Celi-Act - Knoxville Area Celiac Support

gluten-free in Knoxville

GOOD NEWS!

We now have a new resource for restaurants in Knoxville. Janet McKenzie Prince has written a book, "My Gluten-Free Knoxville" with tips on eating out, shopping in Knoxville and recipes.

Order forms for "My Gluten-Free Knoxville" are at Earth Fare supermarket in Turkey Creek, or contact Prince at jmckenzieprince@me.com or P.O. Box 189, Louisville, TN 37777. Books are $10, plus $5 for shipping.

Grocery shopping:
A celiac diagnosis is scary at first, but with a little practice you'll soon learn which products and brands are safe and which are questionable. Our group has a lot of experience in this area, so please send e-mail to the list if you've got questions.

You can shop safely at most any grocery store once you learn it's all about reading labels and calling manufacturers. The good news is it's getting easier to identify gluten in products since several major manufacturers such as Kraft and ConAgra have agreed to disclose the presence of gluten, even if it's in materials like modified food starch.

Several major grocery store chains in Knoxville have begun to carry gluten-free products. Some have even begun labeling their shelves. Ingles, Kroger and Food City have all begun carrying GF foods or have GF sections. It varies from store to store so check our e-mail list archives or post a question for members about specific locations. Walmart has begun labeling their Great Value brand items that are GF. This is a big help for cost savings.

For specialty items like gluten-free breads, cookies, and snacks, you'll probably want to visit the health food stores around Knoxville. Our group has had good experience with the stores below which carry gluten-free foods. Most have staff members that are familiar with the gluten-free diet.

EarthFare
Turkey Creek and Bearden locations

GoNutrition
10961 Kingston Pike
865-675-8886

Epicurean Foods
43 E Tennessee Avenue, Oak Ridge
865-483-1541

Benefit Your Life
620 N. Campbell Station Rd. Suite 24
Knoxville, TN 37934
865-288-3193

Something Savory Bakery and Cafe
541 High Street
Maryville, TN
865-984-0550

Eating Out:
Eating out is always risky given the opportunity for cross-contamination in busy kitchens. Many restaurants will take requests for GF food items, and will promise to be careful, but without a clear understanding of what's involved, some celiac patients are understandably hesitant to risk it.

A few local restaurants have (thankfully) taken it upon themselves to do what it takes to offer a GF menu. Here are the restaurants our members have had experience with. If you know of others, please share on the e-mail list. (Note - these are not endorsements, just sharing of experiences.)

Bonefish Grill - all locations
11395 Parkside Drive (Turkey Creek)
(865) 966-9777
(GF menu available at restaurant)

Five Guys Burgers and Fries
10922 Parkside Drive
Knoxville, TN 37923
Tel: 865-675-4897
(No printed GF menu. Several of our members have had their burgers (no bun) and fries. The fryer is dedicated to fries only.)

The Happy Badger
Delicious catered GF meals, and a regular vendor offering GF food at events around Knoxville
(865) 335-7526

Oriental Cuisine
624 Condry Ln
Maryville Tenn (off 129S./411S red light-turn left).
865-984-0810
(No printed GF menu, but they can prepare any of their dishes GF, including fried rice and cold egg rolls. Ask for the GF soy sauce. Ping Ping and Mi Mi are very nice and careful.)

Outback Steakhouse - all locations
330 N. Peters Road
(865) 539-2540
(GF menu available at restaurant)

Pei Wei
11301 Parkside Dr., Suite 1200
(the Pinnacle at Turkey Creek)
(865) 966-1610
(GF menu available at restaurant)

Pizza Kitchen
9411 S. Northshore Drive
(865) 531-1422
(GF pizza and beer)

P.F. Changs - all locations
6741 Kingston Pike
(865) 212-5514
(GF menu available at restaurant)

Roman's Pizza
179 N Seven Oaks Dr
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 539-1784
(Does a GF buffet once a month, with pizza, lasagna, manicotti, spaghetti, etc. Call ahead if you are planning a trip.)

Season's Cafe
12740 Kingston Pike, Suite 106, Knoxville Tennessee
865-671-3679
(GF menu available at restaurant)

Shono's In City
5 Market Square
Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 544 5800
No printed GF menu but the owner's wife has celiac and knows the routine, and the food is very good.

Something Savory Bakery and Cafe
541 High Street
Maryville, TN
865-984-0550
GF pizza, bread, cakes, cookies

The Soup Kitchen Express
120 S Peters Rd # 3
Knoxville, Knox County, TN 37923-5200
Phone: 865-539-9864
(GF Tuesdays, GF cornbread, vegetable soup and chili.)

WokHay
5018-A Kingston Pike
865-588-0933
(No printed GF menu, but they can prepare several dishes GF)