Who Owns Chunki Monki Cookie Co.? Is There a Storefront?

Tracy Kaye and Carla Jordan are the Co-Founders of Chunki Monki Cookie Co. These two women bonded over their desire to make radically inclusive cookies that everyone could enjoy. Their business specializes in 6 oz. premium artisanal gluten free cookies, that are also dairy and nut free.

This business originally started as a small wholesale business. However, when they first started they were using a shared commercial space. Now they’ve opened a storefront in Clinton Twp where everything – from ingredients to equipment – is dedicated gluten free.

A Mom and a Son Inspires Tracy’s Baking

When I (Tracy) am baking, I feel like it’s the closest I can be to my mom. Her passion for baking became my passion too, but I didn’t realize it at first. In fact, I didn’t want it to be. Now, my dream would be for all three of us sisters (I have two sisters) to be able to bake together.

My second reason for baking is because I knew the struggle of having a child living with dietary restrictions. My son lives with a dairy allergy, and he has difficulty being able to eat in a safe space. Knowing that you’re not gonna end up in the ER is priceless for people who have anaphylactic or severe health concerns.

Label Reading and Understanding Cross- Contact, 35 Years Later

At first I didn’t know much about celiac or cross-contact, but I learned in a hurry with Zack. I had no idea how that was going to shape the next 35 years of my life—learning about cross-contact, how to read an ingredient label, and how to find hidden sources of allergens. Back then, we didn’t know much about it, and we unfortunately were forced to learn by trial and error.

Then when I met Carla, I learned all about gluten intolerance, and we merged our intelligence together creating a gluten free and dairy free cookie that didn’t taste like sawdust or chewing on a mouthful of sand. Once we figured out the science behind the baking, the possibilities became endless.

The Gluten Free Home Where All the Kids Hang Out

Carla been cooking for people for as long as I can remember. Our house was the hang-out house for all the kids and their parents, too. We hosted parties and gatherings and work events. But I was always mindful of dietary needs.

Three of my children were/are intolerant of gluten so I cooked and baked with them in mind. I became a pro at substitution and how to adapt recipes for dietary needs. Over the years, I hosted 13 international students in my home and dealt with many dietary concerns as well as allergies.

I wanted everyone to be comfortable around the table and be able to eat what was served. I became so good at serving the needs of those around the table that my children started to jokingly say that I could “make food out of air”. 

A Vegetarian Diet Leads To Including Even More People

About ten years ago, we stopped eating meat and became vegetarians. It was more adaption, but I was already a pro at reading recipes and changing out ingredients. This was just a continuation of what I had been doing for decades up to that point.

When Tracy approached me with the idea of a bakery I embraced it with joy and excitement. A radically inclusive bakery fits in with my idea of food and a tremendous partnership was formed around this idea.

What Is Your Background in Gluten Free Baking?

I (Carla) have three of my four children with intolerance to gluten. My other son has a wife who has Celiac Disease. Over the course of more than two decades and two continents (we lived in Europe for a time), I have refined my ability to rewrite recipes to create gluten free food that everyone loves.

Tracy’s son lives with a severe (anaphylactic) allergy to milk and any milk byproducts. She has also learned, over the course of three plus decades to adapt for allergens. It has made her a STELLAR gluten free baker. She is also a certified holistic nutritionist and has a plant based certification from Cornell University.

Are your baked goods free from other allergens?

All of our baked goods at Chunki Monki Cookie Co. are made with certified gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free ingredients. We are not yet soy free, as our flour contains some soy flour. We are working toward creating our own flour blend without soy (eventually).

Most of our cookies are also egg-free. Two of our cookies use Kinnikinnick vanilla wafers and graham crackers. The vanilla wafers contain egg, and the graham crackers state they may contain egg. Now that we have our own bakery space, we hope to develop our own vanilla wafer and graham cracker recipes that are egg-free/ vegan.

What Kind of Baked Goods Do You Offer?

