Part I: The Philadelphia Gluten-Free Experience
Last month, my little travel buddy and I embarked on a road trip to Philadelphia to experience the WrestleMania weekend atmosphere, create some memories, and explore the city.
Before hitting the road to embark on the 6-hour journey from Boston to Philadelphia, we made a couple of pit stops. First, we stopped at Starbucks where I ordered a cold brew to get caffeinated for the ride, while Emerson opted for her usual treats – a cake pop and chocolate milk. Next, we stopped at Whole Foods to stock up our Yeti cooler with a variety of gluten-free snacks for the road. We encountered a lot of traffic on the way to Philly, so the trip ended up taking closer to 7 hours.
I logged onto Hotel Tonight once we arrived in the city and booked the Canopy by Hilton in downtown Philadelphia. It was pretty late, and the on-site restaurant didn’t seem to be celiac-safe. Instead of dining there, we asked the hostess for some bowls and spoons and returned to our room to enjoy some cereal, yogurt, fruit, and snacks that we had brought with us. If I were traveling alone, I might have opted to venture into the neighborhood to locate a restaurant that caters to people with celiac disease. However, my daughter was exhausted after a long day of travel, so staying in was the right move.
The next morning, we woke up and headed out for breakfast and to explore the city. Based on the proximity of our hotel, we walked to Parc, a French-inspired restaurant that seemed like a great option for breakfast. Unbeknownst to us, this seemed to be a very popular brunch spot for locals. We arrived a few minutes before they opened at 10 a.m., and there was a line of people waiting to get in. Although we didn’t have reservations like most people, we were seated in about 10 minutes.
Our waitress was very friendly and appeared to be knowledgeable about celiac-friendly protocols. I started out with a cappuccino and a side of berries. For breakfast, I ordered the cheese omelet with vegetables and bacon. It came with potatoes, and she either mentioned that they were cooked in a dedicated fryer or that they would bake them (I don’t remember since it’s been a few weeks). Nonetheless, everything was safe and delicious! Emerson, who is not gluten-free, chose a buttermilk pancake, which she dubbed the best pancake she’s ever eaten. I believe it because she ate the whole thing! Overall, we both really enjoyed this restaurant and will return if our travels ever bring us back to Philly.
Next, we made our way to WWE World at the Philadelphia Convention Center, which happened to be conveniently located just a block away from our hotel. WWE World was essentially a massive fan fest. We explored the exhibits, took pictures, purchased some merch and even had the opportunity to meet Zoey Stark, a professional wrestler in WWE.
After leaving WWE World, we stopped at Reading Terminal Market, an indoor farmer’s market also located just a block from our hotel. What’s nice is that there are two dedicated gluten-free stands in the market. Sparrow's Gourmet Snacks produces various types of gourmet popcorn, which we purchased. Their online menu also mentions flatbreads, sandwiches, soups, chips, pretzels, donuts, and more. However, I do not recall seeing many of these items. The other dedicated gluten-free option is Fox & Son. They had corn dogs, a variety of fried foods, and funnel cakes, which we tried.
For dinner, we walked to Mission Taqueria, which is now one of my all-time favorite celiac-friendly restaurants. The plan was to get takeout here, and then stop at Shake Shack to pick up a burger and fries for Emerson. When we arrived, I was loving the vibe and noticed an available table. Fortunately, Emerson graciously agreed to sit down and order some chips and guacamole to tide her over. Everything on the menu here is gluten-free, and the food is delicious! Usually, Mexican restaurants are known for being mostly gluten-free, but they often use flour tortillas in some dishes, which can be disappointing. However, this place is an exception! I ordered beef barbacoa tacos, rice and beans, esquites (corn off the cob with cotija and lime mayo), churros, along with some chips and salsa to go. I wanted to try many other things, but Emerson still wanted that burger and fries, so I ate quickly, and we left. On the walk back, we grabbed takeout from Shake Shack for her, and then headed to the hotel to watch the first night of WrestleMania together.
Before heading home the next morning, we ate breakfast in the room (cereal, yogurt, and fruit) and then walked six blocks south to visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Because it was so early, there were barely any tourists, which made the experience more enjoyable. It was special to walk the grounds and stand in the building where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. To simplify it for Emerson, I told her, “This is the birthplace of the United States. It’s where they decided America would become a country. It’s where America was created.”
After our brief historical tour, it was time to hit the road so that we would be back home in Boston to watch the second night of WrestleMania. After driving for a couple of hours, we stopped at a rest area in New Jersey so Emerson could enjoy another Shake Shack burger. A few hours later, we stopped for some pizza at The Flatbread Company in Providence, Rhode Island. I’ve been dining here for a few years, and it is one of the most celiac-friendly pizza restaurants I’ve ever visited. There is a separate prep area, a dedicated oven (which is pretty rare), they offer gluten-free beer, and the flatbreads are phenomenal! Five-star experience all the way and a must-stop in Providence!
After enjoying pizza, we hopped back in the car. About 45 minutes later, we arrived home, concluding a quick weekend trip that I’ll remember forever. It is worth mentioning that although we didn’t have much time to explore Philadelphia, it did seem like the city had a lot of solid options for gluten-free dining. I hope to visit again, and if I do, I’ll report back.
Part II: Wrestling
“Wrestling is not a love story. It’s much more. It’s hope. An excuse to be a kid again. And nothing matters except the moment we are in”.
We never intended to attend WrestleMania during this trip. Mainly due to the cost, but also because it would have been too long and late of a night for Emerson. Still, we thought it would be fun to be part of the atmosphere that the event brings to the city, create some memories, and explore Philadelphia, especially since it is within driving distance.
Emerson is a very casual wrestling fan who has developed an interest primarily due to my love for the sport. I am a lifelong fan of professional wrestling, mainly WWE, with my earliest memory dating back to WrestleMania 5 in 1989. I remember watching the event from my living room with my father and uncles. Although it was 35 years ago and I’ve watched thousands of shows since then, I still vividly remember that one. I vividly recall the venue’s location, its design, and entranceway for the wrestlers, the matches featured on the card, the winners, the losers, and the iconic moment when the Mega Powers exploded in the main event, capping off one of the most memorable storylines in WWE history.
Fast forward 35 years, and who would have thought that I’d be watching WrestleMania 40 with my daughter, Emerson. When I reflect, I can’t help but think of some of the similarities: Emerson is only two months younger than I was for my first WrestleMania, both shows took place in the Northeast, both occurred during an era when fan interest was booming, and both main events ended with a bleach blonde-haired babyface (“good guy”) winning the world championship after a year-long build.
In 35 years, I am certain that I’ll remember WrestleMania 40, but not in the same way that I still remember WrestleMania 5. I’ll remember some of the matches, mainly the women’s world title matches and the main events. But what I’ll remember forever is watching the show with my daughter on an iPad from our hotel room in Philadelphia and seeing the matches unfold through her eyes. I’ll remember how excited Emerson was leading up to the show and how captivated she was throughout.
This was Emerson's first WrestleMania, and whether she becomes a die-hard fan like me or never watches another one, I hope that she will remember it too.
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