Top 15 Gluten Free Things to Eat & Drink in the Pacific Northwest

2/24/2018

Portland and Seattle are two of my favorite cities in the world for gluten free and vegan food. These two cities, and states in general, are conscious of dietary restrictions and cater to everyone. Check out my top 15 gluten free things to eat and drink while in this amazing region.

1. Huckleberries

If you haven't had a huckleberry, I'm sorry. Get your butt up to the Pacific Northwest and get some. My favorite ways to enjoy huckleberry is via huckleberry jam. I typically picked up my huckleberry jams at the Multnomah Falls gift shop. I also bought huckleberry coffee while there, another delightful way to enjoy the huckleberry flavor.

2. Salmon

Salmon is quiescently Pacific Northwest. It's what most think of when dining on Pacific Northwest foods. I personally love mine smoked. You can also enjoy it cooked on cedar wood with lemon. Another favorite is to have it as sashimi with gluten free soy sauce. Smoked, cooked, sushi, just have some.

3. Oysters

I have a obsession for oysters and Pungent Sound oysters are some of the most succulent, delicate, and "sweet" oysters I've ever had. Their dainty sizes are easy to slurp up. I could throw back a dozen oysters in less than five minutes and crave more. Make sure to have a least a dozen. Or maybe even two… or three.

4. Dungeness Crab

And so continues the seafood. Dungeness crab is also quiescently Pacific Northwest. Other than the crab from Chesapeake bay, the Pacific Northwest has the best crab in the United States in my opinion.

5. Wine

Everyone may think of Napa Valley as the premiere wine region of the United States, but the Pacific Northwest is also another incredible region. Pacific Northwest wine may beat California wines. There I said it. I personally rather go traipsing through the gorgeous vineyards and wine tasting rooms in the Pacific Northwest than Napa. Some of my personal favorites I've visited include Maryhill Winery, where there is also a gorgeous view of the Columbia and Snake River.

Food trucks in Portland

6. Food Trucks in Portland

I understand this is generic and includes a lot of different eateries that can could include non gluten free places. However, in the Pacific Northwest, where they are hyper aware of dietary restrictions from vegan to gluten free, most places list gluten free options and even if they don't, if you ask about it they can make it. There are so many food trucks to choose from in Portland with an entire square block in the downtown area. There's even mock food trucks at the Portland airport. So if you missed it while in the city, you can have it before you leave. My personal favorite food truck is Nong's Khao Man Gai for chicken and rice.

7. Cheese Tillamook

This list would sorely be lacking if this was not included. Tillamook cheese is some damn delicious American cheese. Their cheddar cheese is super delicious. Try it with gluten free bread for a yummy, gooey grilled cheese sandwich.

8. Coffee

Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks! It's fine to visit the first Starbucks in the world at Pike's Place for the photo op, however, I encourage you to visit the local coffee shops where they brew up some espressos that will knock your socks off.

Thumbs up for shakes from Burgerville

9. Burgerville

When I worked on the river boats on the Colombia / Snake River, I used to look forward to Burgerville days when we stopped in the Dalles. It has the variety of McDonald's, but the freshness of In 'n Out. When you order a burger gluten free, they ask if you want to have it prepped in the kitchen or disassembled with the gluten free bun in a plastic bag and burger patty in a separate container. I always opted for the later and didn't mind the extra step of assembling it myself to avoid the cross contamination. Their burgers are bomb, but the true star of the show were their milkshakes. Oh. My. Goodness. THE best fast food shakes I have EVER had. They have vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, or you can mix all three if you can't choose. During berry seasons, they'll make fresh berry shakes from the local berries, including strawberries and blackberries. They usually advertise it on the billboard outside their restaurant. And during that first week of fresh berry shake season, the lines are out the door.

Thai chicken & rice from a food truck in Portland

10. Thai Food

Being half Thai and growing up in Thailand, I'm obsessed with Thai food and know good AUTHENTIC Thai food. This region has some of the best AUTHENTIC Thai food I have ever found in the United States. There is a fairly large Thai community in this region, and you can find Thai grandmas and mamas cooking up fresh Thai food. If you read my blog posts here, you'll see how easy it is to eat gluten free with authentic Thai food. Try curries (my person favorite is panang), tom yum soups, or authentic pad Thai.

Photo by Edgar Castrejon on Unsplash

11. Vegan food

If you're a long time gluten free-er, you'll have encountered many people mistaking gluten free-ers for vegans and vice verses. I don’t' know where the confusion comes from, but as you well know it's not the same. However in this region, many vegan places have a plethora of gluten free options, as do gluten free places have a lot of vegan options. If you've ever wanted to try to be vegetarian or vegan, definitely dabble into some of the vegan cuisine in this region to get some inspiration. You'll realize how easy, and delicious, it is to go animal product free for your meals.

Gluten free pastries from Back to Eden

12. Gluten Free Bakeries

Missing out enjoying Voodoo Donuts? You don’t have to! Try a gluten free donut at Back to Eden in Portland, Oregon. My personal favorite was the sugar donut. It was so moist, soft, and had the texture of a real life gluten-y donut, but of course without all the gluten and tummy issues.

13. Gluten Free Breweries

WHHHHATTT? Yaasss. There are 100% dedicated gluten free breweries in the Pacific Northwest. Here's a list of 100% dedicated gluten free breweries...
Ghostfish in Seattle, WA
Moonshrimp Brewing in Portland, OR
Ground Breaker in Portland, OR
Evasion Brewing in McMinnville, OR
Bierly Brewing in Philomath, Oregon
Make sure to stop by to support these local breweries and enjoy as many cups of beer as you want.

Skunk Brothers offerings

14. Skunk Brothers

In the small town of Stevenson, Washington, you'll find this unassuming distillery tucked along the river front of Columbia River. The highlight? The 100% corn moonshine if you're ready to have your socks knocked off. If you're looking for something less intense, try the apple brandy with cinnamon.

Sipping chocolate from Alexander's Chocolate Shop

15. Chocolate

I’m pretty partial to European chocolates, especially Belgium chocolates, but man, the chocolatiers in this region do a damn amazing job of making superb European style chocolates. My absolute favorite chocolate shop in the region? Alexander's Chocolate Shop in Pendleton, Oregon. Two gentlemen own it and they make some of the most superb sipping chocolate and chocolates I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. They also have a nice wine bar where you can pair your chocolate with wine. Who doesn't love wine and chocolate? Check out my video highlighting their chocolate shop below.