I was very disappointed with my experience here. I had high hopes that it would be safe because of the good reviews and was sad that was not our experience. My son has a dairy allergy. I selected “no cheese” and stated that there was a dairy allergy when ordering. After picking up our food, I was disappointed to find cheese all over my son’s food. I have celiac and was hesitant to eat after they ignored my sons allergy info, but decided to risk it anyway because it was late and I was starving. I wish I hadn’t. I got super sick after eating. Summary: they don’t care about allergies and you are taking a risk by eating here. Taste wise, it wasn’t great. It tasted old and a little soggy. Definitely not worth it in my opinion.
— Not at all
— Not Much
— Below Average
Fantastic Mexican food, even better than many sit down restaurant’s. Tasted so fresh. Staff washed hands, changed gloves, and stayed with our GF items throughout the preparation process. We went back 2 days later it was so good! Stayed healthy.
— Very
— Most/All
— Excellent
They were great here. All the staff changed gloves for us and placed items on foil before touching the stove. Felt very safe and my daughter had no issues afterwards.
— Very
— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
— Some
— Excellent
From their allergen list: We have worked diligently to remove wheat gluten from all our sauces, dressings, and proteins. Natural glutens remain only in our flour and wheat tortillas and in two desserts--tres leches and key lime pie. This means that we offer "oceans of gluten-free options" in our menu. All of these items are gluten-free: all enchiladas, all tacos, all salads (without the flour or wheat tortilla), all nachos, and our chicken tortilla so up...which uses corn strips.
My very sensitive celiac son has eaten here almost monthly for two years, and he has never gotten sick! They always seem knowledgeable about cross contamination and try their best to take precautions. We're so grateful to have this place as an option when we want to go out to eat.
— Very
— Most/All
— Excellent
Every Costa Vida I go to have changed their gloves when I ask for gluten free. I always get the gf chicken enchilada, which they do with corn tortillas. Make sure to specify gluten free and they will use some clean (non contaminated) tortillas they have separated from the rest. They can replace many menu items with corn tortillas.
— Very
— Some
— Excellent
So nice to have so many choices!! I had the beef burrito with black beans and green chili sauce and loads of cheese! I am celiac and did not get sick...
Yes
I just ate here and had a great experience. The staff ( manager) immediately washed his hands and changed his gloves when I asked for a gluten free meal specifying I have a true allergy. He followed the food down the line personally ( I asked him to!). The result? Great food, no gluten reaction and a pleasant stay in Cedar City! Thanks Costa Vida! You guys are my go-to tasty eat out restaurant at home and away.
Yes
I came here shortly after my celiac diagnosis and didn't really understand cross contamination. I got so sick and was very disappointed because I thought I had done everything right. Then I realized that even though all their filling ingredients were gluten free, they all come into contact with the flour tortillas, essentially making them full of gluten and affecting someone like me. I wouldn't recommend going here unless you can convince them to make your food with fresh ingredients that haven't been contaminated.
No
It's not really GF when you cross contaminate like crazy. Sorry :/
No
I went to this restaurant in hopes of finding a new gf place to eat. I was violently ill before I even left the restaurant. Their sauces and toppings are all gf, but they scoop them out of them same containers that they do when someone orders a flour tortilla. So when someone orders a burrito they scoop out the stuff, spread it around the tortilla, and then put the now contaminated spoon back in the container. They also use the same hot plate for ALL the tortillas. Not a separate one. They also told me they use the same tortilla press for their corn tortillas as they do their flour. They said they make the corn first, but if they're using the same press, then how can they guarantee the corn tortillas are still gf? Anyways, I got sick and won't be going back.
This location needs more training about cross contamination. Yes, she changed her gloves when I asked for a gluten free meal, but then she came back to the line and put her gloved hand down on the flour tortillas!
— Not at all
— Some
— Good
My husband and I will drive the extra few minutes to specifically cone to this location over another one slightly closer to our home. The staff here are kind and professional and the level of service has never been lacking. The food is delicious and we've never gotten sick or had a bad experience here.
For those with Celiac or who are highly sensitive to gluten, I do not recommend the corn tortillas as, while they do not contain any gluten themselves, they are cooked on the same surface as the wheat-flour tortillas. I personally always opt for the baja bowl and haven't had any issues at this location.
On Costa Vida's website, their Nutrition Calculator page also has an allergen filter (and an itemized Allergen Info section below it) that can filter for the following allergens and dietary preferences:
· Dairy
· Eggs
· Gluten
· Nuts
· Preservatives
· Soy
· Sugar
· Vegan
· Vegetarian
Additionally, they note that their "hot items are prepared with low sodium".
— Somewhat
— Most/All
— Excellent
Told them I had an allergy to gluten, they washed hands and changed gloves. They did a good job. The only issue I had is when they were refilling the lettuce on the line, they used their potentially contaminated gloves to do so…
— Somewhat
— Most/All
— Excellent
I saw that they had good ratings and wanted to try a new place for dinner last night. It was a decision I regretted. When I asked about gluten free options the staff somewhat knew what was gluten free, but then would second guess their answers. The food was not good at all. I got the chicken tacos with the corn tortilla and extra side of rice. The chicken was dry and burnt. The rice was cold and didn’t taste good. Lastly, the corn tortilla was semi okay. The only good thing was the key lime pie. That tasted more like a cheesecake than key lime. After eating the food I felt sick and threw up. I do not recommend this place even though you see good reviews.
— Not very
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Not Much/None
— Poor
Very knowledgeable with gluten free questions. And food was delicious.