Celiac patients following the smell of gluten-free donairs to Stony Plain
Just how strong is the lure of a beloved Alberta street food? To some, worth an hour's drive, the owners of a new restaurant in Stony Plain have discovered.
In the two-and-a-half weeks Wheet Nothings in the town's Multicultural Heritage Centre has been open, the Frechette family has sold nearly 300 donairs.
"We have people that are driving from Beaumont and Leduc and Westlock and Sangudo. We have people as far as coming from Edson just to have our food," Jodi Frechette told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday.
She was diagnosed with Celiac disease three years ago and quickly realized how much she may have to miss out on – including donairs.
Jodi Frechette says the idea for Wheet Nothings originated because she "missed having donairs."
"It's very hard to find safe places that don't have cross contamination with their food. They say gluten friendly, but I've had more than my fair share of reactions and it's very frustrating," Jodi explained. "All of this started because I missed having donairs. And you can't find a gluten-free donair anywhere."
She noted there are some really good gluten-free products out there, but not many, and eating out can be tough for families.
THE DONAIR RECIPE
The Wheet Nothings' rising star of a donair recipe is a creation by Jodi's son, Justice, and like most of the restaurant's offerings, is made in house. From sauces to dressings to the cured meats in in their Cubano, clubhouse and meatball sandwiches, "everything is safe," Jodi says.
"It's mostly just finding the right brands and all that for the spices," Justice added. "You just kind of got to watch what you're putting in it."
Jodi Frechette says the idea for Wheet Nothings originated because she "missed having donairs." Her son Justice created the recipe which has drawn Albertans from as far as Edson, nearly two hours away.
Wheet Nothings does source its breads from Care Bakery in Calgary and Kinnikinnick Fresh & Foods HQ in Edmonton, as well as its ice cream from Foothills Creamery. Altogether, it's a menu many families have thanked them for creating.
"The kids are so excited they can finally have ice cream in a cone, not just a cup, and there's no risk of having a sore tummy afterwards," Jodi told CTV News Edmonton.
Justice – a welder-turned-cook amid slow oilfield work – called his new job so far "super rewarding."
And busy.
"Little hard to keep up in the kitchen, sometimes," Justice laughed, "but doing the best I can."
The business sold out of donair meat – which takes three days to prepare – in the first three days of business. So he and Jodi have been making quadruple batches to keep up with demand.
"It's been a roller coast and a completely thrilling ride. We're loving every second of it," Jodi said, thanking the community and her family for their support.
She sees potential for the business to start a food truck or open a second location – but far in the future.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Evan Klippenstein
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
NASA hears from Voyager 1, the most distant spacecraft from Earth, after months of quiet
NASA has finally heard back from Voyager 1 again in a way that makes sense. The most distant spacecraft from Earth hadn't sent home any understandable data since last November.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.