How to Eat Gluten Free in Atlantic City, New Jersey

I just returned from four glorious days on the beach in Atlantic City. Although I had not been to Atlantic City beach in many years, it turned out to be a great summer vacation place.

The beaches were clean and comfortable and the boardwalk was family friendly. We stayed in the Tropicana Hotel/Casino directly on the beach .

Just for the record, I never played in the Casino even once. My goal was to spend my time at the beach!! Their summer room offers were enticing and really reasonable. Luckily,  I was able to find gluten free and vegetarian friendly restaurants in the hotel and in the area.

The water was warm and the beach was packed, but not too crowded

we literally were able to walk right out the door of the hotel and onto the beach

Restaurant #1: Carmines

Have you ever been to Carmines in NYC?
There is also a Carmines located in the Tropicana Hotel/Casino mall .
That's where we ate the first night.

I selected from their ALLERGY FRIENDLY MENU which is divided into categories of gluten free, dairy free, vegan, vegetarian,  etc.  ( Love it)
Really you can have your meal your way! It was delicious.

I ordered gluten free penne with sauteed broccoli- you must tell them vegetarian or vegan or they might use chicken broth...

We were almost done eating when I remembered to take a picture of the GF penne and broccoli

 I ordered gluten free penne pasta with broccoli and marinara sauce, a side of sauteed spinach and garlic ( from the vegetarian selections - you have to specify no chicken broth in any of the preparation if you are vegetarian or vegan), and a fabulous mixed vegetable salad with a gluten free dressing.

 Of course in Carmines everything was served in large family sized portions, but no one in my family seemed to mind sharing the vegetarian gluten free pasta with me along with their other entree.

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Restaurant #2: Great Meal; very reasonable!! 

The next night we walked about 7 blocks to Ruby Tuesday's another favorite.( in the outlet section) . I ordered the Vegetarian Trio which is a choice of 3 sides and the salad bar - all for $10!!! 

For my first side, I selected a side of delicious spaghetti squash with some marinara sauce.

 For my second side I ordered a baked potato, and third some nicely steamed broccoli. 

I also was able to make  a lovely salad from the salad bar with lots of fresh romaine, spinach, tomatoes, edamame, peas, fresh cucumber, grated carrots, sunflower seeds, ( if you eat eggs, they had chopped eggs without mayo- potato salad, and some other heartier things that  I passed by)  .

I chose balsamic vinegar for my dressing ( they had 8 real dressings ) . 
It was a great gluten free and vegan meal for $10 total..and very clean and fresh.


Restaurant #3: Mexican 

The last night we ate in a small restaurant called Casa Taco , again located in the Tropicana Resort.  We had a large fresh bowl of guacamole made to order at our table and also ordered a hearty chopped salad of fresh vegetables including fresh corn.If you don't want to eat the corn chips, ask for sliced cucumber with the skin on  to use as dippers.( that's what I did)

4 fresh avocados cut open at our table

Quickly scooped into a bowl

Lime juice, cilantro, chives, onion,salt and pepper, and hot pepper ( optional) added

Smashed together quickly to make one excellent guacamole

I make guacamole too- here is my personal easy guacamole recipe:
Excellent Mexican Guacamole Recipe plus tips

What did I do for breakfast and lunch?

I had a refrigerator in my room, so I brought my own food for breakfast and lunch for 3 days.( I live 1 and half hours away and took a cooler to get there)
I brought some oatmeal and made overnight oatmeal, some almonds,  cherry tomatoes, Kirby cucumbers, some fruit.  My husband who is not vegetarian nor gluten free grabbed something on the boardwalk each day and was very happy.

I took in some great sun, enjoyed some needed relaxation, and my husband and I spent some fun family time with our grandchildren,  my older son, and daughter in law.

The weather was great and we all had a wonderful time.
So there you have it- Another vacation, another eating challenge.
It turned out that Atlantic City was a great summer vacation spot for everyone..

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