I don’t know why I haven’t posted about Fan’s before -we’ve been customers there for a long time. As we all know, gluten-free Chinese food is practically non-existent. Aside from Pei Wei, and P.F.Chang’s, I thought we would never eat Chinese food again, especially not at a family run place.
That’s where Fan’s comes in. Around 10 years ago, someone who worked there was hospitalized and diagnosed with Celiac disease. He really made an impact on this family restaurant, and he taught them how to alter many of their recipes to be gluten-free. There’s no gluten-free menu, but the people who have been there the longest can tell you what can and can’t be made gluten-free.
So when they take your order, and you get something that can be made gluten-free, they will write on your tab, “funny sauce,” meaning, use wheat-free tamari. What I love about this is the irony. Traditional “soy sauce,” as it’s commonly called, is in fact mainly wheat, not soy, whereas tamari sauce is actually soy. When you think about it this way, shouldn’t the gluten-free version be the standard, and the soy sauce “funny?” haha!
The girls absolutely love the rice noodles at Fan’s, called Singapore Noodles. Andy and I are pretty crazy about them too. The curry they usually put on them has gluten in it, so we substitute the brown sauce, and tell them (repeatedly) gluten-free. You also may want to ask to have it, “not spicy,” if it’s for your kids.
We also think the General Chao’s Tofu is out of this world. It’s floured with corn starch, and they can use the “funny sauce” on it as well. It’s the best tofu I’ve ever had—crispy on the outside and melt in your mouth on the inside. As you can see, it comes with peppers and onions. Mmm.
Finally, they have really good Egg Drop Soup. Sometimes I get a bowl of it as my main meal, it’s so good.
7960 Niwot Rd
Longmont, CO
(303) 652-6250
GF Gidget says
Are you kidding me?! I knew I needed to move to CO!
Juanita says
GF Chinese take-out is wishful thinking here…MSG is wheat-based and they throw wheaty soy sauce on everything too!
Made some rocking gf flapjacks this afternoon. If you’re interested in the recipe:
http://therecanbeonlyjuan.com
Anonymous says
Kelly-
I just got your cookbook in the mail yesterday, and I love it! I knew it would b/c I love your blog.
I wish I could still eat Chinese. In addition to gluten and casein allergy, I’m also allergic to soy.
I used to love PF Chang’s but haven’t eaten there since my allergy discovery mainly b/c I guess I don’t trust that food I get there would really be gluten free. Anyway, I’ve made several of your puddings and they rock!!! Thanks for your wonderful blog and cookbook! Sas
Kelly says
Sas,
Thanks you so much! I’m so happy that you’re pleased!