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!

Question: How do YOU heal your belly when you are "glutened"?

It's been a busy week.  It was the last week of 4th grade for my daughter.  Which means the last week of freedom for mom until September, so I was busy getting "things" done before school was out.  I don't think I finished half of the "things" on my list.  Mostly because I felt sick.

This seems to happen every few months and lasts for a week or more.  The belly ache.  Feels like someone put my intestines in a vice and keeps cranking it tighter.

I can never really pin down the reason it happens.  Did I get glutened?  Was it the greasy burger I ate?  Am I eating out in restaurants too often?  Is it stress?  Am I allergic or intolerant to another food?  I don't know, but I'd sure like to figure it out.

So, this week I began the task of writing down everything I eat.  I probably began too late to figure out the source this time, as I already had the belly ache, but I'm hoping that eventually I can find the answer.  I've read that corn gluten can be a problem for some Celiacs or maybe dairy (I already use soy milk).  I'm also trying to cut out (or at least down) on the diet soda.  Yes, I know it's bad for me, but I have trouble giving it up.  :(

I've been downing the Pepto Bismal in the meantime and trying to eat very carefully.  I need to heal my tummy and feel better.  Which got me to thinking....what do other Celiacs do when they get glutened?

So here are my questions for you all...

When you get glutened, what do you do to feel better?  What do you eat while you're healing?  What medications if any do you use?  How long do your symptoms last?

I would love any advice you may have to give.

Thanks.  And I hope you are having a great gluten-free weekend!

Two Gluten-Free Surprises for Mom on Father's Day!

Ok.  I admit it.  I've been slacking on the blog posts.  I'm blaming it on spring fever and a little bit of writer's block.

I did have two great surprises today.  We decided to take my husband out for lunch for Father's Day.  He chose Outback Steakhouse because, well, what's Father's Day without a little steak anyway???  I was happily looking over my gluten-free menu when the waiter brought over the little loaf of gluten-filled, brown bread.  When my husband told him not to put it in front of me, the waiter said "Oh, sorry.  Would you like a loaf of gluten-free bread?"  Wow!

Outback had served gluten-free bread in the past.  Then they took it away.  I blogged about it here.  Well, now it's back!  I'm not sure that it's the same bread that they served before, but it was really good.    It's lovely to have bread with my 6 oz. Special Steak, baked potato and green beans.  Thanks, Outback!!!

My second surprise was later, when we decided to go out for soft ice cream.  One of the pleasures of summer is going to The Country Drive-In on Crescent Road in Clifton Park.  This is a very busy spot in hot weather and if you can find a parking space, you are in luck!  We have been known to circle the lot many times on crowded nights, only to drive away without our ice cream!  :(

Today, it was the middle of the afternoon and not terribly crowded.  I ordered my usual.  Small hot fudge sundae with fat-free, sugar-free yogurt.  Today's yogurt flavor was "Very Berry".  We stepped back from the window after placing our orders and there it was.  On the window.  Right there in front of us.  "Gluten-Free Cones Now Available Upon Request."    NO WAY!  (I think I actually heard a choir singing in the background..."AHHHHH")  The world is definitely changing right before our very eyes.  Now, I'm not much of a "cone person", but you'd better believe that next time we go, I will be ordering one of the gluten-free cones!  Just because I can.