Currently, we are only offering our 6 oz. premium artisanal gluten free cookies and sweet baked goods. However we would like to gradually increase our offerings. In the meantime, these are the gluten free cookie flavors that we will always offer at Chunki Monki Cookie Co.

• OG Chocolate Chip
  • 100% dairy-free, gluten-free, nut free, and vegan.
• Better Made
  • Chocolate chip cookie dough with fold in hand-crushed Better Made Potato Chips
• The Faygo
  • Made with Faygo red pop
• Gordie Howe
  • Red velvet cookie with dairy free white chocolate chips
• Grand Circus 
  • Birthday-cake-in-a-bite full of Funfetti and a lovely frosting center surprise.
• Palmer Park 
  • Banana Pudding flavor made with gluten free vanilla wafers
• 8 Mile
  • M & M Cookie (play on the name Eminem)
• Shed 5
  • Spiced carrot cake cookie. Finished with a dairy-free cream cheese glaze
• Belle Isle Breeze 
  • Lemon Cookes
• Woodward Swirl 
  • Cinnamon swirl
• Pink Cadillac 
  • Sugar cookie base with bright pink frosting

What Other Gluten Free Baking Precautions do you take?

Our dishes, baking ware, utensils and bakery are all brand new and are used exclusively for gluten-free baking. We do not allow any outside food into our space at Chunki Monki Cookie Co. If we have an event, we only serve gluten-free and dairy-free foods such as fresh fruits and veggies, hummus, tortilla chips, salsa and guacamole.

We constantly reexamine ingredient labels knowing how suddenly a product can change their formulation and cease to be allergen free. Tracy is our head baker, and she also takes the precaution of changing into clothes and shoes she ONLY uses inside our bakery.

What Customer Feedback Has Brought You the Most Joy?

When we are at an event or sharing our story and someone asks, “Do you have anything that is gluten-free?” When we answer that “EVERYTHING is gluten free”, the look of pure joy, amazement, and delight on their faces makes every day worth the energy.

We also had a McClaren hospital executive ask us if we had anything vegan because she was severely allergic to dairy and egg. When we shared that EVERYTHING (except our two cookies that use Kinnikinnick wafers) was also vegan (dairy and egg-free), she bought one of everything.

What would you like consumers to know about your business?

We are a women owned business run by moms who know what living life with allergies is like first hand. We live it day to day with our children. It brings us immense joy when people come into our bakery and realize they have choices instead of limitations.

This is why our tagline is “radical inclusivity”. We want everyone to be able to eat and enjoy the food on the table.

Do packaged goods have labeled ingredients and business name?

Only our baked goods sold in retail markets have full labels. The bakery items in our store only carry our logo. However, we most often have on hand ingredient labels available that a customer could request and take with them.

How should customers place a special order?

We have special order slips in our store, and customers can place orders online on the Chunki Monki Cookie Co. website. We also take orders via messages through Instagram or Facebook. Our cookies take three days to make due to letting our dough rest and waiting for proper cooling time for packaging. Therefore, a week’s notice is ideal.

Do you ship? How much advance notice do you need?

We have shipped in the past on request. We would need a minimum of one week’s notice and depending on the distance of the ship to location, it should arrive within that week.

Are your products sold at other businesses or farmers markets?

We are at the Mount Clemens McLaren Hospital one day a month. In addition we are in negotiations with Meijer Woodward Market, a local movie theatre, and possibly Target. However, we aren’t sure as of right now whether any of those three will pan out for us, so stay tuned for all our future developments.

Location and Contact Information

Chunki Monki Cookie Co.

21400 Cass Ave.

Clinton Twp MI 48306
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Email | Phone

Open Tuesday – Saturday. Open each day at 10 am.

Chunki Monki Cookie Co. is one of many gluten free bakers across the state of Michigan.  Click this link to see a comprehensive list of all the gluten-free bakeries in Michigan, complete with interactive map!

Images supplied by Chunki Monki Cookie Co.

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Where is Republica Gastropub?

