars. They are the perfect way to properly fuel your body with a perfect ratio of carbs to protein. Oh…and they taste fantastic. Find them. Order them. Enjoy them.
Food Should Taste Good Barbeque Sweet Potato Chips
Product: Food Should Taste Good Barbeque Sweet Potato Chips – $3.29+
One of the first gluten-free chips I ever ate and fell in love with were from Food Should Taste Good. I was in Los Angeles a year ago and we were picking out snacks for a pig-out in front of the television and just be four crazy girls night with my besties. That, by the way, is an official night…for any ladies who get together after four long years of being apart. Reunions make the best excuses to cut loose…even with food.
The flavor I selected…Sweet Potato. Why? Because I love sweet potatoes. Any way you cook them…I’m in love with them.
So, flash-forward to almost a year later and a couple more Food Should Taste Good chips under my gluten-free foodie belt. I’m in Denver, Colorado visiting a good friend and checking out a convention. Snacks and food are necessary, so we go grocery shopping. And the roomie spots…something we have never seen before. A new product from Food Should Taste Good. And they involve sweet potato chips.
The mystery product – Food Should Taste Good’s Barbeque Sweet Potato Chips.
Now, I love a good barbeque chip as much as the next person. But, these were the first sweet potato chips I have ever seen in that flavor. We didn’t need them…but we bought them. And they sat there the entire time we were gone, because we bought too much food (our usual problem). So, I packed them in my carry-on for the plane trip back to Louisville, and they survived. At home…other foods expired sooner, so these got pushed to the back of the pantry.
Until this week.
I cracked open the bag this week to begin taking them to work with me as my afternoon snack. The barbeque scent the moment I opened the bag made me smile. They smelled fantastic. So, I could only hope that they tasted as good as they smelled. That afternoon, I happily opened up my serving size (about 14 chips or 28 grams if you prefer to go by weight…and I do). One crunchy bite…and I had to pause to contemplate the flavor.
In the end, the consensus was that I liked them. A lot. I just had to get my taste buds to register all the flavors. There were a lot of them packed into each bite. The sweet potato base is one flavor all itself. The fact that these chips are kettle cooked already makes them a sweeter variety of chip. And then, top it off with the smokey bite of molasses, tomato, and spices to give it that barbeque flavor. That’s a lot for the palate to comprehend at times. But once it gets it…you’ll find yourself popping these one after the other (which is why it is important to dole out that serving size and put the big bag up).
Food Should Taste Good gets another stamp of approval from me. These chips contain no preservatives, are gluten-free, kosher, cholesterol free, trans-fat free, low in fat, and low in sodium. A serving will set you back 150 calories and 8 grams of fat. Not great, but for chips…that’s really damn good. And just the flavors alone are enough to make this snack worth it in the end.
I support companies that do great things with their products. The pride that Food Should Taste Good puts into each bag of their variety of chips is evident. I have fallen in love with another one of their products. And this one is sweet, savory, and spicy all in one. If that isn’t food love…I don’t know what is.
Product: NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar – $3.29+
You know what’s hard?
Being gluten-free and traveling. Especially when the tummy rumbles hit while sitting at an airport. There are few, if any, gluten-free options as far as restaurants go…except, perhaps, a salad. Maybe. If it’s not pre-made with bits of pita or croutons in it. A fruit cup, perhaps. But that’s not going to fill you up.
Well, the hungry belly hit me at the airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota when I was killing some time before my flight back home left. I was already thirsty, so my roommate and I trolled the terminal until she spotted a Quiznos to grab some fountain drinks from. I stood and watched the luggage and when she returned with some cold caffeine, she handed me a NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix bar that she purchased at the register. She was going to find a nibble at one of the shops, but wanted me to have something of some nutritious value without having to down a Snickers bar.
Dark chocolate and nuts…I was okay with that.
But there was more to this bar than just that. Oh yes. After obtaining a snack for her, we returned to our gate and settled in to have our bite before heading to Chicago O’Hare to meet our connection. I tore into the wrapper and revealed a standard looking granola bar. However, what this bar contained was nothing like those granola bars, which are normally packed with preservatives and high fructose corn syrup. None of that here. The NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar was a delicious combination of rice protein crisp, organic brown rice crisp, real dark chocolate, almonds, tapioca syrup, brown rice syrup, agave, chicory root fiber, dried cranberries, rice protein, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, water, acacia gum, flaxseed oil, water, salt, walnuts, and baking soda. That’s it. Every ingredient something I recognize. No chemical names. Nothing that screams cancer-causing badness either. Just wholesome good food…wrapped up in a vegan and gluten-free treat.
