It would be wonderful if we could all buy our favorite products locally but that might never be a reality for any of us. The truth is that many pretty awful tasting things sell really well because people are just happy to find a gluten-free bagel. For many people on the gluten-free diet, taste doesn’t seem as important as finding something – anything – they can eat.
We have one rule about gluten-free food at our house. It can either be as good as a great gluten version of the food or better. It can not offer a sub-standard taste however. Therefore, we are willing to cut back on other expenses just so we can have the best of the best in the gluten-free market place. These are our favorite items and might not suit everyone else’s taste, of course.
Sorrella Bakery Biscotinnes are handmade gluten-free biscotti type cookies. They are crunchy but not as dense as regular biscotti. There are several flavors but we only tried the “Cinnamon Swirl” which is phenomenal. All Sorella’s Bakery items are peanut and dairy free. It’s rare to find a shelf stable gluten-free item that does not go stale fairly quickly once opened. We don’t go anywhere without packing this gluten-free travel friendly item. This fabulous biscotti was once sold at a store here but it did not move well. Too bad I wasn’t gluten-free back then as I would have cleaned them out of all their stock!
Go Picnic Gluten-free Meals and Snacks are a lifesaver when you get stuck somewhere that only offers you a safe salad to eat. Each gluten-free meal or snack offers something salty, something sweet and some protein. The turkey pepperoni packs are the perfect size for two and the stick is just enough for one person. The Go Picnic meals really are shelf stable meals in a box!
Udi’s gluten-free products, all of them we’ve tried anyway, are unlike any other gluten-free items we’ve had to date. Who knew it was possible to make gluten-free bread that tasted great without being heated? Udi’s products are free of gluten, dairy, soy and nuts. The only thing they don’t seem to be free of is incredible taste!
Joans’ GF Greatbakes Bagels and English Muffins are hands down the best we’ve tried and we’ve tried every brand in the U.S. Nothing else comes close to these amazing breads, at our house anyway. In order to save money on shipping, I order with friends and that way the shipping cost for each of us is nominal.
Le Veneziane pasta from Italy is unlike any corn pastas I’ve had. The secret is apparently the quality of corn grown in Italy (nothing like U.S. corn) and the artful way the pasta is made. It’s basically like a wheat pasta, except that it is gluten-free!
Island GF Bakery gluten-free waffles are probably the best I’ve had in life. Note they are not the just best gluten-free waffles, but the best waffles period. In an attempt to find the perfect ready made gluten-free waffle I tried everything I could find – about seven brands/flavors. Finally, my search is over.
Everybody Eats Sticky Buns and Ravioli are the best items out there but sadly the bakery can’t ship the incredible Ravioli. It’s much too delicate. It tastes like hand made gluten pasta in Italy so I dream of the day when I can buy it in a store near me. The Sticky Buns can be shipped and a dear friend of mine shipped me some of them for Christmas even though I can buy them here. What a lovely early gift that was!
Let us know if there is something you can’t do without, and are willing to order if you can’t find it in a store near you.
Great article Tiffany. I’ve found that I can usually get my local Hy-Vee grocery store to carry products if I request them (Udi’s for example). The problem is I first have to try them so I know I would buy them if they were carried locally. Posts like this help. I already enjoy many of these but need to try the waffles. That would be an excellent option for breakfast!!
I’m not sure the waffles would work for you as they are not sold except through the bakery at present. They would have to ship from South FL and that might mean they’d arrive stale if they ship ground.
I have seen Sorella at my local grocery store, I will have to try them next time, thank you! And I agree on Udi’s bread and Le Veneziane pasta!
Thanks for including us in your post! I’d like to offer a discount to your readers for 20% off anything (especially gluten-free meals!) on gopicnic.com: just use code GLUTENFREE when checking out. Thanks again, have a great gluten-free new year!