Ballyhoo's

Wonderful! Lots of variety for gluten free, all marked on the menu. I am dairy free as well and was directed to their vegan menu. I had the veggie stir fry with grilled avocados. Yum! Since I have a dairy allergy, I was not advised to eat any seafood due to butter. My husband had the creole mahi, he said it was fabulous! I will definitely be back. They take it very seriously. Our server was Andre, his family owns the restaurant. He was very knowledgeable on how they prepare their food and the allergens. I also got dessert!! Yeah! Fresh made strawberry sorbet, it was delicious. Also fantastic lemonade, fresh made! My husband said their key lime pie was the best he had! (Just FYI, but not gluten if dairy free)

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• 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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for keto
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers outdoor seating

Celiac safe meal on the road! Mahi tacos, made with corn tortillas to accommodate, server was good and knowledgeable. Non gf diners enjoyed their meals. Items marked on menu that can be made gf . Worth the stop, clean, good portions. Quick service.

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

Delicious dinner! Great GF options. My husband and daughter both have celiac and they had a lot to select from. My husband had the chicken Francese and rice and beans as his side and and found it was all tasty and most importantly felt fine afterwards. My daughter had the local snapper cooked in their Hemingway style (parm crusted with crab in a key lime sauce) with the sweet potatoes casserole as her side and truly loved every bite. I had some and agree that it was delicious. My son loved the snow crabs and I had blackened Mahi which was a bit on dry side but tasty. Had the steamed fresh spinach as a side which I have to say was delicious. Had a very nice server - overall we give it an A!! Giving it a 4 for safety since it appeared to be safe but don’t believe they have a separate area for the gf items.

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• 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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options

Lots of GF items indicated on the menu. Food tasted amazing! Highly recommend!

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

Good gluten free selection, servers are very knowledgeable.

Great food in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

Boiled peanuts are a real treat!

Safety Feature Ratings

• 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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers outdoor seating

This restaurant has fantastic food and our server Sylvia was so nice and accommodating of food allergies. I got grilled shrimp with a salad and the shrimp were grilled so perfectly- a little burnt on the edges and that’s what I like! My husband got the gumbo and the conch fritters. Overall we were pleased and would return

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

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

— Excellent

My son has a celiac but doesn’t have severe reactions. The waitress let us know right away that they don’t have a separate cooking space but they do have some gf items. If you go wanting to try something new, you will have more options. My son has lobster and crab cake (not gf). Oysters for an appetizer and gf FrenchFries. The meal was great but be careful if you are a sensitive celiac. I gave it three stars due to the cross contamination and limited menu. They also have a great vegan menu that we did not try but was large selection.

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

— Not at all

Safety Feature Ratings

• 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?

— Not Much

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 selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Offers outdoor seating

Ballyhoo’s had the best gluten free food of all the restaurants we ate at. So delicious. Staff was knowledgeable and helpful. Highly recommend! I waited a few days to review because I wanted to be sure we didn’t get sick after. We are both highly sensitive and neither of us got sick!

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• 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?

— Excellent

Always have a great experience here when we come to Islamorada which is several times a year. Everything I have had is delicious and it’s marked GF.

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

I was so excited about going to this restaurant since it had so many gf options on their menu. My husband and I went on our honeymoon since most restaurants were closed because of the time of year. For a starter we got the tuna sashimi which was marked GF but when I asked about the soy sauce they had to go check and it did contain wheat. I ordered the tomato and shrimp plate. I asked the waiter what sides were gf because it didn’t have the symbol. He said all of them except Mac and Cheese. I asked if they had a dedicated fryer and he said no (so it’s not all GF) so I got white rice and beans to be safe because he said wild rice had gluten. They served me wild rice and beans and I asked if it was all gluten free the server said he wasn’t sure so he took it back and then came back and said wild rice WAS gluten free…then they bring me my entree and the tomatoes were fried in Panko breadcrumbs and the shrimp and sauce was on top. I had already ate a few shrimp before I noticed and asked another server. She said it looks like panko and the original server said oh no that’s corn meal (it wasn’t) but it was fried in the main fryer. I explained again how I am celiac (or gluten allergy to make it simple) and I will get sick. They took the food back and pan fried the tomatoes. I was so nervous by that point I couldn’t eat my plate. We paid $72 for a starter and 2 dishes and was the worst food we had in key largo and they do not adhere to their gluten free claims. So please be careful!!

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

— Not at all

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?

— Below Average

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

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

— Average

Other Characteristics

• Good for takeout

We went here three times in four days. Nothing else in town compares. Celiac friendly and delicious.

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for lunch
• Offers outdoor seating

I've been going to the Keys for about 30 years and was always aware with this restaurant, but just never went there. After reading FMGF reviews, I decided to try it out. We stopped by in the afternoon a spoke to a manager who made me comfortable with their knowledge of GF needs and procedures. We ended up having two dinners there and had no issues. The food is quite good and the location feels old-school Key Largo.

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?

— Most/All

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

— Excellent

Staff was very helpful. Food was very good.