Republica Gastropub is located in the quaint town of Berkley, Michigan. Berkley is situated approximately 20 miles north west of Detroit and 3 miles northwest of Royal Oak. It’s less than a 10 minute drive from the Detroit Zoo.

Why does Republica choose to offer gluten free items? 

We are a family operated business, open since 2013. My mom and business partner lives with Celiac Disease. When we opened 11 years ago, there were very few restaurants offering gluten free options. (Other than a salad) We decided to be intentional in offering a wider selection of gluten free options on our made from scratch menu.

Is your menu also free from other allergens? I.e, nut free, dairy free

We maintain a peanut free kitchen. Many of our menu items can be made free from other allergens, by request. However, please understand that we do stock dairy, eggs, fish, etc in our kitchen.

What kind of oil do you use for frying/ cooking?

We cook in butter and olive oil. Our dedicated gluten free fryer uses beef tallow and our regular fryer uses vegetable oil. We prepare all of our salad dressings with extra virgin olive oil, with the exception of our greek dressing. This classic recipe uses vegetable oil. 

Do you have a separate gluten free menu? 

We list all of our gluten free options on our main menu, except for our secret gluten free fish and chips. Our menu also highlights vegetarian and low glycemic index options, such as our Tomato Burrata Flatbread, which is also gluten free.

Do you have a separate prep area for gluten free dishes? 

We are not a certified gluten free kitchen. However, we have a dedicated gluten free fryer as well as a dedicated area to toast gluten free buns. All of our items cooked on the flat top are gluten free until they hit the bread, leaving little opportunity for cross contact.

Our salad area is completely gluten free at all times. Our food is all cooked to order in its own pan and washed between each use. We do use great care when cooking our gluten free menu options.

What steps do you take to prevent cross contact in the kitchen? 

Do staff change gloves for gluten free orders?

Yes, our staff knows to change gloves between all orders. 

Separate cutting boards/ knives/ utensils

Staff wash and sanitize cutting boars and knives between each use. 

Separate pots for boiling water?

We do not offer gluten pasta or any gluten items that require boiled water.

Dedicated gluten free fryer?

Yes, we maintain a dedicated gluten free fryer. This means that you can enjoy our award winning Platos Potatoes. These french fries are topped with feta, lemon and oregano.

Dedicated toaster/ waffle maker?

There is no toaster or waffle maker in our restaurant.

Are orders cooked in a clean pan vs shared griddle top? 

We prepare all gluten free orders in clean pans and/ or on a dedicated gluten free flat top. 

What training do your staff receive on preparing Gluten Free meals safely?

We require all staff to be Serve Safe Trained. “The ServSafe Food Handler program is comprehensive and provides training on the following Intended Learning Outcomes: Basic Food Safety, Personal Hygiene, Cross-Contamination and Allergens, Time & Temperature, & Cleaning and Sanitation”

Do you have picks or special plates that denote a GF meal?

We do not serve gluten free meals on special plates, nor we use use allergen picks.

What’s your most popular gluten free menu item?

By far, customers repeatedly order Ma’s Meatloaf, which is gluten free. We serve it with mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, and top our meatloaf with caramelized onions. We do NOT use oats in our meatloaf.

Does Republica offer gluten free desserts?

Yes, we offer gluten free desserts at Republica. Our desserts are all made in house by my mom. We rotate our desserts daily and frequently offer gluten free options. We also offer custom orders should you need a dessert for a special occasion. 

Do you offer gluten free beer/ hard cider/ wine?

We always have gluten free items on the bar menu. Our cider & wine is always gluten free. We occasionally offer a gluten free beer. 

Do you have parking on premises?

There is public parking in the back of the restaurant. In addition, there is plenty of FREE street parking in downtown Berkley.

Do you have patio seating? Are dogs allowed outside?

Yes and yes! We love dogs.

Do You Offer Any Weekly Specials?

Every Tuesday, kids 12 and under receive a FREE MEAL, with purchase of one adult entree. On Wednesdays, we offer half off all bottles of wine.

