Today’s Forecast

77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.

👋 More ways to say “goodbye gluten”

Goodbye gluten: Lakeland restaurants with gluten-free options

Ax-Caliber Cuban sandwich, milkshake, and French fries

Switch up your bread for an easy gluten-free sandwich. | Photo by @axcaliber

Earlier this year, we shared restaurant recommendations for those looking to live the gluten-free life. Our readers came through with seven more suggestions:

Ax-Caliber, 204 E. Orange St., Ste. 102
There are plenty of gluten-free menu options here. Switch to gluten-free bread for any sandwich or flatbread, enjoy a dip like Buffalo chicken with gluten-free tortillas, or load up on the Lumberjack tater tots.

Burger 21, 1601 Town Center Dr.
Sometimes you just need a classic hamburger. You can sub your bun here for a gluten-free option, and many of the burgers can be made gluten-friendly.

Cafe Zuppina, 4417 S. Florida Ave.
Reader Joan M. sent in this pro tip: Ask the helpful staff here to accommodate your dietary needs. Joan also suggests the veggie plate or lamb dishes.

Frescos Southern Kitchen & Bar, 132 S. Kentucky Ave.
Stop here for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner for delicious gluten-free eats. Our Instagram follower @michelle_maracz praised their clearly marked menu.

Cakes by From Beverly Bakery decorated with hearts — Show your gluten-free friends some love with a decorated cake.
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Photo by @frombeverlybakery

From Beverly Bakery, locations vary
Find this bakery at a local pop-up or order online for allergy-friendly cakes in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, carrot, and white chocolate strawberry.

Mission BBQ, 4014 S. Florida Ave.
Carnivores rejoice. This barbecue joint has a full menu for guests eating gluten-free, including brisket, ribs, classic sides, and more.

Sabu Ramen, 640 E. Main St.
This stall in The Joinery makes it easy to go without gluten — just swap the wheat noodles in your ramen for rice noodles.

Do you have another go-to gluten-free eatery? Let us know which restaurants and menu items we should check out next.

18 more gluten-free recs

Events

Friday, March 31

Breastfeeding Support Group | Friday, Mar. 31 | 9-10 a.m. | CJB United Way Children’s Resource Center, 650 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Learn breastfeeding tips from a lactation facilitator and connect with other expectant, breastfeeding, and pumping moms.
SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo | Friday, Mar. 31-Sunday, Apr. 2 | 8 a.m.-10 p.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus, 4075 James C. Ray Dr., Lakeland | $45-$170 | Flight is just the beginning of the Magic at the 2023 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo.*
Spring Pop-Up Series: NoxxKitchen | Friday, March 31 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Enjoy Jamaican-inspired eats like jerk chicken on the Catapult patio.*
Bright Galaxy | Friday, Mar. 31 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | Paint a shimmering sky over a mountain lake in this guided class with friends and refreshments.

Saturday, April 1

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.
Easterific | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | First UMC Lakeland, 72 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Bring your basket to take part in egg hunts, games, crafts, and photo ops.
Vendor + Dance Party | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 12-4 p.m. | Ensure Financial Group, 1253 W. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Network with small business owners and enjoy food, music, and a vendor fair.

Sunday, April 2

Florida Tropics SC vs. St. Louis Ambush | Sunday, Apr. 2 | 3:05 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $5-$20 | See if the Florida Tropics can win over the Ambush in this indoor soccer game.
Baby Goat Yoga on the Farm! | Sunday, Apr. 2 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | The Cloven Hoof Farm, 6170 Robins Rd., Lakeland | $5-$25 | We’re not kidding around — try this beginner-friendly, 45-minute goat yoga class.

Tuesday, April 4

Women in Excellence Leadership Development Preview Night | Tuesday, Apr. 4 | 6-6:45 p.m. | Lakeland Regional Cancer Center, 3525 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | Free | The Women in Excellence Leadership Development Program is a personalized, transformational growth experience that allows Lakelanders to find and embody their authentic leadership style.*

Plan ahead with our community events calendar.

100+ more events

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News Notes

Weather

88° | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain

Open

We’re on fire for this news. Fire Hotpot & BBQ is now open at 4250 US Hwy. 98 N. On the menu: All-you-can-eat hotpot and Korean barbecue. Visit from 1-11 p.m. today through Sunday, April 2 for 10% off your bill.

