My Go-To Phoenix Restaurants
After living in Phoenix for almost 5 years, it's safe to say I found some of the best food spots in that town, that are also gluten-free. I mean, have you ever seen anyone more excited to eat a quesadilla?
1.) Crescent Ballroom
For anyone who's talked to me for more than 5 minutes, you know that I've spent almost a quarter of my life working in the food industry, from ice cream scooping to latte making and waiting tables. I had the best time serving at Crescent Ballroom for a few months, and part of what made it so fun? The food!
If you want a Mexican cocina-style meal, this is your place. You have options from street tacos, quesadillas (on corn tortillas if you ask!), burrito bowls, salads-- and that's just the gluten-free list. For you folks who can eat gluten, the bean and cheese burrito is a Crescent staple and must be tried.
Their cocktails are also all so good. I recommend the Rest Stop (a mix of local Arizona grapefruit vodka and strawberry), or the Honey Badger (think of a Moscow mule but with Four Roses bourbon).
Crescent Ballroom also has live music, trivia, and other events. Such a cool and local spot.
2.) Postino Wine Cafe
Talk about some A1 gluten-free bread. I honestly don't know how this place does it. If you love wine and carbs, this is your place. You can pick from a variety of different kinds of bruschettas (my personal favorites are the warm artichoke spread and the sweet and spicy pepper jam--YUM!).
They also have a special on Monday and Tuesday nights that you can get a full board of bruschetta (4 pieces) and an entire bottle of wine for $25 (they might've raised the price a couple dollars since the last time I checked). They rotate their wines seasonally so they have something a little different every few months.
3.) Manuel's Mexican Restaurant
This is one of my all time favorite restaurants, which has been in the Phoenix area for years!
From the margs, to the crisp tortillas chips and my go-to meal: The 3 Amigos enchilada plate. They make their enchiladas with corn tortillas so they're gf! The 3 Amigos has beef, chicken and a vegetarian cream cheese and spinach enchilada all paired on one plate. It's insanely good.
4.) In-N-Out
I mean-- do I even really have to say anything more? And no, i don't want to hear anything about Whataburger or Shake Shack in this space! In-N-Out offers a "protein style" burger that eliminates the bun altogether.
BOOM! Bye gluten! Hello cheeseburger goodness!
PS- there's also a Neapolitan shake option for all three milkshake flavors in one cup. You're welcome.
5.) Original ChopShop
This is the place to go for health food that doesn't taste like health food.
We're talking gluten-free wraps, salads, acai bowls and the BEST fresh lemonade I've had (yes, it's better than Chick-fil-a). Just look through their feed, I'm craving a wrap just looking at it.
And if after all of this you're craving something sweet...
6.) Urban Cookies
I think about their gluten-free, vegan donuts every day. While they are still cake donuts (WHO'S GOING TO CRACK THE CODE FOR AN ACTUAL FRIED GLUTEN-FREE DONUT IN THIS LIFETIME PEOPLE) they are chewy, baked goodness.
I mean, c'mon just look at them! My default flavors are the cinnamon sugar and double chocolate. They also offer seasonal donuts along with other baked goods like cookies, cupcakes and they even make coffee.
Thank you for reading my dissertation on my favorite gluten-free food go-tos when in Phoenix.
Are you going to try any of these place? Have you been already? Let us know!