A Gluten-Free Guide: Blue Smoke - Gluten Free Ribs and More

While not part of the Gluten Free Restaurant Awareness Program, Blue Smoke in Manhattan’s Gramercy/Murray Hill neighborhood has a gluten free menu. Allergic Girl posted their gluten free menu here, though the Salmon wasn’t offered on my recent trip there. But let’s be honest, who goes to a BBQ place and orders fish?

Blue Smoke has a warm, down-home feel that isn’t common in Manhattan restaurants. The food is delicious, the service was friendly and they have worked out all of the details. They have a convenient table-sized bucket for discarding your ribs and will bring a handy toothpick dispenser with some “wet-naps” to clean up after your meal.

My cousin Lisa and I decided to order together so that we could try more items from the extensive menu. I always appreciate my friends’ willingness to order gluten free with me!

We started with the chopped salad with olives, feta and tomatoes. It was perfectly seasoned, without too much dressing.

The whole lot of us shared the Chipotle Chicken Wings. I couldn’t eat the dressing (not gluten free) but still enjoyed the spicy kick.

We ordered the brisket with a mix of the lean and marbled meat. Lisa and I both preferred the lean brisket even though the marbled was slightly more tender. We also substituted green beans for the mashed potatoes; we needed something healthy!

The stars of the evening, without a doubt, were the ribs. Lisa and I ordered a half-rack of the Kansas City Spareribs. The ribs are "saucy" and mouth-watering. Don't leave Blue Smoke without giving them a try.

Gareth enjoyed his rib sampler.

Maybe a little too much…

Nicole ordered the pulled pork sandwich (not gluten free at Blue Smoke, though I recently made a great version) but ate a few ribs from Gareth’s sampler.

Be sure to make all of your gluten free needs clear to the staff – they aren’t all as familiar with the diet as some other restaurants I’ve featured. But if you like ribs, enjoy some gluten free barbeque right in the center of Manhattan.