We offer Happy Hour every Mon & Tues from 4-6 pm and Wed – Fri from 1-6 pm. During this time we offer $9 Happy Burgers. (Gluten Free Buns are $3 extra.)

Now Offering Brunch

In Spring of 2026, Republica launched their brunch menu. Gluten free brunch items include

• Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
• Beef Brisket Hash
• Scallion Frittata
• Greek yogurt parfait
• Salmon Benedict (with homemade gf salmon cake as a base)
• Prawns and Polenta
• Rumi’s Passion Gluten Free Toast

Other Berkley Attractions

You’ll find quaint shops and activities all year round in Berkley. Other dining options include Vinsetta Garage and The Lunch Cafe. Slow’s Bar BQ will soon be opening a new location in Berkley.

Republica Location, Hours and Contact Info

1999 Coolidge Hwy

Berkley, MI 48072

(248) 268-3175

Hours: Mon & Tuesday 4-9 \ Wed & Thurs 11:30- 9 \ Fri 11:30-10 \ Sat 10-10 \ Sun 10-3

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Email

Republica is one of many Michigan gluten free dining options I recommend on my blog. Looking for options in bigger cities? Check out my suggestions for Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. Plus, check out my Michigan gluten free baker list!

The post Republica Gluten Free Options appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

What Do You Order at Anna’s House?

Anna’s House offers a multiude of gluten free options on their menu. They use a color coded key to note items that are naturally gluten free (GF) versus items that have gluten free options. (GFO.) From pancakes to French Toast, and salad and sandwiches, there’s no shortage of options.

In addition to offering gluten free options, I love that they offer pork free sausage! I’ve had their pancakes, breakfast lasagna, sweet potato breakfast hash, and have loved all of it. And of course, I love being able to order gluten free cinnamon rolls at their restaurant. 

An Interview with Anna’s House Staff

I have visited multiple Anna’s House locations over the years. Howeverm I’ve never had the chance to ask management about their gluten free philosophy. Recently, I was able to connect with Tim Fatum, who is the Business Practices Director for Anna’s House restaurants. I’m sharing his direct answers with you, so my followers can learn more about how Anna’s House serves their gluten free guests. 

Why Did Anna’s House Choose to Offer Gluten Free Options? 

A few years after purchasing the first Anna’s House in 2003, owner Josh Beckett began to experience some health issues. In an attempt to improve his health, Josh and his wife Erin started to focus on new dietary options. At that time, the restaurant he owned offered very few choices that would allow him to eat there. From that point forward, Anna’s House has tried to offer many options for a variety of dietary needs, including gluten free.

What Steps Does Anna’s House Take to Prevent Cross Contact? 

Anna’s House is not a 100% gluten restaurant. They do, however, have a dedicated gluten free prep space, to prevent cross contact. They educate staff how to prepare these items which includes handwashing, changing gloves, and utilizing dedicated utensils in a gluten free station. In addition, they train staff in food allergy prep, before they are allowed to cook gluten free orders.

How Are Gluten Free Orders Served to Gluten Free Guests? 

Gluten free orders include a wooden pick that states “allergy.” *NOTE- When I ordered take out, there was no pick in my order, nor was there anything that identified that my order was gluten free. I don’t know if that was an oversight (it was Mother’s Day and MSU Graduation), or if to-go orders aren’t marked as Gluten Free. Make sure to talk to staff when you pick up your takeout order. 

They Have Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls?!?!

Anna’s House partners with Kind Crumbs, a dedicated gluten free bakery located in Grand Rapids, to offer gluten free cinnamon rolls to their customers. In fact, the restaurant tries “hard to find as many local options as possible on the menu to support our local community and local suppliers.”

What Other Dietary Restrictions & Preferences Do You Accommodate?

In addition to offering gluten free items, Anna’s House provides a variety of dietary options on the menu including dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, and all natural meat options. Often guests ask that menu items are customized to further accommodate specific dietary needs. The goal is to be able to provide choices for each guest around the table.

What Else Should We Know About Dining Gluten Free at Anna’s House? 

