Eugene is a welcoming place for alternative diets. You can find vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free or gluten-free options pretty easily. I should know, I’m on the hunt for these options regularly. I have multiple food allergies, including gluten (a composite protein found in wheat, barley and rye). Gluten is what makes baked goods (and pasta) so delicious. It makes dough stretchy, helps it rise in the oven and creates a wonderfully chewy texture.
But gluten sensitivities have risen in recent years. You might have noticed all the gluten-free labeled stuff in your local grocery store.
Some people, like me, have a food allergy, which is an abnormal immune reaction that triggers inflammatory responses like hives, swelling, cramps or respiratory problems. Other people have Celiac Disease@@http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001280/@@, which is a chronic autoimmune disorder in the small intestine and differs from a food allergy because different antibodies are involved. Others still may fall somewhere on a spectrum of gluten sensitivity, in which they can have similar symptoms to an allergy or Celiac Disease, but technically their condition is nonallergic and nonautoimmune.@@that is an ugly word. hyphen?@@
Depending on your level of sensitivity, ingesting gluten can cause a range of different reactions, anywhere from life-threatening asthma, annoying rashes and digestive discomfort, to migraines, tiredness or joint paint. Reactions can be immediate or delayed, and diagnosing gluten intolerance can be difficult.
And, of course, once you’re diagnosed the only treatment is a gluten-free diet.
Luckily, there are many places in Eugene that offer gluten-free options. As a gluten-free girl, I’ve tried many a strange substitution, and some concoctions are hit-and-miss. Here are some tried-and-tested places around town where you can still enjoy the benefits of good gluten-free bread, pastries and desserts:
1. Pizza Research Institute
@@http://www.pizzaresearchinstitute.com/@@ If you’re looking for pizza, check out PRI, which is located on West 5th Avenue and Blair Boulevard in the Whiteaker District. It has a hipster, industrial-chic vibe. The restaurant is in an old garage with an outdoor patio, and a red railroad boxcar fronts the kitchen. PRI’s gluten-free crust is little more cracker-like than full-on dough. But the inventive, crazy pizza toppings are fun, delicious and fresh. You can get everything from eggplant and curried cauliflower to pears and walnuts on top. Vegan options are also available.
2. The Granary Pizza Company
Another pizza joint that carries gluten-free crust is The Granary. Located on East 5th Avenue and Pearl Street near 5th Street Market (aka restaurant central), The Granary is less hipster and more a place you’d take your parents or go for a nice night out. It also regularly has live music downstairs. The gluten-free pizza crust is softer and more traditional than PRI’s, and the selection of pizza topping combinations is a little less crazy, but still amazingly delicious.
3. McMenamins
@@http://www.mcmenamins.com/@@Sure a salad is doable, but sometimes it’s just not what you’re craving. The McMenamins on East 19th Avenue and Agate Street recently started serving rice bowls with three choices of different veggies, rice and sauces. If that doesn’t sound appetizing and the burger buns are calling your name, don’t sweat it. You can find gluten-free buns close to campus. All three McMenamins restaurants in Eugene — East 19th Street Cafe, High Street Brewery and Cafe and North Bank — offer gluten-free burger buns on their menus. So you can easily down that burger and feel normal for once when you go out with your friends.@@aw@@
4. Glenwood Restaurant
The Glenwood Restaurant on East 13th Avenue and Alder Street also has gluten-free buns available for burgers. Or, if you’re attending brunch, pick up some eggs, bacon and home fries.
5. The Divine Cupcake
Dessert can be difficult for the gluten-free, but luckily The Divine Cupcake@@http://divinecupcake.com/@@ serves up delicious sweets. Located on West 11th Avenue and Chambers Street, the city’s first cupcakery serves coffee, tea, muffins, scones and, of course, cupcakes. Items are baked fresh daily, and everything on the menu is organic and vegan. And, yes, gluten-, soy-, sugar- and nut-free options are also available to customers. Not only do these options exist, but the savory cupcakes come in a range of fun and extensive flavors: Peach Cardamom, Bodacious Blueberry and Chocolate-Orange-Ginger give you just a taste of the list.@@http://www.divinecupcake.com/menu/f31/cupcake/chocolate-orange-ginger/@@
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Besides these specific restaurants, try eating different ethnic cuisines that don’t include baked goods or pasta to begin with. Instead of Italian, opt for Mexican.@@Mexican food is my life and soul@@ Personally I have a lot of success with Japanese and Thai restaurants. Whatever your craving, Eugene offers tons of options for the gluten-free diet.
(A friendly word of warning: For the super-sensitive, eating out can be dangerous, and most places let customers know that their kitchens aren’t 100 percent gluten-free. Cross contamination can cause reactions too, so be sure to talk to your doctor about your level of risk.)