Now, I’ve had my fair share of these bars. Some have been completely amazing. And some have really failed to impress me at all. So, where does the NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar stand?
I devoured it if that is any indication. Honestly…amazing flavor. Every bite had a little bit of salty-sweet to it. It kept the palate interested. And I kept going back for another bite…savoring…yet devouring. It was the perfect snack.
And that’s not far from the truth. This particular bar only packed 190 calories into it, but provided 9 grams of protein and only 5 grams of fat. Low fat and protein packed? It’s this runner’s dream come true. This bar was also low in sodium…even with the nuts and seeds included. I loved that too. It was a treat and didn’t spoil the athlete’s diet either.
I have one more of these bars, a different flavor, tucked away in my running snacks drawer at home. And now…I can’t wait to rip into it and see how it compares. I was completely won over by the delicious, natural flavors that were packed into this bar. NuGo Free…you have definitely won me over with this bar. Thank you for getting rid of my airport hunger, for getting me to O’Hare where I had a couple more options (although I ended up eating Garrett Popcorn…I admit it!), and for showing me how delicious your brand is. Nutritious, delicious, and allergen friendly. I’m sold.
NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bar (unwrapped)
Restaurant: Sebastian Joe’s, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Every city has one. A local gem that houses the best ice cream treats anywhere. The locals know it. In fact, they frequent this place often, telling their friends and even complete strangers about where to find the best ice cream in town.
In Minneapolis, Minnesota…it’s no doubt this honor would go to Sebastian Joe’s.
As I have established before, one of my favorite ice cream treats to indulge in (with the help of my roommate) is a banana split. Life doesn’t get much better than a banana topped off with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream, whipped cream, and whatever else that particular shoppe adds to theirs. I was in the mood to indulge. It was my last day in Minneapolis and I had already eaten a delicious lunch. But that didn’t stop me from seeking out the best ice cream the Twin Cities had to offer. I found it too…at Sebastian Joe’s.
Sebastian Joe’s has been a staple to the Twin Cities since it opened back in 1884. This family owned, community-minded business has been churning out delicious premium ice cream using only all-natural ingredients of the finest quality. That means that the owners are very particular about what they put in their ice cream, which to me, speaks a lot about their standards and how highly they regard their products.
I entered the shop late one afternoon with Cathy. We were still full from lunch, but we really just wanted to treat ourselves to something good. Since we both love banana splits, we decided to do Sebastian Joe’s version of it…The Banana Boat ($6.79). What is the Banana Boat? Well, it’s a chopped banana, layered with three flavors of ice cream of your choice. We went with as close to the standards as possible (vanilla, chocolate and strawberry). They didn’t have a plain strawberry flavor, so we opted for the strawberry banana to go with our vanilla and chocolate standard. On top, we were served hot fudge and caramel, and it was topped off with another topping of our choice…which we chose almonds. And then whipped cream layered the top part.
Oh…this was going to be heaven in a dish. The Banana Boat was impressive. So impressive that a local who asked if we had ever had this ice cream before said that it looked delicious and commented on me taking a picture of it. Yeah…drool-worthy!
One thing I did notice that set this banana split apart from any other I had before is that they chopped the banana up into slices. This made it so much easier to eat. I wasn’t having to saw through the banana on my own. I could just scoop it up with my spoon and whatever flavor I had at that moment and enjoy. Oh…so good.
First bite…and I was hooked. The ice cream was melt-in-your-mouth smooth. Full of flavor. And that Strawberry Banana flavor was beyond delicious. It is a personal favorite. Doesn’t do me much good as I don’t live anywhere near Minneapolis…but if you happen by…get a scoop for me and eat it in my honor. You won’t be disappointed.
Every flavor melted well into the next. And I think I possibly might have enjoyed the best banana split I ever sat down to. And, trust me, I’ve sat down to many a banana split in my life. It has always been my favorite ice cream treat. Some things never change.
