Paradise Cafe, Concourse B, Denver International Airport

DIAparadisecafe3 During this holiday season many people will be traveling to, from, or through Denver International Airport. If you happen to be on Concourse B, and need a gluten-free meal, check out the Paradise Bakery and Cafe. They have a large bar and seating area that is great for layovers or the early bird that has time to waste before the flight. The free wifi at DIA is great for these types of travelers. If you’re hungry check out the chips, fruit, and salad bard. The salad bar is very nice, and the staff was very friendly and accommodating.

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The staff member working at the salad section was very friendly and changed his gloves when I explained that I couldn’t have any bread crumbs touch my food. He also brought out the large bottles of salad dressing so that I could read the ingredients, and then poured my dressing from the bottle instead of serving from the line. He was very polite and helpful and I appreciated the great service! If you are a regular traveler, look for safe places that you can visit again and again.

DIAparadisecafe I had a great meal complete with a salad, chips, and a drink. While is isn’t the biggest meal, it is better than the alternative for most gluten-free diners at the airport; a candy bar or bag of chips. Keep in mind that any chain restaurant found in the airport will have some changes from their regular menu because of the smaller kitchen size and perhaps different suppliers. Don’t assume that the same things that are gluten-free at the regular locations are also gluten-free at the airport locations. Checking ingredient labels is an easy way to be sure. A lot of places are willing to be helpful if you keep a kind attitude and explain the situation. Let them know that you are looking for ingredients that make you sick, and ask to “please read the label on the container.” Some places will have discarded the large container already, and in that case I simply avoid the food in question.