Ice Cream Shops

Many locations

With the official start of summer, it’s ice cream season. Though ice cream is surely a year-round treat.

Going to a shop that sells ice cream can be difficult because of concerns for ingredients in the ice cream and chances of cross contact from shared scoops and bits of cones.

I’ve successfully enjoyed ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s and Jeni’s where both have allergen information available and happily use clean scoops from previously unopened containers.

I can now add Graeter’s to the list. I was at the Pinecrest location and there is also one at Crocker Park. They prominently display an allergy warning advising not to get scooped ice cream in the shop because of cross contact concerns. They do have a freezer with pints available for sale and many of the flavors are labelled gluten free.

A pint is a lot of ice cream to eat and I had no way to get leftovers home without melting. I was prepared to skip the treat. But the manager suggested I buy a pre-packed scoop offered at the same price as an in-store scoop. They are not on display but the manager retrieved one for me. Only four flavors were available but one was their signature flavor, black raspberry chocolate chip. The other choices were mint chip, vanilla or chocolate. The package had nutritional and ingredient information and included a gluten free claim.

GREGORY’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

South

https://www.gregorysfamilyrestaurant.com/

LOCATION & CONTACT

Gregory’s Family Restaurant & Jeannie’s Catering

2835 Whipple Ave. NW

Canton, OH  44708

Call Gregory’s Family Restaurant at: 330-477-1296

Call Jeannie’s Catering at: 330-477-3734

A note from Beverly, a newsletter subscriber:

This is an old school mom and pop diner kind of place, open only for breakfast and lunch. They have an extensive gluten free menu that is actually labeled “gluten free and celiac menu”, a dedicated gluten free toaster and a dedicated fryer. They also have a clearly labeled gluten free section on their specials list. When they make you a turkey Reuben it is with actual cooked turkey not deli meat. We’ve eaten breakfast and lunch there several times now successfully. They’re also kid friendly and good with other food issues.

Noodles & Company

Mentor

Noodles & Company
9210 Mentor Ave #A
Mentor, OH 44060

Noodles & Company is a chain that offers a variety of fresh, made-to-order dishes from their “Gluten Sensitive” menu. Dishes can be made with rice noodles or zucchini noodles or gluten-free pipette shells. Some of the gluten-friendly options include Pad Thai, Zucchini Pesto with Grilled Chicken, and Gluten-Sensitive Pipette Mac & Cheese.

They also have salads which are gluten-free or can be modified to be gluten-free.

They have an interactive nutrition and allergen page and ordering in their app presents the many available options.

The menu has the usual caveat: “Made without gluten-containing ingredients but potential for cross-contact exists.”

The friendly staff said that if an order has an allergy designation they follow a protocol.

I ordered a zucchini noodle dish, which I quite enjoyed, and the lid had an allergy note.

Boaz Fresh Lebanese

University Heights, Ohio City

boaz.com

I love Boaz for the wonderful delicious gluten free bowls.

From their website:

Whether you’re an herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, gluten-free, or vegan, you can create the bowl of your dreams at Boaz. With our fresh ingredients, your next meal will be one you won’t soon forget.

They label items gluten free on their menu.

I get the Build Your Own Bowl and really love the pickled veggies, garlic sauce and seasoned chicken. So much flavor!

There are two locations: University Heights and Ohio City

ZHUG

Cleveland Hts/Cedar-Fairmount

zhugcle.com

Zhug, located in the Cedar Fairmount area of Cleveland Heights, is a casual dining – urban space offering Mediterranean Mezze. Along with fancy small plates Zhug has desserts and a full bar with both mocktails, cocktails and wine options.

Zhug was voted one of 2020’s Best New Restaurants by Esquire Magazine.

Small plates at Zhug include many gluten free offerings, both vegetarian and omnivore options, including: gf flatbread and dishes with beans, eggplant, olives, hummus, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, falafel, octopus, shrimp, lamb, and beef! Menu changes are seasonal so there is lots to try now and new stuff coming all the time!