Food allergies can make navigating the dining world a dangerous endeavor. However, thanks to places like Annie May’s Sweet Café, a gluten-free bakery at 3110 Frankfort Ave, people suffering from common food allergies now have options outside their own kitchens.
Saturday morning walking into Annie May’s Sweet Café one is greeted by the aroma of baking goodies, both savory and sweet, and the relaxed atmosphere of a retro-diner, complete with a checkered floor, a treasure chest of a pastry case and Frankie Valli belting “Sherry” over the radio. Unique twists added to the decor are black and white photographs along the main wall of a baker’s hands at work and the daily menu scrawled in colorful letters on a chalkboard wall behind the main counter.
Five years ago the business began as a delivery service. Founder Annie May dreamed of having her own bakery, but discovered she had multiple food allergies. Food required a new perspective and Annie realized she had a unique opportunity at her fingertips; she could achieve her dream while also helping others with similar dietary struggles.
The recipes used have been adapted and developed by Annie May through much experimentation. Her favorite, strawberry cake, took about 56 attempts before being perfected. Since it was early, I decided to go a more savory route and ordered the vegan sausage and cheese biscuit (with a slice of red velvet cheesecake for later). My experiences with gluten-free breads and pastries have not been pleasing, but this biscuit was golden, flavorful and satisfied the breakfast sandwich need.
According to a print hanging beside the café’s entrance, customers are encouraged to “Eat, Drink and be Gluten FREE (and nut free, soy free, corn free and vegan)”With meals not costing much more than $10, Annie May’s is an affordable and unique stop for safe and scrumptious eats.
For more information visit Annie May’s website at anniemayssweetcafe.com. Images courtesy of Annie May's Facebook Page.
