Amorette's Patisserie -- Snacks -- Disney Springs

*This visit took place in May 2016.Check out my full Disney Springs Town Center walkthrough & dining review video on YouTube for some video walkthrough of Amorette's Patisserie. Amorette's Patisserie is another new business at the recently opened Disney Springs Town Center. As a French bakery, they offer all sorts of decadent and beautifully crafted desserts with an elegant theme.The bakery also has a delightful backstory, which you can find out more about on the Disney Food Blog.I decided to stop by Amorette's Patisserie to see what gluten free options they might have, as a post on the Disney Parks Blog indicated that they would have "gluten friendly" options.When I arrived at the bakery, it was very crowded, as I stopped by on opening day. It wasn't as crowded as Sprinkles Cupcakes which had nearly hour long lines, but still, it was very busy.The bakery consists of a seating area, several displays with grab and go baked goods, a display kitchen (where you can watch gorgeous pastries being decorated), and a full bakery counter with insanely gorgeous desserts.While there, I took a chance to look at some of the displays set up with grab and go items.Amorette's Patisserie does at least have two "gluten friendly" grab and go items -- one of which is the Macaron.Made with almonds, this is naturally gluten free, but definitely contains a whole lot of dairy. The box of Macarons appeared to be a variety of flavors.The second grab and go baked good was a Mickey Macaron Financier. It was adorable, and they do say everything is better Mickey shaped!The back of the box ingredients noted that it was made with Bob's Red Mill all purpose flour, as well as almonds. It also has dairy in it, as well.While I was there, I was able to speak with Chef Noah, who was on hand to answer any questions. I was particularly interested in the baking process, flours used, and cross-contamination issues.Chef Noah was very nice and let me know that they use Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Flour and as he stated, "one to one flour," which I think meant the Bob's 1 to 1 flour. I tried to clarify, but he didn't seem to understand what I meant by that.He noted that they do use clean pans and bowls when making the gluten friendly items but that they are not dedicated equipment, but rather power washed by their dishwasher between uses between gluten free and gluten filled baked goods. When I noted that using dedicated equipment might be a good idea in the future, he also agreed and said he would look into that idea.He also stated that he would recommend guests with Celiac Disease proceed with caution, as they cannot guarantee cross-contamination and that the bakery is not taking extra precautions with regards to that.I was also told that the top level of the building is where their bakery is located and is also the same space in which D-Luxe Burger also bakes their house-made buns (the gluten free ones come pre-packaged from Local Oven, so no worries about cross-contamination there!)Chef Noah did point out two gluten friendly desserts in the baked goods counter - the Avant-Garde and the Pavlova. I was told, you could ask for fresh versions of these from the back too, if you wanted to avoid any counter cross-contamination.The Avant-Garde is a gluten friendly chocolate chiffon cake with chocolate crumble and has beautiful decorations, including edible gold leafing.The Pavlova is meringue topped with edible decorations and filled with a fruit filling. It appeared to have a yellow sponge cake (that I was told was gluten free) on the bottom of the Pavlova.Overall, I cannot recommend Amorette's Patisserie as a truly safe or reliable gluten free option for those visiting Disney Springs, as the location does not have a lot of safety precautions in place, with regards to cross-contamination. If you visit, definitely speak with a chef and use your judgement on whether this might work for you or not.Thankfully, you can always visit Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC for a 100% gluten free & vegan bakery experience; or, if you are gluten free, check out Sprinkles Cupcakes (which has much better cross-contamination procedures in place).What do you think of Amorette's Patisserie? 

The Daily Poutine -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in May 2016.Update: Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures was advised not to eat here if you have celiac disease due to risk of cross contamination. I was not advised of this when I dined but would recommend proceeding with caution if you choose to dine here. The Daily Poutine is one Disney Springs newest food offerings and is a gourmet French fry stand that doubles as a snack or meal option when you're visiting the area. Poutine is a classic Canadian dish of fries served with gravy and cheese curds.As a former Midwesterner with Canada only a few hours away from my home town, I'd had poutine many times growing up, especially on trips to places like Quebec. Poutine is so popular in Canada that you can even get it there at McDonald's.Poutine has gained popularity on Disney property at Le Cellier, where they even have a gluten free version listed on the allergy friendly menu. So, when I heard about the newly opened The Daily Poutine stand, I wanted to check it out to see what options were available.The Daily Poutine carries 4 different versions of fries with some type of sauce. They have a variety of flavor profiles and are totally different, giving you a chance to try all sorts of options.When Brandon and I arrived, we checked with a cast member and another cast member came up immediately, who was also gluten free. She gave me an allergy friendly menu and said that 2 of the 4 poutine options are gluten free. She recommended the Latin Poutine and noted that I could get it without the cheese and lime sour cream.At the time I am writing this post, there were no vegan options and no dairy free cheese alternatives.I decided to get the Latin poutine based on the cast member's recommendation and the fact that I could get it dairy free. I was also curious how it would taste because the base was not French fries but was instead Yucca fries.As far as flavors go, I really enjoyed this. The menu calls the black beans a sauce but really, it's just refried black beans. The roasted pork in a mojo sauce was flavorful and delicious. And I absolutely loved the Yucca fries which were salty and a little sweet and surprisingly crispy. Even Brandon enjoyed the Yucca fries and was surprised at how tasty they were. In fact, he said he might have to get the Latin poutine on our next visit.I was bummed to see that the gravy based poutines could not be made gluten free, but sadly the gravies are flour based. Still, it's nice that there were two options to try if you're gluten free.I would definitely get the Latin poutine again, as I think it made for a hearty dish. But, The Daily Poutine isn't a cheap option (the poutine was around $10), and I might opt for D-Luxe Burger over The Daily Poutine if I had the choice. Still, it was nice to see a kiosk have some gluten free options and even a small allergy friendly menu!For more details and general info about The Daily Poutine, check out the Disney Food Blog's review.What do you think of The Daily Poutine? What would you order if you dined there?

