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Tuesday, November 17, 2015

The Ultimate Ranking of the Most Satisfying Gluten Free Meals in Philly

If you’re living a gluten free life you understand the struggle of the constant hunt to find a gluten free meal that doesn’t taste like cardboard and will satisfy you until the hunt begins yet again. When you find that one dish that seems to magically solve all of your cravings, it is as if the gluten free gods are looking out for you from above. From someone who fully understands this feeling, here are the top five most satisfying gluten free meals in Philadelphia that will have you singing.

Sabrina’s Cafe
Location: 227 N. 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Dish: Cali-Turkey Sandwich

What a true gluten freer wants more than anything is bread that actually tastes like real bread, and that is why Sabrina’s holds the number one spot on this list. Sourcing their gluten free bread from a small bakery in Italian Market, Sabrina’s creates a masterpiece of a sandwich loaded with turkey, avocado, bacon, and sprouts. Topped with red pepper mayo, it will quench even the severest of bread cravings you may experience.

Giorgio on Pine
Location: 1328 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA
Dish: Prosciutto, English Pea, and Mushroom Fusilli

Italian food is essentially taboo for someone trying to avoid gluten. Bread, pasta, and pizza are the food items you are banned from immediately with no exceptions. However, the small, family owned establishment, Giorgio on Pine, has found a way around that. Beginning the meal with warm gluten free bread and olive oil for dipping is right away a huge plus. But the decadent blush sauce drenched gluten free fusilli dish mixed with English peas, mushrooms, and rich prosciutto cheese is what will make you accept being gluten free for a night. With huge portions, definitely come hungry and ready for an Italian tasting experience.

Sampan
Location: 124 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Dish: Kim Chee Fried Rice

Soy sauce is usually the perpetrator when it comes to Asian cuisine. Often you think you’re in the clear, rice is naturally gluten free, but soy sauce tends to be in almost everything, and unfortunately it is gluten ridden. Thankfully, the modern, pan-Asian inspired restaurant Sampan has you covered. Specializing in gluten free dining, Sampan seamlessly translates their traditional menu dishes into gluten free options. The savory Kim Chee Fried Rice features grilled shrimp, sprouts, and is topped with a piping hot fried egg that a waiter will happily chop into your rice for you. Sampan’s dishes are served family style and meant to be shared, although honestly you’ll probably want this dish all for yourself.

Slice
Location: 1740 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
Dish: Truffle Pizza

Gluten free pizza is truly a hit or miss dish. Often gluten freers are served an extremely dry, almost tortilla like pizza that, upon immediate pick up attempt, will crumble in their hands. Rittenhouse Square’s hole in the wall pizza joint, Slice, has defied this assumption with their gluten free Truffle Pizza. Completely covered in mushrooms and topped with a thick layer of gooey mozzarella, this pizza is a dream. Not a mushroom fan? No worries, Slice has multiple pizza variations as well as a make your own option opening up endless possibilities.

Landmark Americana
Location: 3333 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Dish: Chicken Tenders & Fries


For the six year old in all of us who just yearns for the perfect chicken tender, Landmark Americana provides a gluten free option that even non-gluten freers enjoy ordering. Perfectly crispy, breaded with gluten free corn flour, and served alongside battered fries, this dish is a classic and proves that even the simplest plates can be your absolute favorite.

1 comment:

  1. I found this article very interesting and helpful because I love to eat healthy and since I'm in college and on a meal plan it's really hard to find healthy options. Now I know where to go if I want to eat good gluten free food. The best part is these places are close to my living location and they're very accessible.

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