Independent Coffee Shop Schaumburg

 A while back I heard of a cute independent coffee shop near where I live, over in Schaumburg. I was trying to see where Holcomb Hollow had a shop, but discovered they have their products at other places, like coffee shops. We went to check out Green Joe Coffee, One of the great things with them is a whole pastry case of items that are gluten free. Not just 1-2 chocolate based items like cookies or brownies, they have a selection of muffins, scones, bars, donuts, you name it. 

On a more recent visit I inquired on more filling food options, and the barista mentioned that they could do their avocado toasts on a gluten free bagel! I was super excited by the option, because it was was a nice treat and more filling than just a doughnut or scone. The only thing I would like we be an addition of bacon or scrambled eggs, but I understand the most of their breakfast items are pre-made, so not an add on option. They have a few options for avocado toast options the basic one is so good, along with a nice flavored cup of coffee is perfect. They were out of bagels on a recent visit, which made me sad, cause I really had a taste for an avocado toast and were left trying to figure out what to get instead. 

Their coffee seems like it's changed over the last couple years, because it's less bitter an more tasty. Their social media along with Holcomb's note when specialty GF items will be in the store. The shop highlights items for sale from local artists. So there is always something to check out for small independent shopping while having a tasty drink and a snack.

I give them four out of five dragonflies. I'd like a little more topping on the Avocado toast, and maybe a couple more items as options, but the tasty pastries and great independent coffee really draw me here for a chat with friends over coffee. 

 

Green Healthy Cafe - Lisle

My husband goes and gets his hair cut at a salon in Lisle, he loves his stylist and has been traveling to where she goes for years now. For a while she's been in Lisle, and he noticed this cute cafe opened up in the same strip mall and decided to stop in and see what they offered. The nice lady at the counter explained they have gluten free wraps! He started asking the questions, "Is it Celiac safe? What is in the wrap? How do you make them? What ingredients do you use? I want to bring them to my significant other, but don't want to kill her!" Well turns out it's all gluten free, and they do green wraps. Green Healthy Cafe. So I look forward to his hair cut mornings cause he always brings me a spinach, egg, tomato feta wrap, which "magically" shows up as I get out of the shower. They're super tasty. 

The past few trips he's gone to get his hair cut I've gone with so we can get a jump on our day and leave from Lisle. So I've gotten to meat the lovely lovely lady who owns Green Healthy Cafe, she is beyond the sweetest person I've ever met.  We've started to expand our menu choices and tried the peanut butter, strawberry and banana wrap, and even had the crepes! But it's hard to resist the spinach, egg, feta, tomato one. So we pick 2 options and each have half of the others order. That way we get to try new things. 

I give them 5 dragonflies, I can't not, not love this place. they're basically only breakfast, but not that breakfast that's greasy and leaves you bloated and tired, this is energy food that gets you going. We've driven out of our way to stop here, get breakfast for me and meet up with people at places that can't accommodate that I'm just going to order fruit. 

 

My Favorite Subscription Box

Taking a short trip back in time, back in 2018 I signed up for my first subscription club. It was for socks. I LOVE fun socks. I did that for some time, until they had issues with supplies and variety, and I decided I was good on socks. The next one I signed up for was Ipsy, and did their basic sample size kit. It was a happy little surprise that showed up at my door once a month. It was stuff I'd use but didn't have to think about finding and going out for, and it exposed me to a variety of new brands I'd never heard of, that were also gluten free. From there, I upgraded to the bigger size, then I tried some other ones, Splendies, Knotty Knickers, FabFitFun, Adult and Craft. Once we got our kitty, I signed up for Cat Lady Box and Meowbox, then one day I discovered the Marshmallow of the Month Club. 

Slowly I started to unsubscribe from each subscription, I have a good supply of beauty products, can only own so many socks or undergarments at a time. I honestly couldn't figure out the hubbub on FabFitFun, and even as an avid crafter, Adult and craft challenged me and I didn't do them as regularly as during the pandemic itself. I still do Cat Lady Box, every couple months, and my only monthly regular is the marshmallow of the month club. 