Sprinkles Cupcakes -- Snacks -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in May 2016.Check out my brief building walkthrough of Sprinkles on YouTube.Sprinkles Cupcakes is a newly opened bakery at Disney Springs Town Center. A well-known cupcake chain, the grand opening of the bakery on May 15, 2016 proved to be hugely popular, as I found out in person that morning. Never underestimate the power of cupcakes.Located in the new Town Center and near the bridge that connects it to Raglan Road Irish Pub and Morimoto Asia, Sprinkles is not hard to miss in Disney Springs. Just follow the trail of guests searching for cupcakes and the smells of sugar!Sprinkles Cupcakes has a gluten free cupcake, a gluten free chocolate chip cookie, a vegan cupcake, and a sugar free cupcake, so I knew I wanted to check it out. Little did I realize that everyone else in Orlando did too.On opening day, I was joined by Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures and her family, so thankfully, I had some company while I wanted in line. You can also read her full review (including the cupcake ATM) on her blog.While waiting in line, we also got a chance to speak with a cast member there who answered our questions about the gluten free items, including their cross contamination procedures.All gluten free baked goods are prepared in a separate area of the kitchen with dedicated pans and utensils. Employees also change their gloves for all special diets orders, and even better they keep all gluten free items safely stored in the back away from all gluten filled baked goods.We were also told that if you are using the cupcake ATM, all gluten free items inside have been boxed with clean gloves and dedicated utensils.As far as other special dietary needs, unfortunately, the gluten free cupcake is only gluten free and does contain dairy. Additionally, the vegan cupcake is only vegan and not gluten free. There is also a sugar free cupcake, as well.If you are concerned with nut allergies, Sprinkles is probably not the best option for you, as the bakery does carry and serve items with peanuts and tree nuts in them.While waiting in line, which extended over the bridge (as shown in the picture above), I got a chance to check out some of the outdoor seating, which is bright and plentiful.Once inside the bakery, you can enjoy the bright and chipper decor. And check out all the cupcakes. They had really gorgeous displays. But, oh how I wished they would have been gluten free and dairy free.The bakery also carries cookies, ice cream, and other treats too. So, you can definitely get a sugar fix on if you can have gluten. I did not check if any of the ice cream is gluten free or if the sorbet options were gluten free or dairy free.I love the Disney touches in this bakery too. Check out the adorable Mickey ears near the Sprinkles logo.Because I've been re-introducing a bit of dairy into my diet, I did decide to try both the gluten free red velvet cupcake and the chocolate chip cookie. I had all intentions of trying them while at Disney Springs but ended up taking them home because I was too full from my lunch at D-Luxe Burger.The actual cake for the red velvet cupcake was quite delicious. It was very moist and not dry at all. The cocoa flavor was rich, and I didn't find it to be overly sweet either.The frosting was way too much for me, both in taste and in quantity. If you like cream cheese frosting, you will like this. But, overall, I thought they overfrosted the cupcake quite a bit.All gluten free cupcakes have a candy G on them to note gluten free. But, it was hard and gross. If you eat a gluten free cupcake from Sprinkles, throw it out. Yuck.Because I can never turn down a cookie, I did also purchase a gluten free chocolate chip cookie, which also contains dairy.This was a really good and huge chocolate chip cookie. Lots of chocolate flavor and very rich. If you can have dairy, this was a real winner and a nice alternative option from the cupcake.If you're gluten free and dairy free or have other special dietary needs, you may be better off going to Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC, as it is a 100% dedicated gluten free facility and all items are dairy free and vegan.If you do head to Sprinkles, don't forget to register on their site for their rewards program. You'll score a free cupcake (which includes the gluten free red velvet cupcake) on your first visit!Are you looking forward to Sprinkles Cupcakes? 

D-Luxe Burger -- Lunch -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in May 2016.Check out my YouTube walkthrough & dining review of D-Luxe Burger too. D-Luxe Burger is Disney Springs newest quick service restaurant, opening on May 15, 2016. Ever since learning about this restaurant, I've been waiting patiently (or maybe not so patiently!) for its grand opening. So needless to say, on grand opening day, I was there to saddle up and grab some burgers and fries.If you're wondering where D-Luxe Burger is, it's easy to find in Disney Springs. It's just across the new Town Center bridge, next to Morimoto Asia and Raglan Road Irish Pub.While many of the Disney Springs restaurants aren't owned and operated by the Disney Company, this one is, so I knew I was in for a real treat and great special dietary accommodations to boot!Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDWIt was a very busy grand opening day, so I didn't get as many photos as I would have liked. But, be prepared for the onslaught of photos in this review. The restaurant is gorgeous and beautifully themed, and I didn't even scratch the surface on taking photos or investigating all the little details.While waiting in line (which lasted about 20 minutes due to popularity), one of the cast members told me about the history of D-Luxe Burger. It has a charming back-story about the Glowing Oak Ranch, which is the setting for the burger joint. In fact, if you look next to the restaurant, you'll notice an oak tree. Legend has it that when the sun hits it just right, it glows...hence the name "Glowing Oak Ranch."Glowing Oak Ranch was founded by the Sinclair family, and their son, headed out to the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904 and got the idea to open up a burger restaurant after enjoying the burgers at the Fair (that's a pretty good reason to "meet me in St. Louis!") Soon after D-Luxe Burger opened.D-Luxe Burger is a quick service restaurant so its menu is limited. It's burgers and fries, and honestly, you don't need anything else when it comes to simple and tasty food. According to Chef Bill and Chef Lenny, pretty much anything on the menu can be made gluten free (and most can be made dairy free) with simple modifications.Here's the current menu (note this does NOT include the modifications for special diets)

