Early Girl Eatery

My husband & I make sure we stop here when we drive thru Asheville. We love it! I get the chicken & waffles. The chicken is flavorful, juicy, tender & the batter is super crispy. The waffles have a delightful texture & taste great. My husband gets the chicken & French toast. He thoroughly enjoys it. So many GF options!

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?

— 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

• Dog friendly
• Good for breakfast
• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch

Love this local chain for its variety of gluten-free options. Sadly, this location has a more limited menu than the others, however, it’s the only location where I haven’t had a bad experience. The atmosphere and food quality is much better than the others.

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

Delicious and safe! And great service. I loved the chicken tenders and the waffles. I plan to go back to try more items soon.

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?

— Most/All

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

— Excellent

The best spicy fried chicken sandwich!!! Also, ask for their spicy chipotle sauce. It taste just like spicy Zax sauce. They have a dedicated fried and fried items are all gluten free. For non gluten free eaters, my husband said food is okay but I absolutely love this place!

I wouldn’t get the mimosa flight. The flavors are kinda gross.

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

I had the fried chicken, mashed potatoes with herb gravy, green beans and apple bread pudding! Very good! I was told by that waitress that only gluten free items go in their fryer. The service was wonderful! Overall great experience! I'll definitely come back!

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
• 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 breakfast/brunch
• Good for dairy-free
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

5 stars for the food/options, although the experience/atmosphere was probably more like 3.5. We went for lunch and the gluten free options were plentiful. Felt safe, fried chicken was crisp and yummy. Didn't get sick, but also wasn't overwhelmed by the experience.

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

We were really excited about this place from the reviews, but ultimately wish we had chosen somewhere else. A bunch of things were not available, but we weren’t told until 45 minutes after ordering. They were out of all vegetable and fruit sides and the dessert we ordered. Server also forgot we even ordered the dessert. We got the fried chicken with mashed potatoes, bacon gravy, and home fries. The home fries seemed old and microwaved and the mashed potatoes/gravy didn’t have much flavor. The chicken was as alright. Service was slow even though we went at 4:00.

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?

— Average

Eli was a wonderful server and the food was AMAZING!!! GF chicken and waffles was to die for! Chicken was so juicy and full of flavor. Belgian waffle was cooked perfectly as well. We will return!

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

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 dinner
• Good for lunch
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Offers outdoor seating

Early girl was our top must-go for our Asheville trip. Our family has food service experience and is patient and understanding, yet even for us waiting 1.5 hour for our food, with no sight of our server, no checking in on anything we might have needed was disappointing. Then, the lackluster food proved not worth the wait. Soggy chicken and fries. Little flavor. Sandwiches lacked toppings listed on the menu. Dry chewy grilled chicken (after first choice appetizer was sold out). Wait staff looked bedraggled. My son was quite sick to his stomach (a major rarity- but I suspect too much grease or cross contamination). shortly after the meal.

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?

— Poor

Delicious. Gluten free items are marked and I was reassured that they prepare food in a dedicated area for those with allergies. Definitely recommend

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

• Dog friendly
• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good vegetarian options
• Offers outdoor seating

The Gluten Free chicken and waffles were AMAZING!! Staff was super knowledgeable and made sure that I would not have any problems after eating their food.

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
• 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 breakfast/brunch
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Offers outdoor seating

GF Fried Chicken and Waffles are awesome!!

Dedicated GF Fryers

Lot's of GF options

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
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

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

• Dog friendly
• 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 vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers delivery
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

Yummy food! I have celiac and a dairy allergy. I had the cornmeal waffle, it was amazing!! So happy find a place that has a gluten and dairy free waffle! Also had the yam scram very filling 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?

— Most/All

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

— Excellent

Multiple great experiences! I am sensitive to cross contamination and haven’t had any problems yet. Staff is attentive and knowledgeable- and if someone is new and unsure, they do get other staff to help and make sure you are safely taken care of. The chicken and waffles are fabulous ( I enjoy it with the Korean bbq sauce) but many other items are delicious! Highly recommend.

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

• Dog friendly
• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• 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

We did not have the experience that so many others seem to have. The food had no taste (chicken and waffles) and they didn’t have a vegan GF option for the waffle besides a corn meal one. The syrup couldn’t even be confirmed if it was GF (had natural flavors) so we had to go to the store to buy our own. The manager was knowledgeable, but I would never go back for food alone. Pretty disappointed.

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

— Somewhat

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

So good! GF fried chicken dinner, chicken and waffles, and chicken sandwiches. Great variety and understanding of celiac.

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• 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 breakfast/brunch
• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good with other allergies
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

So tasty and many options. Dairy-free and gluten-free combos too.

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 dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Offers outdoor seating

Gluten free waffles were delicious! Service was great and felt comfortable eating here.

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

Amazing food!!! Lots of gf options listed on the menu! I had fried chicken and waffle. Highly recommend eating here!

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

One of my favorite places to eat in Asheville! Never been sick. LOTS of gluten free options! Chicken, waffles, fries, etc.

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

We stopped at Early Girl Eatery (Asheville-South location) on Hendersonville Rd specifically to find safe dinner options for my celiac daughter and were thrilled with the choices, knowledge about gluten free, and quality offered. We ordered the GF buttermilk fried chicken, chicken poutine, and GF tempura fish and chips. We did not have to worry about cross contamination from fried foods because the ALL foods that go into the frier are Gluten Free (hand cut fries, chicken tenders, buttermilk chicken, tempura fish). They had an AMAZING selection of GF items which were clearly marked on the menu (two salads choices, all salad dressings are GF, all potato and veggie side dishes are GF, and all 3 gravy choices are GF). The menu also mentioned possibility of subbing a GF bun or bread for sandwiches. We were there for dinner, but breakfast items are served all day including GF waffles ( at the south Asheville location). The food was incredibly fresh and the staff and manager were very knowledgeable about gulten cross contamination. Portions were large and good selection of drinks as well. Highly recommended!

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

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