It didn’t even matter that I was full when I walked in there. My stomach found room for bite-after-bite of this delicious Banana Boat. It was well worth the extra indulgence.
Looking to support a long-standing, local, family owned business around the Twin Cities…find Sebastian Joe’s and try out one of their flavors. Or, go for broke and get one of their famous sundaes. I highly recommend The Banana Boat. And if you want someone to share it with…I’m happy to help.
Restaurant: The Bad Waitress, Minneapolis, Minnesota
If you happen to be traveling through Minneapolis, Minnesota…and you really need a fantastic place to eat…ask a local. That’s what we did. And had we not, we would have missed out on this unique, fun, amazing little diner off Nicolette Avenue. After finishing up some good shopping at a local record store known as The Electric Fetus, we asked the man behind the counter for any good places to catch a bite to eat. He immediately said to hit up Nicolette Avenue, referred to as “Eat Street” by the locals because of how many restaurants line it. And his suggestion…The Bad Waitress.
So…why is it called The Bad Waitress?
Mister Fantastic table marker at The Bad Waitress in Minneapolis, Minnesota
When you step inside, you are greeted by the look and feel of an old-fashioned diner. What makes this place unique are the wall hangings are old horror/sci-fi movie posters. Antiques, bought locally, line the walls and the nooks and crannies. You seat yourself. Pay attention to which table you are sitting at…this will be necessary when you place your order. My roommate and I came here with my aunt the first time (yes…we went back…because I forgot to take pictures of my food) and then we returned, happily, on our last day in town. Totally worth each trip. The first time we visited, we sat at the Thor table. On our return visit, we were at the Mister Fantastic table.
Why is this important? Because at The Bad Waitress, you are your own order taker. The menus are located on the table. Pick one up and peruse at your leisure. Located on the table with the menus is an order form. Put the name of your table on there and fill out the order form with what you want to eat. Be specific about any changes. Include your drink choices at the bottom. Then, when you finish with that, you take your order to the register and pay for your food ahead of time. You will receive your drinks then…unless like me you order tea. That will be brought to you by one of the awesome staff members.
Menu and order form at The Bad Waitress in Minneapolis, Minnesota
And then…it’s all up to the kitchen. You supplied your order the way you wanted it…so now they execute it…just as you instructed. This is why you have to be specific. The first time I ate there, it was the day before I ran the Minneapolis Half Marathon. So, I went with an omelette for the protein and for safety measures. I got it with their American Fries, which was a chopped up red potato (organic!) that was sauteed up to perfection. And they offered gluten-free toast as a bread option…and it arrived with a buttery glaze that was to die for. The omelette I ordered that day was the Death Valley Veggie Omelette, a 3-egg omelette that had gruyère cheese, red peppers, basil, and garlic tucked inside ($11.00). Cathy got their Hamburger on a wheat bun and topped it off with some goat cheese ($10.00) and substituted the chips and salsa for the American Fries ($1.75). And my Aunt Jan ordered the Tomato-Basil Tortilla Wrap with Grilled Chicken, keeping the chips and salsa as the side ( $8.50). I got an order of their green tea with lemon ($2.50). And after a little bit of a wait, which I never mind as it means things aren’t prepared ahead of time, but to order, our food was brought to our table and we dug in. Literally. I was hungry and forgot to take pictures. Trust me when I say…our food was amazing.
Happily though, my roommate and I returned to enjoy lunch there on our final day in Minneapolis. My aunt had an appointment to get to and the rest of my family headed out for a little journey together. Cathy and I had some loose ends to tie up in town, like a few more bookstores and record stores to hit, so we stayed behind, borrowed my aunt’s car, and made the rounds. Lunch time rolled around and we had decided that we couldn’t miss the chance to eat at The Bad Waitress again. So…we did.
This time our orders didn’t change…too much. With camera ready, we wrote down the order and placed it. This time, I didn’t stray too far from the breakfast menu. Why? Because breakfast is awesome and I’d eat it all day if I could. So…I opted for a change of pace and got another omelette, this time the Flying Saucer Omelette, a 3-egg omelette served with organic mushrooms, spinach, thyme, and goat cheese. I stuck with the gluten-free toast, but this time chose the hash browns as my side ($11.00). Cathy loved her burger so much, she tried it again, this time pairing it with gruyére cheese ($10.00) and keeping the chips and salsa as the side. I went with tea again as my beverage…the green tea with cherry ($2.50). We wrote the order up and paid at the register. Cathy came back with her Diet Coke, but I had to wait for a moment while they brewed up my tea. It was brought to my table on a fun little tray. Love the diner feel of this place.
