Traverse City Dining and Shopping

Third Coast Bakery

Third Coast Bakery is 100% dedicated gluten free and dairy free bakery needs to be on your itinerary. So many delicious options, and they offer coffee and tea as well. Added bonus for those who don’t live in the area? They ship nationwide!

Clean Crumbles

Clean Crumbles operates a dedicated gluten free and dairy free bakery. You’ll find them at 436 W Front St, Traverse City, MI, United States, 49684.

Taproot Cider

I’ve only eaten at Taproot Cider twice, but it left a lasting impression. I’m not the only one, because many people will tell you it’s their “go to” for gluten free dining. They believe in making their meals with local ingredients, so the menu changes.

MiddleCoast Brewing Company

MiddleCoast Brewing Company offers gluten free flatbread pizzas, cooked in a dedicated gluten free oven. They offer three flavors of flatbread – Margherita (mozzarella, tomato, basil); Supremo (mozzarella, pepperoni, mushroom, onion & green pepper); and Mean Green (mozzarella, pesto, chicken, spinach and artichoke hearts.) 

They also have dedicated gluten free fryers, and desserts. They recently added breakfast options.

Milk and Honey Cafe and Ice Creamery

This sweet shop makes their own ice cream from scratch, and has some unique flavors. The owner states “all our ice cream, vegan cream, sorbet, gelato and froyo is gluten free.” Because of this, they are one of the many Michigan Ice Cream parlors with gluten free options. 

Oryana Commnity Co-op

Am I the only one who likes to visit grocery stores while on vacation? Oryana Community Co-op has an amazing gluten free selection. They have two locations. The original (and my favorite) location is located downtown. Their newer location, located south of the downtown area, was previously a Lucky’s grocry store. (And they just started stocking Old World Gluten Free Pierogi!)

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

Fun fact- The Village used to be a mental health hospital. My mother-in-law even did a nursing rotation here. While there are restaurants on premises, I have not eaten at any of them. There is a coffee shop inside, Cuppa Joe, that sells Third Coast Bakery products. I enjoy the various shops in the building. In the summer, stop by the Farmer’s Market on Monday mornings from 2pm- 6pm.  (Not to be confused with the Saturday Sarah Hardy Farmer’s Market.)

Speaking of shopping, don’t skip the downtown Traverse City area along Front St. Lots of fun shops there, as well!

De Food Truck USA

This new food truck is 100% gluten free! They offer fried chicken, fish and fries. For those who are vegetarian, this truck also offers falafel, which are cooked in a separate fryer. Read my review. They recently moved their food truck to Mesick.

M-22 Dining and Shopping

Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate (Empire)

Grocer’s Daughter makes the most amazing glutetn free fudgesicles. I recommend buying one and enjoying it along the waterfront at Empire Beach, a short 3 min drive from the store.

Good Harbor Grill (Glen Arbor)

I discovered this restaurant on the Find Me Gluten Free app. I ordered a gluten free sandwich, and they stated that it’s prepared in a dedicated gluten free prep space. The sandwich was so big I had to save half for another day!

Cherry Republic (Glen Arbor)

I recommend stopping at Cherry Republic solely for the cherry wine that they make. They have a tasting room, where you can enjoy a flight. So fun!

The Front Porch (Suttons Bay)

I could have spent all day (and all my money) in this adorable store in Suttons Bay. The Front Porch has Michigan themed items, cookware, and so much more.

Other Traverse City Area Sights

There is a lot to see and do in the greater Traverse City area. I highly recommend traveling the M-22 loop, which is especially gorgeous in the fall. Inspiration Point in Arcadia offers a simply breathtaking view of the water. (Once you climb the stairs.) Of course, The Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes are a great place to visit as well. A drive up Mission Peninsula offers a view of the many vineyards and wineries, and leads you to Mission Point Lighhouse.

For more ideas, check out the Traverse City website. Also, follow my friend The Peninsula Explorer on Instagram.

So those are my favorite things about Traverse City. What are some of your favorites? Please share them in the comments below!

