Cactus Flower Cafe

They had a separate gf menu. My husband who has celiac got a chicken tostada with rice and beans. We really liked them salsa that has fresh cilantro in it.

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

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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 went there for dinner last night and it was delicious and I didn’t get sick!! I have celiac and am very sensitive to cross contamination and also have a dairy allergy. Our serve Evelyn was wonderful and reassured me that she’d make sure nothing was cross contaminated and the chef knew to change their gloves. I had the steak carne asada burrito bowl which was delicious with a lime dressing. Also, the chips/salsa they bring to the table are gf and celiac safe and done in their own fryer. I’ll definitely be back! Ask for Evelyn if you go!

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

— Very

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

The waiter was extremely knowledgeable and completely understood Celiac and my concerns about cross contact and contamination. He suggested safe foods and ensured the chef understood the necessary requirements for me as a refractory celiac patient. He ensured the chef changed his gloves and apron. It was all very delicious and I'm still sympton free 3 hours later. I had soft tacos and my friend had the Muchos Nachos. We shared both and I remain symptom free. Definitely worth the trip!!

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
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

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 dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout

I had a great experience. They don’t have a gluten free menu but know exactly what is and isn’t gluten free. They fry their chips in a dedicated fryer. I got the Mexican salad with chicken and told them I had celiac and a dairy allergy. They were so happy to accommodate. I would go back again.

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?

— Some

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

— Good

Celiac. Had a great experience. Will return. Had mucho nachos. Chips have designated fryer delicious

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

ASK FOR HANNAH!! she’s amazing. she was so thorough she changed my sauce on my enchilada because she felt the other sauce was made too close to the flour tortillas, and she checked on the chips for me and gave incredible service. i tipped 50%. she was worth every penny! you will have a great gluten free experience if you ask for her.

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

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the 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?

— Average

The food here is decent. The waitress was knowledgeable about which items I could and couldn't eat. Guac was brought out by someone who wasn't our waitress with glutinous chip pieces, but she immediately swooped in to fix it before I could even touch it. Probably not GF enough for someone with very serious celiac.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

This is our next favorite Cactus Flower, after the one in Navarre (best managers ever).

You can do only soft corn tortillas but they can do tacos, burritos with any filling. The sauces are mostly GF, and all the rice, queso and beans are safe. We eat here every time we visit and never have a problem.

For crispy tacos go to the Navarre location.

The staff is knowledgeable and patient. Great food and great service!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Everyone was nice and willing to accommodate but they DO NOT have a GF menu. We did not eat there.

Excellent menu choices. My waitress was extremely knowledgeable about gluten free choices and what could be substituted. Method of inputting order allowed kitchen to know immediately that order was gluten free. Only 2 items could not be made gluten free. Can't wait to go back and try a different meal.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

We walked in and the hostess assured us multiple things can be done gluten free, and gave us a run down of what to order and what not. When we sat down, the waitress came to take our drink order. My boyfriend said, "Ok, and we also know what we'd like to eat." She rudely snapped at him, "I asked what you are drinking." Ok sorry... anyway I went to order something the hostess had suggested and I doubled checked to confirm it was all gluten free, she again snapped and said "No, it's not." I asked what ingredient would not be and she said, "Nothing here is gluten free." I said, "That's not what the hostess said...." (plus the reviews on here which is how I found this restaurant) and she said, "I'm not going to lie to you. NOTHING here is gluten free." She was very loud and rude about it. I walked out in tears. Would not suggest going here, especially celiacs. Oh well.

Celiac friendly?

No

Fresh California style Mexican food! They have a separate GF menu and were very familiar with it. I had the white queso and the shrimp mango salad! Yum!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Very fresh. Salsa for chips particularly tasted "just made". Really enjoyed my shredded beef enchiladas.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I was very impressed with how knowledgable the waitress was about GF food!! I had the chicken tacos with Santa Fe sauce and it was delicious!! I also enjoyed the bean dip. Yummy!! I highly recommend this restaurant!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

We went to the Pensacola location down by the beach.

I have Celiacs, and so do both of my toddlers.

They were so friendly and didn't blink an eye when we requested the gluten free menu. They prepare it in a separate area. There were only 2 mix ups: the waitress initially put gluten chips on our table, and she promptly switched them out when we told her we were gluten free, and the guacamole initially came out with the gluten chips and she gave us new guac sans chips. She thanked us for letting her know.

We had zero reaction to the following items and they were all REALLY TASTY: Ground beef tacos spanish rice lime rice white queso corn chips ground beef enchiladas refried pinto beans guacamole

We are headed there again, and I will update my review if possible.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Chips and salsa were GF. Tostadas and tortilla soup were great. Many GF options available with corn tortillas.

Delicious food! Our waiter was knowledgeable about food allergies & informed me they could leave the sauce off & make just about anything GF. I had the tostado with beef. Great margarita (the Purist) too!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Very educated staff! Excellent food!

Very delicious! Good quality food and celiac friendly. They have a GF menu and they were knowledgeable and accommodating. I had the mango shrimp salad, but there are many options available

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Very good! I am a GF vegetarian & they made cheese enchiladas & ensured everything was safe. I have Celiac & didn't get sick! Wait-Staff was great!

Great meal. They do have a gluten free menu with several choices. I have Celiac and am very sensitive. I had tacos and they were great. Great meal and environment.

Yummy! We had chicken nachos. The bartender was very educated on gluten and cross contamination. The chips are from a bag, so no worries about them being in a fryer. The salsa and guacamole were so fresh! Didn't get sick!

Amazing. I was nervous because they didn't have a GF menu. But I told them what I wanted and they made it happen

Loved the tortilla soup!! And the lime dressing is a must.

I would come back and highly recommend!!

Quite good! Sometimes I get servers who know all about the gf menu and are awesome about it. Sometimes I get servers who bring the chips with gluten but overall I've had pretty good service and they have a good selection to choose from. The food here is awesome.

amazingly fresh! I ordered the Mexican Salad with shredded chicken and lime dressing. Delicious!!!

Good food. Knowledgable staff. Mention you're gluten free and they'll take care of you. Chips are gluten free (from bag); homemade corn shells are not.

Cactus Flower serves delicious, fresh ingredients in their menu options. They always serve me Corn Tortilla Chips for my guacomole and are very receptive to dietary restrictions. I have eaten there several times and have always had a good experience.