If you’re looking for fast, flavorful Mexican food you must stop by Loco Coco Taco’s!  You’ll find this affordable and family friendly restaurant not far off the road from the Kittery Outlets. One can chose the more casual self-seating and order at the counter, or choose the full service section of the restaurant.  Either way, you can partake of their large gluten-free menu !

There are so many gluten-free choices including appetizers, soups, salads , entrees and breakfast which is served all day (they open at 11 am)!  The sauces and salsa are known for their authenticity of Mexican cuisine and are made fresh daily.  We tried the Beef Nachos and the California Fries. The Nachos are available as Vegetarian, Ground Beef, Chicken, Pork or with Carne Asada Steak.  These are topped with jack and cheddar cheese, jalapeno peppers, pinto beans, pico de gallo, dry ricotta, cilantro and onion.  Our curiosity led us to try the California Fries which were topped with steak, jack and cheddar cheese, lettuce, guacamole, jalapeno peppers, fresh salsa, sour cream and dry ricotta. Rest assured, there is a dedicated fryer for gluten-free orders. What a filling and hearty dish~definitely made for sharing!  Feel free to add or exclude any toppings as these are made to order.

Watch for specials such as the current ”Happy Hour Nacho” deal running Monday through Friday from 3-6 pm where a big plate of nachos is only $4.  Also be sure to click on the  coupon of the day to see daily specials.

Gluten-free beer is available at the bar and the new seasonal patio is now open!  Open 7 days a week with free, local delivery (Sundays & Mondays only!

Recently, we had the opportunity to try cooksimple’s pre-packaged meal kits.  These certified gluten-free boxed dinner kits are devoid of anything preserved or artificial!  Only high-quality, natural ingredients are used  and many are  free of the top eight allergens (however, some contain soy, nuts and/or seeds). Their mission is to “make an impactful difference in reshaping the way American eats”.

This brilliant idea came  from the founder, Keith Lauver, who, like so many of us,  realized he was not aware of his declining health until he received poor results from a medical exam.  This “wake-up call”  led him to take control of his health and to  develop this line of nutritious meal kits.

These kits  feature internationally-inspired cuisine to entice many diverse palates. Choose from Cowboy Chili, Asian Burgers, Skillet Lasagna, Cranberry Wild Rice, Punjabi Curry, Tibetan Dal, White Bean Chili, New Orleans Jambalaya and Tamale Pie ( a Gold Winner at the 2012 Fancy Food Show!).

We sampled the Punjabi Curry.  The kit contained dehydrated peas and a rice/spice packet.  An addition of chicken or tofu was suggested. We chose to add some chopped chicken breast.  The directions were incredibly simple!  Just add the peas to boiling water, simmer 6-8 mins and then add the rice/spice packet and simmer some more before adding the chicken and it is done (see box directions for specific cooking times)!  Though the directions suggest adding salt to taste, the intensity of the aromatic spices didn’t require the addition of salt, in the opinion of our taste buds. In fact, one serving of Punjab Curry mix contains only 15 mg of sodium (after preparation this will increase to approximately 180 mg/serving depending on the additional sodium from water, chicken and/or tofu), a rarity in pre-packaged meals!

It’s good to know there is a healthy alternative to those other pre-packaged meals.  For busy times,  you can’t go wrong with these allergy-friendly, preservative-free meal kits that are only made with whole foods that are low in sugar, higher in fiber, have lean protein and, so remarkably, the whole line is completely GLUTEN-FREE!

GIVEAWAY!!

Visit our Freedom to Dine Facebook page today and leave a comment if you’d like a chance to win three of these nutritious, delicious meal kits!!!

A large percentage of the menu is dedicated to healthy Smoothies.  There are twenty to choose from!  Almond milk based, these smoothies incorporate a variety of fruits like bananas, apples, berries, mango and passion fruit, to name a few. Kale and spinach are offered in a few too, but if you really want to increase your veggie intake, you may want to consider one of the eleven Juices offered.  The Kalelicious variety has kale, carrots and celery.  Another, the Crush, is a bit sweeter tasting and contains carrot, orange, celery and kale.  Or, create your own with some of the following ingredients; romaine lettuce, spinach, beets, oranges, apples (both red & green), carrots, kale, celery, cucumber, parsley, cilantro, lemon, lime, ginger and mint.

Zucchini is creatively featured in a few dishes such as the Pasta Primavera where they are thinly sliced as the “noodles”!  It’s a similar situation with the Lo Mien. Zucchini and kelp “noodles” form the base of this dish which also includes carrots, celery, cabbage and broccoli mixed with a coconut sauce and sesame seeds.  We’ve also seen potato salad on the menu, yet it is devoid of actual potatoes. These are, once again, replaced by zucchini!

Another interesting entree is the Spring Roll.  The roll is made out of a spinach/coconut mix. Inside the wrap is a combination of kelp noodles, avocado, carrots and a mango sauce.

Sandwiches are offered on gluten-free onion bread that is simply made from celery and flax seeds, onion olive oil and pink Himalayan salt.

Desserts are available too!

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A few of the appetizers include the Baked Potato Fries and the Hummus Plate, (be sure to order the hummus with vegetables only~ NO pita bread).  Most of the Signature Salads are gluten-free, or can be modified.  For instance, by omitting the croutons on the Caesar Salad. All of the salad dressings are gluten-free!

The gluten-free pizza crust’s flavor (contains egg and milk) is enhanced with sweet basil and honey and is brought in from an outside source where it has been packaged to decrease the risk of cross-contamination.  Each 10 inch single serving pie is packaged in its own disposable cooking tray. There are Specialty Pies to choose from or Build Your  Own Pizza.  Most of the toppings are gluten-free (avoid meatballs, sausage and boneless buffalo chicken) and soy-free vegan, cheese topping is available!  If you desire gluten-free beer with your pizza, they have that too!