The Bad Waitress’ Green Tea with Cherry
We had a bit of a wait again for our made-to-order food. But it arrived in good order and everything once again looked fantastic. And this time…I snapped pictures.
The omelette was fantastic. Stuffed with sauteed mushrooms, goat cheese, and seasoned with thyme. The flavor combination was divine. The goat cheese added a rich creaminess to the eggs, the mushrooms gave it bulk, and the thyme added the seasoning. I dashed it with some hot sauce and tucked into it. Amazing. And the hash browns…cooked to perfection. The top layer was a crispy brown, but beneath was the soft shredded potatoes. Just how I like them. And, just as before, the gluten-free toast was done to a buttery crisp. No need to add anything. It was delicious that way. I was in love with the food there. The menu is loaded with options and served the entire time they are open…so if you want breakfast at 5 p.m…write it down and you will get it
Next time I’m in Minnesota, I’m totally getting back to The Bad Waitress. The atmosphere, the concept, the food…all beyond my expectations. It looks like a greasy-spoon diner on the outside, but inside is a business that is supplying customers with organic and local food that is prepared to perfection and delicious with every bite. You’ll clean your plate. Even if you feel like you can’t take one more bite…you will.
For places to eat in Minneapolis, Minnesota…this one sits at the top.
The Bad Waitress’ Flying Saucer Omelette with Gluten-Free Toast and Hash Browns
I have a lot of things I love in life…and despite a lactose intolerance…ice cream is one of them. Thankfully, these little Lactase supplements exist which allow me to indulge in my love of all things ice cream…with some restraint.
After filling up on pub grub and taking a stroll around Excelsior, Minnesota…checking out Lake Minnetonka…and letting things settle…Heather said we couldn’t leave without getting some frozen custard from what she hailed to be the best frozen custard place around. Perhaps in the world. I was intrigued. For one thing…I’d never had frozen custard before. I know…shocking. Frozen yogurt…yes. Sorbet…yes. Gelato…yes. Ice cream…always. But frozen custard was new to me.
She took us up the ways to this great little stand called Adele’s Frozen Custard. I was ready to be wowed.
I already liked the look of the place. A small little structure built just off the road. People were sitting outside and enjoying their bowls of delicious frozen goodness as we arrived. They have a limited number of available flavors. On the day we were there, they had the standard chocolate and vanilla…in addition to bubble gum, grasshopper, and chocolate raspberry truffle.
Cathy’s order of Grasshopper Frozen Custard from Adele’s Frozen Custard
Since I also have to concern myself with a gluten allergy and not sure what all went into special flavors, I stuck with the standard vanilla custard with a topping of strawberries. YUMMY! Remember…if it has strawberries…it wins. Heather got the chocolate raspberry truffle custard and Cathy opted for the grasshopper flavor (which I almost got and was glad I didn’t when it was served with crumbled cookie crumbs on top!). We placed our orders, payed and waited on the frozen goodness. Mine was the last to arrive, but in the time we waited, I was busy studying the frozen custard making machine. It was fascinating to see the cascade of frozen custard come pouring out of it in blocks. Mmmm.
When our orders were up, we all headed outside to sit and enjoy our flavor of choice. Heather and Cathy were both very content with their choices. And I was too.
So, what’s the difference between ice cream and frozen custard? Well…it’s like this…
Ice cream is composed of a base of cream, milk and sugar. Then air is whipped into it. To make it into frozen custard, egg yolk is added to the ice cream base, and the air is then whipped out of it, making the texture very smooth and velvety rich. Simply put…it’s sophisticated ice cream that creamy good.
If Adele’s is any indication of how fantastic frozen custard is…well, call me a believer. I was blown away by the rich, soft texture of it. My vanilla one wasn’t bland at all. I would have been content to down it without the strawberries on top. It was creamy good and had that full vanilla flavor that I want in a vanilla ice cream (or in this case…custard).
As this is my only consumption of frozen custard to date, I can’t really say how it compares to anything. But I will say this…it is a rich, delicious flavor that melts on your tongue and excites every taste bud it comes in contact with.
