Founded on the raw foods philosophy, Cousins Incredible Vitality is a restaurant where you won’t find any gluten on the menu, because you won’t find a single processed food in the place. According to the owner and chef, 50% of the ingredients are green, 25% fruits and 25% nuts. What does that get you? Cousins’ restaurant, on Irving near Sacramento in Chicago, provides a unique food experience that retains all the nutrients usually lost in the cooking process.

Even their crackers are made from flax seed, ground vegetables and nuts, then formed and dehydrated into a crispy crust for many menu items. The owner has a medical background and is used to patrons coming in with a long list of allergies and dietary restrictions. According to her, many actually find that after following her eating plans and frequenting the restaurant, many sensitivities disappear.

Cousins I.V. also offers many unique drinks, smoothie-like concoctions, that will inspire you to explore their menu further each time you visit.

Founded by Bill Banks, a web developer living with celiac disease, and Michael Kiser, a writer and nutrition researcher, Celiac Snack is first and foremost an attempt to be a helpful gluten-free resource. Through a combination of personal insights and news about celiac disease, we believe we can create a valuable destination for celiacs and people who choose to live gluten-free.

Our goal is to raise awareness of the gluten-free options available to individuals, restaurants, and grocery stores in order to increase the standard of living for people with celiac disease.

Have ideas to help your fellow celiac? Please share!

Know of a great spot that was gluten-free savvy? Or maybe an event or new gluten-free product? Tell us about it and we’ll get the word out!

On the forefront of gluten awareness (and other allergies) in restaurants, Weber Grill in Chicago has taken steps to ensure every eater a safe meal, regardless of particular dietary needs.

What they’ve done:

1. Trained Staff
The entire staff, from host to server, seems knowledgeable about gluten allergies and can point out menu items that are safe for particular allergies as well as other special dietary needs.

Weber’s Gluten-Free Menu

2. Pink Slip Protocol
When a guest alerts the server to an allergy, they note the special request on a pink slip. That slip goes directly to the general manager and the chef for approval. If they can’t make it happen, they let you know. But if they can, such as gluten-free potatoes or a bun-less burger, that confirm the meal order with the server. The pink slip accompanies your order the entire way, from order, to kitchen, and back to table.

3. Certification
According to manager Sean Moody of Weber Grill Chicago, the restaurant has also received gluten-free certification from a Chicago-based gluten-free society, which requires food testing by the University of Illinois and facility inspection. Certification for gluten-free also requires staff education and continuing participation in gluten awareness programs.

4. Looking to the Future of Gluten-Free
Weber Grill Chicago’s Assistant General Manager, Robyn (a Celiac herself), is actually a board member of the local Celiac awareness society. Her personal stake in gluten awareness will likely ensure that Weber Grill in Chicago, as well as other restaurants, will continue to push for more certifications and general gluten awareness in the area.