I first met Maureen Burke several years ago at a Washington DC Metro Celiacs meeting. She had brought samples of her company's delicious gluten free and allergen free sweet and savory creations for all of us members to sample.
Her company is called One Dish Cuisine, and the idea is to offer gluten free and allergen free meals that are bought, stored, baked, and served in ONE dish...reducing any chance of cross contamination in preparation. Her meals are offered at several restaurants, markets, bakeries, assisted living facilities, and hospitals in Baltimore and Washington areas. I've had the pleasure to sample her food at many events and expos since, and I particularly enjoyed her crabcakes and pizza.
Fast forward to present day, and Maureen has opened her own restaurant, also called One Dish Cuisine Cafe, Deli, and Bakery.
Maureen's motivations to serve the Celiac, gluten free, and allergen free communities run deep. She was diagnosed with Celiac herself in the late 80's -- WAY before the term "gluten free" was a household term. She's also casein intolerant. Coincidentally, she also has a nephew who has special dietary needs -- due to Autism, PDD NOS. Her efforts to create delicious and nutritious foods for herself and her nephew resulted in incredible health benefits and a desire to help others have access to these quick, easy, and delicious meals. She has strong desire to bring people with allergies and food intolerances "back to the table" to enjoy many favorite foods they may have had to give up due to dietary restrictions. And she has spent years perfecting her recipes so there is absolutely no sacrifice in taste.
After years of receiving such rave reviews about the quality of her "one dish" frozen entrees, she was encouraged by her customers to open her own restaurant. The restaurant is completely gluten free (certified GF to 5 ppm by the CSA) and peanut free. Maureen also has many offerings to accommodate those who need to follow diets free of dairy, casein, soy, eggs, nuts, fish, shellfish and corn.
One Dish Cuisine bakes all of their breads and pizza crusts fresh daily -- along with muffins, brownies, and other baked goods. Their menu consists primarily of subs, sandwiches, and pizzas, but they also serve burgers, fries, wings, salads, and more. AND they have a full Deli, featuring Dietz and Watson's line of Gluten Free/Casein Free/Soy Free and All-Natural Meats, Gluten Free Cheeses, and Daiya Vegan Cheeses.
Big sellers so far have been the Reuben (when was the last time you were able to have a Reuben sandwich?!), Steak and Cheese sub, Italian Cold Cut sub, burgers, pizza, muffins, and brownies.
There's even a mini market where customers can pick up some of their favorite One Dish Cuisine frozen single serve meals. (If you happen to be driving some distance to visit One Dish Cuisine, bring a cooler, and they'll give you dry ice so you can buy some of your favorite foods to take home!)
And for those of you who live outside the DC/Baltimore area, One Dish Cuisine will ship anywhere in the continental U.S. (perfect, too, if you have a gluten free or allergen free friend or family member who might enjoy the great taste and convenience of Maureen's frozen meals). Just give them a call.
This unique restaurant has already received several stellar reviews on our gluten free dining and trevel review website, GlutenFreeTravelSite...one from a family of five who deal with Celiac and multiple allergies, another who plans to make One Dish Cuisine a regular dining destination, and still another that was absolutely "wowed" by the taste of the food.
In typical, hard-working Maureen style, One DIsh Cuisine is open to serve her customers 7 days a week, from 9 am to 9 pm. If you live in the area, join them for their Grand Opening celebrations the weekend of October 12-14. The restaurant is located at 8001 Hillsborough Road in the Taylor Village Center in Ellicott City, Maryland.