A south Forsyth sub shop is serving up something a little different.

Good Grub Delicious Subs, an independently owned and operated eatery on Hwy. 9, offers several gluten-free options.

Gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, can cause adverse digestive effects on people with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder.

The Celiac Disease Foundation estimates as many as one in every 133 people in the United States suffers from it. Many others are allergic to the protein. 

Good Grub owner Alan Morris said he was inspired to offer gluten-free subs largely because of his father.

“My dad was diagnosed with celiac about eight years ago,” he said. “We wanted to do something for the gluten-free community in honor of him because I know all the struggles he went through trying to eat out.”

According to Morris, Good Grub is the only sub shop in the area to offer gluten-free options.

“We did some research into bakeries that provide gluten-free hoagie rolls and eventually found one that we really liked,” he said.

Besides the rolls, there is also a designated area for gluten-free preparation.

“We wanted to do everything we could to minimize the potential of cross-contamination with other products that have gluten,” Morris explained.

In addition to the special sandwiches, the shop also carries gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and milkshakes.

“In the future, we hope to also carry a gluten-free brownie,” Morris said. “We just want to provide as many dessert options for people with gluten problems as we can.”

Manager Dan Davis said the restaurant has built a following in the gluten-free world.

“I had my second woman today come in and shed a tear over the gluten-free sandwich,” Davis said. “She was jumping up and down she was so excited.”

While he didn’t know an exact figure, he said much of the shop’s business comes from those seeking the special subs.

“The percentage is pretty high,” he said. “And the numbers keep growing.”

Some customers don’t have a specific disorder but choose to follow a gluten-free diet for various reasons.

“We hear all kinds of stories about why they don’t eat gluten,” Morris said. “One woman said she couldn’t sleep even with sleeping pills, but then her doctors recommended a gluten-free diet and it’s working.”

Besides gluten-free, the shop also carries plenty of regular subs, as well as soups, salads and wraps.

Davis said the shop has garnered plenty of compliments from customers since opening six months ago.

“One guy said, ‘I don’t know what you do to it or what you put in it, but this is the best sandwich I’ve ever had,’” he said.

Besides good food, Morris, Davis and their crew of five strive to provide strong customer service.

Morris said a sign on the restaurant’s wall sums up what he hopes customers will feel when they come in.

“It says, ‘May all who enter as guests leave as friends,’” he said. “That’s my philosophy and what I want to instill in all our staff.”