EAT: Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

Firebirds Grilled Shrimp and Strawberry Salad

Several years ago while driving to a golf tournament, I stopped for dinner at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill in Birmingham, AL. At the time, Firebirds did not have a gluten free menu. Luckily, the CEO and Executive Chef were at the Birmingham location that night.  Being from North Carolina and Firebirds corporate headquarters being in Charlotte, NC, I asked my server if I could chat with the CEO and Executive Chef.  After swapping NC stories for a few minutes, I mentioned that a gluten free menu would be a great addition to the restaurant, which now boasts 35 locations around the country.  We discussed the challenges and requirements of creating such a menu and they were very interested in providing their customers with more options.  Now, Firebirds has an extensive gluten free menu.

Firebirds has great dinner salads! Prior to going dairy and egg free, my favorite was the Firebirds BLT salad, tasting exactly like a BLT complete with roasted garlic ranch dressing. The BLT salad is just as tasty with the Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette. For those of you who are not dairy free, ask for a side of their aged Cheddar cheese to sprinkle on top (they toss the salad in the dressing, and trust me, the cheese tastes completely different if tossed in the dressing!). Now, I get the Grilled Shrimp and Strawberry Salad and replace the Balsamic Vinaigrette (has eggs) with the Chipotle Lime Vinaigrette. Still super delish!  If you have other allergies besides wheat gluten, be sure to ask your server or speak with the manager.  There is a book with all ingredients in the back that they are happy to share to make sure you have as safe a meal as possible.

Firebirds BLT Dinner Salad

The gluten free menu also has several types of beef, including prime rib and filet mignon, as well as a variety of seafood and baby back ribs.  They also have a selection of five sides to go with entrees and a gluten free kid's menu.  

My only caveat with Firebirds is the lack of a gluten free dessert (everyone needs something sweet occasionally, right?!).  I hear they have remedied this with a new gluten free flourless chocolate cake, available for a limited time. Hopefully, it will be a permanent fixture on the menu soon!

So, if you are in Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia, be sure to check out Firebirds and its gluten free menu.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
http://www.firebirdsrestaurants.com