News & Notes: July 20, 2012

Burger 21's Sweet Potato and French Fries
(photo courtesy Burger 21)

Florida burger-and-fries chain Burger 21 is planning to open its first Northeast U.S. location in the Delaware Valley. The company announced this week that it has a franchise agreement to open a restaurant in Voorhees in Spring 2013. The restaurants offer a gluten-free menu that includes seven Angus beef burgers served on French Meadow Bakery buns, French fries and sweet potato fries, salads served without croutons, and a variety of floats and shakes. (I hear you calling my name, Bananas Foster!) The exact location is to be determined, but the vacant building at 1170 White Horse Road - the longtime home of a Fuddruckers outpost - seems like a fine spot.

From the owner of Brother's Pizza in Cinnaminson comes the new Nick's Pizza & Pasta on Route 130 South (141C The Shoppes at Cinnaminson, 856-829-0400), where gluten-free pizza and pasta is available. (Thanks to reader Bob H. for the tip.)

The dinner menu at Rittenhouse Square's Meritage Restaurant & Wine Bar (500 S. 20th St., 215-985-1922) notes which items are gluten free.

As noted on its menu, North Wales Italian Bacco (587 Dekalb Pike, 215-699-3361) can prepare gluten-free chicken, salmon and vegetarian entrees.

Three restaurants at Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City have gluten-free menus, as I wrote on Tuesday, and others there also can accommodate gluten-free requests.

Meanwhile, Parrotheads may soon be flocking to Atlantic City. The Press of Atlantic City reports that Resorts Casino Hotel will be adding a Margaritaville Cafe along with other Jimmy Buffett-related projects. Most of the restaurant's U.S. locations offer a gluten-free menu that includes burgers and sandwiches (with bread), a brownie dessert and Redbridge beer.

Latin BYOB Casona (563 Haddon Ave., 856-854-5555) is participating in "Farm Fresh" Collingswood Restaurant Week July 22-27. All but one option on the restaurant's special $30 four-course menu (incorporating ingredients from the Collingswood Farmers' Market and the local agricultural region) are gluten free.

Katz Gluten Free's newest product is a chocolate-frosted donut with colored sprinkles (or jimmies, depending on where you're from). All of Katz's products are also dairy and nut free. Orders over $40 include free shipping; otherwise it's a $7.99 flat rate. (I get a small commission if you order through this link.)

Discounted adult admission tickets to Appetite for Awareness, the NFCA's gluten-free culinary event and vendor fair taking place in Philadelphia on September 23, are still available. Use promotion code MIKE at online checkout and save $15 per adult ticket.

For those attending the Phillies celiac awareness night tonight, Aramark will have a large concession stand on the patio at the 200 Level, near the group seats.

Have a great weekend and I hope to see a great turnout at the game tonight!

- Michael

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My new Delaware Dining Guide is available as an e-book download. Featured in The News Journal, the guide provides hyperlinked listings for restaurants, bakeries, markets and attractions throughout the First State, including Wilmington, Newark and the southern resort towns like Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach. Updated editions published within 30 days of initial purchase will be emailed to purchasers free of charge.