Gonna Fly Now

Last year, nearly 32 million passengers came through Philadelphia International Airport, which, like most U.S. gateways, will see heavy traffic during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weekend. With the airport's growth comes better and broader gluten-free fare. Here's a current list of available options at PHL:

Concourse A West:

Chickie's & Pete's (Gate A22; 215-492-1329). Dedicated fryer for Crabfries.

Good 2 Go (Gate A14; 215-922-1115). Smart snacks such as Pop Chips and Kame rice crackers.

Concourse A East:

Saladworks (Gate A2; 215-365-1995). Salads (an interactive allergen menu can sort by gluten-free ingredients).

Concourse B:

Cibo Bistro & Wine Bar (Gate B6; 267-684-5003). Gluten-free options noted on menu. Sample items include chicken marsala, grilled salmon, pan-roasted tilapia and salads.

Cibo Express Gourmet Market (Gate B11; 267-684-5003). Prepared gluten-free sandwiches and smart snacks such as Kind bars and Skinny Pop.

Independence Prime (Gate B6; 267-684-5003). Gluten-free options noted on menu.

Love Grille (Gate B1; 267-684-5003). Gluten-free options noted on menu.

Noobar (Gate B3; 267-684-5003). Gluten-free options noted on menu.

B/C Connector:

Chick-Fil-A (215-492-1814). Grilled chicken nuggets and salads.

Legal Sea Foods (267-295-9300). Gluten-free options noted on menu. Dedicated fryer for fried seafood items; gluten-free croutons and rolls.

Pinkberry (215-492-7470). All frozen yogurt flavors except those with cookies.

Vino Volo (215-365-8600). Rotating menu of gluten-free tapas-style options. Sample items include cured olives, marcona almonds, mixed greens, pork tacos, chickpea and chorizo chili.

Concourse C:

Balducci's Market (Gate C19; 267-399-7120) offers made-to-order salads, soups and smart snacks.

Bud & Marilyn's (Gate C18; 215-344-8295). Several gluten-free versions of American classics.

Chickie's & Pete's (Gate C31; 215-492-5247). Dedicated fryer for Crabfries.

Jamba Juice (Gate C24; 215-805-6862). Smoothies and bowls.

Sky Asian Bistro (Gate C18; 267-684-5003). Most sushi and sashimi with gluten-free soy sauce; fried rice with gluten-free soy sauce.

Concourse D:

Bar Symon (Gate D9; 215-824-5171). Burgers on gluten-free buns; salads, hard cider.

Green Leaf's (Gate D12; 215-365-3351). Salads and smoothies.

Jamba Juice (Gate D6; 215-805-6862). Smoothies and bowls.

D/E Connector:

Chickie's & Pete's (215-365-2126). Dedicated fryer for Crabfries.

Good 2 Go (215-922-1115). Smart snacks such as Pop Chips and Kame rice crackers.

Vino Volo (215-365-8686). Rotating menu of gluten-free tapas-style options. Sample items include cured olives, marcona almonds, mixed greens, pork tacos, chickpea and chorizo chili.

Concourse E:

California Pizza Kitchen (Gate E12; 215-344-8294). Gluten-free pizzas on cauliflower crusts.

Chickie's & Pete's (Gate E5; 215-492-0569). Dedicated fryer for Crabfries.

Concourse F:

Good 2 Go (Gates F6 and F24; 215-922-1115). Smart snacks such as Pop Chips and Kame rice crackers.

Local Tavern (Gate F11; 267-684-5003). Gluten-free options noted on menu. Sample items include cheese plates, salads and grilled salmon.

Red Mango (Gate F10; 215-365-3188). Frozen yogurt.

Re:Vive Bar (Gate F24; 267-684-5003). Gluten-free options noted on menu. Sample items include salads, hummus, antipasto plates and chicken avocado salad.

News & Notes: November 8, 2019

Late July Snacks recently launched a Korean Barbecue flavor in its Clásico line of tortilla chips. The chips are made with organic yellow corn, and seasoned with a blend of brown sugar, onion, garlic, ginger, chili pepper and smoky flavoring.

Enjoy Life introduced soft-baked holiday cookies, in apple cider donut and peppermint bark flavors.

Mi/Mo Mochi has released a cool peppermint flavor in time for winter.

Boston Beer has reformulated all Truly hard seltzer flavors and plans to launch a line of lemonade seltzers next year.

It's not beer, but AB InBev is putting the Bud Light moniker on a new line of gluten-free hard seltzers. The seltzers will be released in early 2020 in Black Cherry, Lemon Lime, Strawberry and Mango flavors.

