Vacationing Gluten-Free in Cape Cod

If you know me, you know that I love Cape Cod.  I've been visiting the Cape almost every summer since, well, before I was born!  That's 40....and then some years!

Anyone who has been there, knows that fried foods are a way of life on the Cape.  Fried fish, fried clams, fried onion rings, fried everything!  I even had a fried Snicker's bar before I was gluten-free!

When I was first diagnoses with Celiac Disease two years ago, I wondered how I would ever enjoy going to restaurants on the Cape again.  I am pleased to say that navigating the restaurants on the Cape is becoming easier and easier for us non-gluten eaters.

This year, we visited several restaurants with gluten-free menus we had visited in the past, along with one new one.

The first on my list of "old stand-bys" is Seafood Sam's in South Yarmouth.   This is a counter-service, fried food eatery.  They do not have a gluten-free menu.  However, I have been successful in the past ordering any of the broiled dinners without crumb topping and a baked potato.  This year, we visited this restaurant twice, because my gluten-eating daughter loves their kids' fried shrimp.  My husband and I ordered the "Sam's Broiled Platter for 2".  It came split on two plates with the sides separated so he could have his french fries, while I had a baked potato.  It also comes with Newburg Sauce (which I don't think is gluten-free and didn't eat) and cole slaw.  It's a bargain at only $19.95 for two and a lot of seafood!

The next restaurant on my list is Chatham Fish and Lobster Company in Chatham.  We visited this fresh fish market/counter service restaurant last year for the first time and I couldn't wait to get back there this year!  All and I mean ALL of their fried items are gluten-free.  I can't get enough of their crunchy, delicious seafood.  And talk about fried onion rings!  My mouth is watering thinking about it!

Last year I ordered fish fry.  It was excellent!  This year, I decided to order the Fried Clam Strip Platter.  As my tween daughter would say, OMG!

If there was one restaurant in the whole world that I would want if I were alone on a desert island, this would be the one!

We also ordered the Fried Shrimp Platter and shared both platters between the three of us.  It was plenty of food!

I just love this place!  I really liked the huge lobster in the front yard too!

Oh, and the "Celiac Friendly" sign on the door!

Another restaurant we visited was Sam Diego's Mexican Cookery and Bar  in Hyannis.

Mexican food on the Cape?   Si, Senior!!!  This awesome place has wonderful food and a relatively new gluten-free menu! (The menu is NOT on their website...I wish it were so you could see all their wonderful menu items!)

I apologize for the glare on the picture, but the service was so speedy that I didn't have time to get it right!  LOL!

I ordered the Gluten-Free Chips and Salsa right off the bat.

Then, I ordered their Gluten-Free Chili Con Carne...

Look at that cheesy goodness!!!  Uh oh...drooling on my computer keys!

Then, I ordered the Gluten-Free Classic Cheese and Pepper Quesadillas.

Well, I couldn't finish all this food!  It was soooo yummy good!

Are you hungry yet?  I have more to go!!!  LOL!


The one cloudy, sprinkly day of our vacation, we decided to head of to Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis to do some retail therapy.  We stopped in at Not Your Average Joe's for lunch.  This is the third year we have eaten at Joe's.  The first time, well, there wasn't much on their gluten-free menu.  It was your standard, plain hamburger on a bun with salad menu.  This year, I was pleasantly surprised to find way more offerings.  Including GLUTEN-FREE ONION ROLLS with olive oil/red pepper dipping sauce!  Whoa!!!

And, if you do order the hamburger, I'm guessing you'll get one of these buns with it!  :)

For my lunch, I ordered the GF Grilled Chicken Salad.  Instead of the Creamy Ranch Dressing, I ordered the Lo-Cal Zinfandel, which was excellent and also GF.

We also visited BZ's Mexican Pizzeria in Dennisport.  I apologize, I didn't bring my camera to this restaurant, but they have EXCELLENT gluten-free pizza.  The best part is that it's made on site and you can choose from many toppings!  I ordered mushroom and ground beef.  Mmmmmm.


Last, but not least, I can't visit the Cape without ordering at least one boiled lobster dinner!  We went to The Lobster Boat, which is a tradition in my family.  They do not have a gluten-free menu, but I've never had a problem eating here.  The twin lobster special is what we always order....it is well, lobster!

I hope you have enjoyed my little gluten-free tour of Cape Cod!  I can't wait to go back again next year...or sooner!  LOL!