Enormous salads include the Greek, Antipasto Medierranio (lettuce, feta and kasseri cheese, solonika peppers, dolmades~stuffed grape leaves watch for pine nuts, artichoke hearts, onions, Kalamata olives and roasted red peppers),  and the lettuce-lacking  Horitatike salad (cucumbers, tomatoes,onion, roasted red peppers, solonika peppers, olives and artichokes).  The homemade Amphora’s Original dressing and low-salt version are gluten-free. Chicken, shrimp or marinated steak tips can be added to make the salad even more substantial. Most entrees are naturally gluten-free. An easy guideline is to avoid anything that is fried, the rice pilaf and dishes with pasta or those dishes served with or in filo dough. Replacement side dishes include white rice, lemon-oregano potatoes and rosemary potatoes.  Gluten-free bread is available for the sandwiches!

 Daily specials   rotate and include Melitzan Sto-Fourno which is a dish of roasted eggplant served with a spicy vegetable medley topped with Kesseri cheese. This tasty gluten-free, vegetarian dish easily becomes vegan by omitting the cheese. Other gluten-free specials you may encounter include homemade hummus, Chicken Florentine (spinach and cheese stuffed chicken breast), Samos Island Wings (wings marinated in an apricot and pepper sauce) , Pork Chops with a fig & Metaxa glaze served with rosemary potatoes or the fresh Atlantic Salmon.  This is only a partial listing of what might be offered on your visit!  It’s really no surprise that they have claimed “Best of NH” status by New Hampshire Magazine  more than once! Gluten-free desserts include rice pudding and chocolate mousse.

Located in Derry at the  Hood Commons plaza, they are open 7 days per week!  Some items available as “Take & Bake”.

Many of the Signature Sandwiches are available gluten-free and may be served on your choice of focaccia bread, white bread, herb bread, or cinnamon raisin bread. Many of the hot or cold wraps can be made with this bread as well.  Breakfast sandwiches feature organic, cage -free, omega-3 rich eggs and organic bacon.

Soups of the day often include gluten-free choices such as Carrot Ginger, Roasted Vegetable, Chicken Rice, Chipotle Sweet Potato, Chicken Tortilla soup.  All of these also happen to be dairy-free!!

To satisfy your sweet tooth, try one of the gluten-free mini pies or mini cakes!  Raw food bars and gluten-free, vegan cookies are usually available too.  These go great with a cup of their organic, fair trade tea. Or, have one of their whole fruit, all natural Smoothies.  Chia seeds, flax oil, spinach, avocado, peanut butter or protein powder can be added to intensify the nutritional content.

Catering, take-out and “Meals to Go” are a nice alternative if you find their space a little too cozy on busy days. Though, I hear they are looking to open a second location. We’ll keep you posted!

We’re so excited to learn that Something Sweet Without Wheat has opened a second storefront!  In addition to their Woburn site, they now have a full service bakery in the heart of Arlington’s east side on Mass Ave.  That means more gluten-free, peanut-free, nut-free (coconut is used, however) and dairy-free (most items are dairy-free; the M&M cookies and cheese pizza are not) treats for the masses!  And muffins, cupcakes, mini tea breads and cakes (upon request) are available egg-free!

Both sweet and savory baked goods are available to purchase and include brownies, cupcakes, cake pops, breads, muffins, tea breads,  pies, cakes, danish, cinnamon buns, dinner rolls, croutons and pizza!  There’s just too many flavor varieties to list and these often depend on the season. They’re also great about special orders and custom cake designs. They’ve helped us out with short notice on more than one occasion. Thanks, ladies!

Call ahead to place an order for pizza and it will be fresh and hot right out of the oven! Or, you can purchase pre-made, cold pizza and heat it at your convenience.

Something Sweet Without Wheat  products are also sold in local markets, health food stores and seasonal farmer’s markets. Shipping available.

Soups are offered daily and in the past have included Sweet Potato Curry soup, Coconut Lentil & Potato soup, Vegetable Soup (kale, collard greens, & rice), Curried Lentil and Potato soup and a Coconut, Pumpkin-Carrot soup with a touch of ginger.  These sound perfectly comforting to help us endure our  frigid winter season!!

For beverages, there are organic teas, coffee and smoothies.  Most of the smoothies are also gluten-free!  These can be made with “milk” choices of almond, soy or coconut.

Sunday brunch service is in the works with an anticipated start date of Februaury 2013.  Be sure to check out the art gallery featuring impressive works from local artists!  Art classes, yoga, pilates and cooking classes are also offered.  What a cool place that’s certainly worth a visit!

Closed Sundays & Mondays

There are eleven different types of cheese  from which to choose (no dairy-free cheese, though), or pick  from one of  eighteen signature entrees!  Aside from the popular Classic All American (American and Cheddar cheese), one can choose from inspired creations such as the  Chicken Cordon Bleu (American and Gruyere cheese, Dijon mustard, chicken and Canadian bacon),  the Cajun Mac (Cheddar and Pepper Jack cheese, andouille sauasage, green pepper, onions, celery and garlic) or the luxurious Lobstah  Mac and Cheese.

Daily specials are often gluten-free as well. In the past, these have included the Latin inspired Cuban Mac which is made with roasted pork, smoked ham, mustard, garlic and pickles and topped with Gruyere cheese and the Shroom Burger that is made with a blend of  Gruyere and Muenster cheese, mushrooms, garlic and onion.  Don’t overlook the salads. They’re a great way to balance out the meal. You can design your own, or choose from one of five Mac Salads!

Limited delivery and Take & Bake are available. These pre-made mac and cheese entrees are all ready to take home and are easily heated and ready to eat in just 15 minutes!