“Anna’s House commits to offering options that appeal to guests who want or need gluten-free options. We will continually look for new and creative ways to provide tasty and fun meals that are gluten-free, and we always welcome new suggestions and ideas that we can consider. We are fortunate to be able to serve guests options that allow everyone to enjoy a great meal at Anna’s House. Thank you for your patronage.”

Where is Anna’s House Located? 

Anna’s House has 13 locations across Michigan.

• Grand Rapids – East Beltline
• Grand Rapids – Plainfield
• Grand Rapids – Northland
• Byron Center
• Grandville
• Holland
• Grand Haven
• Kalamazoo
• Okemos
• Grand Ledge
• Westland
• Milford
• Ann Arbor

A 14th location in Grand Blanc, Michigan (southeast of Flint) is proposed for 2026. They hope to continue to expand, when ideal locations become available. 

Anna’s House
Locations in West & Mid Michigan, and Metro Detroit
Hours – 6 am – 3 pm daily (Westland and and Ann Arbor open at 7 am)
No Reservations Taken on the Weekend
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Anna’s House is one of many Michigan restaurants I’ve visited. You can find a list of them on my  Michigan gluten free dining post. Please remember to always ask any restaurant about their food preparation practices.

Originally Published August 2022

The post Anna’s House – Gluten Free Dining in Michigan appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

**This is an interview with the owner. Please scroll to bottom of page for bakery address, phone number, website, email, and social media links.**

Suprisingly, the owner of Missy’s Sweet Treats is not named Missy. This home based baking business is named after Felicia Goll’s sweet dog Missy. After her dog passed away, naming her business keeps her dog’s name and memory forver on her heart and mind. 

You’ll find Missy’s Sweet Treats at various farmers markets and events in Metro Detroit. Based in St. Clair Shores, gluten free eaters in Macomb County and even farther, have been excited about what she has to offer. Read more about Missy’s Sweet Treats in Felicia’s own words. 

1. What inspired you to become a baker? Why the focus on gluten-free?

I have had a passion for baking ever since I was a little girl. and I have a wicked sweet tooth. While I was pregnant with my son, I discovered I needed to follow a gluten free diet. I never realized how hard it is to find a good gluten free brownie or chocolate cake. Therefore I focused my business on gluten-free baked goods to bring delicious desserts (that happen to be gluten free) to a population that, in my experience, has the hardest time finding delicious food.

2. Are there other highlights of your products?  Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free etc?

While we do use eggs and dairy in our kitchen, we always offer at least one dairy-free or vegan option at our markets. I’ve met many people who have other severe allergies (dairy, corn, soy, nuts, etc) on top of a gluten intolerance. Therefore, I think its important these customers have options for desserts too. I’ve also been working on sugar-free recipes.

Being a small business myself, I love to support other small businesses. During the summer and fall months, much of my produce comes from local farms. One of the benefits of selling at a farmers market, is the ability to shop around and get inspired for new desserts each week.

3. What steps do you take to ensure that Missy’s Sweet Treats items are truly gluten-free?

I am a dedicated gluten-free baker, and my prep space is gluten free all of the time. For our business, everything gluten free is made by me, and is labeled as such. There is one product we sell, our candied pecans, that are not made in my kitchen. These are made in my mother’s kitchen, and are not labeled gluten free.

I try to use only certified gluten-free products, but for things like walnuts I do call companies to inquire about quality standards and the chances of cross contact in facilites. I use the GF Harvest Quick Cook Oats in one of my cookies.

4. Can you share a story of a customer who’s been greatly impacted by your business?

I’m extremely lucky to meet many people who are grateful for the option of tasty gluten-free, vegan or dairy free desserts. At one of my first farmers markets, a customer happened to walk past our booth. She noticed our gluten-free sign, and stopped dead in her tracks. She came to our table and asked what options were gluten-free.

Much to her delight, they all were. She decided to purchase one of everything at the table! She was very encouraged and thankful for quality baked goods, that not only taste great, but were also made in a dedicated gluten-free kitchen. To this day, she keeps returning. I am so grateful for her and others like her, because their reactions make this job fulfilling.