Locally, Haddonfield's dedicated Bleu Bear Bakery is expanding to Marlton (27 N. Maple Ave.) early next year with a combination market and bakery. The market will have prepared foods, sandwiches, a salad bar and more.

(Photo: Elikqitie/Travel Gluten Free)

Philly native Elikqitie of the Travel Gluten Free podcast let me know that the Mary Cassatt Tea Room at the Rittenhouse Hotel (210 W. Rittenhouse Sq., 215-546-9000) offers afternoon tea with gluten-free sandwiches and sweets. I'll be on her podcast in the coming weeks.

Lovebird is opening a third Pennsylvania location early next year, this one in Newtown (247 N. Sycamore St.). All of the fried chicken at Lovebird is gluten free, as is the macaroni and cheese and fries.

Liquid Eatery in West Chester (18 N. High St., 610-709-6911) is an all-gluten-free vegan restaurant serving flatbreads, tater tots, smoothies and more.

In the Fairmount section of Philadelphia, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ (1901 Callowhill St., 267-603-9482) offers gluten-free marinades and sauces upon request.

The newly opened Emmy Squared Pizza in Queen Village (632 S. 5th St., 267-551-3669) serves gluten-free pizza - Detroit style. The gluten-free dough is prepared separately, baked in dedicated pans and is cut with a designated cutter.

Luke's Lobster in Rittenhouse Square (130 S. 17th St., 215-564-1415) offers lobster rolls on gluten-free buns.

In Wilmington, the Washington Street Ale House offers a gluten-free menu. The Ale House is affiliated with Delaware's gluten-free-friendly Big Fish Restaurant Group.

The area's newest Yard House is scheduled to open on Dec. 2 in Willow Grove (2500 W. Moreland Rd., 215-830-9310). Gluten-free options are listed on the menu.

Luxe steakhouse chain Steak 48 is coming to Philadelphia next year to the Avenue of the Arts (260 S. Broad St., 215-552-4848). The menu notes gluten-free choices.

Trader Joe's is adding another Center City Philadelphia location. The new market will be opening in 2020 at 1324 Arch Street.

On Saturday, Nov. 23, the Gluten Intolerance Group of Chester County will be hosting a gluten-free Cupcakes & Wine event at Stone Barn Cellars in Spring City (3050 Pottstown Pike) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are available through Eventbrite.

CHOP's next children's support group meeting will be a holiday cookie exchange. The event will take place on Sunday, Dec. 1 at the Voorhees Specialty Care Center (1012 Laurel Oak Rd.) from noon to 2 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring two dozen gluten-free cookies for sharing. RSVP via email with the number of children and caregivers attending.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael

With the always updated Gluten Free Philly app for iOS and Android devices, find more than 1,700 area gluten-free-friendly businesses on the go, search by cuisine or neighborhood, make reservations and more!

Heavy Medals

This year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver saw a record number of entries in the gluten-free beer category, with two first-time medal winners and a locally produced brew topping the list.

Though the world’s largest commercial beer competition in the world is now in its 38th year, the Gluten-Free Beer category was added only in 2007, when there were only eight entries. For the 2019 event, 59 gluten-free beers were considered by the judging panel. Here are the three award winners:

Gold: Holidaily Brewing Co. (Golden, Colorado): Boombastic Hazy IPA (7% ABV)

When most beer aficionados think of Golden, Colorado, they think of Coors. But unlike that behemoth, all of Holidaily's craft beers are gluten free. We profiled the brewery in 2016, sharing the story of founder Karen Hertz and her passion for brewing accessible gluten-free beer styles. Boombastic Hazy IPA is a hop-forward and juicy India pale ale available on tap at the brewery's taproom.

Silver: Revelation Craft Brewing Co. (Rehoboth Beach, Delaware): Co-Conspirator Apricot Sour (5.4% ABV)

Delaware may be famous being the home of Dogfish Head, but Revelation is making its mark in the First State.

Originally a collaboration beer with Ghostfish Brewing Company, Co-Conspirator Apricot Sour is brewed with buckwheat, millet, biscuit rice and flaked quinoa, with probiotic coconut water and fresh apricot purée added to enhance the flavor. Co-Conspirator has a smooth, honey-like malt character, a bright sourness, and a hint of fruity hop aroma from Palisade hops. Revelation won a bronze medal for this variety at the 2017 GABF. Another gluten-free beer, Buckberry Sour, is currently on tap at the brewery in Rehoboth Beach.

