BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant

I wouldn’t go here if you have celiac. The wait staff seemed to not understand or care when I asked about the safety of the food. I ordered a plain arepa with beef filling and I am not feeling good today. I ate here years ago and was fine but seems like they don’t take their gluten-free claims very seriously.

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?

— Not Much

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

— Poor

This is one of my go-to places and I have not gotten sick. Everything is marked on the menu and most of the options are naturally gluten free. I always tell them I am celiac and they always take note. Food is super delicious!!

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 dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good vegetarian options
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

The after party is my fave, pork, avacado, copious amounts of cheese. Unsure what exactly is in the sauce but I love it. The arepas are consistently good and GF. I skip the apps and never had an issue. Cute menu.

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?

— Good

I’ve eaten here several times with no issues. The arepas are tasty and huge. Regarding the use of soy sauce in the marinades, a) nothing I’ve eaten has a soy sauce marinade but b) I’m sensitive to cross-contamination and haven’t had an issue. I think proceed with caution and use good judgment in what you order (they don’t claim to be a dedicated gf restaurant so treat it like you would any other restaurant).

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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

I confirmed many times about gluten before ordering. Got violently ill after eating here and emailed them to ask if their marinade contains soy sauce. Ended up finding out that they use regular soy sauce for their marinade. Everything is cross contaminated for this reason. Very unaware of gluten here. Awful experience.

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

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

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

— Poor

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

Nearly everything is Gluten free. The food was absolutely delicious and there were no ill effects.

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?

— Most/All

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

— Excellent

So good and lots of gf options!

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?

— Most/All

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

— Excellent

Delicious and dedicated gluten-free fryer and arepas. I was told that just 2 items on the entire menu contain gluten — mozzarella cheese sticks and chicken tenders. Our server indicated that she has gluten-intolerance and she basically eats all her meals here….and she has never had a problem! Adding to my list of go-to options. And BYO, to boot! 🙌

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?

— Most/All

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

— Excellent

Amazing GF options! Gf arepas are great, and love sharing an assorted appetizer tray to start. Best Venezuelan restaurant. Servers always explain what's safe to eat, and dedicated GF fryer. Always a good experience, friendly staff. BYOB

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?

— Most/All

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

— Excellent

Delicious arepas and salad. Enjoyed having many gf options. Very nice and helpful staff.

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?

— Most/All

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

— Excellent

GF areapas. I've been very happy with my orders. Not everything is GF, though.

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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Offers online ordering

All the empenadas and arepas we're made GF and other items were marked that were GF. They were also knowledgeable about other items on the menu we asked about.

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?

— 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?

— Somewhat

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

I'm a regular here and I often order online but in the last year several times I've ordered online I've gotten sick. Food used to come marked as gluten allergy but now it doesn't. This time I said "no fries" and they gave me fries, so I feel like they didn't take any precautions, and I'm not willing to risk it.

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

— Not 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

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

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the 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

Fantastic experience. The staff take celiac very seriously. You can even see what concerns they raised to the kitchen on the receipt at the end.

Almost all of the food is GF, but they pay particular attention for Celiacs and change gloves etc.

I have been here about 5 times so far and have not got sick.

At my most recent visit, I got the After Party arepa, which had pork, gouda and avacado. I also got the Tostones!

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
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• 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?

— 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 takeout
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating
• Reservations recommended

Arepas!

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?

— 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

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

This is one of my go-to safe restaurants that really seems to take celiac seriously. Delicious arepas! Try the Wednesday arepa night specials (dine-in only) to save some $.

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

Make sure to mention you have celiac they will change gloves. Dedicated 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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

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

The majority of Venezuelan food is GF naturally because it is made with corn flour. I got the burrata app and an arepa and the food was delicious. I will be returning!

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 breakfast/brunch
• Good for lunch
• Offers outdoor seating

I can’t believe it took me so long to eat here! The menu had all of the GF items clearly marked. The staff are all very knowledgeable and as soon as I mentioned I have a severe allergy, they let me know they have a dedicated fryer. I ordered an arepa and it was fantastic. We ordered the burrata for an appetizer and it was unreal. Will definitely be coming back here again and again!

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?

— Most/All

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for dairy-free
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers delivery
• Offers outdoor seating

Super knowledgeable staff that confirmed they now have dedicated fryers for gluten free items. I’ve eaten here a dozen times and never been glutened.

As for the food, it’s amazing. Highly recommend the tropical arepas but everything on the menu has been fantastic.

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
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• 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?

— 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 kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good vegan options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers delivery
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

We have ordered the GF arepas twice during the pandemic and they are very delicious. I think they’re probably better right off the hot grill, but that’s alright, GF delivery is still pretty great.

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

• Offers delivery
• Offers online ordering

Fantastic arepas & wonderful friendly staff who go out of their way to accommodate allergies. No dedicated fryer, but plenty of celiac-safe options. Will keep coming back!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I had the reina Pepiada arepa and it was delicious as well as totally safe to eat.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

This was a 5-star lunch! Bien Me Sabe has a comfortable yet inviting atmosphere, with really cool detailed designs and art on the wall that describe the history of arepas as a staple of Venezuelan culture. The arepas are all gluten-free, excluding the (fried) plantains, and they were absolutely delicious. Our server was lovely and welcoming- her name is Gaby and she answered all of our questions about safety and preparation for celiacs. The fryer is shared with gluten-containing items, making the empanadas and a few other items (plantains) not safe for celiacs. The arepas more than made up for it though- I had a mushroom, black bean and avocado arepa, and it was absolutely delicious! Mushrooms had such a good flavor and the dish was piping hot- definitely recommend this spot! Also perfect portion sizes- I was just perfectly full after eating a full arepa, but my 6’ 1” dad frequently brings home his leftovers because “it’s too much” (weakling). They do take reservations.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Really really good arepas, great staff, large portions, great value!

Celiac friendly?

Yes