As we grow older, there are some things we know we can expect. Wrinkles, gray hairs, and being, as Toby put it best, “ain’t as good as I once was.”
However, one thing I never accounted for was developing food intolerances at 35. Turns out you may have actually been intolerant and/or allergic to something your entire life, but in your mid-30s, your body can one day decide to stop fighting the “intruder” altogether. Then it feels like you were hit with a ton of bricks!
READ: The Ultimate Guide to Dining Out With Food Allergies in Jacksonville
After multiple doctor visits, tests, and the oh-too-familiar “your bloodwork is beautiful,” my doctor recommended our last resort — an anti-inflammatory elimination diet to see if the food I eat was causing the problems. Picky eater to the max, I knew all along that that would probably be helpful, but it was the one thing I never wanted to try.
Three months of food experimentation later, it turned out I am highly intolerant to gluten and soy. While not Celiac, my symptoms were just as severe after being reintroduced to any form of the protein. The irony of this whole ordeal is that my maiden name is Wheat, thus making me… gluten and self intolerant. The humor of that is not lost on me…
READ: No More Loafing Around: Tips for Living a (Sustainable!) Gluten-Free Lifestyle
A lifestyle change became a new reality, and I began my quest to find the best gluten-free foods in Jacksonville. Here are my top 12 gluten-friendly Jax restaurants for lunch and dinner.
The Bearded Pig (San Marco)
Looking for somewhere a little more casual? Located in San Marco, The Bearded Pig is always a local option for GF BBQ! They are very good with telling you what can be ordered in-store with gluten concerns, and you can even order with a “Gluten Allergy” marker online. Now, everything here is delicious, but my absolute go-to has to be the Adult Nuggets. They are so crunchy and taste like actual chicken tenders I remember from my pre-intolerant days. And all but one of their sauces is GF, so feel free to slather it on!
Carmine’s Pie House (Riverside)
For a thinner crust, you cannot beat Carmine’s Pie House in Riverside. It is not your run of the mill cauliflower creation that is found at other pizza places in Jax. Carmine’s is the real deal — a perfect mix of crunch, tangy sauce, and cheese for days!
Cooper’s Hawk (St. Johns Town Center)
Date night, anyone? On every special occasion, we head over to St. Johns Town Center for some ambiance and hearty eats. Cooper’s Hawk has a huge gluten-free menu to choose from, along with the fluffiest gluten-free bread I’ve ever come across at a restaurant. My favorite here is the gluten-free Braised Short Rib Risotto, with a glass (or flight) of red wine, of course.
Culhane’s Irish Pub (Atlantic Beach, Southside)
I’ve found on trips to other major cities like Seattle, New York City, or even areas in Alaska to be surprisingly abundant with gluten-friendly restaurants. Most commonly pubs and breweries of all places! We are lucky to have Culhane’s Irish Pub here locally at the Beaches. They have a gluten-free menu, with many of their items being entirely gluten-free or able to be gluten-modified. Let me tell you this, their Chad’s Shrimp and Grits are the absolute best I’ve ever had! And the Craic Garlic Chips?! Don’t even get me started.
Epik Burger (East Arlington)
Not only is Epik Burger the ABSOLUTE BEST place to get a gluten-free burger in Jacksonville, but it is also Jacksonville Restaurant Reviews‘ #1 Burger in Jacksonville and the two-time champion of Jacksonville Magazine‘s Burgers and Brew Competition! (Not to mention, it made our own Jax Mom Best Burgers list!) The menu is clearly marked and they use GF ingredients in their regular items as often as possible. You have to try their enormous GF onion rings, they’re the only ones I’ve found in town and are a-maz-ing!
Jersey Mike’s (various locations)
Feeling left out watching all your friends enjoy Pub Subs? Bring back your beach days and Jags tailgates with a gluten-free sub from Jersey Mike’s. They use Udi baguettes for your sandwich and have an entire cleaning process they undergo before they make it. (Sorry to the people behind me in line!) For that reason, I try not to go during peak hours. There is currently no option to order gluten-free bread online, so you will need to visit in person. But hey, at least you get to eat a tasty sandwich!
North Beach Fish Camp (Neptune Beach)
A Southern Girl through and through, at the beginning of my journey I was desperately missing the Southern staple: fried chicken. The moment I got wind of North Beach Fish Camp‘s dedicated gluten-free fryer, I high-tailed it over there. When I asked the server about a gluten-free menu, she had the chef come out and speak with me. I asked what my options would be, and his response was, “What do you want?” Thrilled to the moon to have so many options — fried shrimp, fried fish, fried green tomatoes — I always go back for the Pan-Fried Chicken with Grits, Collards, and Tasso Ham Gravy. So crispy, crunchy, and savory — something we often can’t find in the gluten-free community.
Prati Italia (St. Johns Town Center)
Looking to have a buona cena? Prati Italia at the St. Johns Town Center has its own gluten-free menu, including gluten-free garlic bread. Get the best of both worlds by ordering the crispy Chicken Parmesan, which has marinara and alfredo sauce. Buon appetite! 
Rodrigo’s Craft Pizza (Five Points)
There are a lot of places to eat pizza in Jacksonville, but there is NO PLACE like Rodrigo’s in Five Points. They ferment their own “no-gluten” dough in-house every day, and you can taste the extra care in every bite. It is light and fluffy and made of dreams. The first time I went, they took the time to go over the ENTIRE menu with me, just to make sure I had options. When I tell you I wanted one of everything, that is no exaggeration. The Blanca is a winner in my heart, especially with a side of marinara to dip!
TacoLu (Jacksonville Beach)
I’ve found that Mexican food in general is typically a safe place to start your gluten-free journey due to the emphasis on corn vs. flour products. Thank goodness for my go-to — TacoLu! While they do not have a specific gluten-free menu, a vast majority of their tacos can be made on their yummy corn tortillas. They will also bring you your own separate salsa and a dish to share guac or queso, along with your own personal bowl of gluten-free chips. My favorite things to order here are a Spicy Bird and Flyin’ Hawaiian on corn tortillas.
Valley Smoke Restaurant (Ponte Vedra Beach)
If you are gluten sensitive, Valley Smoke in Palm Valley is THE place for an upscale BBQ experience. The majority of their extensive menu can be catered to your dietary needs as they offer both Celiac and gluten-friendly options, and the staff is super understanding and knowledgeable. I love to get the ‘Que for Two with C&P Jalapeno Rice Grits and Hock & Greens.
Vicious Biscuit (Neptune Beach)
Following in that Southern draw, nothing says comfort food like a biscuit. A somewhat elusive food in the gluten-free world, we are fortunate enough to have Vicious Biscuit in Neptune Beach where they can dress up a gluten-free biscuit for breakfast, or you can just get one to go to hit the spot.
As you can see, whether you are gluten-free by chance or by choice, you won’t go hungry in Jacksonville. What are some of your favorite gluten-friendly restaurants?
*As a reminder, these gluten-friendly restaurants are based on someone who is gluten intolerant, NOT Celiac. Always do your own research and speak with a knowledgeable chef/server to be safe while dining out.*
