Without a doubt, Wildfire restaurant has one of the best Gluten Free Menus around. We're fortunate to have one of their 7 locations not too far from our home, so we've visited there several times. Each experience has been better than the last. We want YOU to be able to experience Wildfire for yourself...that's why we're giving away two $25 Gift Cards, one to each of two lucky winners (details at the end of this post).
The options on Wildfire's extensive Gluten Free Menu are almost overwhelming: homemade thin-crust gluten free pizza, gluten free pastas, steaks, chops, chicken, ribs, fish, shellfish, sandwiches, and burgers. They even bake their own rolls for the burgers and sandwiches. There are no fewer than 7 appetizers on the Gluten Free Menu -- something for every taste or mood (although our family typically goes right for the salads and entrees!).
Some favorites in our family from our visits to Wildfire have included the Fresh Mozzarella Pizza, Shrimp and (gluten free) Penne, Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Salad, Wildfire Chopped Salad, New York Strip Steak (steaks can be served "plain," or with any of three gluten free options: garlic crust, bernaise sauce, and peppercorn sauce), Macadamia Nut Crusted Halibut, Chicken Moreno (prepared with artichokes, tomatoes, arugula, light garlic broth -- shown here), and the Bison Burger (shown below).
Their fries are not gluten free, as space in the kitchen doesn't currently allow for a dedicated fryer (it's also used for their non-GF fried calamari). But there are plenty of other tempting sides, including my personal favorite...the Au Gratin Potatoes, a rich and decadent treat. Wildfire has also been smart enough to replace their soy sauce with gluten free tamari, allowing them to offer things like a Cedar-Planked Salmon and Tuna Steak Teriyaki on their Gluten Free Menu. (You can read more details about the restaurant, link directly to their Gluten Free Menu, and check out their locations -- all via their dedicated page on our website, GlutenFreeTravelSite.)A Gluten Free Kids Menu goes beyond the gluten free versions of the usual pizza, pasta, mac-n-cheese, and burgers to include steak and ribs, too.
And you won't miss out on dessert, either...
If you still have room, opt to share the flourless chocolate cake or warm chocolate chip cookie platter (shown below, with a small "gluten free" stick inserted, as is done with all gluten free orders).
If you're like our family, we're always thrilled to find a restaurant offering a Gluten Free Brunch Menu. Wildfire does...and it's served on Saturday & Sunday from 11 am - 3 pm, with Eggs Benedict, Steak & Eggs, Buttermilk Pancakes, and Wood-Roasted Frittatas as Gluten Free options.
Wildfire occasionally hosts gluten free dinners, paired with wines, so be sure to check their website for any special events at a location near you (we also post these events on our own Facebook page). Gluten free Redbridge beer is always an option on their drink menu, too. Some locations carry hard ciders, too.By one Manager's own estimation, about 10-15% of Wildfire's business is now gluten free. It's no surprise...and my guess is, with well-prepared options like these, it will continue to be a destination for gluten free folks -- and all their very happy groups of friends, family, and colleagues.
The atmosphere of Wildfire is versatile enough for a family gathering, business lunch or dinner, or festive celebration. In fact, we hosted our own family event at the Tysons Corner, Virginia location several years ago and were very impressed with the food and service. We also dined at the Tysons Wildfire for Thanksgiving in 2012, and I'd recommend it to anyone for a future Holiday meal (just talk to the manager about the menu selections first -- and what will be gluten free -- as they do have special menus for Holidays).
How to Enter to WIN One of Two $25 Wildfire Gift Cards
We actually have TWO $25 Gift Card to give away to two lucky winners, and so there are two ways to win:
1.) If you've already tried any of the gluten free selections at any Wildfire restaurant in Illinois, Minnesota, or Virginia, submit a review of that location to GlutenFreeTravelSite. One winner will be selected at random from this pool of reviewers, with each review counting as an entry.
2.) If you have not had the opportunity to dine at Wildfire, that's okay. Just submit any other gluten free dining or travel review to GlutenFreeTravelSite. This can be a review of a favorite "gluten-free friendly" restaurant, bakery, market -- or even a hotel, resort, or cruise that impressed you in your travels. Our second winner will be chosen at random from this pool of reviewers, with each review counting as one entry into the contest.
The deadline to submit reviews of either Wildfire -- or another favorite "gluten free friendly" spot -- is this Friday, February 7, 2014 at 11:59 pm, EST. We will notify the winners by email.