5 Gluten Free Friendly Restaurants in Utah Valley

Celiac? Paleo? Whole30? Just straight up avoiding gluten? We hear you.
It can be tricky to avoid gluten, especially when you begin to feel like it's in EVERYTHING!

And eating out can be a bit of a nightmare too for those of us avoiding those stomach ache inducing proteins. Few people can understand what a pain it is to have to spend at least 10 minutes before every meal out trying to explain to your cashier or waiter what you're trying to avoid. "Can I get a burger but no bun? If you toast your buns, can you clean the griddle off before you cook my burger so as to avoid cross-contamination? Do you batter your fries? Are they fried in the same oil as battered items?" On and on...

We totally get it. So we made a list of 5 Gluten Free Friendly restaurants here in Utah Valley. Eating gluten free isn't as difficult as it sounds when you have friends like the CVB to help guide you!

Malawi's Pizza

Malawi's is usually a pretty safe bet if you're worried about cross-contamination. If you tell the cashier why you're ordering gluten free and what you're trying to avoid, they can be pretty darn helpful. You can get your pizza crust gluten free but be aware that their menu is a bit limited in terms of what isn't likely to have traces of gluten (which is why it's a good idea to ask what menu items are safest) so many of the pizzas will be on your no-fly list, but the ones that are GF are pretty delish. I like the BBQ Chicken myself. 

And a note for those of you who are also avoiding dairy, they also have Daiya dairy free cheese (and they know how to melt it properly as well, which seems pretty rare). 

For every meal ordered at Malawi's, they donate a meal to a child in Africa. So if you're looking for a yummy GF pizza and some warm-fuzzy's for doing good, Malawi's is a great choice. They have 2 locations: one in Provo and another in Lehi. There's also one in the works for Spanish Fork. 

Spin Cafe 

Spin Cafe is located in Heber City so if you're heading out to Sundance, Strawberry Reservoir, etc. for some time away from the city life but still need to eat GF, Spin Cafe is a wonderful choice! They have a full, gluten free menu filled with offerings like ribs, sandwiches, soups, burgers and more! You'll LOVE their onion rings - yes, gluten free onion rings! Nothing with gluten goes into their fryer so you don't have to worry at all about cross-contamination. 

They also have yummy, creamy, cold gelato (most of the flavors are GF)! 

Dairy Keen

Another Heber City favorite is Dairy Keen! The owner is celiac so they totally get it (and the employees are trained to avoid cross-contamination). Just be sure to let them know that you're Gluten free when you arrive. You can get the burgers made with a New Grains bun or sandwiches made with Udi's breads. They also offer gluten free soups in the winter! 

Dairy Keen is a fun place to take the kiddos because there's a neat little train that goes around the restaurant! 

La Jolla Groves

Looking for somewhere fancy? La Jolla Groves is a great place to take your gluten free special someone. The owners of La Jolla Groves are celiacs so they have a lot of GF options on the menu (just look for the little leaf next to the menu items). They even have a delicious gluten free dessert: Orange Creme Brulee! Ooh lala! 

Barbacoa

Fun fact(s): Only 3 items on their menu are not GF - everything else is totally gluten free! Also, Barbacoa is certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America! Basically, so long as you don't order their flour or wheat tortillas or the cookies, you're totally safe! Lucky for you GF lovers of Mexican food - Barbacoa is totally delicious! And they have a rewards card program - ask about their "Black Card" - which lets you earn free food.   

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Honorable Mentions:
You can eat at a lot of places GF (if you're not too concerned about cross-contamination), you just have to get creative and a lot of times, the restaurant will have options for you if you just let them know you're avoiding gluten. The restaurants listed above were selected due to their special efforts to be gluten free friendly, however, there are other restaurants that we would like to suggest that either have items that are naturally gluten free anyway (like salads) or that have the option to switch out a regular bread or bun with something gluten free.

Cubby's Chicago Beef - Cubby's has some amazing salads (a personal favorite is the tri-tip) and they also have Udi's gluten free buns available on on request.

Mountain West Burrito - Mountain West is a fantastic choice for a salad with a little Latin flair. If you're avoiding gluten but cool with beans and fresh salsa, you're safe going with one of their salads.

Noodles & Company - Noodles is actually making some pretty legit efforts for those of us who are Gluten Free. If you want pasta - they've got gluten free pasta now! They also have a few other GF options on their menu (as well as a very helpful allergen info sheet).

Blue Lemon - Blue Lemon focuses on fresh and delicious foods! They have a pretty decent gluten free menu (and everything on it is super tasty!) Sadly, you'll have to stay away from their amazing sweet potato fries as they do dip them in wheat prior to frying.
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What are your favorite Gluten Free restaurants in the Valley? Let us know! Send us a comment, post on Facebook, send us a tweet or even tag us in an instagram photo! #VisitUtahValley

Take a Hike: Y Mountain

Hiking Y Mountain is pretty much a rite of passage not just for BYU students, but anyone residing in the valley under the ever watchful Y.

