I must have been a very good girl because by dreams have been answered by the Trumpeter Public House. As some of you know, our food manufacturing facility is located in Burlington, Washington. Just like many of you, I have the same difficulties at lunch time trying to find a restaurant that I can eat in safely and past that, a restaurant where I can get something other than the plain green salad.

A few weeks ago I found the Trumpeter Public House, a restaurant located in Mount Vernon, Washington, a city that borders Burlington. I had been to the restaurant in the past when it was under different ownership. I recently heard that the restaurant now serves gluten-free food. So of course, off I went!

Upon entering the restaurant, I read the delicious sounding specials on the reader board, knowing those would not be gluten-free, but still being very excited about the prospect of some gluten-free items. When the menu was presented to us, I asked for a gluten-free menu and shared the fact that I have Celiac disease. The new owners, Paul and Karen Springer invited me to simply select anything on the menu, it would all be gluten-free. OK, I’ve been through this before and am always up to a challenge. When presented with such a statement, I always order the impossible. I perused the menu and ordered calamari and the Trumpeter burger, on a bun, and fries. I checked again, “The hamburger bun’s gluten-free?”, “Yes, of course” was the reply.

The calamari was served with a wonderful sauce and I must say that I haven’t eaten calamari in 10 years and it was worth waiting for; delicate and tender with a perfect crunchy coating. Next came the burger and fries. The bun didn’t hold together like the wheat variety, but it was very good and I was hooked! I now eat there every week and am making my way down the menu, determined to try EVERYTHING. Desserts are also gluten-free but so far I have been so full by the time I’m done with my meal, I haven’t been able to try them. I have tried the Fish & Chips, (which is divine and my husband says better than regular fish and chips) the Classic Panini; Italian salami, sweet coppa, caramelized onions, grilled peppers, provolone cheese on foccacia, oh my!

So by now you’re probably wondering, as I was, who at the restaurant has Celiac disease? Oddly, no one. The story goes like this, soon after opening a customer who became a regular, kept asking if menu items could be modified to be gluten-free. The restaurant owners accommodated her each time and soon realized that it would not be difficult to change all the recipes to gluten-free. They made the adjustment and now serve gluten-free to everyone. They only have one menu and the only difference between gluten-free dining and not is if you’re not, you get wheat bread to start. They don’t advertise gluten-free, it just is. Now that really does sound like a dream, doesn’t it?

For those of you who live in or travel to the Seattle area, I highly recommend the Trumpeter Public House, both for their delicious menu and for their novel approach to gluten-free dining. For those who are out of the area, perhaps you could share this story with a local restaurant and create a dream come true in your town.

For the complete menu, visit www.trumpeterpublichouse.com

Trumpeter Public House
416 Myrtle Street
Mount Vernon, WA.
360.588.4515

Located approximately 1 hour north of Seattle.

- Chef Yvonne