There’s so much beauty in this photo. There’s the visual beauty of the Falls for which the city Sioux Falls gets its name. Then there’s the beauty of a deep friendship of the two women pictured. We share a decade of smiles, hugs, tears, laughter and so much more.

My husband and I recently drove a 20 ft Uhaul, loaded with our friend’s possessions and treasures, 800+ miles from Michigan to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Traveling with a food restriction makes travel a bit tricky sometimes, but it should never stop you from enjoying life and spending time with those you love. Today I’m sharing some of my travel tips and finds from our recent Sioux Falls Gluten-Free adventure.

BYOB and Other Assorted Foods

BYOB. Bring Your Own Bagel. When traveling anywhere, I highly suggest bringing your own stash of food. When we set out for our Sioux Falls gluten-free adventure, we did so with a cooler packed with food and a bag of groceries. I even brought my own toaster, along with Udi’s Everything bagels. This way I knew that regardless of where we stayed, I could easily eat breakfast.

It would take a while for our friends to set up their kitchen, so I also brought a heavy duty large mug. I used it to microwave hot cereal for breakfast. I also used it to make Annie’s gluten-free macaroni and cheese. In addition, I  made sure to bring along a small plastic bag with a dish cloth and dish soap. I also brought along easy meals I premade at home, such as a pasta salad and calzones. Because of this, I made sure each hotel room we stayed in contained a microwave and refrigerator.

Hotel Fare

We stayed at Comfort Inn hotels throughout our entire trip. Each hotel had eggs for breakfast each morning, either hard boiled or scrambled.  They also had Greek yogurt and fresh fruit, which we made sure to load up on. I was the most impressed with the Sioux Falls location.

Do you see the sign above this toaster? It says GF bread! Of course, I didn’t notice this until our last day there. They stock Schar Artisan white bread that they keep in the freezer, and will thaw for you upon request. My last morning there I used one of my Toaster Bags in their toaster. These non-flammable, reusable bags allow you to put your gluten-free bread in any toaster and prevent cross-contact with crumbs from other breads. You can use them to make grilled cheese in your toaster too!

Pizza Ranch

Of course, the most intriguing part of our Sioux Falls gluten-free adventure involves eating out. Prior to leaving, I made sure to do my research. One of the restaurants listed on the Find Me Gluten Free app was Pizza Ranch. This pizza buffet chain dots the midwest landscape, with locations existing in the greater Grand Rapids area all the way to South Dakota.

They assured me that all gluten-free pizzas were made in their own prep space, with their own dedicated toppings. Pizzas were made in their own pans and served with their own utensils. While it is possible to have one made and placed on the buffet, they brought mine directly to our table.

The Pizza Ranch location we visited had an extensive salad bar, and the staff provided me a gluten-free menu to see which dressings and sides were gluten-free. They served Ken’s individual salad dressing packets, which provided less chance of cross-contact. I felt fine after eating there Monday night, so now I’m tempted to check out the locations in Michigan. The staff said that the gluten-free protocols should be available nationwide.

The Original Pancake House

Next on our Sioux Falls gluten-free culinary adventure, The Original Pancake House. When this location was first suggested to me by others, I admit my hesitation to believe them. However, I called the restaurant and felt pleasantly surprised to learn they cook gluten-free items on a dedicated griddle. Any flavor of pancakes or omelettes were open to me. When we stopped for lunch with our friends, I eagerly ordered the chocolate chip pancakes with a side of peanut butter. Pancakes also come with maple syrup, chocolate syrup and fresh whipped cream.

However, my husband’s breakfast really impressed me! While the picture may not be a show stopper, the food definitely was! He ordered the Souffle Irish Omelette. Loaded with “homemade corned beef hash and aged cheddar,” it blew my mind. Seriously, this omelette it the size of your head, and comes with 3 pancakes, all available gluten-free. I was also impressed with the care of the staff as we explained my husband’s pork intolerance. They took care to make sure to not cook his omelette where bacon or other forms of pork had been.

Culver’s

Culver’s isn’t really a new Sioux Falls gluten-free find. In fact, I’ve written about Culver’s and their individually wrapped gluten-free buns before on my blog. However, it does make for a quick and safe meal where everyone can find something that they love. Especially Levi, our friends’ middle child, who has a love affair with green beans. I love them too, which is good because the fries at Culver’s are not gluten-free. (They use a shared fryer.)

However, the custard at Culver’s IS gluten-free, and suitable for one of their Concrete Mixers. Instead of having them use the machine to blend mine, they layered my Andes Mint Chips in the ice cream and gave it a few pumps of chocolate sauce. Then I simply used my own spoon to stir it all up. (The Andes Mint Chips are made in a dedicated gluten-free and nut-free facility, and are perfect in these gluten-free triple mint brownies!)

