My husband has three foodie loves in life. Beer. Cheese. Coffee. We have a deal. When we check out a gluten free restaurant or bakery, he gets to visit the nearest coffee shop. However, I always lament that there are no safe gluten free “goodies” around. After reaching out to my baker friends, I realize Michigan baristas offer lots of options!

**Note– Please know that those baking under Cottage Law, from their home, are prohibited from selling their baked goods at a commercial business. Why? Because their kitchen has not been inspected by the health department. Only baked goods made in a commercial kitchen can be sold in additional locations. 

Rise Authentic Baking Products 

• Pour-d (Rockford)
• The Bradbury Cafe (Grand Rapids)
• Outside Coffee (Grand Rapids)
• Outside Coffee (Douglas)
• Squibb Coffee & Wine Bar (Grand Rapids)
• Last Mile Cafe (Grand Rapids)
• Mason Jar Cafe (Benton Harbor)
• Uptown Coffeehouse (Howell)
• Snake Oil Roasters (South Haven)

Please see comments below for additional location suggestions.

Wish that a coffee shop near you carried gluten free products? Show them my list of dedicated gluten free bakers, and help them connect! Know a coffee house serving 100% gluten free baked goods? Leave a comment below!

**Disclaimer – Offerings subject to change. While I try to keep this list updated, coffee shops sometimes stop carrying products.

Originally Published May 2019

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Vinsetta Garage- A Union Joint Restaurant

I think I’m in love with Vinsetta Garage. Is it possible to love a restaurant? I mean, see an image from your last meal and actually have your heart go pitter-patt? That leaves you speechless? I’m sure that one may think I’m going a bit overboard. But after visiting my third Union Joint restaurant, I love this place with all my heart.

A Restaurant That Preserves History

If you’ve never been to a Union Joint restaurant (which includes Clarkston Union and Fenton Fire Hall), you’re really missing out. It’s more than just the food. Eating at one of these restaurants is an experience.

In a world where people are eager to tear things down, Ann Stevenson and her husband are in the restoration business. For example, the waiting area at Vinsetta Garage is lined with old repair tickets from when this garage was in actual operation. (Look for one with Chelios‘ name on it!)

The Oldest Mechanic Shop in Michigan

Vinsetta Garage is the oldest car repair garage in the state of Michigan. Actually, it’s the oldest garage east of the Mississippi.

It opened in 1919 and serviced generations of families who drove along Woodward Avenue. Mechanics still repaired care here, until Union Joints purchased it in 2012. A photo hangs on the wall of some of the original Vinsetta mechanics.

I love that Ann personally found every piece of decorative hardware, and repurposed them for this restaurant. There really isn’t anything else quite like it. There’s an old hot rod up on the wall, and car-related paintings by famous artists grace the walls.

The Best Time to Visit Vinsetta Garage

When we arrived, executive chef Aaron Cozadd greeted us at the door and showed us to our seat. We arrived at 1:45 on a Wednesday. This appeared to be a great time, any other time of the day you’ll likely experience a wait. After 5 p.m. they even have valet parking. Friday and Saturday nights, they have a live DJ spinning tunes while you dine.

Vinsetta Garage’s Gluten Free Menu

The phrase in the center of the menu really sums up the food theme here – Custom Detroit Eats. More than any other Union Joint, the meals here are customizable. This is great for those of us with Celiac Disease and other food allergies. Don’t eat meat? There are lots of vegetarian options too. Of course, Vinsetta Garage serves their famous macaroni and cheese, which they now offer gluten-free!

Unique Gluten Free Burgers

Try their 3 a.m. burger, spread with “homemade bacon jam, sriracha mayo, a sunny side up fried egg and chives”. That’s right- bacon jam. Think of pate only way better, because chefs prepare it from house made bacon. 

Vinsetta Garage also offers the famous Gluten Free Mac and Cheese that the Union Joints for which they are famous. In addition, you can also order one of their pizzas on a gluten free crust.

These Milkshakes Will Bring All the Boys to the Yard

Vinsetta Garage offers multiple gluten free milkshakes. While you can order a simple vanilla milkshake, I recommend the Salted Caramel. Or order their famous Faygo ice cream! In addition, they also offer gluten free key lime pie.

Other Union Joints Restaurants

Vinsetta Garage is just one of the many Union Joints restaurants. Other venues include Clarkston Union, which is the first Union Joint ever opened. They also own Honcho in Clarkston and Union Assembly in Detroit. While no longer with Union Joints, I will always be grateful for Aaron Cozadd, pictured on the right, who used to be their main chef.

Other Places With Gluten Free Options in Berkley, MI

I’m a huge fan of Republica, especially now that they’ve added brunch to their menu. For dessert I like Bombshell Treat Bar. In addition, if you’re around during the weekday, check out the Lunch Cafe, where most of their soups are gluten free.

Restaurant Location, Hours and Contact Info

Vinsetta Garage
27999 Woodward Avenue
Berkley MI 48072
Monday – Saturday 11am – 11 pm, Sunday 11 am – 9 pm
Website / Facebook/ Twitter / Instagram 

Vinsetta Garage 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.

**A big thank you to Chef Aaron Cozadd and his crew for making us a great gluten-free meal. Vinsetta Garage did not charge us for our dinner. All my thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Have you eaten at Vinsetta Garage? What’s your favorite meal there? Make sure to sign up for my newsletter below, so you can read about other great Michigan restaurants!

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**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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