Where is Union Assembly?

Union Assembly is located in downtown Detroit on historic Woodward Avenue. The restaurant resides on the lower level of the Little Caesars World Headquarters. We’re across the street from Comerica Park, and close to Fox Theater.

Why Does Union Assembly Offer Gluten Free Options?

Union Assembly, like all of the Union Joints, is dedicated to welcoming guests with various dietary needs. Recognizing the increasing demand for gluten-free options, we aim to provide delicious choices that allow everyone to enjoy our food and keep them coming back for more!

Other Union Joints reviewed on this website – Clarkston Union, Honcho, and Vinsetta Garage. I hope to visit Gran Castor and Union Rec in the future.

How About Other Food Allergens? Are there plant based options?

Our kitchen ingredients include foods from the other top allergens. We do offer gluten free vegetarian and vegan options, including a vegan cauliflower soup.

What Kind of Oil Do You Use for Cooking/ Frying?

For frying, we use canola oil. For general cooking and our dressings, we utilize a blend of olive and canola oil. Please note that we do not have a dedicated fryer for gluten free items.

Do you Have a Separate Gluten Free Menu?

Union Assembly does not have a separate gluten free menu. All gluten free options are marked on the main menu.

Gluten free options include handheld sandwiches, including our Paul’s Reuben sandwich, made with Detroit’s own Sy Ginsburg corned beef. We also offer salads.

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

We keep a dedicated prep area for gluten free meals. Staff know to change gloves, and use separate cutting boards and utensils when preparing gluten free orders. Gluten free orders are cooked in a separate pan instead of a shared griddle.

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

At this time, we do not have special plates or picks that denote a gluten free meal.

Do You Offer Gluten Free Desserts?

Yes! Our delightful cheesecake features a delicious gluten-free graham cracker crust.

What’s your most popular gluten free menu item?

 Our creamy and satisfying Gluten-Free Mac & Cheese is a definite crowd favorite!

Do you offer gluten free beer or hard cider?

While we don’t have gluten free beer at this time, we do offer gluten free hard cider. Join us Monday through Friday from 2pm-6pm during Happy Hour for $5 bites and drinks.

Do you have patio seating? Are dogs allowed outside? 

Absolutely! We have a lovely patio area, and yes, pups are welcome to join you there when the patio is open.

What unique events do you have at your restaurant?

There’s always something exciting happening at Union Assembly. We’re the ultimate spot for game days and events, with major Detroit games playing on our screens. For those extra special matchups, DJ Superhero brings the energy with fun beats.

Do you have parking on premises? Any tips on traveling to Union Assembly? 

We do not have parking on premises. There are numerous convenient parking garages and street parking options available in the surrounding area. Use Park Whiz or Spot Hero to prepay for parking in our area.

What add’l things would you like my followers to know about Union Assembly?

Stay in the loop with all the latest happenings, delicious dishes, and fun events by following us on Instagram @unionassembly and on TikTok @unionjoints!

Other Places to Visit in Detroit

Downtown Detroit offers so much to see and do. Check out the Visit Detroit website to learn about all the places you should add to your bucket list. For example, Campus Martius Park was named the #1 Public Square in the country by USA Today.

As for other restaurants with gluten free options, make sure to check out my Detroit Gluten Free Dining Guide. There you’ll find information on Frita Batidos, Slows BBQ, Folk Detroit, and more.

Restaurant Location, Hours and Contact Information

Union Assembly

2131 Woodward Ave

Detroit, MI 48201

(313) 636-6000

Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11 am – 12 am, Fri & Sat 11 am – 2 am

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Email

Union Assembly 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!

** Disclaimer- I was not charged for my meal. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The post Union Assembly Gluten Free Options appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Clarkston Union Background

If you’re unfamiliar with Clarkston Union, they are the original restaurant in the Union Family of Joints. Curt Catallo and wife Ann Stevenson opened Clarkston Union over 20 years ago. Their vision of renovating an old baptist church into a restaurant started a legacy of unique restaurants.

It’s been a huge success. They’ve gone on to open other restaurants, such as Union Woodshop, Vinsetta’s Garage, Fenton Fire Hall, and Honcho. They renovate each building to keep the character of the original structure and breathe new life into it. I think the interior of Vinsetta Garage is my favorite.

The Most Macked (Gluten Free) Mac N Cheese

In March of 2016, Clarkson Union messaged me with an invite. They wanted to let me know they had finally perfected their take on a gluten-free version of their famous  Mac N’ Cheese. This is no ordinary mac n’ cheese. Featured on Food Network, Esquire, and even television shows in Canada, this dish is notorious. 

