Customer Reviews

The Essential Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide, 2nd Edition

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I was so impressed with the glowing reviews of this volume that I ordered a copy. The restaurants are listed alphabetically by name (instead of alphabetically by city) which makes it almost impossible to find a restaurant in any city you happen to be in, unless you're willing to read the entire chapter. 95% of the restaurants in this book are described as having "no gluten-free menu." The author admits that neither he nor his editor made any attempt to verify information listed in the book, going so far as to print, repeatedly, that the restaurant's chef or owner, "reports" that their menu includes gluten-free offerings(!) As a celiac patient who is on the road 200+ days a year, this book allowed me to locate less than thirty restaurants and bakeries, nationwide, that actually maintain a gluten-free kitchen, let alone a gluten-free menu. Save your money and do your research online.

I have 3 celiac members in my family - 2 sons and my husband. This book allows me to travel/vacation cross country. We keep one book in each car, my sons take one with them on athletic team weekends and I would not go on vacations (within US) without consulting first.It has been a blessing.

If you or a family member needs to keep a gluten-free diet, you'll find this guide a handy way to avoid eating at the same restaurant every time or being stuck at home. The bulk of the book is its state-by-state listings of restaurants divided into categories ranging from 100% gluten-free, to those with special gluten-free menus or products available, to those that are familiar with the restriction and able to make accommodations. For the last category, the guide has done the legwork of contacting the management of many of the restaurants, whose advice on what dishes to order and whom to contact to get accommodations is included in the listings. Previously, I'd known of a handful of local restaurants geared towards gluten-free; this guide expands that selection with 23 gluten-free menus in the area and another dozen willing to adapt. An introductory chapter provides tips on working with those who don't have special menus so you can try more places with minimal hassle.

This book does a fantastic job of providing gluten-free dining options across the U.S. and is a perfect reference to have on hand at home or when you're on the road. The listings are a great resource, as management at many of the restaurants have already been consulted and provide their advice to gluten-free customers.

I strongly recommend this guide with no reservations for any celiacs out there who are tired of eating at home or at the same few restaurants all the time. Overall, an invaluable resource.

We travel alot so this book is incredibly useful. It is organised by state and then with major cities listed first and then 'everywhere else' within that state. It makes our trip planning so much easier - I do not have to trawl gluten free websites to find acceptable places. The other nice thing is that it gives information about each of the restaurants, particularly useful if it says ask for the manager, or stresses that the particular restaurant does/does not guarantee that contamination is possible.

The only thing that would make this book better is if they had a way of quickly distinguishing between those restaurants that have a GF menu and those that just accomodate GF diners, rather than having to read the information about the restaurant

First, I have not gotten the latest edition yet. We have the 2nd Edition and it is dog eared, wrinkled and generally worn out we use it so much. It stays in the car so that it is with us whenever we are away from home (and the internet). It is reasonably easy to navigate and has been a Godsend when in strange lands...like Tampa.

Typically it lists the items that are specifically gluten free or it has which restaurants have a gluten free menu. Gluten free menus are preferred because it shows that the restaurant is typically careful with food allergies. It includes Outback Steakhouses and they have been nothing but trouble. Outback is expensive and careless. We have been contaminated several times and will never return.

It has "$" signs by many of the names, staring at none all the way through three to note the more expensive restaurants. This is not conclusive (as of the 2nd edition) and the books idea of inexpensive varies from mine in many cases.

I will not be caught away from home without it.

LIKES (Based on 2nd Edition):
Fairly Exhaustive Listing
Works whenever and wherever, even without internet or cell coverage.
Well researched and descriptive.

DISLIKES (Based on 2nd Edition):
"$" indicators kind of hit or miss.
Includes Outback Steakhouse as a suitable restaurant.

I am a newly diagnosed Celiac who needs practical information about how to navigate in a gluten-filled world. I had hoped this book would give me specific information to use when I eat in restaurants. I found this book so general, and with so many disclaimers it is utterly useless to me. I've found more and better information on websites or the restaurant websites.

I have other "gluten-Free' books that I find myself going back to again and again. I'm afraid this one will sit and gather dust. Oh well...
I'm sure it will be beneficial in some regard. However, I'd look around for something else if I were given another opportunity.

I purchased this book hoping that I would be able to find a great place to eat gluten free. What I got was a few pages dedicated to California, The number of places in my area I could count on my fingers without going to my toes.

As the holidays near, food is on our minds more and more. Families and friends are getting together and going out to eat. When you're gluten free, this can be a bit intimidating - especially if you're new to gluten free eating. First, you need to find a place where you can go out to eat. Then, you need to make sure the staff truly understands what it means for a dish to be gluten free. Cross-contamination is always a concern.

When you add in the fact that you often find yourself away from home for the holidays, eating out can become rather overwhelming. Wouldn't it be nice to have one place to get information about gluten free friendly restaurants no matter what city you were headed to?

Thankfully, for those of us who are gluten free, Triumph Dining - publishers of the very handy The Essential Gluten-free Grocery Guide - have put together The Essential Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide. This book contains listings for 6,500 restaurants all over the 50 United States. There are menus for 120 national and regional chains. The 5th edition has been updated to include 1,500 new restaurants. They have done the research and footwork for you. You can just pack the book in your bag, and you're good to go.

The first section of the book includes helpful advice for gluten free dining at restaurants. The second section includes all of the listings organized by state. It also contains helpful dining out checklist. The third section includes gluten free lists and menus for restaurants. These are listed in alphabetical order for easy location of particular restaurants.

The easy to use key at the front of the book allows reader to see at a glance if a restaurant has a gluten-free menu on site, has gluten free specialty items, is a 100% gluten free establishment, or is a chain restaurant that has the menu/list in section 3 of the book. The key also shows if the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and/or snack. The dollar amount is also shown.

Both my husband and I were extremely impressed with The Essential Gluten Free Restaurant Guide. Since my husband often finds himself needing to travel for work, this book will come in handy. He'll be packing it in his bag whenever he travels. It will save him some time when it comes to research and planning meals.

If you're looking for a comprehensive guide to eating out gluten free, this is the book for you. This book would make an excellent gift for a gluten-free friend or family member. Just add in the Essential Gluten Free Grocery Guide with some gluten free products to create a nice gluten-free gift basket.

I received a copy of this book from Triumph Dining to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review. A positive review is not guaranteed. All opinions are my own.

I just ordered this (September 2011). Source Media Group sent me the 4th edition from 2009, NOT the 5th edition shown in the image. Yes, it said used but it's not unusual to get used books in September the first year they're printed. Other editions are listed on Amazon separately from the latest 5th edition, if they were not selling the 5th edition they should have listed it under the correct edition number.