Who knew you could live the Mediterranean good life in Chicago? Look no further than Roti. Ask for a rice bowl, salad bowl, or a homemade gluten-free pita sandwich when you come in. Bowls can be topped with nearly everything on the menu which is a rarity at create-your-own style shops (and you can still have gluten-free pita on the side). Their gluten-free pita is warm and soft, pairing well with the hummus…
The new spicy lamb meatball at Roti is a MUST. It is juicy and flavorful with a just little kick. If you’re spice shy, ask for some dill yogurt to neutralize the spice, while still enjoying the flavor. I really enjoyed the gluten-free tabouleh made with quinoa and cauliflower. It is a fresh and delicious addition to any bowl. And of course, I could not imagine living the Mediterranean good life without trying Roti’s delicious falafel – crunchy on the outside and flavorful on the inside. Yum!
As someone with Celiac Disease, the concept of fast casual and create-your-own always scares me because I need to avoid cross contamination. The servers at Roti did an incredible job of making sure everything I ate was safe. When I walked in, they pointed me to the gluten-free “GF” designation on their menu items. This was pretty easy to navigate, because nearly everything they offered for toppings/sides is gluten-free (except the cous cous). Before heating my “GF” pita in the panini press, they wrapped it in foil as to avoid cross-contamination. I was so excited the falafel was made with gluten-free ingredients; and since they don’t fry anything else on their menu — it was also safe for me to eat without contamination!
Looking for hydration as the weather warms up? I recommend the spiced carrot apple green tea for a soothing quench or the pomegranate lemonade black tea for a sweet drink! I love the food at Roti, and, as Roti says, “the food loves you back.”