• Classic Cheeseburger – Beef patty topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato and pickle
• Barbeque Classic Burger – Beef patty topped with a fried onion ring, smoked Gouda, bacon, barbeque sauce and lettuce
• El Diablo Burger – Chorizo-and-signature-blend patty, fried banana peppers, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato and chipotle mayonnaise
• Southern Classic Burger – Beef patty, topped with fried-green tomato, pimento cheese, lettuce and bacon
• Cluck Burger – Ground chicken patty, garlic herb sauce, avocado, lettuce and tomato
• Veggie Burger – house-made patty topped with Tzatziki, green bean salad, lettuce and tomato

The great option with burgers here is that you can get a gluten free bun (currently, Local Oven brand) or a lettuce wrap, based on your preference.The chicken burger, which I was concerned might have a gluten filled binder, is gluten free, as is the veggie burger.The French Fries are made in a dedicated fryer, and I'm told by the chefs that this is the only thing put in the deep fryers.And, because you know I love a dipping sauce, every one of the sauces is gluten free!For my order, I opted for a modified version of the BBQ Burger which was made without the fried onions and minus the cheese (the cheese is GF so you can get it with it, if you consume dairy). I also ordered a side of small fries and three, yes, three dipping sauces.I was then given a pager and told that I could pick my burger up at another counter in the restaurant. Everything at D-Luxe Burger is made "to go" so you can easily grab and go, take it out or eat it someplace else, or enjoy in the restaurant.Wanting to enjoy in the new restaurant digs, I found a cozy spot outside with an amazing view of the new Disney Springs. It was a bit hot out, but there were ceiling fans outside that helped keep things cool too.As you can tell by the photos, the portions were pretty big at D-Luxe Burger. The burger, is hand formed and made to order. They aren't the pre-frozen burgers, which is great. Perfectly juice and smothered in BBQ sauce and thick cut bacon, lettuce, and tomato, this was a delicious burger. Probably my only complaint was that the bun was just a little dry because it wasn't heated properly. But overall, a really solid and delicious burger.It was messy, so make sure you grab some napkins at the table too!The hands down winner for me at D-Luxe Burger are the hand cut French Fries. Holy moly. Just order these. They are totally worth it. They are slightly thick-cut and so flavorful. I was told that they take 3 days to make. 3 DAYS! All that preparation is worth it because these were so good.Even better where the dipping sauces. The three that I had were curry ketchup, honey mustard, and chipotle mayo. *Note: I was told that these three sauces were both gluten free & dairy free; however, others have noted that the chefs told them the only dairy free sauce is the curry ketchup. Update: As of June 3, I have had reports that chefs have noted the only dairy free sauces to be the honey mustard and curry ketchup (both pictured above).The curry ketchup tasted like a homemade ketchup with curry powder in it. It was thick and not overpowering on the curry. The honey mustard was so good and one I will get every time I go there. But, for me, the favorite was the chipotle mayo. Not too spicy and a little sweet, it's the perfect vessel for a French fry!If you go to D-Luxe, get the sauces. Just do it. You will not regret it.I loved the food at D-Luxe Burger, and as you can tell by this photo, I really loved the food, especially those fries.After scarfing down all that delicious food, I took a bit to chill and relax at the outdoor seating and enjoy the beautiful Disney Springs view.And, I also took a tour of the restaurant to check out all the seating, which is pretty spacious.Overall, I really enjoyed my visit to D-Luxe Burger. I hope to go back soon & try some of the other options and explore more. Plus, I really need those fries and dipping sauces in my life!What are you most looking forward to when visiting D-Luxe Burger?

Cookes of Dublin -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs

Cookes of Dublin

Chicken Tenders Cookes of Dublin

*These dining experiences took place in April 2016.Cookes of Dublin is my hands-down favorite quick service at Disney Springs. With gluten free options like fish and chips and shrimp and chips, it's no wonder it's my go-to whenever I want a quick bite to eat.In fact, I go there so much, when we went recently one of the cast members recognized me from the week before. Yes, I'm officially a Cookes of Dublin regular!Cooke's of Dublin can make several gluten free and dairy free fried food items (fried in a dedicated fryer). These include:

• Fish & chips

• Shrimp & chips

• Chicken tenders & chips

• Battered sausages & chips

• Onion rings

• Chips (aka French fries)

Shrimp and Chips Cookes of Dublin

You can also get garlic Parmesan skinny chips made gluten free (but not dairy free, due to the Parmesan).On my first visit, I ordered the chicken tenders and chips, as I've never tried the tenders before. All I have to say is wow. This portion was huge. I literally had to cut my chicken tenders up with a fork and knife because the size was so large.Overall, I liked them but didn't love them. I would say of the gluten free and dairy free fried dishes there, this would be my personal least favorite. But, it's a great option for those who prefer chicken or kiddos (as you can order a kid size version of this).On my next visit, I ordered the shrimp & chips, which continues to be my absolute favorite of all the dishes at Cookes of Dublin. The shrimp were perfectly cooked, and I really enjoy their cocktail sauce (which was brought out to me on the side). Be warned though, the fried shrimp are served on skewers and can be a bit challenging to eat.For the side, I ordered the gluten free garlic Parmesan skinny chips. I have been adding a bit of dairy (usually in the form of aged cheeses) into my diet on occasion, and I had heard nothing but rave reviews about them from Alexis at Gluten Free in Orlando.The skinny chips are a $1.00 upcharge currently, but were definitely worth it for something different. Brandon and I shared these, as he had ordered them on their own on our previous visit (which costs $5.00). My only suggestion would be watch out for grease. When we got to the bottom of our chip dish, we saw a giant pool of grease. Um, yuck.Overall, Cookes of Dublin continues to be my favorite quick service spot at Disney Springs. I absolutely love the options and always enjoy my meal when I dine here.Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What's your go-to dish to order?