Adele’s is also run by a local family and is open seasonally…which means this is not a year-round treat. So get it while the place is open and the getting is good. The parking lot was packed when we arrived and when we left. This is no secret to the locals…and visitors should make their way there and see what all the fuss about Adele’s Frozen Custard is all about. It’s worth the journey.
And me…I’m now a believer if frozen custard.
On a side note…it was ironic to get back into the car to head back to my grandpa’s house and have Adele on the radio at that moment. It made the perfect ending to a perfect day with good friends and amazing food.
Jake O’Connor’s Public House, Excelsior, Minnesota
Restaurant: Jake O’Connor’s Public House, Excelsior, Minnesota
Remember how I said I love Irish pubs? Well…if not…let me remind you…
I LOVE IRISH PUBS!
Take to heart that as a gluten-free vegetarian, this often means no more than a salad and a ‘safe’ side of mashed potatoes (or champ), but I am okay with that…as long as it is good. And I have reviewed so many salads at restaurants that they really need to wow me in order for me to really rave about them anymore. Once you’ve had one salad, you’ve had them all, yes?
WRONG!
And Jake O’Connor’s Public House in Excelsior, Minnesota proved that to me once and for all.
My friend Heather, formerly of Chicago, now back in Minnesota, came out to my half-marathon. Following which we all went out to celebrate my first ever sub-2 hour half with some good food and atmosphere. She had sent me a link for this pub weeks prior and we decided it would be the ideal place to go after my race. After all, they even had items on the menu marked that could be made gluten-free. My heart was so happy that day! So, after a shower and some chat time, we headed out to get some food for our hungry bellies.
First of all, this pub is beautiful. It really is. Stained glass. A wooden bar. Dimly lit. Perfect pub atmosphere. We were seated in a little corner booth and brought our drink orders. For me…water. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! We were given ample time to look over the menu, and after discussing the fact that the fish and chips showed up beneath the sandwich category (leading to confusion of whether it was traditional fish and chips or a fish sandwich), and it was confirmed that both Heather and Cathy (the roomie) would be getting the traditional fish and chips, we were ready to place our order. I went last because I was the confusing one…
My order was simple. I got the Berry and Chicken Salad (without the chicken!!) done up gluten-free ($8.75). With a side of fries ($5.95), made gluten-free. Easy peasy, yes? And we all decided to celebrate with a pint of Magners from the tap ($3.50). It was necessary. The three of us LOVE our Magners.
Orders in, we sat and talked and just had a blast waiting on our food. And when it arrived…let me tell you…portions are HUGE!!
My salad was bigger than my head, I swear. But it was delicious looking. At first I didn’t receive my fries with the order, but they arrived soon after, lacking the malt they are usually cooked in and done in a separate frier. So much love for that.
Jake O’Connor’s side of fries done gluten-free
I gave my salad a small dash of the poppyseed vinaigrette and took my first bite. Here is what I loved about this salad and why I would totally order it again. It had a myriad of flavors. Every bite was different. Textures were different. This salad was fully loaded with spinach and romaine as the greens. Then was topped with fresh strawberries and blackberries. It doesn’t stop there. Cubes of soft Cambozola cheese (a combination of a French soft-ripened triple cream cheese and Italian Gorgonzola) were at each “corner” of the salad. Also included were caramelized figs and candied walnuts.
Sounds like an epic salad, yes?
Well…it was. And quite filling. I have actually never been full from eating a salad…but I was this time. In fact, I hardly touched my plate of fries. I was intrigued by the layers in my salad…how the flavors all worked together. How there were sweet parts and salty parts. And how it just worked over the greens. There wasn’t too much of anything. An equal balance was found and that was what made this salad work. Being a vegetarian meant I ordered mine sans-chicken, but I didn’t miss it in the slightest. I was filled with green, fruity goodness.
What fries I did munch on were really well done. They had that crisp outside and were soft inside. Fried to perfection. And, thankfully, not over-seasoned. Nothing kills good fries like too much salt. These hardly tasted of salt. And perhaps the seasoning was left off. I loved it that way and enjoyed what I managed to eat before calling myself at capacity and setting my fork down.
