Review of The Beehive Cafe

10 Franklin St, Bristol, RI 02809

Overall Rating

Review


Beehive Cafe is a bustling, water-side diner and bakery with a bustling business and a wide array of gluten-free fare. As a celiac, I am extremely wary of outside-eating. The risk of cross-contact is almost inevitable. But Beehive had good reviews; and the staff on the phone were attentive and instantly recognized the cross-contamination issue as important.

So off I rolled. One orders at the counter; then seats oneself. Despite the line out the the door, the server took all the time in the world to review the menu with me and to check with the chef and kitchen staff. "We can make the omellette, or the black bean fritter, or pancakes -- I'll tell them to pull a new pan, the GF ones."

That out of the way: What actually does Beehive offer? Pancakes, French toast, and fresh-baked toast as think as your two thumbs together. Most of their fare can be made vegan or dairy free as well -- and no sacrifice in taste. My friends ordered the traditional black bean fritter, served with toasted, herbed chickpeas, pico de Gallo, and avocado, and an Eggs Benny (GF on GF flax toast instead of muffin). I -- on their suggestion -- also ordered the fritter, but with celiac-safe hash browns, and a side of toast. (Other options were Lemon Ricotta Pancakes -- not dairy free, I was disappointed to learn, or modifiable; French toast, butternut squash or turkey hash, toast and jam...)

The fritter was stellar: crisp on the outside, well-textured inside, perfectly spiced. Toast was lovely, without much flavor, but no crumbling -- would have held up under a load of even runny eggs. The hash browns were enormous, fluffy, and delicious.

I think it took a flipping age to get the food, but then, the kitchen is cupboard sized and the line was out the door. Unsurprising. But I was so pleased with their attention to the severity of celiac, and enjoyed the black bean fritter like a boss.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 5 years ago

Celiac