Three Broomsticks -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Universal Orlando

*This dining experience took place in March 2016.If you're a wizard or muggle exploring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando, chances are you're bound to grab a bite to eat during your visit. Whether you're in Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley, there's a few different restaurants to dine in that offer special dietary needs options.Last summer and fall, I dined at Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley several times, and while I liked the chicken sandwich I ordered, it was really my only choice of entree at the restaurant. It's definitely my go-to spot to eat at Universal Studios, but when I recently visited Islands of Adventure, I wanted to see what options were available at the Three Broomsticks, located in Hogsmeade.After doing some pre-visit reading, I knew that I would have a few choices available to me, thanks to reviews and allergy menus from Gluten Free in Orlando and The Gluten & Dairy Free Review Blog.When we arrived, I asked a Team Member at the register about options, and she brought out Chef Patrick, who discussed them with me. He noted that he would recommend I order the chicken platter or rib platter and that I could also get the chicken and rib combination platter. He said that the only modification for the rib platter would be to remove the BBQ sauce, as it contained gluten.I opted for the chicken platter, which I had tried years ago and remembered liking. There was a bit of a wait for my food, but that was OK, as Team Member Kathleen ensured me that they wanted to make sure to take extra precautions with my meal. I was impressed by the level of detail and communication that the Team Members had with me while I was waiting for my food. Just another reason why I'm consistently impressed with the special dietary needs options at both sections of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!While we waited for food, we took in some of the sights at the Three Broomsticks. I love the rustic feel to this restaurant and the theming is just over the top amazing. You could definitely spend a lot of time exploring the nooks and crannies in this restaurant.Once seated, I dove into my meal but not before I snapped a few photos. As you can see, the presentation is great. I love the rustic plating, which definitely fits the theme of the restaurant.The portion is quite big, so be prepared. Even the kids' meals seem to be a fairly sizeable portion. My roast chicken was good, though I wouldn't say it was anything really that special. The chicken was well cooked and flavorful. My favorites were the roasted potatoes with onions and herbs and the corn on the cob. The corn was nice and sweet and truly didn't need any butter to be enjoyed.Attached to the Three Broomsticks is the Hog's Head Pub. If you're looking for an alcoholic drink, check them out for a Strongbow Hard Cider. The Three Broomsticks does not carry any type of hard cider (they have non-alcoholic versions that include a delicious pear cider), so you'll want to check out the Hog's Head Pub if you want to order one.Overall, the Three Broomsticks proved to be a solid choice for food options while in Islands of Adventure. It was also a nice break from burgers and fries. I would definitely go back there, though if I'm looking for something less messy I might opt for the chicken sandwich at the Leaky Cauldron!Have you been to the Three Broomsticks? What did you order when you dined there?

Cookes of Dublin -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Disney Springs

*This dining experience took place in March 2016.Cookes of Dublin is my go-to quick service spot in Disney Springs. A proper take-away fish and chips shop, they serve up lots of fried gluten free and dairy free options, which I love. It's one of those quick service spots that is consistently good, fresh, and safely gluten free. Plus, where else can you get deep fried gluten free fish and chips to go?!Cookes of Dublin is located next to Raglan Road and shares some facilities with it. This means that you'll often find some of the dishes served at Raglan Road over at Cookes of Dublin -- like their classic fish and chips. The sauces are even the same too! What makes it great is that it's a quick service, so no worries, you can get your fish and chips fix on the go.On this visit, I ordered the fish and chips (gluten free and dairy free, of course!), as I hadn't ordered it in a while. Usually when I go to Cookes of Dublin, I order the fried shrimp but opted for the fish this time. I was on my way to a movie at the AMC Disney Springs and was in a bit of a rush, so I didn't have time to sit and eat in the restaurant, so I ordered my fish and chips to go.My only real complaint with this meal was that it took a while to get my food. 25 minutes to be exact. Normally, that's no big deal but with a movie time quickly approaching, I had to get out fast. Longer wait times are normal for Cookes of Dublin, but this is because they make everything fresh and to order, which is OK by me. Still, it's good to know ahead of time to plan if you're on a time crunch.My fish and chips on this visit were cooked perfectly. The come with steak fries but they do have other sides like gluten free onion rings and garlic Parmesan skinny chips that you can order or substitute upon request. You can read about these side dishes from Alexis at Gluten Free in Orlando's reviews.I also got a side of tartar sauce (which is gluten free and dairy free), which I love. I should have asked for another container of tartar sauce as one is just not enough for me, the condiment queen!One important tip is that often the gluten free fried foods from Cookes of Dublin and Raglan Road are sometimes under-salted. That's easily remedied by adding some salt yourself to the fried foods. Easy peasy solution!One word about fish/shellfish allergies. If you have them, you probably want to check with the restaurant to see if they fry the fish in the same fryer as the chips and onion rings.Overall, I love Cookes of Dublin and that it's a delicious and safe gluten free and dairy free option for those visiting Disney Springs. Now, I just need to go back again soon for those onion rings and fried shrimp!Have you been to Cookes of Dublin? What's your favorite gluten free and special dietary needs items to order there?

