After enjoying my first gluten pizza at one of the 8 Picazzo’s Restaurants, I fantasized about moving to Arizona. Yes, the pizza was that good, the gourmet salad served with it was amazing, and the restaurant ambience was great. Click here to download their gluten free menu, which also lists addresses. Retirees who augment their pension by blogging can entertain fantasies like that, but — for every celiac — dinner at Picazzos is the experience of a lifetime.

 In the Flagstaff area, check out Brandy’s Restaurant and Bakery.  Their menu specifies that “all our entries can be prepared gluten free”.  The celiac support group in Flagstaff meets and dines their regularly. The site says nothing about the gluten free status of the bakery. I have e-mailed them and will update this article as soon as I hear from them.

 Both the Phoenix and the Tucson (Southern Arizona) gluten free support groups have published lists of recommended restaurants in their areas. The Celiac Sprue Association held its annual conference in Tucson last September and the list of recommended restaurants that the participants received is still available on-line.  The Gluten Free Restaurant Program has identified 35 Arizona restaurants that meets the criteria for excellence set by The Gluten Intolerance Group.

 In the Phoenix area, try the Creative Connections bakery. You might also stop by Pugzie’s, where all the meats and cheeses are gluten free and celiac baguettes are available with any sandwich.

 As in most states, your most convenient opportunities for gluten free dining occur in the restaurants that are part of national chains. If the opportunities interest you, click here to get details about menus and restaurant locations.  Restaurant chains serving Arizona include 5 and Diner, Bonefish Grill, Chili’s, Claim Jumper, First Watch, Lone Star Steak House and Saloon, On the Border, Outback Steakhouse, PeiWei Diner, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, and The Yard House.

 Both Trader Joes and Whole Foods Market provide opportunities to stock up on gluten free food in Arizona. Click on the store name to move to what I have written about these two celiac resources.

Published 05/15/08