It’s 6 pm. The idea of cooking a meal at the end of a long day seems UNATTAINABLE and so … we turn to the food delivery apps. But you’re gluten-free. So your options are limited. And everybody turned off comments during COVID 2020, so it’s a risky business being GF and hungry. I gotchu. I’ve put in the work the last 4 years, gone through some trial and error and glutenings…and come out on the other side of it. Here are the best gluten free delivery restaurants Chicago for ya.
What’s the strategy for ordering gluten-free on food delivery apps? Here’s a few tips for you.
- Be sure to cross-reference the restaurant website menu for other allergen notes/GF labels – those markings don’t always make it onto the third party delivery apps menus.
- If there is a box to check to indicate allergies when you add an item to your cart…check it! Sometimes you need to scroll or read very carefully.
- Leave comments where possible indicating your allergy/Celiac with a kind and cheerful note and the request to prepare the item gluten-free – and don’t forget to say thank you! While I have Celiac, I typically also include “gluten allergy” as it is a more well known term.
- If you have any questions, consider calling the restaurant before you order to inquire about GF and preparation. You’ll be able to gauge if the staff is knowledgeable on allergen concerns and how flexible they seem in making accommodations.
- Or, if you know the restaurant can accommodate but there’s no options to leave comments – give them a call a few minutes after you place your delivery order to flag it as an allergy.
Here are the best gluten free delivery restaurants in Chicago that I’ve personally ordered from, and had safe, delicious meals with no signs of cross-contamination.
American
- Wilde Bar & Restaurant (East Lakeview)– Literary themed Irish pub. GF comfort food, good with gluten. Fun to go in person, but a breeze to order on the delivery apps.
- Small Cheval (Multiple locations) – The fast casual sister of Au Cheval serving burgers, fries and shakes. They offer a lettuce bun as standard and as of 2023, some locations started offering buns and a “gluten allergy” note on the apps. Fries are GF as that’s the only thing they fry. No option to leave comments; however and they don’t answer their phone. But this is a welcomeeee addition to the gluten free delivery scene in Chicago
- True Food Kitchen (River North) – Health-driven, eco-conscious/sustainable chain with vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free options. The menu rotates seasonally. Easy-to-navigate delivery menus with GF labels.
- sweetgreen – Bowls and salads with healthy and seasonal food. The third party apps don’t mark allergens, but you can order through the sweetgreen app or cross reference their menu when you place yours. Some risk for cross-contamination given the buffet line, especially if you order via delivery given you can’t leave notes. Make sure that your “bread” request switch is toggled off so it doesn’t end up on your bowl.
Asian
- BIBIBOP Asian Grill (Loop and suburbs) – Fast casual Asian-inspired restaurant that is 100% GF. Pretty good.
- Noodle Bird (Logan Square) – Asian-inspired diner; this food is so good and SO gluten-free friendly – even on the apps, everything is labeled. Prepare to really love all the things. Great to order with a group so you can taste more.
- HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen (Pilsen) – The food at this place is amazing and 95% of the menu is gluten-free, including fried.chicken.wings. (OMG.) It’s gotten a ton of press but no one is talking about how GF-friendly they are!! We’ve dined in and ordered delivery and both have been great experiences.
- Moonbowls (River North) – Healthy Korean-inspired bowls. 100% gluten-free facility. Vegan options! They have some great cauliflower vegan “wings”. They are only available for pick-up or delivery. Everytime I order from here…I expect it to be better. But, I’m glad it exists.
- Brightwok Kitchen (Loop/River North) – 100% Gluten-free and dairy-free Asian spot. DELISH! Great to order for delivery. This is basically all I ate in the pandemic as it was assuredly GF.
- KFire (Logan Square) – Korean BBQ which is quite good. They are super GF friendly – all the BBQ plates/proteins are GF. Beware – the menu lists the fried items as GF but they are not celiac safe due to cross-contamination. Consult their website for allergen lists.
- Glaze Teriyaki – “Seattle-style teriyaki,” whatever that means…anyways, it’s delicious. They offer GF teriyaki chicken. If you’re ordering delivery make sure that you and your ordering mates have very different dishes or are both GF; otherwise, I can imagine it would be hard to tell them apart and they don’t mark them as GF.
- Saigon Sisters (West Loop) – Super solid Vietnamese & Thai, v GF friendly.
- Green Leaf Thai (Lincoln Square) – Thai food is a tough one to navigate in Chicago for Celiac – I’ve been glutened many a time by other restaurants. So far so good on Green Leaf, though. Is it the best Thai I’ve ever had? No. But it will scratch the itch.
