Who doesn’t love bar food?
Greetings Glutards! It’s Friday and I was going to share a recipe with you all but alas, I got lazy. Can you blame me? I think all of Philadelphia is still recovering from New Years. If you think I’m lying, well then you obviously do not understand how hard this town parties all through New Year’s Day and into the early hours of January 2nd. Last night’s trash collection in my neighborhood looked like a curbside hipster Christmas. Nothing but discarded trees and PBR pounders for blocks. Just another reason why I love this city.
Instead of cooking, I decided to review some good old American bar food for you. Last evening, I went out with some coworkers to celebrate our British friend Laura’s last day at the restaurant. She got deported…Just kidding! She is leaving the restaurant world for a “real job”. Get it, gurl.
The bar we decided to celebrate at was the ever charming old city haunt, National Mechanics. It’s an interesting bar. The façade looks historic. The interior is hip and rustic. It’s the perfect blend for a watering hole in one of the city’s most notable districts.
Our server was extremely upbeat and helpful. I sometimes feel bad asking about gluten free menus or option, but she happily pointed out the fact that they carried a gluten free beer. Thank god, because am so tired of ordering hard ciders in place of beer. Their celiac-friendly beer was Estrella Damm Daura. It’s a golden lager from Barcelona. It wasn’t the best gluten free beer I’ve tried so far, but it did the trick.
As for the food, gluten free options can be hard to find on most bar menus. Usually bar food is fried and carb heavy. This is to keep you from face-planting into the bar when you have had too much to drink. Nothing soaks up alcohol better than corn dogs…
I was able to find several options on the menu at National Mechanics that were glutard friendly. I went with their BBQ Spare Ribs with grilled corn on the cob and sweet potato fries. I know, right? You all just got a little turned on by the sound of that entrée. Trust me, this delectable dish was just as sexy in person. The BBQ sauce was both sweet and spicy and the meat just fell off the bone. *Insert generic gay joke about meat or bones here*
Thanks to National Mechanics, I can add another bar to my list that carries gluten free beer and has tasty treats for my fickle stomach.
What are some of your favorite bars? Let me know on here or the Book of Faces. Lord knows I need more places to make a fool of myself. 
Glutardedly Yours,
~Tim
I also enjoyed my Magner's Irish cider and fish and chips - took me back to my home land in spirit! x
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