5. What would you like consumers to know about Missy’s Sweet Treats?

I’d like customers to know that I started this small business to make fresh, scratch made gluten free desserts accessible to everyone. We should all be able to enjoy the simpler things in life. I look forward to baking for you and making you smile along the way.

Location, Hours and Contact Information

Missy’s Sweet Treats
St. Clair Shores, MI
Facebook | Instagram | Email

Missy’s Sweet Treats does not have a storefont. The best way to order is via email or DM through Facebook. Customers can either pick up their purchased baked goods from Felicia, or they can be delivered for a small fee.

As of March 2022, Missy’s Sweet Treats is scheduled to sell at every St. Clair Shores Farmers Market. They are held the second Thursday (5pm-9pm) and fourth Sunday (8am-2pm) of the month.
They will also be at the Shelby Farmers Market at the Packard Proving Grounds at least once a month. Those are held on Saturday mornings from 9am-2pm. 

Missy’s Sweet Treats is one of many dedicated gluten free bakers across the state of Michigan.  Click this link to see a comprehensive list of all the gluten-free bakeries in Michigan, complete with interactive map!

The post Missy’s Sweet Treats appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

**This is an interview with the owner. Please scroll to bottom of page for bakery address, phone number, website, email, and social media links.**

I met the owner of Rumi’s Passion, Steve Ciric, and his family years ago when I helped organized the Lansing Gluten Free Fair. People would flock from across the state of Michigan to buy their gluten free baked goods. While the fair no longer exists, people still travel far and wide to their store in Plymouth. Located only 15 minutes from IKEA, it’s great place for a road trip.

If you were to ask me my favorite items to buy there, it would be hard to choose. They offer a great selection of sweet treats. However, they also make pasties, pizza crust, and other savory items. They’re sliced bread gets rave reviews, as well. Learn more about this business in my Q&A, below.

1. What inspired you to become a baker? Why the focus on gluten-free?

I’ve been a baker for decades. In reality, my family has been in the baking industry for over 30 years. We owned Wild Flours bakery 8 years ago and customers began to ask about gluten-free options.

After some research I saw that I needed a dedicated facility in order to safely offer gluten-free items. So we closed down our conventional bakery and opened Rumi’s Passion in 2010. You can read more about our adventure in opening our business the Plymouth-Canton Patch.

(This article is from an interview with Stan Ciric, the original owner of Rumi’s Passion. New owners took over in 2021.)

2. Are there other highlights of your products? Low sodium, fat free, etc?

We offer dairy-free, soy-free, corn-free, and vegan options. Some of our items are sugar-free as well.

3. What steps do you take to insure that your products are truly gluten-free?

All of our ingredient suppliers provide us with fact sheets to confirm they are gluten-free.

4. Can you share a story of a customer who’s been greatly impacted by your business?

You can find many reviews from happy customers on our Facebook page, including this one –
“I special ordered unfrosted cutout cookies so my daughter could have the experience of frosting legit Christmas cookies. Rumi’s cookies are AMAZING! I truly wouldn’t have known they are gluten-free and dairy-free. Thank you so much!”

5. What would you like consumers to know about your products and your business?

We are able to do custom products for customers who have restrictions beyond a gluten-free diet.

While Rumi’s Passion offers a large assortment of baked goods, they also offer other gluten free pantry items. From chips and crackers, to tamari and snack bars, it’s a fantastic place to grab those items you may not be able to find anyhwere else. They also support other Michigan businesses, by stocking items from Full Flavor Foods and Old World Gluten Free. They also serve Great Lakes Coffee in their bakery, so you can get a hot cuppa with your gluten free donut!

They also supply items for area restaurants, such as the Union Joints chain of eateries and Mr. Mike’s Grill. You can find a limited selection of Rumi’s Passion products at Holiday Market, Nino Salvaggio, Plum Market and Westborn Market in the gluten-free freezer section. They do not ship.