BBQ
- Offset BBQ (Humboldt Park) – Great local BBQ that can accommodate for GF/Celiac- nothing is labeled on their menu, if you’re ordering on delivery, give them a call.
- Green Street Smoked Meats – (West Loop) – Great casual BBQ place. Meats and sauces are GF to my knowledge. Elotes, slaw and baked beans are some of my favorite gluten-free sides. Get the hot link. And as of writing, they have GF cornbread!
- Smoque BBQ (Irving Park) – Great BBQ – all their meats are GF … and so are their fries! Dedicated fryer! Wow! Prob my fave BBQ in the city after Green Street Smoked Meats.
- Twin Anchors (Old Town) – Historic BBQ dive, very accommodating for GF. Baked potatoes, meats and salad are GF. Known for their ribs!!
Breakfast/Brunch
- Beatrix (River North, Fulton Market, Streeterville) – One of my FAVORITE brunch places. As a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, they are on their game with the GF. The candied bacon and the juices are BOMB. They also have a rotating selection of GF pastries that are *drool*. You can order dinner from here as well.
- Wheat’s End Cafe (Lakeview) – 100% dedicated wheat-free facility, Celiac safe. Formerly a cute and casual cafe where you can grab a cup of coffee and breakfast, they are now pickup/delivery only. One of the OG’s for us GF folks – show them some love.
Greek/Mediterranean
- Avli Taverna (Lincoln Park) – Great/Mediterranean food. The times I’ve eaten there, they were great about GF and even had a dedicated fryer. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the River North location so my notes are specific to Lincoln Park – be sure to order from that location and I suggest calling to reiterate your allergy notes.
- Aba (Fulton Market) – Sister to Ema in River North – this is the more “protein-forward” half of the equation. Lettuce Entertain You, so you KNOW they have a fab GF menu. Mediterranean and California-inspired. We did a New Year’s Eve meal from here and they were great about GF.
Mexican / Tex-Mex
- Big Star (Wicker Park and Wrigleyville)- I heart this place, though the wait can be long on nice days. The chips and many of the tacos are gluten-free – if you aren’t intimately familiar with the menu like I am, you can always call and confirm GF before placing your order. GET THE NACHOS IN THE PIZZA BOX FOR DELIVERY!
Poké/Sushi
- En Hakkore 2.0 (Wicker Park) – This poke and sushi burrito spot is my GO-TO for delivery. We love a celiac-safe spot for delivery – they have allergy options and space to leave comments on the apps. And it’s so good.
- Mammoth Poke (Bucktown) – Another great spot for gluten free poke bowls – they even write “Celiac procedures” on your bowl to reiterate their level of awareness.
- Komorebi Sushi (Wicker Park) – my go-to sushi spot… they are great about GF. It’s embarrassing how much I order from here. But the sushi never disappoints. If you’re ordering for the first time, you’ll want to call and talk to them about what’s GF, then note it in your order in the comments. The makis typically are GF – no daikon though, and no miso soup. I always get the Maki Combo with simple fish/veggie maki (no tempura), nigiri, Mafia Roll and one of the following: Acapulco, Atlantic, Tequila, or the White Castle Roll (all with GF/Celiac notes). Ask for gluten-free soy sauce – it will come in a little plastic ramekin.
- Toro Sushi (Lincoln Park) – Good Sushi, menu is marked with GF to cross-reference which makes ordering easy.
Pizza
- Chicago’s Pizza (Lakeview, Ravenswood, Old Irving) – Five words. Gluten-free deep dish pizza. Oh, and gluten-free calzones, gluten-free stuffed pizza, gluten-free focaccia, gluten-free thin crust, gluten-free sandwiches…THE LIST GOES ON. Oh, and they’re open late-night. OK for Celiac.
- Paulie Gee’s Pizza (Logan Square) – While there are multiple Paulie Gee’s locations, this one does GF Detroit-style pizza and they do their best to prepare it safely. The first time I tried it, I was worried because it tasted like the real deal – that’s how good it is. I’ve had it almost a dozen times with no reaction so this gets my stamp of approval. It doesn’t deliver AS well as eating it in person, but you could always get the oven fired up and stick it in there when it arrives to re-crisp it up.
What gluten free delivery in Chicago am I missing?!? Let me know on instagram at @glutenfreepearls. And if you’re looking for my full list of 300+ Chicago restaurants able to accommodate for gluten-free, just hop on over here.
Until next time,
Kate
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