Babalu Tapas & Tacos

This place was wonderful! Good vibe, excellent atmosphere, and great food. My wife is gluten free so we ordered all the food without gluten so she could try it. We started with the chips and salsa. It was so fresh and the chips were so crunchy. (Might be the best chips i have ever had at a restaurant) We ordered a variety of tacos to try including, pork belly, chicken, steak, fish, shrimp, and carnitas. ( Her favorite was the carnitas on a crispy shell and my favorite was the pork belly.) We also ordered 2 sides. The rice and beans was good, but the Mexican street corn was amazing. The service was good, we had cocktails, and made our way downtown to a show. She had no issues and I would highly recommend!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Enjoyed eating here! They have a clearly marked menu, good knowledge and their chips are in a separate fryer!!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

We love Babalu! I've never had an issue with accommodations or food safety here. They make guacamole right at your table and it is so good. You can customize it as you like - no cilantro add bacon, etc. And let's not forget the tacos, they are amazing. You must also get their french fries too.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Tried this place yesterday and it was wonderful! Did have a taco that came out on the wrong tortilla and we caught it, but they remade another one quickly! Food was delicious!!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Offers outdoor seating

The food is always great at Babalu’s. I ate here frequently prior to my Celiac diagnosis and glad that I can still enjoy some of the options. Gluten free items are marked on the menu. Most tacos come on a corn tortilla, but lettuce wraps are available too. I’ve eaten here twice with no issues. Chips are fried in a dedicated fryer!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good vegetarian options
• Offers outdoor seating

It took almost 20 minutes to get the attention of the bartender to order food but the food was good.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Great gluten free option! Yummy tacos and homemade chips. Menu clearly marked and helpful staff.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers delivery
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

Passing through town and picked this place based on reviews. Very pleased! The chips are gluten free and they make fresh guacamole at the table. They had lots of choices for GF. 4/6 eat GF with 2 Celiac and no one had an issue. Kids meals with huge portions $6.95. Great hearty corn soft shells, grilled shrimp. Everything at the table was delicious. Sad it wasn’t local to us. I’d be a frequent flyer for sure!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Our waitress was knowledgeable and helpful but not the rest of the staff. They had a sad little “gluten tolerant” list, chips fried in a separate fryer, tacos can be on corn tortillas. I didn’t get sick but honestly I wouldn’t even bother, the food was NOT good (how do you mess up guacamole!!!)

Celiac friendly?

No

Server wasn’t knowledgeable about celiac or gluten free. Service was extremely slow and two people in our party got sick after eating there.

They didn’t have GF options labeled and were in the process of printing new GF menus, however I was told their chips were fried in a dedicated fryer and made of corn. My server was fairly knowledgeable on GF foods on the regular menu as well. I ordered two tacos and had chips with guacamole. I had no reaction afterwards so it seems that they took cross contamination very seriously and my server was extremely accommodating. I definitely recommend!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

When I asked about the chips available with the guacamole, the waitress immediately told me the chips were corn based, and prepared in a dedicated fryer. Woohoo! I ordered a sandwich bunless, with no problems. I absolutely felt safe there! Would go back!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

They understand gluten free but whoever made their menu used the wrong terms. GF items are marked GT for gluten tolerant instead of gluten INTOLERANT. Great meals a few times now.

Our waiter didn't know what gluten was, but admitted it and listened to my explanation. Options were limited, but it was tasty and I didn't get sick! (Celiac)

They have a lot of gluten friendly options and the food was very good. It is not a dedicated gluten free restaurant, so some cc is possible.