Do you see what I see? Does that sign say “healthy gluten free fast food” in big letters? On a proper sign? Not just as an afterthought on a small sign posted on the door? Or in tiny letters at the bottom of a menu? I could not believe my eyes! We had just pulled into a mall parking lot looking for a BCAA during our Vancouver Island vacation and I saw this sign!!! The sign belongs to a 100% gluten-free fast food restaurant called Rawmbas!! Well, I had to go over and stare at it and let it sink in….there was a huge sign saying “healthy gluten free fast food”!!! Well as a celiac who constantly is on the lookout for places and things I can eat, I just had to go in and check it out.

What a find! Inside looks just like any fast food restaurant, but with a 100% gluten-free, vegan menu. The choices are fantastic from smoothies, pizza, salads, wraps, burgers and Asian inspired bowls, to muffins, desserts and a variety of coffees and teas and other beverages. I tried a smoothie very good, but the star was the gluten-free blueberry muffin! Even my non-celiac family members thought the muffin was great. They said they wouldn’t have been able to tell it was gluten-free. Moist and full of blueberries it was delicious! I really should have bought more. I loved it. If you find yourself in or near Nanaimo I recommend that you drop by Rawmbas (508-6581 Aulds Road, Nanaimo, BC), and make sure you are hungry. I wished I could have tried more items, next time I’m anywhere near Nanaimo I’m going to go out of my way to eat here. Rawmbas is open Monday to Saturday 7am-5pm and on Sundays 9am-5pm. Awesome fact – they donate their tips to the Canadian Celiac Association! I met two owners who were serving customers while I was there and they were very knowledgeable about celiac disease. Wish they expand to Calgary area one day!! Check out their website www.rawmbas.ca. If you drop by, let me know what you think? What are your favorite 100% gluten-free restaurants?