After a quick half hour drive from Flint to Clarkston, we arrived at the restaurant and directed to a booth seat. (They made booths from repurposed church pews!)

Gluten Free pasta, pizza, burgers and sausages on a bun were all available to me. Dessert too! I learned they source their gluten-free products locally, including buns from Rumi’s Passion in Plymouth. They utilize local meat and produce as well.

“It Tastes the Same”

So the moment of truth. My husband tried his regular mac, then he tried a bit of mine. A look of pleased surprise crossed his face. “It tastes the same,” he stated. (He was even more amazed with our leftovers, and that it still tasted the same, and the noodles didn’t disintegrate.) If I hadn’t ordered other items, I would have inhaled the whole dish right there.

Why Does Clarkston Union Offer Gluten Free Options

When I first went to Clarkston Union in 2016, their executive chef Aaron Cozadd was personally familiar with Celiac Disease and food allergies.

The head chef at Clarkston Union is now Becca Townsend. She too has a personal connection to dietary restrictions. Her mom lives with Celiac Disease, not to mention many staff members have to eat gluten free. Chef Becca fully believes that everyone deserves to eat safely.

*Note, they no longer have a separate gluten free menu. They note Gluten free options on the main menu.

Do they Accommodate Other Food Allergens?

“We offer lots of dairy free & vegan options especially with weekly specials. We have some tree nuts on our menu (walnuts, almonds & sometimes cashew). We are careful when guests have tree nut allergies & keep the staff trained on how to navigate that.”

What Kind of Oil Do They Use for Frying?

For starters, they do NOT use peanut oil. They use canola oil for fried foods. For cooking, they use a canola olive oil blend. Their pan spray contains sunflower seed & canola oils.

How Does Clarkston Union Prevent Cross Contact?

Because safe dining options are important to them, they take several steps to try to provide a safe gluten free meal.

Do they maintain a separate prep area?

“We do not, but we do store our gluten free macs, buns & pizza crusts on their own separate shelves. We also sanitize thoroughly in between prep tasks. The Commissary prep kitchen (where we get our mac & cheese) has specified areas where gluten free mac & cheese is made.

When making allergy dishes: line cooks change gloves, get cleaned utensils/knives/cutting boards from the back & get all items from the back cooler. Plus they prepare gluten free dishes in a separate pan instead of on the flat top.

What training do staff receive on preparing GF meals safely?

Our Sous Chef is allergen certified. In addition, all servers have a laminated card that lists allergens for every menu item, including weekly specials. In addition, they train all staff to ask each customer if they have any food allergies.

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

Yes, we use red dishes for our gluten free mac & cheese. For other gluten free dishes, staff include a tooth pic.

Does Clarkston Union Offer Vegetarian Options?

Pictured above is their bacon cheeseburger with onion jam. HIGHLY recommend. However, they also have a portobello burger, which I believe is vegetarian. When we first visited in 2016, we enjoyed an amazing vegetarian pizza. Their pizza options rotate.

They also offer pork free items, including sausage. On our first visit, my husband enjoyed his sausage so much he was almost moved to tears. Their sausage immediately took him back to the flavors he missed from his childhood. To say that Clarkson Union has won us over as patrons is an understatement.

The Union Joints Family

As we closed our evening, we took some time to talk to our waitress, Yvonne. I asked about her background with the business and her reasons for working there. She said she’s been there over 9 years, practically half the time the restaurant has been in existence. I asked her what kept here there for so many years. “We’re family.” She stated that the staff and owners all celebrate life together, going to each other’s birthday parties, weddings, and funerals.

More Than Just a Customer

I asked our waitress if she had an stories of customers that left a lasting impression up on her. She immediately told us the story of a particular elderly woman. This older woman came into the restaurant on a busy day, wanting to sit in one of the very large booths, all by herself. They thought it odd, but obliged.

The elderly woman thanked the wait staff, and explained it was the first time she left her house since her elderly husband recently passed. This couple had been married for 50 years and ate there frequently. She just needed to sit in “their booth.”

Important Tips on Parking!

While there is parking on premises (including handicap parking), it can get cramped! Utilize Depot Park for parking if lot is full. For Sunday brunch, Saturday lunch & Friday/Saturday dinner, it is highly recommended that you make a reservation.

Restaurant Location, Hours, and Contact Information

Clarkston Union Bar & Kitchen
54 S Main St
Clarkston MI 48436
(248) 620 – 6100

Monday – Saturday 11 am – 9 pm, Sunday 9 am to 9 pm

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Have you been to the Clarkston Union? What’s your favorite dish there? Which Union Joint is your favorite place to get a meal?

