I remember January of 2016 vividly. Our then 2-year-old was incredibly sick for weeks and food allergies turned out to be the culprit. We cleared our cupboards out overnight and learned all about an entirely different way of eating — and the sticker shock prices that came with a gluten, dairy and egg allergy.

I am a hands-on mom who doesn't love cooking so spending as much time in the kitchen as I do isn't exactly fun to me. I will admit, there is no greater joy though than seeing my now 4-year-old healthy as can be! All of us have noticed a decrease in illness and doctor visits for our family over the past 18 months since discovering the allergies and making healthier food choices.

That being said, our kids don't know what McDonald's is (that's probably not such a bad thing) and sometimes, you need a break from all the cooking. So, I set out to find a few places that are safe and can accommodate our food allergies (or at least two out of the three) and wanted to share them with you!

Allergen-Friendly Restaurants in Northeast Ohio

Four Kids Coffee in Canton

This is my FAVORITE place to eat and play. All baked goods are made on-site in a dedicated gluten-free, allergen friendly bakery. Everything is made without gluten and is free of dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, artificial food coloring, and refined sugar. Their wraps are delicious. Their coffee and tea – incredible! The staff is friendly and helpful.

Four Kids Coffee even offers a play area where children can be babysat by a staff member for a small fee while you catch up on work or take a breather. Check out their story about why they started this heavenly place.

Four Kids Coffee
6307 Whipple Ave NW, North Canton, OH 44720
(234) 209-9012
Website

Melt Bar & Grilled

My top three comfort foods include grilled cheese sandwiches. And this gourmet grilled cheese restaurant is among the very best. They offer some gluten free bread options, along with vegan and dairy free options as well.

Our family loves the atmosphere here, how it's one big open seating area so fussing toddlers are hardly noticed, and how accommodating the staff is to everyone's needs. Another bonus: they change their menu frequently. While some staple sandwiches stay around, others change out according to season.

Tip: Celiac friends — don't eat the chip dip here. I accidentally glutened myself by not asking if it contained wheat. It does.

Melt Bar & Grilled
10 locations across Northeast Ohio
(216) 431-7760
Website

Mission BBQ

The more you go, the deeper you fall in love with this place, their food and mission. Their mission is to serve the most authentic, mouth-watering all-American food that’s done right. And they nail it. Their pulled pork and chicken is not only gluten free. It's delicious!

Plus, five of their six BBQ sauces are Celiac friendly. Your food is served in a patriotic dining room by the people who fought for our freedom. If you come for lunch, you just might catch the daily salute to the Stars and Stripes.

Mission BBQ
4490 Everhard Rd. Canton, OH 44718
(234) 209-9913
Website

Mission BBQ
8225 W Ridgewood Dr. Parma, OH 44129
(216) 487-6274
Website

BJs Restaurant & Brewhouse 

BJ's Steakhouse offers a variety of allergen-friendly foods sure to fit anyone's taste buds. A fun environment for kids and adults, BJ's offers several gluten-free choices: salads, soups, entrees, and gluten-free buns. They even have a gluten free dessert! And it looks delish!

Bonus: curbside pickup is available!

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse
3265 W. Market St Fairlawn, OH 44333
(330) 576-9480
Website

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse
6476 Strip Ave. NW North Canton, OH 44720
(234) 401-0220
Website

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse
25779 Brookpark Road North Olmsted, OH 44070
(440) 471-9140
Website

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse
7880 Mentor Ave. Mentor, OH 44060
(440) 276-1360
Website

Aladdin's Eatery

Best hummus ever! And their beef shawarma is out of this world! Fantastic smoothies and service, too. Several gluten free options and their prices won't break the bank. Plus, you'll have leftovers to enjoy for a second day. 

Aladdin's Eatery
13 locations across Northeast Ohio
(330) 665-3102
Website

Chipotle Mexican Grill

This is our fast food fix on occasion. The staff at any Chipotle we've been to is extra cautious of food allergies. They wash their hands, change out the food items and serving spoons for the food you want. Top notch service here! Just tell them what you want to order and that it's for a gluten allergy and they'll handle the rest.

Online ordering available too and when you pick it up, you don't have to wait in line.

Chipotle Mexican Grill
Multiple locations across Northeast Ohio
Visit their website for a restaurant near you!
Website

Burntwood Tavern

Think of a cross between medieval and rustic décor with seating for two under a canopy of silk. Romantic, right? Yeah, my husband and I felt like royalty when eating there recently. They offer a gluten free menu and their food is delicious. Try it out with your significant other or the whole family.

Burntwood Tavern
9 locations across Northeast Ohio
(234) 466-7372
Website

Funky Truckeria

Spicy tacos with worldly influences and a Southern California flair. This small but funky food joint was started by two food truck driven chefs and offers gluten free options with all the flavor or flair. Note: They're closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Funky Truckeria
3200 Greenwich Rd. Suite 113 Norton, OH 44203
(330) 208-0560
Website

Danny Boy's 

Out-of-this-world gluten free pizza. Enough said. If you need a pizza fix that doesn't taste like it's frozen or from a box, go here! Atmosphere is family friendly, sporty and casual.

Danny Boy's
20251 Lake Rd. Rocky River, OH 44116
(440) 333-9595
Website

Danny Boy's
24129 Lorain Rd. North Olmsted, OH 44870
(440) 360-7800
Website

Danny Boy's
6207 Milan Rd. Sandusky, OH 44870
(419) 621-1000
Website

Danny Boy's 
6081 Dressler Road NW Canton, OH 44720
(330) 499-3726
Website

Danny Boy's
8389 Mayfield Rd. Chesterland, OH 44026
(440) 729-3726
Website

Danny Boy's
8158 Broadview Rd. Broadview Heights, OH 44147
(440) 526-5454
Website

Danny Boy's
10 Tallmadge Circle Tallmadge, OH 44278
(330) 633-7844
Website

If you know of tried and true allergen friendly places to eat, please share them below with me and our readers! Or if you have any questions I can help answer, leave a comment below and I'll do my best!

*TIP: Download the free AllergyEats (www.allergyeats.com) app for finding allergy-friendly restaurants anywhere, anytime. The AllergyEats app offers peer-based allergy-friendliness ratings as well as restaurants’ websites, menus, directions and more at your fingertips. I also love the Gluten Free scanner (free download version) which scans a bar code and tells you if the food is safe to eat, and FindMeGF (also free) which locates gluten friendly places to eat in any zipcode!