Cosmic Ray's -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Magic Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in March 2016.Cosmic Ray's, located in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom, is a quick service location that I don't tend to frequent very often. It's not that they can't provide good gluten free and dairy free options (they definitely do), but that I don't really enjoy the food here as much as say Columbia Harbour House or even Pecos Bill's. What can I say, I can't help but head to Columbia Harbour House more often than not for the allergy friendly chicken tenders!Cosmic Ray's is your basic burgers and fries kind of quick service location, and like Pecos Bill's, they also have a toppings bar. Toppings bars are great but they are a cross contamination nightmare for those of us with special dietary needs, so if you want any toppings for your sandwiches, let a cast member know to get them from the back for you.When I arrived on this particular visit, I'll admit I wasn't too thrilled to eat here. Brandon and I were attending the Disney Vacation Club 25th Anniversary Magic Kingdom Bash, and literally the only restaurant opened was Cosmic Ray's. I had my heart set on allergy friendly chicken tenders & Brandon had his heart set on the gluten filled but very popular pot roast mac & cheese. Needless to say, we were both disappointed!Cosmic Ray's does carry an allergy friendly menu, which you can find on the menus page here on the blog. There are several options to choose from, and on this particular visit, I ended up getting a cheeseburger. Since I've been adding cheese back into my diet, I thought it would at least jazz up my bacon burger.The wait for my burger wasn't too long, and before I knew it we had a prime seat in Cosmic Ray's to catch a show with Sonny Eclipse. I gotta admit, Sonny Eclipse is the best part of Cosmic Ray's in my opinion. I absolutely love this quirky animatronic show, and I would be so sad if they got rid of Sonny. Cosmic Ray's is not Cosmic Ray's without listening to Sonny and the Space Angels sing Planetary Boogie!For my meal, I would say it was OK and certainly nothing special. The French fries were your basic Disney fries, and at least a decent size portion. My burger was served on an allergy friendly bun (I believe Local Oven) and was nothing to write home about. I ended up just eating it plain with the cheese, as I couldn't find any packets of ketchup or mustard and didn't feel like going back to the line to ask for some.Overall, Cosmic Ray's serves up solid gluten free and special dietary needs options. While I can't say it's my personal favorite place to dine, I'm glad it's available as a safe option in Tomorrowland.Have you been to Cosmic Ray's What did you order when you dined there?

La Cantina de San Angel -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- World Showcase

*This dining experience took place in February 2016.La Cantina de San Angel offers quick service Mexican options at Epcot's World Showcase. Located in the Mexico Pavilion, it is connected to La Hacienda de San Angel, a table service dining location that I love.La Cantina used to be one of my go-to quick service spots in Epcot. I love a good taco, and the ones at La Cantina de San Angel have always been great. However, many years ago, they stopped serving safe gluten free chips, and so ended my visits to La Cantina.But recently, Gluten Free in Orlando reported that the restaurant has been serving tacos with sides of rice and beans instead of tortilla chips.Well, that was music to my gluten free ears! Recently, I stopped by La Cantina and was told the following options are gluten free:

• Pollo Cascabel - grilled chicken, Mexican rice, corn, Cascabel sauce, and pickled onions
• Tacos de Barbacoa - seasoned beef, homemade corn tortillas, Mexican rice, refried black beans, and red salsa
• Tacos de Pollo - seasoned chicken, homemade corn tortillas, Mexican rice, refried black beans, and red salsa

I was dying to try the tacos de pollo because they used to be my favorite, so I didn't ask if any of the other dishes were gluten free and dairy free. The chicken tacos only need to have the cheese removed from them, which is great!As you can see from my photo, I couldn't wait to dig in and forgot to take a photo of my food before I took several bites of rice and beans (which I like to mix together).I have to say that these chicken tacos were everything I remembered and more from La Cantina de San Angel. The chicken was super flavorful and well grilled. Topped with fresh mild salsa, chopped onion, and cilantro, the tacos de pollo were so delicious.The rice and beans were also fantastic, and I recognized as the same kinds served at La Hacienda de San Angel.The only thing I need next visit to make my meal complete is a classic Margarita!Here's a photo of the chicken tacos my mom ordered. The only difference is that hers contained queso fresco on top of the beans.Sadly, the tortilla chips at La Cantina de San Angel are still not safe, and I'm told that they are no longer safe at La Hacienda de San Angel either. Having dined at San Angel, it was a mixed bag whether or not the chips were safe that day depending on what had been fried in the oil, as they fry churros later in the day in the same oil.All three locations in the Mexico Pavilion are not owned and operated by Disney and therefore do not have allergy friendly menus. You can find the gluten free menus for San Angel and La Hacienda de San Angel on my menus page.Overall, I was so thrilled to head back to La Cantina de San Angel for a meal and get to enjoy their tacos de pollo. My only complaint would be the lack of safe gluten free tortilla chips, but now that I know I can order tacos with a side of rice and beans, I'm very happy to add La Cantina de San Angel back on my regular Epcot dining rotation!Have you been to La Cantina de San Angel? What did you order there?

Louie's Italian Restaurant -- Dinner -- Quick Service -- Universal Studios

*This dining experience took place in October 2015.On the mean streets of New York at Universal Studios Orlando sits Louie's Italian Restaurant, a quick service dining location that serves up pizza by the slice. With some additional salad and pasta offerings, Louie's Italian Restaurant is mostly gluten-filled but does have a few options for those who are gluten free.During Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, we stopped by Louie's Italian Restaurant, as the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley had closed, and our group was not thrilled with the idea of getting burgers again (and I'd recently been glutened by Mel's Drive-In at Universal Studios). I wasn't sure if I'd have any options but was surprised to learn from the manager that the restaurant carried gluten free pasta. Oddly, they didn't have gluten free pizza for those who consume dairy. The only options were a salad (Caesar, which contains cheese) or plain pasta (without cheese).A little leary of gluten-free pasta, I confirmed that they cook it in separate areas and containers. The manager told me the wait would be a bit longer but offered to bring it directly to my table so I didn't have to wait at the counter the entire time.Once it arrived, I knew it probably wasn't going to be the best thing I'd ever eaten. The chicken was tender and somewhat flavorful (tasting mostly of Italian herbs), but the pasta was overcooked and bland. The marinara sauce didn't add much to the dish either. Unfortunately, it just wasn't very good at all.Universal Studios Orlando does have some tastier options throughout the parks (especially in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and City Walk), but this at least filled my stomach, safely, with something to eat. Knowing how limited the options are at Louie's Italian Restaurant, I wouldn't dine here again. Still, I was glad to see the precautions that the manager and team took to ensure that my dish was safe for me to eat.Have you been to Louie's Italian Restaurant at Universal Studios Orlando? What did you order there?