Location, Hours and Contact Information

Rumi’s Passion
41106 5 Mile Rd
Plymouth MI 48170
(734) 335-7145
Open Tuesday & Wednesday 10 am-5 pm, Thursday & Friday 10 am – 6 pm, Saturday 9 am – 3 pm

Website / Facebook  / Instagram / Email

Rumi’s Passion is one of many  bakeries across the state of Michigan offering gluten-free options. Check out my master gluten free bakery list, which includes an interactive map!

Originally published March 2016

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A Long History of Feeding Others

Owning a restaurant is not an easy thing. It involves lots of hsours of work, every day. When you’ve been doing it for 40 years across the country, it has to be from a deep love of service. When Sammy and Hiyam Bajalieh bought Mr. Mike’s Grill in October of 2014, they did so with family in mind.

However, Hiyam also wanted to start feeding another part of her “family”. Those with Celiac Disease.

They wanted to include their children in their legacy of serving the community. Their daughter Angie is an integral part of the restaurant. While her parents are creating home-cooked meals in the kitchen, Angie helps out with the business side. She’s tending to customer service needs, both in store and on social media.

Celiac Owned and Operated

Hiyam, owner of Mr. Mike’s Grill,  has lived with Celiac Disease for years. She knows first-hand the frustration of not having gluten-free food available. Not just gluten-free, but prepared in a facility that’s safe and free of cross-contact. Hiyam was proud to show me the dedicated prep space in their kitchen. Here’s more of her story in her own words.

1. What inspired you to offer a gluten-free menu at Mr. Mike’s Grill?

I know the frustration when trying got eat out in social situations. Finding a “safe” eating location is difficult, and the selection on a menu is often lacking. I’ve personally experienced this myself many times on a night our with friends.

After 40 years in the industry, I wanted to own a restaurant and craft a menu that I personally would want to eat from. After working at it for over 11 months, I’m proud to say we have one of the largest gluten-free menus in the area. Our menu is reasonably priced, with prices ranging from $6-$10.

2. Are there other highlights of Mr. Mike’s Grill gluten-free menu?

Almost  100% of our menu is homemade. Our locally sourced corned beef is slow cooked in house for hours. Our burger patties are made fresh in house, never frozen. The meat sauce for our spaghetti is always made from scratch.

3. What steps do you take to insure that your products are truly gluten-free?

Mr. Mike’s Grill has a two-part kitchen. All of our gluten-free items are made in a separate part of the kitchen. Our staff have been trained to ask questions to make sure orders are taken and prepared carefully. They always know to ask me or my husband about any concerns about a customer’s order. We even have a dedicated fryer for fries!

4.  Can you share any reviews from grateful customers?

A member of the Tri-County Celiac Support Group drove here after reading a review in group’s newsletter. She really loved the food and said she’d gladly share the word. We have lots of regulars that come back frequently, including Deb from Gluten Free Foodie MI. She’s tried shared lots of pictures of our menu items on her Instagram feed.

5. What would you like consumers to know about your products and your business?

We use all the freshest ingredients, source our food locally and are constantly striving to improve our gluten-free menu. Our gluten free buns are provided by local Rumi’s Passion, and Old World Gluten Free makes the pierogi we serve.

Locations, Hours and Contact Information

Mr. Mike’s Grill
6047 N Wayne Rd
Westland MI 48185 (Located just off 275. Take the Ford Rd. exit.)
(734) 729-6453
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Hours – Sun thru Tues 8 am to 3 pm, Wed thru Sat 8 am to 8 pm

What dish would you like Mr. Mike’s Grill to safely make gluten-free for you? What’s your favorite Metro Detroit restaurant to frequent?

Mr. Mike’s Grill is one of many Michigan restaurants I’ve visited. You can view a list of them on my  Michigan gluten free dining post. Please remember to always ask any restaurant about their food preparation practices.

** My husband and I were given a free meal, but we were not paid for this review. However, my opinions and thoughts are my own. **

The post Mr. Mike’s Grill – Gluten Free in Westland, MI appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.