As someone with a gluten intolerance, finding a place that has reliable gluten-free options feels exhausting. It is even worse when restaurants are not upfront about substitutes on their main menu. However, Starkville has slowly started to house many gluten-free dining options. From pizza to sushi, these local spots are stepping up to make sure everyone has a chance to enjoy good food.
Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern
Those visiting town for a football weekend can visit Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern on a Friday night. The tables are full, the music is loud and the pizza crusts coming out of the oven are more than the standard. They not only have gluten-free pizza, but they also have gluten-free vegan pizza.
However, those not in the mood for pizza can try their gluten-free burgers that come in a vegan option as well.
Bulldog Burger Company
If the options from Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern do not satisfy cravings, Bulldog Burger Company is also a good option. This restaurant offers well-stacked burgers and sandwiches, and they have gluten-free bread substitutes for both.
Restaurant Tyler
Saturday mornings in Starkville are made for brunch — especially for those who stayed out late, hopefully celebrating game-day weekend, and are not quite ready for an early breakfast. At Restaurant Tyler, gluten-free pancakes and waffles are the perfect options. For those looking to mix it up, they have blueberries, chocolate chips and strawberries for toppings.
Power of the Almond
For a quick brunch, Power of the Almond is also a great option. This bakery is dedicated to making every item on its menu gluten-free, allowing customers not to have to compromise. They have items ranging from muffins, cakes, breads and more.
Coffee Depot and Strange Brew Coffeehouse
If those two brunch options do not suffice, Coffee Depot and Strange Brew Coffeehouse have rotating gluten-free options. These coffee shops both typically carry gluten-free baked goods, which include but are not limited to muffins, sausage balls, cookies and scones.
Umi Japanese Steakhouse
Even international fare is not off the table for Starkville’s gluten-intolerant. At Umi Japanese Steakhouse, guests can request gluten-free soy sauce for their sushi or hibachi dishes. It might even be comforting to note that Umi’s manager, Raine Rosson, has a gluten sensitivity as well. She wants Umi to be a place where everyone can feel comfortable and have plenty of options to enjoy.
“I am fortunate enough to have gluten intolerance myself, so I can keep people pretty safe from getting sick just because I know what I can eat,” Rosson said.
TASTE Italian Kitchen
At TASTE Italian Kitchen, a portion of their menu is strictly gluten-free, and they have vegan and vegetarian options. Menu options include gluten-free and vegan pizza, and customers can substitute pastas on their menu with gluten-free noodles. There are also several other options as well such as their pan-seared chicken or Atlantic salmon. The pizza is not only delicious, but it is guaranteed to have a nice (vegan) cheese pull with no sign that the crust is gluten-free.
Shannon Lindell, the corporate chef for TASTE, spoke about TASTE’s commitment to providing those safe options for people.
“We take great pride in being a safe space for those that have dietary restrictions, whether they are personal, medical or for religious reasons. All of our guests are respected and treated with caution and care,” Lindell said.
Lindell also explained how her favorite parts of her job are getting to travel, taste testing and researching new dishes and ingredients for substitutions.
“As a longtime vegan, it has been an incredible experience to see alternative ingredient companies with vegan and gluten-free options grow from just a small corner at food shows to a large percentage of the trade floor,” Lindell said.
She continued by explaining that she found the vegan steak for Taste at a food show in Chicago. Their gluten-free pizza crust, dairy-free cheese and gluten-free pasta were discoveries at the Pizza Expo in Las Vegas.
“My bar is very high for bringing a new ingredient or product in to serve,” Lindell said. “We obtain samples of any item we like, cook with it and get feedback from ownership, management, cooks and waitstaff. We have employees from all walks of life, and they provide a nice cross-section of the population. I value their feedback and honesty. There have been many items that just didn’t make the cut, but the ones that did make it onto the menu are the best of the best.”
Oby’s
Last but not least, people can head to Oby’s to enjoy their “hidden” gluten-free menu with options such as jambalaya, red beans and rice, catfish, grilled chicken strips and even gluten-free hoagie buns to substitute on any sandwich. While Oby’s does not advertise these gluten-free alternatives, people can request a gluten-free menu.
Avery Jones, a sophomore biomedical engineering major at Mississippi State, talked about Oby’s catering to her needs.
“They are always very friendly and accommodating,” Jones said. “Everything that I’ve had has been great, and I don’t have to worry about having a reaction to anything I eat from there. This is especially attentive since I have an allergy to not only gluten, but dairy as well.”
For visitors and locals alike, these spots make up what could be called a “gluten-free crawl” through Starkville. A Friday night pizza, Saturday brunch or Sunday sushi dinner can all be enjoyed without the stress of deciphering menus or asking endless questions.
Here is some other learned advice for gluten-free diners: call ahead, be clear about your needs and thank the restaurants that go the extra mile. Starkville’s hidden gluten-free gems are making sure people, no matter their diets, can pull up chairs and dig in.
