Menu update: gluten-free and getting educated

We’ve had all sorts of kind words and great conversations with customers and others since we’ve opened. And since we’ve opened, one phrase keeps popping up: “gluten-free.”

They say you can’t be all things to all people and, while that may be true, you can certainly try. So we’ve started the Urban Deli on a journey to educate ourselves and implement gluten-free menu items for persons with celiac disease and for those who simply want gluten-free menu options.

We will offer gluten-free menu items very soon. We’re aiming at September 21 for an updated menu. The gluten-free items will include (but won’t be limited to):

• Seafood Chowder
• Ribs
• Salads & Dressings
• Mac’n Cheese (both the noodles and cheese sauce)
• Noodles with a light tomato sauce and meatballs
• Gluten-free bread – making many of our sandwich choices gluten-free

We’ve spoken to a number of persons with celiac disease and other people who simply want gluten-free options. With the subject coming up so frequently, we quickly saw that it was an important aspect of a menu and that we needed to incorporate gluten-free choices.

We’re not exactly the best informed people on this subject but our research (and education) has begun. We’ll be contacting the local chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association here in Saint John so we can meet with them and they can take us into their world – allow us to learn what life is like for people with celiac disease.  And we’re look forward to it!

Thanks to everyone who has spoken to us and helped point us in the right direction. Changes like these only come about through your input, so please remember any menu suggestions or favourite recipes are welcome through our web site or by dropping into the Deli and saying, “Hi!”