Leaky Cauldron -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Universal Studios

*This dining experience took place in August 2015.Wizards and Muggles alike love Diagon Alley located at Universal Studios Orlando. Filled with magical whimsy, the details of this well-themed "land" goes above and beyond any theme park area I've ever been to (and yes, that does include Disney!). From the shops to detailed nooks and crannies, there's so much going on at Diagon Alley that you can literally wander for hours and explore new things.The detailed theming even goes into the restaurants located at Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade (another part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter). During the summer, I had a chance to dine at the Leaky Cauldron, the quick service location at Diagon Alley.Before I visited the Leaky Cauldron (and Diagon Alley, for that matter), I checked both Eating Out Without and Gluten Free in Orlando's blogs. I knew that likely my dining option would be a chicken sandwich, but I was OK with that. I also wanted to try their specialty drinks after reading Eating Out Without's post on the drinks (and their allergens).After arriving, we spoke with a team member at the register, who brought out a chef to discuss options with me. There, we looked at the allergy binder, and I decided on the chicken sandwich minus cheese and the apple butter (which contains dairy). I also ordered a Tongue Tying Lemon Squash, as it was very hot out and sounded so refreshing.The Leaky Cauldron brings your food out to you, so we grabbed our magical food order number and grabbed a seat, enjoying a cold beverage.I have to say that I really enjoyed the Tongue Tying Lemon Squash. Very tart, it was the perfect summer day drink. It had a slight taste of "fake" sugar or preservatives in it, but overall, I really liked it a lot. It's one I'd definitely get again, especially in the summer months.Our wizard runner arrived fairly quickly with our food. As you can see, the chicken sandwich was fairly sizeable. The bacon was delicious and plentiful, and the chicken itself was nicely seasoned. The bun appeared to be Udi's Gluten Free. I would have liked to have had some type of sauce (mayo or otherwise), as the sandwich became a bit dry with nothing additional on it. The side salad with Italian Dressing was fairly bland but OK. I'd love to see them add in safe potato wedges or a vegetable.Here is a version of the sandwich with cheese on it, which, as you can see would add a bit more flavor overall for those who are gluten free only.Overall, I had a magical experience at the Leaky Cauldron and would definitely dine there again. I would probably go to the Three Broomsticks over the Leaky Cauldron because there are more options than the chicken sandwich there for those who have special dietary needs. However, it definitely hit the spot for this Muggle!Have you been to the Leaky Cauldron? What did you think of the dining options there?

World Premiere Food Court -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- All Stars Movies

*This dining experience took place in September 2015.World Premiere Food Court, located at All Stars Movie Resort, offers quick service fare with a movie themed cafeteria style restaurant. Fairly newly refurbished, it is set to resemble a cinema, complete with retro theme.On this particular occasion, I stopped by for a quick dinner and wanted something easy. Though I didn't get to see their allergy friendly menu, I've seen the ones for All Stars Music and Sports, and they all look the same to me. Based on my desire for something easy, I went with allergy chicken tenders and French fries.While I waited for my chicken tenders, I also grabbed an Angry Orchard hard cider, which is gluten free. It's a bit expensive per bottle at Disney, so if you are staying on property, I highly recommend buying your hard cider or alcoholic beverages at a local gas station or at the grocery store, as these can quickly add up.

My chicken tenders definitely hit the spot and tasted delicious. They were well fried and made for a great quick dinner. I can't say that I'd frequent the World Premiere Food Court but it's nice to know that they have some good options here. You can also read Gluten Free in Orlando's review of the World Premiere Food Court on her blog.

Have you been to World Premiere Food Court? What did you order when you dined here?

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Port Orleans French Quarter

*This dining experience took place in August 2015.Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, located at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, is one of my favorite quick service locations. With N'Awlins inspired food and decor, you'll be ready to "let the good times roll" when you dine here...especially since it's home to gluten free & dairy free beignets!On this particular occasion, I was greeted by Chef Tony. He showed me the new allergy friendly menus, and after some debating, I settled on the 1/3 lb Angus Avocado Burger with French fries and a side of remoulade. On my previous visit, I had the grilled fish sandwich which I enjoyed a lot but wanted something different.As you can see from my photo, I had a huge sandwich and serving of fries and a giant container of remoulade. Yes, you know the chefs know you well when they serve you condiments in a large container.The sandwich itself was served on a Local Oven bun and well cooked. I enjoyed the addition of the avocado on the sandwich, and, of course, added some remoulade on it to round out the flavors. The French fries dipped in remoulade continue to be my favorite way to eat fries. So so good (trust me on this one!).For dessert, I had to get some beignets. Deep fried and smothered in powdered sugar, even though I was totally full from my dinner, I had to enjoy these sweet treats. Piping hot is the best way to eat them, and they really are perfect for any meal. (Go ahead, eat them for breakfast like they do in New Orleans; no judgement here!)Have you been to Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory? What did you order when you dined there?

