While this exciting news does not directly affect me, it may affect some of my readers, so I felt compelled to share this information. I am all about spreading the word when I hear of a restaurant catering to the needs of the gluten-free community. The more awareness that we have out there, the better for us all.
When I was weeding through my inbox yesterday, I came across this email that I am going to share below. After reading through it, I was wishing that we had Taco Time here in Ohio! It really looks like this company has done their homework to not only offer gluten-free food items, but healthy items, too.
TACO TIME NORTHWEST ANNOUNCES HEALTHY FIT-HITS MENU
Local Quick Service Restaurant is First to Offer Gluten-Free Menu Items in the Puget Sound
RENTON, Wash. – (February 7, 2011) Today, Taco Time Northwest, a northwest-based family-owned Mexican quick service restaurant featuring fresh ingredients, launches its new Fit-Hits menu. The new menu provides customers with low calorie entrée options to make great choices for good health and is the first Puget Sound-area quick service restaurant to feature gluten-free items on its menu.
Each Fit-Hits menu item is distinguished by simple icons and includes information about calories, fat and sodium content. The Fit-Hits menu features eight items with 400 calories or less and four gluten-free items including white chicken chili, a Baja taco, a Southwest chop salad and a light chicken taco salad.
“At Taco Time Northwest, we’re proud to use the freshest ingredients in all of our menu items,” said Robby Tonkin, president of Taco Time Northwest. “By identifying the healthiest options, we’re giving our customers the tools they need to make informed purchases to satisfy their tastes and meet their dietary goals.”
To kick-off the Fit-Hits menu, Taco Time Northwest introduces Taco Time Health Coach Deborah Enos, who specializes in bringing nutrition information to busy people. A certified nutritionist, accomplished author and motivational speaker, Enos serves on the board of the American Heart Association and has been featured inSelf Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens and Good Housekeeping. Enos will be available through the Taco Time Northwest Facebook and Twitter pages to answer customer questions and provide nutrition tips that can be easily applied to daily life.
In addition to the Fit-Hits menu, Taco Time Northwest‘s website offers a Build A Meal tool that allows customers to view nutrition information for each item on the Taco Time menu and to calculate the complete nutritional information for the entire meal.
Fit-Hits menu items range in price from $1.59 to $5.59. For more information about the Fit-Hits menu, visitwww.TacoTimeNW.com or call (425) 226-6656.
About Taco Time Northwest
Taco Time Northwest is a family-run business headquartered in Renton, Wash. Originally founded by Frank Tonkin Sr. in 1962, the Tonkin family has been instrumental in the management of the company since the beginning. With 72 restaurants in the Puget Sound region, Taco Time Northwest offers the ultimate quick service experience featuring tacos, burritos and specialty side items prepared fresh daily and made to order. In addition to a full menu of Mexican entrees and side dishes, Taco Time provides healthy dining options on its Fit-Hits menu, designed to help customers make great choices for good health. For more information about Taco Time Northwest, visit www.TacoTimeNW.com. Follow Taco Time Northwest on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TacoTimeNW and on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TacoTimeNW.
Do you have a Taco Time close by? Have you tried any of their gluten-free menu items? I would love to hear feedback on this, as I have never heard of Taco Time until I received this email. Oh, and can someone send me a Baja Taco? 