Edu

Applications for free preschool programs through Polk County Public Schools are open through Friday, April 7. Polk Schools expanded its capacity to 2,000 students next year. Apply online for programs like Head Start, Voluntary PreK, and Exceptional Student Education (ESE) PreK. (LkldNow)
Dr. Leonard Sweet has been appointed as Southeastern University’s Visiting Distinguished Professor of Ministry Communication. Dr. Sweet is a minister, author of 70+ books, and faculty member of SEU’s Barnett College of Ministry and Theology’s School of Divinity.

Kids

The next great pilot could be a kid at SUN ‘n FUN. Children ages 7-17 can try out the Junior ACEs aviation education program at the expo, and Zenith Aircraft donated a CH750 Cruiser airframe for kids to learn how to build an airplane. (The Ledger)

Development

Florida Polytechnic University is adding a third residential hall to keep up with growing enrollment. The $42 million building will house 430 students. Construction is expected to be complete by the fall of 2024. See a rendering. (The Ledger)

Feel Good

One More Child just got a big donation from a little kid. Lakeland youngster Cali donates toys to the nonprofit for her birthday each year, which she calls “The Right Project.” This year, she donated 1,077 stuffed animals to foster kids in need.

Deal

Today is the last chance to snag a discount on a bundle of five stretches from Strechlab Lakeland. Choose a pack of 25-minute stretches for $25 off, or get $50 off a pack of 50-minute stretches.

Eat

Is it hot in here or is it just this new sandwich? Publix has introduced a new Nashville hot chicken sandwich, featuring a spicier version of its chicken tenders. Grab yours in the deli from April-June. (WFLA)
When was the last time your partner, kids, or roommate said dinner was molto bene? They will after you take Publix Aprons Cooking School’s hands-on cooking class Pizza, Pasta, and More on Wednesday, April 12. Can’t make that date? Publix chefs are hosting the class on April 27, too.*

Biz

Unfiltered Lakeland has updated its operating hours. You can now stop by for a coffee, pastry, or beignet Monday-Wednesday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. or Thursday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Looking for a place to host your next team meeting or conference? Whether booking for two or 200, Catapult’s meeting + conference rooms have everything you need included (plus some pretty great views of Lake Mirror). Peep the options.*

Stat

2023 must be the year to travel — Orlando International Airport’s (MCO) stats are in and international travel was up 86% in January. Additionally, Spring Break is exceeding expectations (read: record breaking), with 2.7 million passengers traveling through MCO in early March. Do you have the travel bug, too? *

Drink

An electric wine opener is one of those inexpensive kitchen gadgets that you don’t know how you lived without once you get one. We especially love this one for its sleek design and ergonomic grip. To upgrade your wine even further, this set includes an automatic wine aerator and reusable vacuum stopper.

Eat

🏆 We have a winner

LALtoday pizza bracket

Congratulations to this year’s bracket challenge winner. | Graphic via 6AM City

The votes are in — and boy, were they close. After a heated battle, Palace Pizza has been named the best pizza in Lakeland by our readers.

Celebrate the win by stopping by 114 S. Kentucky Ave. today from 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. for a slice or a full pie. City Editor Connor always has to get the chicken balsamic pizza, and City Editor Rilee keeps it classic with a slice of pepperoni.

Congrats, Palace.

Shoutout

Shoutout to my fiancé. You brighten up my world more than you’ll ever know. I love you today and always. — Lee H.

This could be your shoutout here, but you haven’t joined our LALtoday membership program yet. We can change that. — LALtoday team

Your voice is valuable, and so are the special moments in your life. Shoutouts allow us to celebrate job promotions, anniversaries, and exciting experiences right here in Lakeland. Become a LALtoday member today to reserve your shoutout and celebrate with tens of thousands of locals.

Become a member, get benefits

The Wrap

Today’s Edition By:
Connor

From the Editor

Thanks to all those who did their LAL duty by voting in our bracket challenge. I think I’ll celebrate our big winner with a slice of Palace Pizza for lunch — have I mentioned they catered my wedding?

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We created three Lakeland itineraries perfect for you — no matter your budget.

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