Contempo Cafe -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Contemporary

*This dining experience took place in August 2015.Contempo Cafe, located at Disney's Contemporary Resort, is the resort's standard quick service location. While I can't say I've ever been blown away by the food options here, I do love the atmosphere and the fact that I can watch the monorail whiz by as I dine.On this particular occasion, I stopped by for a quick lunch and was hoping to get something a bit different, or at least, not allergy chicken tenders. After reading the allergy friendly menu ahead of time (thanks to Gluten Free in Orlando), I was hoping to get the Maine Lobster Sandwich.After speaking with a manager, who confirmed the sandwich was also dairy free, I ordered this along with French fries. The restaurant gives you a pager, so I spent some time taking in the sights while my food was being prepared.The sandwich itself was fairly pricey, and after eating it, I didn't think it was worth the money. The sandwich was overly mayonnaised which took away from the fresh taste of the lobster. There was a good amount of lobster in this sandwich, but I preferred some other versions, like the one I had at Raglan Road.  Still, it was nice to be able to order a lobster roll.Overall, I liked my meal well enough at Contempo Cafe. It's not a location I frequent much, but I'm glad that they have safe options and have expanded their gluten free menu offerings a bit.Have you been to Contempo Cafe? What did you order when you dined there?

Mara -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House

*This dining experience took place in August 2015. The Mara, located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, may very well be one of my most favorite quick service locations on property. I love that you can get standard Disney fare like burgers and fries but also get quick service options that are totally different than anywhere else on property. From African Stew to Pap, there's something unique to try at any meal at the Mara. And the best part? Many of their unique items are naturally gluten free and/or dairy free.On this particular occasion, I stopped by for dinner and wanted something easy. The restaurant does now carry the allergy friendly menus, but don't let that deter you from speaking to a chef if you are interested in something outside of the main menu. During this meal though, I opted for the chicken tenders straight off the allergy friendly menu.Once ordered, I was given a pager and told to come back when the pager went off. I would say there was about a 10 minute wait overall, which gave me some time to explore the quick service location, and pick up a bottle of South African wine to take back to my DVC room for the evening. The Mara has a great selection of reasonably priced wines available for purchase. This one was a bit sweet for my taste but not bad.The allergy friendly chicken tenders, as always, were delicious. Super crisp and perfectly fried. They are great with a side of French fries. Do note that there has been some changes in the distributor of the allergy friendly chicken tenders as of Fall 2015, so these tenders may not be the same when you dine at a Disney restaurant. At press time, they are currently using Saffron Road chicken tenders.Have you been to the Mara? What did you enjoy when you dined there? 

Everything Pop -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Pop Century

*This dining experience took place in August 2015.Everything Pop located at Disney's Pop Century Resort is one groovy place to grab a bite to eat. With a retro inspired menu and atmosphere, you can't help but get into the nostalgic spirit when dining here.On this particular occasion, I stopped by for a quick dinner. Gluten Free in Orlando had posted on her blog that the quick service location did have allergy free menus, though at the time I visited, I did not get a chance to see one. The manager, however, did a great job of making sure I had safe options to choose from.The options were pretty extensive, from sandwiches, salads and more. That made it hard to choose! I finally settled on the Salmon Burger, which was a house-made salmon burger served with wasabi Thai curry mayonnaise, slaw, and French fries. The chef did have to make my burger separately, so as to make it gluten free, which meant I had a bit of a wait. The chef gave me a pager, so that I could meet him back in the food court when it was ready.I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with this sandwich. I absolutely loved it. The burger itself was well cooked, and the salmon wasn't too fishy. What made this dish though were the wasabi thai mayo and the slaw which had sesame oil in it. Those components really helped pull the dish together. I wish I had asked for some extra wasabi thai mayo because it would have been an amazing dipping sauce for the French fries. Yes, you know I can't help but add extra dipping sauces when it comes to fries!Overall, I loved the sandwich I got at Everything Pop. Generally, I've found the food there to be pretty basic, but this sandwich was a highlight on their menu for me.Have you been to Everything Pop? What do you typically order here?

Pinocchio Village Haus -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Magic Kingdom

*This dining experience took place in August 2015.Pinocchio Village Haus located in Disney's Magic Kingdom is a charming restaurant -- one that I've visited many times but actually never eaten at. I've never been keen on the options available, which have always seemed limited at best.Recently, blog reader Priscilla G. shared the new allergy friendly lunch and dinner menu from Pinocchio Village Haus. After reading the new menu, I saw there were at least a couple of options to choose from. And good thing too, as I recently stopped by the restaurant to grab lunch.When I got to the cash register to inquire about special dietary options, the cast member presented me with the new allergy friendly menu. I could quickly see that the Mediterranean Salad was on both the gluten and dairy free menu options, and I asked to order it. The cast member did not flag a manager, but rather, flagged gluten and dairy in the order and gave me a pager, which would alert me when my food was ready.About 10 minutes later, my pager went off, and I was greeted by a manager who served my food on a green tray (to denote food allergy) and saw that my salad contained what looked like "cheese." She confirmed that it was Daiya cheese. The one thing they did not tell me was that I needed to grab the salad dressing from the condiment bar. I quickly found the dressing noted as safe (and double-checked the ingredients) but found it odd that they didn't tell me this.As far as the salad, I found it to be just OK. It wasn't my favorite quick service salad but certainly not the worst (one of my least favorites being the Garden Harvest Salad at Columbia Harbour House).I actually don't prefer the non-dairy cheese on my salad, so I have to admit I picked off the Daiya cheese (though the other diner with me - who is not gluten or dairy free - actually really liked the Daiya shreds, so I think I'm just picky in this regard).Overall, I would probably dine at Pinocchio Village Haus in a pinch, though it wouldn't be my first choice for a Magic Kingdom quick service location. My go-to is always Columbia Harbour House, but if I was with others dining at Pinocchio Village Haus I know now that I have at least a few options when ordering, which is great.Have you been to Pinocchio Village Haus in the Magic Kingdom? What did you order when you dined there?

