Howard's Pub & Raw Bar

Got a burger with gluten free bun and French fries. Waitress said they now have a separate fryer for French fries due to the amount they have to make. I have celiac and had no issues after eating. I asked about ranch and she brought the packet out for me to look at ingredients as she wasn’t sure. It had maltodextrin with no source listed so I skipped it. Waitress seemed knowledgeable on prep surfaces and option as far as food went. Ketchup listed vinegar and since it was an unknown brand I skipped that as well. Burger and bun were both really good though even with limited toppings.

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

— Somewhat

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?

— Some

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

Didn’t make it in the door, asked staff if they could make accommodations for safety and was told the kitchen wouldn’t do that. Inquired about gf buns and she said “we have salads” in very sarcastic tone

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

— Not very

The scallops were 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

This is another great place to eat. Good food. Good atmosphere. Good service. A ton of license plates.

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?

— Good

Another great place to visit for a meal. In addition to having GF issues, I am allergic to shellfish but was pleased to see they offered GF buns for sandwiches. I had a great hamburger there and no problems. I would warn that even though the French fries are labeled GF, they are prepared in oil that has been used to fry coated foods so don’t order them if you must be GF. Staff was helpful on this issue. A fun place that I would recommend.

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

Waitress was really knowledgeable on gf items. For lunch they made me a broiled shrimp sandwich on gf bun with applesauce as a side. Pretty tasty and no reactions.

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?

— Good

My mom and I, who are both celiac, ate here without issue. Everything that is gluten-free is marked as such on the menu. The wait staff was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The food was very good (although a bit pricey). Would 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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Offers outdoor seating

We stopped in after using this website. They had everything clearly marked as gluten free and what could be modified to make it gluten free. Honestly it was great! Also, if you are a beer drinker, they have Glutenberg which is by far the best gluten free beer I have ever had. We are going back tomorrow!

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

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good with other allergies

I had a great experience at Howard’s! They had a delicious local cider and though there were not tons of options on the menu, I had a good burger on a GF bun with a side of potatoes. I asked about a dedicated fryer for the French fries but didn’t feel 100% comfortable with her answer, so I decided to forgo them. I have celiac and am very sensitive to cross contamination and did not get sick after eating here. I loved Ocracoke and will come back again the next time I visit!

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

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?

— Excellent

Had a very knowledgeable waitress. She helped me choose a GF grilled mai mai steak on top of a garden salad. Do NOT order anything fried, even though says GF, as fryer is used for all breaded things. I would recommend. I felt fine after eating here. Fun atmosphere! My daughter has a dairy allergy, also enjoyed her fish.

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free

Lots of fresh fish options and server was super helpful! Fries are not GF due to cross contamination but other options were great!

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

Other Characteristics

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

I’ve been coming here for three years now and haven’t gotten sick. This most recent visit I got a cheeseburger with a gf bun and it was delicious. Just beware - the fries are listed as gf on the menu but do not have a dedicate fryer. Would probably be okay for those with a slight intolerance, but not for celiacs.

We have been going to Ocracoke for 15 years and never went to Howard's Pub because it was always packed. Today it was not crowded as we arrived around 2:30 pm. was so excited to see gf on the menu next to quite a few seafood choices. When I queried our waiter on the gf items, he recommended that I stick with the steamed shrimp as they could not guarantee ANY gf item on the menu was truly gf due to the amount of business they do. What?! He said there was so much going on in the kitchen that anyone with true "allergies" should not eat there. I can tell you that the steamed shrimp did not bother this celiac. Oh, and the service SUCKED! They add gratuity automatically, so they know they will get a tip even if they don't have to work for it. Will not be going back. Over priced and overrated. Save your money.

Celiac friendly?

No

Although they don't have a separate GF menu, there are items marked GF. They were WONDERFUL for me on my week long vacation! The staff was super nice and understanding and I had ZERO reactions at all (like I did at the Jolly Roger!). They also have a GF beer! I've loved Howard's for 20+ years and they continue to be my #1 choice on Ocracoke, even after my celiac disease diagnosis!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Very happy woth this restaurant. All items on menu are noted GF if they are Gluten Free. pub fries-gf! cole slaw, red potatoes, beans & rice, cold bean salad---all gf. plus many entrees, raw bar items and gf hard cidersA fun relaxed place with safe, good food.

Celiac friendly?

Yes