Several years ago, I remember people reporting that they drove to Atlanta from Greenville, SC to shop for gluten-free food. The pickings’ were quite slim in Greenville back then, apparently. My only other knowledge about gluten-free options in the area was about California Dreamin’. We used to eat there on the way to Charlotte before I was gluten-free and once I inquired about gluten-free options there, we never went back. So, when relatives moved to the area, right away, I assumed that gluten-free dining options would be quite limited and therefore, I’d need to pack a lot of food for visits up there.
Skip to last week, when we had one of the best gluten-free lunches we’ve had in a long while – in Greenville, SC! As always, I googled the city name with gluten-free to see what popped up. The Greater Greenville Celiacs support group came up and it was full of helpful gluten-free information in the area. What was most impressive was the fact that so many of the dining options listed were not chains. There is nothing more disheartening to me, when searching for gluten-free dining options in an area, than finding only chains like Outback or Carrabba’s listed. No thanks. I can eat at those places at home.
Now that I had several gluten-free dining options for Greenville, I went to my next step – checking the ratings of any places that might be listed on Trip Advisor. Sure enough, several of the places were on Trip Advisor, but one in particular really intrigued me. Larkins on the River not only was ranked 19th out of over 400 ranked Greenville restaurants, there is an amazing gluten-free menu on their website! As it turns out, someone in the Larkins family has to eat gluten-free. Therefore, they make many of their signature dishes gluten-free, including their She Crab Soup! That was all I needed to know. I promptly made lunch reservations at Larkins on the River (via Open Table) and excitedly anticipated the trip.
The restaurant is on the river, of course. However, it is also located in the bustling (but not too large) downtown area of Greenville. Who knew that Greenville was such a happening place? Probably people that live in the charming city! The area really has a lot to offer the locals and tourists alike. Anyway, the restaurant has both gluten-free sandwich bread and hamburger buns. They bread is baked off -site and I already knew from other reviews that it was indeed gluten-free. I ordered the half sandwich and soup special, which was only $8 plus a $1 upcharge for gluten-free bread. Our delightful server arrived back at the table with a basket of gluten bread and a plate of gluten-free bread for me. I also got my own plate of flavored olive oil for dipping. Since I was only having a half sandwich, I determined that I could eat at least some of the table bread. It was wonderful and it wasn’t toasted or anything! The slices were pretty thick and I immediately thought about how great it would be to use for French toast.
When my meal arrived, the smell of the She Crab Soup alone was enough to send me into a giddy state of mind. I have not had this particular type of soup out in a restaurant in well over four years. The Monte Cristo sandwich was beautifully golden from the parmesan cheese coating on the outside. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a Monte Cristo sandwich of any kind before, but now I’m hooked on them! The smoked ham and Fontina cheese, plus the crispy cheese on the wonderful bread was almost too much gluten-free goodness to take in at once. Add the factor of the best She Crab Soup (yes, better than the gluten version at Uncle’s Ernies in St. Andrews Bay, FL) I’ve ever enjoyed in my life and you have one amazing gluten-free experience!
The gluten-free bread at Larkins was just like bread. It was unlike most other gluten-free breads I’ve had, including those I love. There was no odd taste or texture to it and no aftertaste. The server told us that one of the flours used to make the bread is – you’ll never guess – cactus flour! Yes – that’s one of the flours they use to make the great tasting bread! It also contains garbonzo flour and there is no rice flour in it. Strangely enough, I did not detect the bean flour at all. Now I can’t wait to go back for brunch to enjoy gluten-free French toast!
Tiffany, I was thrilled to find this! I’m from Greenville, moved away awhile ago, but go back often. I know exactly where this place is and am just giddy at the possibility of being able to go to a local restaurant there (which we LOVE to do because downtown is so amazing!) and enjoying a g-free meal. Thanks for the great info!!
Glad I could help! When my in-laws said they were retiring in Greenville I was really bummed because I remember four years ago that some people from there came to Atlanta to buy gluten-free food! There is a place for pizza there too, but I’ve not checked that out yet. I’m looking forward to having gluten-free French toast the next time we’re up there 😉
I’ll have to explore while I’m there too. Trader Joe’s just built a store there, but I’m not sure where exactly. I know they have a Whole Foods Market now too, which they didn’t have when we lived there. But I love–like you said–finding local restaurants that aren’t the usual chains we know we can eat at anytime.