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Port Orleans French Quarter

*This dining experience took place in June 2015. Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory located at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort completely evokes New Orleans. With vibrant music playing in the background, N'awlins inspired fare, and Mardi Gras style theming, you'll swear you landed on Bourbon Street when you dine here. I've enjoyed many meals here, but of course, Sassagoula's claim to fame are the gluten free beignets. I've spent entirely too many visits here covered in powdered sugar after eating these deep-fried gems, so to say it's a favorite spot to visit is an understatement.On this particular occasion, I stopped by to grab lunch (and beignets, of course!). Chef Tony greeted me with the new allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu available at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory. You can also check out their breakfast menu here on the blog too. There were quite a few choices for both gluten and dairy free, and options to customize others not on the list as well. On a previous visit, I had a chicken sandwich (Po'Boy style) so this time I opted for the fish sandwich, which was a favorite of mine over at Riverside Mill (hello, remoulade!)I told Chef Tony to surprise me with a side dish, and he brought me out a bounty of French fries with a side of Remoulade (which is dairy free, as it is mayonnaise-based). Ah, I love it when the chefs at Disney restaurants know you all too well.This sandwich itself was delicious. The bun (which was Local Oven) was nicely toasted and worked really well with the sandwich (and the perfect vessel for remoulade goodness). The fish that day was Mahi Mahi, which is a fish I enjoy a lot. It has a great texture and isn't too flaky like cod or tilapia. It really holds up well in sandwich form.The fries were standard Disney fries but became transformed immediately when using my extra remoulade as a dipping sauce. If you like sauces, I can highly recommend this...mayonnaise-based sauces and fries were made for each other!Of course no visit to Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory is complete without an order of beignets -- and these did not disappoint (really, how can anything deep fried and covered in powdered sugar?!). I love that these are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, soy free, and vegan! Want to recreate them at home? You can totally do that with the recipe from Port Orleans French Quarter!As always, I enjoyed my lunch at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory. They are consistently terrific at handling special dietary needs, have unique options like beignets, and the food is excellent. It's definitely one of my favorite resort quick service locations!Have you been to Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory? What did you order there?

ABC Commissary -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Hollywood Studios

*This dining experience took place in May 2015.Hurray for Hollywood! ABC Commissary is Disney's Hollywood Studios dining location to the stars, and you'll feel like you walked into a film lot commissary when you dine here. I love the California vibe, with real palm trees inside the restaurant. This restaurant is filled with loads of seating, and most importantly... air conditioned! Having recently dined here during a very hot Star Wars Weekend, I can attest to the joys of dining indoors on a hot day.On this particular occasion, I wasn't very hungry, as I had dined earlier in the day at Sci-Fi Dine In for the Star Wars Galactic Breakfast where I ate as much as a Wookie, so I didn't need a meal that was really large. My family wanted to go to ABC Commissary, as it's an easy quick service location with solid meal options. I enjoy dining there because they have allergy friendly chicken tenders and most recently, they launched an allergy friendly menu.Though the menu covers multiple special dietary needs, when I arrived at the ordering podium, the cast member radioed a manager, because I have multiple dietary restrictions. However, I am told that if you only have one dietary restriction, you can order directly from the menu without consulting with a manager (though you can ask for one, if you wish). There are several options available to gluten free and dairy free diners (like burgers, chicken club, or even roasted salmon); however, I ordered my favorite allergy friendly chicken tenders.Allergy orders arrive on green trays and are brought to you by the manager. On this visit, the wait was a bit lengthy, but that was because there were several special diets orders being prepared.As always, I enjoyed the allergy friendly chicken tenders and fries from ABC Commissary. They aren't as crispy as the ones made at Columbia Harbour house, but they are definitely still really excellent. That's one of the many reasons that ABC Commissary made my Top 10 Quick Service Restaurants at Disney World with a Special Diet list.Have you been to ABC Commissary? What did you order when you dined there?

Sunshine Seasons -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Epcot

*This dining experience took place in April 2015.Sunshine Seasons located at the Land Pavilion in Epcot's Future World continues to be one of my favorite quick service restaurants on Disney property. In addition to getting a chance to consult with the culinary team instead of a manager, this quick service dining location is also known for being fairly flexible at customizing dishes during lunch and dinner. For several years now, their grill station has also been entirely gluten free and usually only has one item that contains dairy (the mashed potatoes). So you can imagine what a great go-to quick service this is in Epcot.Over the years, I've rotated ordering the rotisserie chicken, slow-roasted pork and grilled fish (which used to be mahi mahi). And on this particular occasion, I decided to go with the grilled salmon which I had not had on their menu before. When ordering, the chef confirmed with me that everything was gluten free and dairy free, with the exception of the mashed potatoes which contained dairy. Even the sauces that accompany the dishes are gluten free and dairy free. That's win-win!The grilled salmon typically comes with roasted potatoes, green beans with garlic, and a tomato chutney. I decided to skip the chutney on this visit, primarily because I haven't loved the sauces that Sunshine Seasons makes over the years. I found that the simple grilled fish, potatoes, and green beans were still flavorful.The grilled salmon was nicely cooked (a little overcooked, but I did expect that a bit) and the roasted potatoes were delicious. I enjoyed the green beans a lot, as they were full of garlic. If you are not a garlic fan, you might want to ask for another side with your entree. The cast members at Sunshine Seasons are always willing to swap sides too!Though I didn't get dessert, I loved that directly next to the grill station is a special diets grab and go section with lots of sweet treats, including Enjoy Life Foods Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies. They have quite a few gluten free and dairy free options (and many free of other allergens, as well).In addition to the grill station, there are also other gluten free (and dairy free) options at the other stations. You can read about the soup & salad options and the Asian noodle station options on Gluten Free in Orlando's website.Overall, I love being able to stop at Sunshine Seasons. They serve quick service meals that aren't just burgers and fries, and I love having that option when I'm in Epcot.Have you been to Sunshine Seasons? What did you order when you dined there?