Italia Trattoria, the cozy family run Italian restaurant in Brownes Addition, is well known for their use of fresh, local ingredients to create traditional and unique Italian dishes from scratch. Italia goes out of their way to accommodate gluten-free diets, and their less expensive ($9 to $11) yet taste bud dazzling lunch menu is a great way to check out what they have to offer. A note at the top of their menu explains that all sandwiches are available gluten free, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
Since I first discovered Italia as one of Spokane’s best gluten-free friendly restaurants, I have been working my way through the menu trying different things, while they were also trying out different brands of gf breads for their sandwiches and burgers. They finally settled on Udi’s hamburger buns for some selections, Udi’s regular sliced bread for others, and a gf hoagie roll for the meatball sandwich. Since they always use a separate pan instead of a press for the gf paninies, they are more like grilled sandwiches but delicious all the same since what’s between the bread is the shining star anyway.
On my last lunch visit to Italia, I had the burger with cheese, which was hands down the best burger I have ever eaten in my life. The meat was a little pink in the center, which typically turns my stomach, but not this amazing burger. The flavor was mellow, rich and sweet all at once, and the soft, smooth texture made my mouth water. Cheddar was dripping off the sides, along with Dijon aioli. A slice of tomato that actually had flavor, which really shouldn’t be a surprise at Italia, added a juicy, fresh element. The final thing that maybe pushed this fabulous burger over the top into “the best burger ever” territory was the peperonata. The slow-cooked, mild tempered taste of these peppers and onions and the cheddar and aioli combo were a match made in heaven.
Burger with side salad, on the patio.
These are the sandwiches I tried while they were experimenting with bread options.
Muffaletta, with soup on a cold day.
Miss Piggy, with salad.
