🩺 Vital Signs of Dining: Gluten & Dairy-Free Restaurant Review – True Food Kitchen (Oak Brook, IL)
✨ A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Mom’s playful brunch chart—gluten free, dairy free, and allergy-aware!
Let’s break out the chart and take some playful vitals on my latest brunch outing to True Food Kitchen in Oak Brook, IL. As a gluten and dairy-allergic, stay-at-home mom (and former Pediatric Nurse Practitioner), I always review dining spots with both humor and honesty. Remember—this is my personal experience, not medical advice. Always double-check menus and consult your own provider for your unique needs!
❤️ Pulse (First Impressions)
📍 Location: Off Highway 83, Oak Brook, IL
🍽️ Timing: Bustling Sunday brunch with my husband and in-laws
✅ Reservations = must (this place gets packed at this time of day.)
The vibe? Think busy clinic waiting room—but with food instead of flu shots. The hostesses greeted us warmly, setting the tone with a friendly, strong pulse.
🌬️ Respirations (Allergy Awareness)
Big menu change alert 🚨: the gluten-friendly crust and gluten-friendly bun now both contain dairy. Womp womp!
I flagged my allergies right away, and our server went for an “attending chef consult.” She came back with clarity: ✅ no pizza, ✅ no buns for me anymore. A little disappointing, but I appreciated the honesty and options available thus far. When you’ve got food allergies, transparency is everything.
🌡️ Temperature (Food Quality)
Appetizer: 🥦 Cauliflower with figs + nuts—sweet, crunchy, surprisingly delicious (and I’m usually not a cauliflower fan).
Drink: 🍵 Iced horchata matcha—slightly sweet, earthy, and exactly how I like it. Usually I have to add a sweetener, nope, not this time
Entrée: 🍔 Burger (no bun, no onions, mushrooms yes) topped with almond ricotta instead of cheese.
Burger = juicy
Mushrooms = tasty
Almond ricotta = creamy win
Fries = ❌ (they were out) VERY DISAPPOINTED
Lettuce wrap = not my fave (note to self: ask for none next time) I DISLIKE LETTUCE WITH A PASSION!
Side: 🍠 Sweet potato hash—sadly more crunchy than crispy this time.
Bonus: Tried the peri peri ketchup—zesty and fun!
My husband sampled bites too, really he just finishes what I can’t. Verdict: some hits, some misses.
💉 Blood Pressure (Dining Stress Test)
✅ Food flagged for allergies = reassuring
✅ Staff took restrictions seriously
⏳ Food took a little longer (it was brunch rush, so fair)
💕 Family showed great “bedside manners” by waiting until my food arrived before digging in.
No GI emergencies after (hallelujah) = my blood pressure stayed steady. I have visited this spot MANY times!
🩻 Diagnosis (Final Verdict)
True Food Kitchen used to be a steady go-to for us. With menu changes (bye-bye dairy-free pizza + buns 😢), my enthusiasm has dipped. Still—plans with a friend are already on the books, so I’ll be back soon.
💲 My tab: $45.58 (paid myself)
📊 Rhythm Rating: Sinus → a steady, reliable beat in my dining routine, but not heart-racing excitement.
📝 Final Note
This review is just my playful charting as a food allergy mom and former Pediatric NP (not YOUR nurse practitioner). Menus, allergy accommodations, and experiences can change quickly—always confirm for yourself before dining out.
I hope this review helps my fellow gluten free + dairy free foodies.💙