The Y is representative of Brigham Young University and it's one of the reasons why students and locals often refer to BYU as "The Y." At 380 feet high and 130 feet wide, the Y is even larger than the letters of the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, CA. The large concrete block is lit up 5 times per year for freshman orientation, homecoming, Y days (spirit week), and graduation (April/August). 

The hike itself varies in difficulty depending on who you ask. Those who are more seasoned hikers or are in good shape will tell you that it's easy. They may even describe it as, "fun" and "awesome" and "a good warm-up hike." However, those among us who tend to limit our physical activity to leisurely walks from the couch to the fridge, might see it as being a little more challenging. They might say things like, "We're only at the 2nd turn!?" and "Geez, I can't breathe!" 

Personally, I fall into the second camp. But if I can make it up to the Y, anyone can (even small children can be seen in tow behind their parents and older siblings).

I will note that a lot of the challenge lies in 2 aspects of the hike:

1. It's fairly steep.
2. Because its steep, there are a lot of switchbacks to get to the top. This means that although you aren't hiking vertically, the hike takes longer than you might anticipate when you first start out. (The first time I hiked the trail, I repeatedly lamented that it felt like the Y wasn't getting any closer and it felt pretty counter-intuitive to be walking away from the Y on some of the switchbacks).

Yesterday, I hiked the Y with my husband and my dog (yes, dogs are allowed on the trail but they are required to be on a leash at all times). Neither my dog nor my husband had ever hiked the Y so I was interested in getting their opinions. I had hiked it once before with my roommate during my sophomore year of college. I must have been in much better shape back then, because I don't recall much of a struggle. 

My husband and dog enjoyed the hike, they were able to walk the steep trail without any trouble (and the same goes for just about every person we saw along the trail). I, however, struggled a bit. Hikers across the mountain probably heard my complaints during our hour long trek (for the record, it probably doesn't take that long to hike if you're not constantly stopping to catch your breath). 

Luckily, this hike is unique and regardless of its level of difficulty, its well worth it just for the view of the valley along the way:

Despite my complaints, as I walked off the mountain I told my husband, "That was fun. We should do that again soon!"

Have you hiked the Y? Did you enjoy it? What level of difficulty would you say it is? Comment below to share your thoughts!

Move Over Mousse, Here Comes Mamacitas!

Located in what was once The Choc’late Mousse at 155 University Ave., Mamacitas is bringing South American Tapas to Provo!

Never had Tapas before? It’s not necessarily a kind of food. Tapas mean you have an opportunity to sample dishes without having to order a full entrée. Have you ever made a meal out of appetizers? At Mamacitas, that’s the point!

Featuring an eclectic, young vibe and Latin foods served family style, Mamacitas promises a meal designed to encourage interaction and conversation amongst family and friends.

We had the opportunity to try a few of Mamacitas offerings such as their Chilaquiles (a fantastic twist on nachos with chips sautéed in salsa rojas and topped with a fried egg); Pulled Pork tacos (which feature tender and juicy pork with a subtle but sweet hint of mango flavor) and their Carne Asada tacos (in short: to die for! The meat was perfectly cooked along with beautifully caramelized onions). You can also get the Carne Asada in an entrée. Many of their offerings are also available vegetarian or gluten free.

Craving a sweet treat? Mamacitas has you covered with their dessert menu which includes a Flan; a Flourless Chocolate Cake; and Chocolate Strawberry Empanada with many more options to come. The strawberry empanada tastes like fried summer: a light, flaky crust filled with warm gooey chocolate syrup and strawberries and topped off with soft, cold cream and chocolate flakes.

Of course, a Tapas bar isn’t officially a “bar” without a number of delicious drink options! They have a rotating menu of frozen drinks. The Guava Passion drink is absolutely delicious; cold, tart, and served in a unique and fun glass! Eventually, Mamacitas will have a liquor license so they can expand their drink offerings to include magaritas and the like!

Mamacitas is located at 155 University Ave. in Provo and are currently open from 11am – 9pm Mondays-Thursdays; 11am – 10 pm on Fridays; and Saturday evenings at 4pm.

Wanna try out some Tapas?

Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a coupon for $5 off any menu item!

GIVEAWAY: Stadium of Fire

It's summer time! America's Freedom Festival has been hard at work prepping for another year of amazing events for the whole family to celebrate the wonderful country that we live in. Here is a list of a few events coming up in the next couple of weeks: 

Children's Parade - June 28

With its longstanding role as part of the Freedom Festival, the Children’s Parade invites participants to demonstrate their pride in America and its heritage. Join 2,500 in this community celebration of patriotism.The Children's Parade will start at 10:30am and begins at 800 East Center Street, ending at 200 East Center Street at the state and county complex in Provo. 

Freedom Awards Gala - July 2 
Hundreds of community leaders, dignitaries and Utah Valley patriots will gather to honor individuals who have espoused the cause of freedom throughout the world. Participants will enjoy not only the inspiring stories of these individuals, but also great food and outstanding entertainment.

Freedom Days - July 3-5
Freedom Days is a community festival in Provo that gathers popular local vendors to showcase artwork, quilts, furniture, jewelry, paintings, clocks, pottery and more. Browse the finest hand-crafted products and unique cultural creative pieces.

