First-hand experiences from a celiac traveler and clinician
By Krystal, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC · Celiac Safe Travel
Important Disclaimer: The experience shared in this post reflects my family’s personal visit at a specific point in time. Restaurant menus, staff training, ownership, and food handling procedures change. Always verify celiac safety protocols directly with each establishment before ordering. This post is not a guarantee of safety and should not replace your own due diligence. Trust your instincts — if something doesn’t feel right, don’t eat it.
Why I’m writing about an ice cream counter
If you have celiac disease or you’re raising a child who does, you already know that ice cream shops are one of the sneakiest cross-contact risks out there. One scoop travels from the cookie dough to the brownie batter to the “gluten free” vanilla all afternoon, and a quick rinse in a bucket of water doesn’t undo that.
So when a gelato shop gets it right — without being coached, without a sigh, without us even asking — that’s worth writing about.
We just got back from a trip up the Maine coast, and one evening stop in Brunswick turned into the kind of moment celiac families collect like souvenirs.
🍨 Gelato Fiasco
📍 Maine Street, Brunswick, Maine (their flagship store — they also have an Old Port location in Portland)
Safe Treat
Gelato Fiasco makes their gelato and sorbetto in-house, and the flavor boards on the wall label which is which — dozens of flavors on little cards, from Madagascar Vanilla Bean to Maine Wild Blueberry Crisp.
Here’s what happened when we ordered. We told the girl behind the counter that we have celiac, and before I could launch into my usual list of questions, she went to the back and came out with a brand new container, still sealed, and a clean scoop. We didn’t ask her to do that. She just did it.
When we asked about flavors, the staff could speak to which ones were gluten-free confidently — no binder-flipping, no guessing. That kind of fluency usually means a kitchen has been trained, not just told.
And it wasn’t just us. The customer next to me had a peanut allergy, and I watched the staff handle her order — even her samples — with the same calm confidence they showed us. That’s the detail I’d tell any celiac family to watch for: when a counter treats every allergy as routine instead of an interruption, you’re looking at culture, not luck.
One thing to stay alert to at any location: waffle cones. They’re made and sold at the counter, which means gluten is present in the shop. For us, the fresh container and clean scoop addressed the biggest risk, but if you’re highly sensitive, that’s a detail worth asking about on your visit.
What we ordered: A cup of the dark chocolate caramel sea salt for my daughter — dense, dark, and gone embarrassingly fast. She got to stand on a sidewalk on a summer night eating ice cream like every other kid on Maine Street. That’s the whole reason this site exists.
Verdict: One of the most confidence-inspiring counter experiences we’ve had in New England — because they acted before we asked. As always, staff and procedures change, so tell them it’s celiac and confirm their current practices when you go.
What this stop can teach you about any scoop shop
- Say the word “celiac,” not just “gluten free.” It’s what signals staff to treat your order as a medical issue rather than a preference. It’s exactly what prompted the fresh container here.
- Watch what they do next. The best sign isn’t the answer they give — it’s whether they change their behavior: new container, clean scoop, fresh gloves. And watch how they handle the allergy order in line ahead of you — a counter that’s careful for everyone will be careful for you.
- Scan for the gluten in the room. Cones, mix-ins, and topping bars tell you what questions to ask.
- Always verify in person. No write-up, including this one, can guarantee your safety. Menus change and staff turn over. Your best protection is asking the right questions yourself.
We’re adding Gelato Fiasco to our Gluten-Free New England list and the Celiac Safe Map. If you’ve been — or if you know a New England scoop shop that treats celiac seriously — tell us in the Facebook community so we can keep building the list.
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Medical Disclaimer: This post is written from personal experience and community reports. It is not medical advice. The author is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner sharing personal travel experiences, not providing clinical guidance. Restaurant safety protocols change. Always perform your own due diligence before eating at any establishment. Celiac Safe Travel and its author assume no liability for adverse reactions resulting from dining at any establishment mentioned in this post.