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

The food was very good but the service was not good, bordering on unpleasant and it took a long time to get the check/pay. We finally paid and left and still none of the dishes had been cleared. When we ordered and I asked if there was a designated fryer, the server said, “no. We would need 30 fryers, but the fryer is so hot it kills everything.” Yikes.

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 dairy-free

Lots of Items on menu can be made GF. I had the pecan goat cheese salad and Hemingway Mahi, was delicious!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I had the blackened fish tacos one day and the yellowtail snapper cooked Hemingway style another day. Both very delicious! The black beans and rice were really good as well. I will definitely be back. Friendly staff and they seemed knowledgeable about gf.

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

The staff was knowledgeable and friendly and the food was great. I highly recommend the spinach salad with goat cheese and pecans and the cast iron Mahi. Both were amazing.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

My daughter has celiac and I am GF (never tested). The server was knowledgeable. The menu is clearly marked. My son and husband are not GF. We all loved our meal. One of our favorite spots for dinner. My daughter did not get sick.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

My husband and I went to Ballyhoo’s for our 22nd anniversary dinner, after checking out their PDF menu and reviews here.

I told the waitress that I had celiac and she took it very seriously, telling me she would write it all over the order and she didn’t bring bread to the table.

I ordered the Captain’s platter and everything was amazing. I ordered sautéed spinach for my side.

This is a fairly expensive restaurant so I was expecting it to be more upscale inside. It’s not, but the food was good and safe, so that is the most important thing. Just don’t expect a fancy interior to go with the prices.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Menu is labeled and server made sure our ticket noted no gluten even though what I ordered shouldn't have had any. Had charbroiled oysters, crab legs, and coleslaw. No reactions. Nice people.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Menu clearly lists what can be made gluten free and there are plenty of options

Menu has red stars for foods that can be prepared gluten free, but clearly don't understand how to do it safely. Very overpriced dinner that's left me glutened and miserable on my vacation. NOT SAFE FOR CELIACS!!! When I called to try to figure out how much gluten was in my system, the manager told me she would only talk to me if I first went to the local ER where they would do "a test" to confirm that I had been glutened by their food. Clearly LITTLE TO NO UNDERSTANDING of celiac disease. WORST experience ever!!!

Celiac friendly?

No

Had the curry and skirt steak. Both very good. And no celiac reactions so thumbs up!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Had to the Hemingway scallops, delicious! lots of gf options! great way to start our vacation!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

This place was awesome. They had so many gluten free options. They gave us boiled peanuts in place of bread. We had fish that was amazing. The salad was great. The appetizers were delicious and we had a sweet potato casserole that was so great. It reminded me of pecan pie.

Great seafood and lots of gf options. Our dinner party had mahi, lobster, & oysters with various sides - all gluten free and delicious. One person had pasta (gluten) and didn't love it. But all of us that ordered gf had no issues (a celiac & 2 with Hashimotos). Waitstaff was able to answer any questions & was knowledgeable.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Holy moly!! Super awesome food. Almost everything is GF. Doesn't look like much from the outside; but probably the best crab legs I've ever had. Green beans will bacon salt were great too!! No room for dessert.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I loved this place! I had a wonderful meal with no fear of gluten. We shared the charbroiled oysters to start. Delicious!! The parmesan crusted yellow-tail with crab topping was o e of best meals I've had in a long time. It was top-notch in a bit of a hole in the wall place. Will return!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

A variety of gluten free seafood options! My dad and I got king crab legs and yellowtail with mango salsa. Both were delicious, I would also recommend the side of the grilled mushrooms, they were absolutely delicious. Second time- my dad liked the steak salad and the Parmesan crusted yellowtail was a little heavy on the Parmesan but it was so good. Sweet potato fries were AMAZING.

Revising this review with regret- food is still 5 stars but on the third time back, we found out that the sweet potato fries are not gluten free after all (wtf) despite being on the gf menu and being told by the waiter that they are. And I ate them last time. Food was still great but beware, there are poor misinformed souls working here, with a non-updated menu and waiters with no knowledge :(

Celiac friendly?

Yes

What a diamond in the rough! Pulling up and walking in we weren't sure how it was going to be as was not as it's not as done up as most key restaurants however it was the best one we went to! Fabulous gluten free menu with lots of options all the way to desserts the mango brûlée was awesome! The service was also the best we had in the keys our waitress Bianca was very sweet brought out boiled peanuts since I couldn't have the bread and was overall a spectacular waitress so courteous about having food allergies!!

I love that they are knowledgeable about gluten free and also have a separate vegan menu. I got the spinach salad with avocado and grilled mango and it was flavorful and huge! I'd return!

GF menu with lots of options. staff were friendly. Food tasty. Corn bread not GF.

Great, best I've had on the Keys! particularly for the money. Fries and the Strawberry sorbet are worth the visit. Service is very good and they know about gluten free eating.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Very well-prepared, freshly made food. Knowledgeable chef and helpful staff.

Celiac friendly?

Yes