When it comes to dining out, I often shy away from major chains in favor of local restaurants and cafes with a proven record of accommodating guests with dietary restrictions. 

However, in keeping my finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the world of dining out gluten-free, I cannot ignore the buzz around some big chain restaurants. Maggiano’s Little Italy is one such restaurant with nation-wide presence that I have heard rave reviews of from fellow foodies and gluten-free patrons. 

While in Charlotte, NC for the Gluten and Allergen Free Wellness Event during my spring break, a glutening and exhaustion from exploring the super busy and crowded show floor left me craving comfort food. In scoring the plethora of restaurants in and around the South Park Mall area, I set my sights on Maggiano’s wanting a big bowl of comfort food in the form of pasta.

Arriving mid-day, the restaurant was not crowded at all, and my mom and I were seated right away. Our server arrived and welcomed us warmly, and did not blink an eye when I let her know that I’m both gluten and dairy free. As I briefly looked over the menu, I noticed that they put a note at the bottom of the menu that gluten-free or whole wheat (not safe) pasta is available to substitute for those wanting healthier options.

Soon after greeting us, our waitress introduced us to the chef who would be taking care of my gluten-free meal to ensure proper protocols would be involved. He explained that their gluten-free pasta is 100% corn based, and is penne shaped. All of Maggiano’s sauces are made from scratch in-house, and are mostly gluten and dairy-free (except for the Alfredo). My meal would be prepared separately in freshly washed pans, and would be followed from start-to-finish to ensure it’s safety. Once going over the basics, he then flipped scripts with me, and asked me what I wanted to eat, instead of listing off limited options for me to choose from. With my stomach and imagination guiding the way, I opted for their marinara sauce, and added in spinach, mushrooms, and fresh herbs (heavy on the basil). 

When it arrived, I gasped at the sheer beauty and size of the dish. Colorful with the ruby red of the sauce, golden yellow of the noodles, and spots of green and brown of the vegetables, the meal was a kaleidoscope of color. Cautiously taking my first bite, a huge smile broke across my face as I tasted the fresh flavor of the intermingling of ingredients. The sauce, delicious and practically perfect was thick and seasoned well with garlic and spices. The penne were spot on al dente, and were not gummy, dry, or rubbery- the typical presentation of gluten-free pasta. The accompanying vegetables, too, burst with flavor and were noticeably fresh.

Disclaimer: This review is based upon the information I have at the time of the review and does not reflect changes in ingredients or availability of items. Please contact the restaurant directly for up-to-date information and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.