Bronze: Evasion Brewing (McMinnville, Oregon): Grandpa's Nap (11.5% ABV)

Evasion is one of the growing number of dedicated gluten-free breweries in the Pacific Northwest. Part of the brewer's Mill & Barrel Series, Grandpa's Nap is a barrel-aged millet wine. According to the tasting notes, the El Dorado hops' candied strawberry character compliments the toasted coconut and vanilla qualities the barrels impart.

The festival’s Gluten-Free Beer category includes only beers made from fermentable sugars, grains and converted carbohydrates. Gluten-reduced beers are not considered part of this grouping because their gluten levels – derived from malted barley – have been reduced by enzymes or other processes.

News & Notes: September 20, 2019

My/Mo has launched two new limited-edition mochi ice cream flavor launches for the fall. Pumpkin Spice is made with creamy pumpkin spice ice cream infused with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove spices wrapped in a pillowy rice flour dough exterior, while Apple Pie á la Mode wraps the dough around a scoop of premium vanilla ice cream hugging a cinnamon apple center. Both varieties are available at Target, among other retailers.

RXBAR is entering the hot cereal category with the launch of new RX A.M. Oats. RX A.M. Oats are made with the same core ingredients found in RXBAR and RX Nut Butter products - egg whites, fruits and nuts - with the addition of gluten-free oats. RX A.M. Oats are available in three flavors: Maple, Apple Cinnamon and Chocolate. Consumers can prepare the single-serve cups in one of three ways: with hot water, in the microwave or as overnight oats.

Simple Mills' certified gluten-free Soft Baked Almond Flour Bars will be available this fall in Dark Chocolate Almond, Chunky Peanut Butter, Nutty Banana Bread and Spiced Carrot Cake varieties. The bars have a soft-baked texture with chunks of almonds, coconuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, carrots, bananas and raisins. The line will be sold at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Amazon and other grocers.

Veggies Made Great by Garden Lites has added two Veggie Cakes varieties and three new Frittatas. The Superfood Veggie Cake now comes in Butternut Squash and Broccoli Cheddar, and the Frittatas in Spinach Egg White, Veggie Bacon & Potato, and Mushroom & 3 Cheese Egg White.

The primary ingredient in the new Crunchmaster Grain-Free Crackers is cassava, a root vegetable native to South America. Also known as yucca or manioc, cassava is paleo and vegan friendly as well as gluten and nut free. The line features three flavors: Lightly Salted, Mediterranean Herb, and Romano, Asiago & Cheddar.

Brewery Ommegang announced the introduction of Project Cider, a new initiative intended to explore the intersection of European and American cider traditions. The line debuts with two varieties: Dry and Rosé. The ciders will be offered year-round on draft and in 4-packs of 12 oz. cans.

Clean and Green

South Jersey-based chef Nicole LaTorre founded the Eat Clean Organization to fulfill a need for healthy, gluten free and organic meal options in the region. Now, she's expanding her meal-prep concept to Philadelphia and the suburbs.

Though Eat Clean Org, Nicole offers a rotating menu (over 50 meals options a week) to include breakfast, lunch, dinner, salads and dessert. She cooks with all organic meats, wild caught fish, organic and local produce whenever possible. Pre-orders are placed online, with deliveries on Mondays and Fridays. (Read "How It Works.")

All meals are prepared by ServSafe-certified chefs in a dedicated gluten-free commercial kitchen, ensuring safety and no cross contamination. Meals are available in four different sizes:

Classic Meal: 4 oz. protein, 1 cup vegetables, 1/4 cup carbohydrates
Lean Meal: 6 oz. protein, 1 1/2 cup vegetables, 1/2 cup carbohydrates
Athlete's Meal: 8 oz. protein, 1 cup vegetables, 1 cup carbohydrates
Family Size: protein, vegetables, carb and sauce on the side, enough for 4 (served in half-tray catering pans)

Eat Clean Org has just started home and office delivery all over Philadelphia, Ambler, Penn Valley and the surrounding areas ($20 delivery fee) and is looking to partner with gyms and wellness centers for pick-up orders. (Contact Nicole here with suggestions.)

In addition to 17 pick-up spots in South Jersey, Eat Clean Org also delivers to Garden State towns like Absecon, Galloway, Egg Harbor City, Smithville, Port Republic, Somers Point, Northfield, Linwood, Egg Harbor Township, Brigantine, Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate City, Ocean City, Hammonton, Marmora, Stone Harbor, Avalon, Cape May Court House, Sea Isle City, Oceanview, Beasley's Point, Mays Landing, Vineland, Cherry Hill, Voorhees and Tuckerton ($5 delivery fee).