Balloon Fest - July 3-5
More than 25,000 spectators will have the opportunity to experience 25 of these magical giants close-up as part of the ever popular Balloon Fest.  Balloons will be flying each morning from 6:30 am-8:00 am, July 3 and 5. The event offers families and children the privilege of walking around the balloons as they inflate.

Freedom Run - July 4
Run for America! And for your own personal achievement! Start your Fourth of July celebration with a 10K, 5K or the Mayor's one-mile fun run.

Grand Parade - July 4

The Grand Parade celebrates freedom and the American dream through bands, professionally crafted floats, giant helium balloons and local and national performers. The parade promotes patriotism among the 250,000 spectators, through music, displays, dance, and other creative expression.

Parade Route begins at 9:00 a.m. at 1060 N. University Avenue and ends at 900 East Center Street.

Reserved bleacher seats for the Grand Parade go on sale Monday, June 2nd, 2014. Tickets are sold at the Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, 220 West Center St, STE 100, Provo. For directions or other information call (801) 851-2100.

Stadium of Fire - July 4

The patriotic event, sponsored by America’s Freedom Festival at Provo, will also feature special performances by the cast of BYUtv’s immensely popular sketch comedy show, Studio C. J.R. Martinez, former U.S. Army soldier and winner of season 13 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, will host the show.

Weekend Roundup: Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

BINGO

I love winning, so I'm assuming all of you love winning too. So we put together a little something something for you all so you can enter to win two tickets to Stadium of Fire! That's right it's time for some BINGO. Lets talk rules of the game: sign up by send us an e-mail at utahvalleycvb@gmail.com with "BINGO" as the subject line. We will then send you a bingo card with different Utah Valley attractions on it. This is where things get fun, after you have your card go out and take photos of yourself at those attractions. Then post your image to social media using the hashtag: #VisitUtahValley. Once you have a BINGO, send us an email (by midnight on June 12, 2014) with links to your posts. Remember BINGO is 3 locations in a row. The winner will be announced on Jun 13th. Remember that your privacy settings must be set to public so we can see your photos.

#VoteProvo

I don't know if you picked this up yet, but I love to win. Provo City is up for the Best Town in America Contest and is one of the final 8 cities. We want to show the world how much we love this area and I personally wouldn't mind if we won. To vote go to voteprovo.com and click on the Vote button next to Provo. For more information check out our friend Mayor John Curtis's blog. He is even doing a giveaway!  

Utah Valley Electro Dash 5k

Are you free tomorrow night? Do you want to do a 5K with neon lights and dance music to coax and entice you along the course? I knew you would. The Utah Valley Electro Dash 5k is being held in Downtown Provo this Saturday, May 31, 2014. The first laser strikes at 8:30 pm. Each runner gets a t-shirt, race number, glow glasses, and a glow bracelet in their race packet. Race starts at 45 E Center Street in Downtown Provo. For more information click HERE

Restaurant Spotlight: Ike's Creamery at Provo Beach

 Our summer time adventures this week took us to Provo Beach in The Shops at Riverwoods where you can surf, play, and eat Blue Bell ice cream at Ike's Creamery. Ike's is the only place in the whole state of Utah where you can get this frozen treat. They change out the flavors on a regular bases so you can try something new every time you come in! I really enjoyed the Southern Blackberry Cobbler and the Pecan Pralines 'n Cream. How could you go wrong with flavors like that?  What makes Blue Bell so good? It is made the old fashioned way and taste like it was hand cranked. It is only available in 15 states, but is still in the top 3 in the nation.The Ice cream is shipped all the way from the factory in Texas. Ike's Creamery is all about the Blue Bell ice cream, even the shakes are made with it!
Ike's is a 50's style ice cream parlor with everything from mint green walls to red and white booths. You can even have your ice cream served in a 50's style glass. Everything is done with quality in mind, they even make their own homemade waffle cones!    
If you want to make a date out of it, try getting some ice cream then renting a bike from Provo Beach to enjoy the surrounding Provo Canyon with. You can get a tandem, single cruiser, kids bikes, and this little beauty.

Utah Pasifika Festival

Are you ready for a weekend of delicious food, fun entertainment, and a taste of the Polynesian culture? May 23-25 the Utah Pasifika Festival will be taking place in Downtown Provo around 100 East Center Street. 

The Utah Pasifika Festival strives to, "share, cultivate, and foster their Polynesian heritage and values by providing ways to: nurture a spirit of respect and appreciation for all cultural segments within our local communities; preserve and portray traditional and modern Polynesian art forms (dance, music, crafts, language); promote education and awareness of current and relevant issues; and celebrate the diversity in the world around them." 

Walk around enjoy the different vendors that are set up to help educate and teach about the Polynesian culture. Enjoy delicious Polynesian food that will also be available all weekend long. Don't forget to check out the main stage for a variety of entertainment! 

One of the best parts, they are doing weekly giveaways on their Facebook Page leading up to the event! Currently they are giving away a $40 gift card to Ohana Grill...sign me up!!