Culver’s is one of only a handful of fast food establishments where I feel safe eating. Other safe finds for me include Wendy’s chili and baked potatoes, Chick-Fil-A grilled nuggets and fries, and BiBiBop Asian Grill which is 100% gluten free. One can also safely get fries at Five Guys, as they do not have a shared fryer.

Coffee, Coffee and More Coffee

Obviously safe food is paramount for me when traveling. My husband is gracious to allow us to try new restaurants based on my needs wherever we go. In return, I try to make sure he experiences his favorite thing: coffee. So while on our Sioux Falls gluten-free expedition, we made sure to visit unique coffee shops on our trip.

In Sioux Falls we stopped at Coffea Roasterie. This third wave coffee house roasts their own beans and makes their own syrups and concentrates. Coffee and I don’t like each other, so I enjoyed a chai tea latte. If you’re dairy-free, you can also get it made with soy or almond milk.

Hy-Vee

When attending multiple gluten-free food shows, people always rave about Hy-Vee. While Hy-Vee is not a restaurant, it was definitely a “must visit” for me during our Sioux Falls gluten-free adventure. Hy-Vee staffs almost every store with an actual dietitian, which is practically unheard of today.

I spoke to one as I tried to find the Heart of The City Bakery gluten-free baked goods, which are from a local dedicated gluten-free baker. She was so nice and generous with her time. Beyond that, the gluten-free selection at this Hy-Vee was amazing. Two whole freezer doors full of gluten-free bread?! You’ll find that and so much more, including Michigan-made Full Flavor Foods sauce mixes. If your travels put you near a Hy-Vee, stop just for the fun of it.

Other Gluten Free Bakery Options

Since our travels, a new gluten free bakery has opened in Sioux Falls. Sinless Sweets is a dedicated gluten free and vegan bakery. There you’ll find delicious gluten free pastries like apple turnovers, Cookies + Cream Cheesecake, layered cakes and more. Another new business is Gluten Free, Please, which sells gluten free mixes. They are made in a gluten free and peanut free facility, and are gluten free, soy free, dairy free, nut free and yeast free. Find them at local farmers markets. 

Honorable Mentions

Our trip focused mainly on our time with friends, so we didn’t have an extensive amount of time to eat out. We spent a morning wandering downtown, and stepped into The Cookie Jar Eatery. The Find Me Gluten Free app stated that they have gluten-free baked goods.

I briefly talked to the baker on duty and they explained that gluten-free baking takes place on a dedicated day after they have extensively cleaned everything. They also test all of their gluten-free baked goods to make sure they meet the definition of under 20 PPM. Not being a dedicated gluten-free facility, you would have to decide on your own level of safety. However, it may be worth a stop while on your own Sioux Falls gluten-free escapade.

Other Gluten Free Dining Options in Sioux Falls, SD

The Sioux Falls Visitors Bureau also suggested the following places, although I have not contacted them to verify their preparation methods.

Sanaa’s, Minerva’s, Phillips Ave. Diner, Camilles’s, and MacKenzie River Pizza

Other Gluten Free Eateries We Visited During Our Travels

On our way to Sioux Falls, we also stopped at Alt Brew in Madison, Wisconsin. This dedicated gluten free brewery has wonderful beer and a great atmosphere. We also stopped at Twigs Tavern and Grille in Rochester, Minnesota. This amazing restaurant has a separate gluten free kitchen, and a FOUR page gluten free menu. Including ravioli and dessert! 

So thus ends our South Dakota gluten-free adventure. Now we’re back home, fighting the good fight in Flint. Now Sioux Falls gains a family, fighting for grace, love and mercy in their community. From Michigan to South Dakota, may we all come to know how loved we are. And may we be the ones brave enough to love others with abandon, showing them the beauty they hold within.

I was not paid or compensated in any way by the businesses mentioned on this list. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Have you been to Sioux Falls? What gluten-free finds have you experienced there? What are your tips for traveling with Celiac Disease? Leave me a note in the comments below! 

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Lost Your Mojo? This Will Fix It

It’s been a long summer. Actually, it’s been a long six weeks. Between last minute home improvements, immediate car replacements and two weeks of hard core volunteering, I’ve lost a bit of my mojo. I think this single serve gluten-free cheesecake is going to help return it, though. I’d almost bet it will help renew your mood too!