I had searched Cratejoy for Gluten Free subscription boxes, I don't know what I was hoping to find. But I happened to find this box about Marshmallows. Once a month you get a gourmet pack of s'mores shipped right to you. Each month is a different flavor of marshmallows, graham crackers (She makes gluten free ones using Cup4Cup flour), candy, a tealight, a tasty drink and utensils. 

Previously there was an option for different drinks. Now she does specialty hot cocoa mixes that pair with the flavor for the month. It's been fun seeing this subscription grow and evolved over time. I love the special handling she takes with each box each month. She signs a note that is included that talks about the box and handwrites your name on the outside.

Chef Farrell does a great job of introducing new flavors, and combinations each month. I always look forward to the box and treating myself to a couple each night for dessert. Sometimes I even share with my husband. :D She is local to the midwest, just outside Cleveland, and sells stuff in a local shop out there. So if you happen to be headed to Cleveland, check out her socials to see where you can pick up her stuff in person, or really just sign up for the club! It's a nice monthly delivery of happiness!

Nachorita - Nacho Night Out

Being Gluten Free we feel like we find the most random places that we otherwise may not have noticed. While looking for something different to bring with to a BYOF (Bring your own food), brewery, we found Nachorita. Their gimmick is they server nachos in a pizza box. Brilliant idea, instead of a tall mound of chips, it's a flat layer spread out to fit in a pizza box, so almost every chip is covered with toppings! 

We've been here  a couple times. The pizza box nachos and the bowls are gluten free. As expected the regular burritos are not. They make each tray of nachos on parchment paper that will go into the box once toasted. They have the usual variety of meats and toppings, with a rotation of seasonal salsas. They come in two sizes 10" Box or a 12" Box. The 12" box is perfect for sharing and you can go as crazy or mild as you want with salsa and toppings. With all the traditional bases, beans, meats, fajita veggies, and topping like tomatoes, jalapenos, lettuce, queso and guacamole, and several drizzles. My husband goes very basic, while I filler my box up! It's all about customization, and they can do that!

You can eat on site, with a few inside tables and a few patio seats, or you can take your nachos to go. We've always taken our Nachos to go and eaten them at a different brewery each time. (Afterthought Brewing, Lunar and Pollyanna, all of which have seltzers, wine or ciders which are gluten free.).

Over all we LOVE the concept of the pizza box nachos and love the options for toppings. You watch your food go down the line, like Chipotle and can see your food handled. 

They're great with understanding gluten free and are provide a great finished product! 5 dragonflies in both mine and my husbands books!

Craft Urban - Geneva

Had a day out with my mom, and she was up to trying something new. She also wanted to go wine tasting, so I decided to take her to Craft Urban, since Geneva Winery is right down the road. Two birds, One stone, and everyone is happy! 

I'd seen Craft Urban pop up on the Find Me Gluten Free App. I was intrigued by the menu, because they had fried cheese curds as an appetizer. I mean, heaven in a bowl! That was the must order item when we first sat down, as we got settled. I was slightly confused when the bowl showed up, as there was more than just cheese curds fried up. There were fried pickles, onions and peppers in the mix, and were a nice accent to go with it. 

Next we both ordered the Pot Roast, which came out looking tasty and fancy looking. My cut of pot roast was super lean, my mom's not so much which she was displeased over. But I always feel is a risk with pot roast. The carrots and potatoes were also nice and soft and full of flavor. 

Since we were there on a Wednesday, they had half price cocktails and wine. So naturally I had to try the Old Fashion. It was a bit strong, but very tasty. 

Everything was tasty, on my end. Mom was upset her pot roast was fatty, but I am really looking forward to coming back with some other friends and getting more cheese curds! 

I give them a five out of five for the options and unique ways to enhance the different entrees.

After dinner we went over to Geneva Winery, to do a flight. I was disappointed they had done away with their wine listing menus. Now you must use your phone to look thru and read the wine descriptions. I personally don't have a large phone so trying to scroll back and forth to pick wines was a lot more difficult, and ultimately didn't love the flights we picked out. I've never been to a winery that doesn't want to make it easy to see what wines they have, and be able to compare descriptions. Previously we'd been there and also had some great cheese with our wine. While they didn't have gluten free crackers, they told me to bring any crackers I want on my next visit. Their cheese selection was rather large and tasty too!

 So I'm going to give them a four out of five due to the lack of menu to easily read.