Cafe Rio Mexican Grill

Okay so I have pretty severe celiac and when I first got diagnosed and didn’t know much about how things can get cross contaminated and just because it doesn’t have wheat it doesn’t mean it’s gf. I thought it would be okay to just get a salad with no tortilla and just have meat rice beans and lettuce. But I had the worst reaction after. I wouldn’t recommend cafe rio if you have celiac disease but if you have a gluten intolerance you should be fine.

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?

— Below Average

All the tortillas are not gluten free including the corn tortilla. The pork is not either. They have a little gluten free but lots of cross contamination.

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

— Not 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?

— Below Average

Asked what was GF and the employee told me the tostada, chips and nachos were GF. I ordered the tostada and my GF son ordered the nachos. Found out later after checking the nutrition facts on the website that the queso on the nachos contains wheat.

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?

— Average

Cross contamination definitely occurred, I was sick within 10 minutes of eating here. I even got a salad thinking it would be better, still got sick.

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

Cafe Rio has told me that they don't use educated equipment. They even cook their corn tortillas on the same equipment as the flour. If you have celiac or a serious wheat allergy I recommend not eating here unless they change their practices.

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

Everything has gluten in it on the menu. Beans, rice, meat….. all of it has gluten in it so it’s not safe if you have celiac. I eat at Costa Vida now, as the only thing on the menu that has gluten is their flour tortillas and desserts.

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?

— Excellent

We had a good meal here, they were knowledgeable and reasonably careful. But not perfect. They changed their gloves before they made mine and my daughter's meals... but they did put my corn tortillas (for a salad shell) directly on the same grill as they were making other food. I simply didn't eat the shell, and enjoyed my salad, and felt fine. My daughter had enchiladas, and those are cooked in their own tin, so no obvious chances for cross-contamination. She also felt fine. We did not try the chips, as they use a common fryer. And sadly, their queso also has gluten, as does one of their spicy red sauces. All is marked on their menu, which is helpful, and there are still many options.

If you are good with corn options and inform them you have an allergy and they change their gloves... then you are likely to have a good meal here. If you are very very sensitive, though, this might be a bit harder for you with the assembly line style of making your food.

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for peanut-free
• Good for takeout
• Good with other allergies
• Offers delivery
• Offers online ordering