Earlier this summer, I made some smashingly awesome S’mores bars. Like, “one of the best things I’ve ever tasted” good. I made them with my last bag of (prepared) GF Jules Graham Cracker Mix. It did result in my having loads of leftover graham crackers. So, I needed to find a use for them! Enter, this Just One Serving NY Style Cheesecake from Heather Maclean Cooks.

Roasted Strawberries  – The Fruit You Didn’t Know You Needed

Trying this single serve gluten-free cheesecake also allowed me to attempt another “recipe” I’ve been wanting to try. Roasted Strawberries. I first heard Kendra, a.k.a. Drizzle Kitchen, talk about them on her Instagram Stories. So I just had to try Simply Recipe’s Vanilla Roasted Strawberries to add to this cheesecake.

Well, now it’s my turn to roast these beautiful berries. Can I just say “wow”? The aroma as these roast? It’s the ultimate smell of summer! Imagine fresh, homemade strawberry jam, but solid so you can pick it up with your fingers. AMAZING! They are the PERFECT topping for this single serve gluten-free cheesecake.

Cheesecake Gets a Gluten Free Makeover

So in true “me” fashion, I made some changes to Heather’s original recipe. First, the obvious. Use gluten-free graham crackers. Next, I used Neufchatel Cheese, regular cream cheese’s low-fat cousin. Lastly, I used non-fat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

Why? Because it’s all I had in the house, and I’m too pooped to putt right now. Added bonus? It’s lower in fat! Other than that, I followed her recipe to the T, making them in my favorite Wilton Mini Spring Form pans. (I use the ALL time time. Seriously, you should order them. Here they are on Amazon!)

Some Assembly, and Patience, Required

Now, this single serve gluten-free cheesecake is not “instant.” You still have to bake it for thirty minutes. You still have to chill it afterward for at least an hour. So, use the time to take a nap or read a book. Or if you just don’t know how to say “no” like me, go to a meeting to set up another event for a non-profit.

I’m tellin’ ya though, the wait is totally worth it. This single serve gluten-free cheesecake is not overly sweet, which I really liked. I drizzled it with a bit of my dairy-free chocolate sauce, and topped them with those berries. Doesn’t it look breathtaking?

Sharing is Optional

Confession. Even though this recipe is called “Single Serve Gluten-Free Cheesecake,” I shared it with my husband. This single serve gluten-free cheesecake really is big enough to satisfy your own sweet tooth and the one you love. If you want to share. You don’t have to. Like me, you can use this time to practice saying “no.”  xoxo

*Note – This recipe can also be made using my homemade gluten free graham cracker recipe. If your heart yearns for grain free cheesecake, check out my mini apple cheesecake bites. Need this to be dairy free? This Gluten Free Vegan Berry Cheesecake from Sarah Bakes Gluten Free are a showstopper!

Gluten Free Cheesecake for One Recipe

Print

Single Serve Gluten-Free Cheesecake

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Chill Time 2 hours hours

Total Time 2 hours hours 45 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 1/3 c. gluten free graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tbsp white sugar
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• 4 oz. Neufchatel cheese softened
• 1 1/2 tbsp plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract I prefer LorAnn Oils
• 3 tbsp beaten egg 1 whole egg contains 4 tbsp

Instructions

• Heat oven to 325. Ever so lightly grease a 4 1/2 inch springform pans.
• If not already crushed, crush graham crackers into crumbs. (It helps relieve lots of tension!)
• In a small-ish glass bowl, melt one tbsp of butter. Once melted, mix in graham cracker crumbs and ONE tablespoon of sugar. Mix thoroughly and press into bottom of pan.
• To avoid dirtying all the dishes in the house, rinse out the bowl. Now you can reuse it for the next step!
• In bowl, combine Neufchatel cheese, yogurt, the remaining TWO tablespoons of sugar and vanilla extract. Whip it, whip it good. Until there are no lumps. Then gently fold in the beaten egg. Heather says this will prevent the top of your cheesecake from cracking. Mine didn't crack, so she must be right!
• Pour batter over crust mixture. Place springform pan on top of a cookie sheet, and bake your single serve gluten-free cheesecake for 30-35 minutes. I highly suggest using a cookie sheet underneath, because the cheesecake mixture might weep a bit. At least mine did.
• Once the cheesecake is done baking, remove it from the oven. Immediately run a knife around the edge to prevent the cheesecake from sticking to the pan as it cools. (I did not do this. Mine stuck to the side. Bad Margaret.) Cool on rack until it reaches room temperature, at least 30 minutes. Then, refrigerate for one to two hours.
• Top in whichever way you prefer and ENJOY!

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Originally Published August 2017

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