Pub grub can swing either way…good or bad. The same is said for the atmosphere. Jake O’Connor’s got it right. The food is fantastic. The Magners pours were delicious. And the atmosphere was what I expect from a good pub. No touristy Irish music playing here. Just the buzz of happy customers and some regular tunes over the sound system. That, my friends, is how it is done in Ireland. And that is how Jake O’Connor’s Public House does it in Excelsior, Minnesota. A taste of Ireland…right in the heart of Lake Country.
Yeah…I fell in love with the place. Head over heels.
Oh…and my friends really enjoyed their plates of fish and chips. They found the fish cooked to perfection and not overly greasy or overly breaded. And the salt ‘n malt chips were to their liking as well. For those of you who have a thing for fish and chips…well…there you go. Two very happy customers.
But this gluten-free vegetarian is going to be raving about that salad for life. Who would have thought something as basic and simple as that could fill me up after running 13.1 miles…and leave such an impression. Jake O’Connor’s Public House…you are doing Ireland justice. And I salute you for that…and your gluten-free menu options.
As if I needed another reason to go back to Minnesota…
Jake O’Connor’s Berry and Chicken Salad (NO CHICKEN!) done gluten-free (and vegetarian)
Product: WOW Baking Company Peanut Butter Cookie – $1.50+
It was bound to happen at some time.
I thought I was well prepared for the inevitable, but then…the longer delays began to happen and my gluten-free snacks I packed disappeared sooner than I anticipated.
Airports are difficult enough to navigate when it comes to food choices. Add being a gluten-free vegetarian on top of it and it can be nigh on impossible to find something to eat at times.
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case (completely) at Chicago O’Hare. I was stuck there for five hours. Prior to that, I was delayed getting out of Louisville. And as I had intended to eat lunch at O’Hare, the delay meant I was hungry. I had packed a breakfast bar and some raisins in case, and they were consumed along with an expensive fruit cup prior to boarding the delayed flight. Hey…you can’t change the weather.
After delays, a cancelled flight, and then a new flight, five hours later, I knew lunch at O’Hare was now going to become dinner at O’Hare. And so…it had to be. Originally, my roommate and I thought to splurge a little and sit down to eat at either Wolfgang Puck or Macaroni Grill. But upon inquiring about gluten-free vegetarian options and being told I could have a salad (overpriced, of course), we decided instead to just grab something else and sit in the food court to eat. Save some money.
Thankfully, O’Hare has these little shops called CIBO Gourmet Market, which carry foods that are appropriate for vegans, vegetarians, the gluten-free, and meat options as well in the form of deli sandwiches and salads. I stopped in to take a look around and opted to grab one of their Strawberry Fields Salads (a mix of greens, strawberries, walnuts, and feta cheese). My roommate was convinced that wouldn’t be enough to hold me, so I ended up reaching for a WOW Baking Company Peanut Butter Cookie to enjoy post-salad. I admit, I still paid an arm and a leg for my meal, but it wound up being cheaper than the sit-down places in the end.
So…with the salad eaten, my roommate and I split the cookie for dessert. Let me tell you…WOW Baking Company makes one terrific and delicious gluten-free peanut butter cookie. It was like biting into a fresh peanut butter cookie. Honestly. It had that crisp outside for the initial bite, but each chew was soft and delicious.
Even better…the ingredient list had nothing funky or strange listed on it. The WOW Baking Company Web site even indicates that their cookies are made from all natural ingredients without the use of any preservatives. This means you can’t just hang onto the cookies or they will lose their freshness. I bought this at the airport and it was really, really fresh tasting. Their peanut butter cookie is made with natural, crunchy peanut butter, lending it a bit of crunch throughout. Epically delicious. I was WOW-ed. No really. I remember finishing a bite, looking at my roommate and saying, “Damn…these are good.” Peanut butter cookies bring a bit of salty-sweet to the taste buds and mine totally appreciated the taste and texture of these!
These cookies are available in some retail locations including Fresh Market and Whole Foods. You can check their Web site for stores in your area that may carry these delicious cookies. Remember…one cookie is two servings, so eat half and save the rest for later…or share with a friend. It’s tempting not to, but it’s all about portions, friends.
Want a delicious cookie that is free of gluten and wheat? I highly recommend trying the cookie options that WOW Baking Company bakes up. It’s magic in cookie form. And now…I’m hooked.
The Celiathlete 