Z2 - Savannah, GA

It was one of those days, you know, where I just could not get it together. It was a Friday and we were trying to leave to go out of town. On a trip that was unexpected and that I did not want to go on, but alas, not going was not an option. I had intended to make dinner for the road. Celiac's have very limited road trip options and the "options" we do have can be questionable and inconsistent. It is an awful experience to be stuck in the car for hours with the tell-tale sings of "glutening". So, a lot of the time I pack a car pic-nick. It wasn't happening this day.

Somewhere, I read that Z2  (formerly Zunzi's 2, but I'll get to that) had gluten free French bread as an option for their sandwiches, I thought this might make great road trip food. My husband had ridden his bike to work, so I asked him if he could swing by on the way home and pick up some sandwiches for he road. He was apparently having a bit of a day too because his response was that it was over 100° and that he just wanted to get home and pack for this road trip and that I had a wonderful car with air-conditioning and plenty of time. So why didn't I go do it?

Not particularly happy about it, but I went. Z2 is located on Drayton St. and E. Bay Lane. It is in the thriving heart of touristy, historic downtown. It is summer, the height of tourist season and a Friday afternoon in a city that on a slow day is hard to find (paid) parking. After circling around for the second time, I had a searing reminder as to why I asked my bicycle-riding husband to make this trip for me. On the third time around, I tried to squeeze down a narrow alley that had a dumpster on one side and a meandering pedestrian on the other. In my concentration to not hit the pedestrian, I was jarred by the realty that I was too close to the dumpster. That reality being that I had hit my passenger side mirror on it. After taking a moment to right my mirror, I was about ready to give up. But, luckily, I came upon a magic 30 minute parking space right around the corner from this place.

As you can imagine I was a bit flustered by the time I walked up to the great old sandy brick three story building that is home to Z2. Walking through the door you are hit with that chaotic, eclectic, energetic charm that you get from these historic buildings that host great night life. A hippish dread-locked someone greeted me with such warmth and familiarity, that you would have thought I was a regular. When I said I needed to order take-out she asked a near by server to take my order as there was an issue with the POS system that had to be dealt with. He poised a pen over pad, waiting for me to order and only after my hesitant pause realized that I might actually need a menu. It was actually warming, to be mistaken as a familiar. I was promptly handed a menu and in my still slightly dazed state, I asked about the gluten free bread (not immediately noticing that they have a big red GF next to items that they can do gluten free). This guy was great. he assured me that they could handle gluten free and that the kitchen was well prepared because one of the owners, while not having celiac disease, had a very seriously reactive gluten intolerance. He then went on to point out that they have CALAMARI!! Fried in a dedicated fryer. Say what?!? It had been over five years since I had calamari. I was so excited and so torn. Calamari is not good road trip food. But, man, did I want some. I told him I would have to come back to try it. As I ordered the two sandwiches on gluten free french bread he said "are you sure you don't want an order of calamari to go too"? I did, I really did want some. So I got some.

It was so good. I got back to my car and just sat there shoving my face full of tender,fresh, fried rings from heaven. In truth, I was very scared because it looked and tasted so much like regular calamari. But it was awesome, and I had no issues with it... other than over indulgence. The sandwiches were good, but it would not be fair to review them as I did not eat them until much later when we were on the road. A future post will happen when I can actually eat in the restaurant.

The server that took my order was awesome. On top of reassuring me with all the information about gluten free, being under standing and sympathetic of my loopy state, taking the time to visually inspect my order to make sure it was indeed the GF versions, He gave me the down low on Zunzi's/Z2.

Z2, was originally Zunzi's 2. Zunzi's is the South African restaurant that has some Food Network fame, but they were a lunch only take-out place, so the owner's opened Zunzi's 2 as a sit down evening place. Apparently, they have sold the original Zunzi's to the Five Guys brand and they will be franchising it. So now only Z2 (hence the name change) is the only one owned by the original owners. Also, this is why Z2 is the only one with the gluten free options. As the server said, if you want to support local eat Z2, if you want to support big corporate eat Zunzi's

Bottom line: The people and food totally turned my meh day around. If all the food is as good as the calamari and all the staff is as informed as the guy I dealt with, I'll be back a lot.

To visit their website: Z2 Savannah