El Rayo Taqueria

El Rayo does an incredible job providing GF options. I have had takeout on numerous occasions and never had any issues! Staff are knowledgeable and there are so many celiac safe options! Highly recommend

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

Knowledgeable staff and they have dedicated gluten-free fryers at both of Portland and Scarborough location, so the chips are safe as are the other gluten-free fried options.

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

— Very

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’ve always had a positive experience here and trust that it’s safe. Bowls are GF and I haven’t had an issue with the chips. Fresh ingredients, a good go-to!

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

— Very

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

— Excellent

I felt moderately safe here. The menu designates which dishes contain wheat, instead of which are gf, an inversion of the norm that I think helps fight stigma against celiac. They have a dedicated gf fryer for tortilla chips. The tacos are large and piled with toppings. It is hard to avoid cilantro if you dislike it, but that’s normal with a Mexican place.

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

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

Everything on the menu can be made gluten free except things in flour tortillas like the burritos and quesadillas. It still leaves a lot to choose from. Steak was a little dry and I didn’t like the fish, but the home made sauces and salsas are delicious. They make all that stuff in house and even pickle their own jalapeños. The fryer is dedicated so you can get chips. Prices are pretty reasonable, and Monday to Friday from 4-6 they have a happy hour with $5 house margaritas that are a good size and strong. My mother ordered the carnitas and loved it so I’ll probably go with that next time. I think they had something going on with the AC though because water was dripping on my head near the counter and the bathroom floor was one huge puddle.

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?

— Good

The staff is very knowledgeable about allergies and the need for food safety. The rice bowls and chips are delicious!

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

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 lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers outdoor seating

We ate twice here on our trip. I had nachos and a rice bowl and had no issues. The food was delicious and I didn’t get glutened, so it’s 5 stars for me!

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

All their menu items are gluten-free except for the burritos and quesadillas. They seemed very familiar with the need to be gluten-free safe. My celiac daughter thought the food was delicious and she felt great. Their tortilla chips are gluten-free.

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

My daughter has Celiac and we go here all the time! The food is fantastic and they are very careful about not cross contaminating with any wheat items. They actually do not have too much to offer with wheat other than maybe the burritos, which also helps with safety. The tacos are amazing and often get the fried taquitos with no issues (we usually avoid anything fried due to fryalator cross-contamination). We love this place!!

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

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

This location is better than the one in Portland all around. I got the loaded tots, chicken and shrimp tacos and soup. Highly recommend!

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

Ordered three tacos. I specified I needed them gluten free. I ordered the first two and the guy said that he’d make them gluten free. Then I added on another taco and it was not made gluten free. Ended up only receiving two of the tacos, one hard shell and then one soft. I actually said out loud that the soft one didn’t look like a corn tortilla. I am now starting to feel sick a few hours later. I’ve honestly never been glutened and I’ve been gluten free for three years now. I remember the terrible feeling of eating gluten vividly though. If you do choose to eat here, definitely be careful and specify your allergy. They do offer several gluten free options which is great but I just happened to have a poor exchange since it was over the phone on a takeout order. I’d like to note though that the food was not the best at all. I probably wouldn’t come here again. Taco Bell has more flavor. I don’t usually leave negative ratings but truly the food wasn’t the best. I ordered the typical beef taco And the steak taco and it wasn’t anything special at all.

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?

— Poor

The menu identifies wheat products and the staff understands GF. However, chips and salsa should be free...

Knowledgeable staff with items that contain gluten marked on menu. Non contaminated fryer and really tasty food, very flavorful. Got a bean taco, a fish taco with chips and guacamole as an app, would go back!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Great food. Good atmosphere. Bright and welcoming place. Most of the menu is GF. They make the menu with wheat signs for items containing gluten. Can’t wait to come back again.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Tacos are amazing! Great service. So many gf options!

Excellent choices on the menu. More than half of the selections are gluten free.

Celiac friendly?

Yes