The post Gluten Free in Traverse City 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.**

Love can make us do amazing things. Compassion can cause us to go to the extra mile. When it comes to food, it can motivate a baker to play with recipes and experiment with crazy ingredients. It might even push them to burn out a few food processors in the pursuit of excellence. It encourages them to persevere even after many failed attempts. Enter Third Coast Bakery

That’s why Heather Burson of Third Coast Bakery started a gluten-free baking business. She saw the needs of her family, friends. and community. Her labor of love has paid off tremendously. Her customers are happy. The local hospital is eager to carry her baked goods. People are ordering her products from out of state. Because love never fails.

Read more about Burson’s baking journey in her own words.

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

Throughout my life, my family and I have been surrounded by health issues and food battles. At the center of it all seemed to be common denominators – white flour, white sugar, hydrogenated fats, chemicals, GMOs, high-fructose corn syrup, dyes, artificial sweeteners and more. Watching so many loved ones struggle, I launched a personal mission to create healthy, delicious options that went against the typical American diet.

Plus, those with Celiac Disease and those with wheat/gluten-sensitivities are an important part of the population that have been terribly overlooked and under-served by the commercial food industry. I saw a gaping need and decided to step up and fill it, not because it’s a fad, but because it’s a real health need.  Now, it’s my daily goal to keep raising the bar for allergen-safe baking. At Third Coast Bakery, we create so that others who are usually left out can FINALLY celebrate.

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

Third Coast Bakery is a dedicated, allergen-safe bakery creating 100% gluten, dairy and soy free products. In addition, we offer many vegan specialties. Through listening to my customers, I learned that many people who cannot tolerate gluten also struggle with co-occurring food allergies, especially dairy, eggs and soy.  So, I upgraded my bakery to be 100% dairy and soy free

I also use as many organic ingredients as possible, and feature fresh local fruits as they come into season.  Customers seeking refined sugar free, low-glycemic, or no sugar added are also encouraged to shop with us, as we keep many sugar alternatives on-hand, and create custom orders based on their individual needs.

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

We adhere to the strictest safety standards, using ONLY certified gluten-free ingredients, including the often over-looked baking powders, sugars, and extracts.  I interview ingredient manufacturers prior to purchasing. If the manufacturer can’t guarantee the ingredient is gluten-free, then it doesn’t go in our bakery.

Even our gluten-tolerant staff members refrain from bringing potential contaminants into the facility via lunch bags and snacks. No sandwiches, no cereals, no pretzels allowed! :).  I keep careful logs of what we produce, how much we produce, and when we produce it, so we can follow recall safety standards if needed. We have complete control over who/what goes in and out of our doors. (To see Heather talk about this further, check out my video interview with her.)

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

I think the most satisfying part of the job comes when each mother trusts us with her child’s sensitive body.  It takes great faith and courage to hand that trust over to someone else. From the 4-year old child whose weekly highlight is our cookies, to the long distance cake order for a 3-year old, to a family’s favorite vacation memory, I’m reminded why I started Third Coast Bakery. One family in particular has made us a part of several family celebrations, from their daughter’s surprise engagement cake, to her wedding cake, to her baby shower!  The reviews on our Facebook page are also a great place to discover individual testimonies.

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

Our customers are the reason we exist. We bake with intentionality, mindfulness, and respect. And with a dollop of frosting on top, of course. Third Coast Bakery is in this for the long haul. And for special occassions. We make specialty cakes for birthdays and weddings, and other celebrations.

Aside from our storefront, you can also find our products in other local stores, such as Oryana, Olesen’s and nothern Michigan Tom’s Food Markets. In addition, many Traverse City area coffee shops sell our products. Find them all on the “Where to Buy” tab on our website. We also ship anywhere in the continental United States. Order thru the “Shop Online” tab on our website.

Third Coast Bakery Location, Hours and Contact Information

Third Coast Bakery
523 Munson Ave,
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 421-8696
Monday – Saturday 6:30 am – 4 pm
Sunday 8 am – 2 pm
Website / Facebook / Instagram  / Email

Third Coast Bakery is one of many great, dedicated gluten-free bakeries across the state of Michigan. Click this link for a comprehensive list of all the gluten-free bakers in Michigan as well as an interactive map so you can visit them yourself! Follow me on Facebook  and Instagram and for pictures and live videos too!

Originally Published March 2016

The post Third Coast Bakery: A Gluten Free Labor of Love appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.