** Although Clarkston Union provided us with a free meal, all thoughts and opinions are my own. We’ve become loyal Union Joint fans after this, taking friends and family to experience their meals, time and again.**

Clarkston Union 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.

Originally published March 2016

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What is a Honcho? 

While many may think that the word “honcho” is related to cowboys and the southern U.S., it’s actually a Japaneses word that means “squad leader.” This newest restaurant is definitely a place that’s makes you leave your expectations at the door and opens your mind to an interesting world of flavors.

Honcho- Part Restaurant, Part Coffee Shop 

When you first walk in from Main street, you’re greeted by the quaintest of coffee stands. They roast their own coffee and serve pastries daily until 4 pm. (The pastries are not gluten-free.) To your right is a fully stocked bar. The bar chairs look similar to the ones on the lower level at their other location, Fenton Fire Hall. Then as you walk past these two libation stations, you step up into the restaurant section of Honcho.

What’s Gluten Free At Honcho?

Through my reviews of the other Union Joints, I’m blessed to have built a friendship with their executive chef, Aaron Cozadd. I messaged him that we were planning to visit Honcho, and I inquired about what was safe to eat there. He messaged that he would be in later that day and would personally walk me through the menu.

After we caught up with each other, my husband and I had a seat at the counter, where one can watch the cooks at work. I was excited to see San-J tamari at the ready. All too often any Asian food consumed at a restaurant is made with soy sauce that contains wheat. As they say, first impressions are everything, and I was pretty sure that seeing this was an indication that this was going to be a great meal.

The Honcho Menu is 90% Gluten Free

Chef Cozadd explained that the majority of their menu is corn based, and tamari is used in place of soy sauce in their dishes. All of their chips, arepas and tortillas are made from locally ground fresh corn masa. The few non-gf fried items they have are cooked in a separate fryer so there is no cross-contact.

The 5-6 items on the menu that contain gluten are marked with a small icon next to them. For instance, their miso black beans contain gluten, as well as their fried chicken. I was blown away about how much “safe” gluten-free food there was to eat!

The Best Guacamole I’ve Ever Tasted

We started our meal at Honcho which fresh chips and an assortment of dips. From left to right is their house made Union Salsa, their Peruvian green chili dip (which is crazy delicious), grilled pineapple pico de gallo, and their own unique sweet pea guacamole.

This guacamole is unlike anything else I’ve ever tasted, and I am SO in love with it. It’s a blend of avocado, scallions and cilantro, mixed with English sweet peas and topped with spiced pepitas. Totally nontraditional, but it blew my mind. I might be my new addiction.

What are Arepas?

It took my husband and I a long time to decide what to order. It literally all sounded SO good. We finally settled on two arepas, a side of shaved caramelized Brussels sprouts (flavored with garam masala), and their rice bowl.

Arepas can be served either open faced with meat and cheese on top , or served more like a sandwich. Honcho serves their arepas like sliders. I ordered the Korean BBQ arepa. It’s made with the pulled pork that they slow cook at the Union Woodshop, and it’s oh so good.

What’s on Their Rice Bowl?

The rice bowl at Honcho is inspired by Korean Bi Bim Bap, but with a tinge of southwest flavor. Their dish comes with Kimchi and pickled chilis. Instead of the traditional gochujang, it’s mixed with their Peruvian green chili sauce. And of course, topped with a fried egg. The kimchi was a bit too spicy for me, so I let my husband finish it.

Asian Cuisine Fusion Optional

Honcho is definitely a place of taste adventure. Chef Cozadd encouraged me to try their blistered shishito peppers. While the heat was a bit more than I could handle, my husband stated that these may have been his absolute favorite part of our meal.

My husband and I appreciated the Latin American and Asian flavor combinations. I think it’s important to expand your taste repertoire. For those who may not be super excited about the fusion of flavors, Honcho creates weekly specials that leave out the Asian touches.

I truly appreciate the care Chef Cozadd and his team take to craft such a Celiac Disease friendly menu. They understand the seriousness of cross-contact, and take other food allergies just as seriously. We’ll definitely be heading back for arepas and more of that sweet pea guacamole!

Restaurant Locations and Contact Information

Honcho
3 East Church Street
Clarkston MI 48436
(248) 707-3793

Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Website

**While I originally paid completely for our meal, Chef Cozadd was generous enough to later send us a gift card to cover part of our costs. All of my thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Honcho 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.

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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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