Manuel's Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

We have eaten here a few times and the food is always good. I’ve taken recommendations from others that it’s safe. Ate chips and salsa-WIN! The server honestly didn’t seem very knowledgeable either time. I don’t feel like I could really branch out from the street tacos but I enjoyed them and would go back!

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the 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

The chips and salsa say gf. I didn’t eat them. The spinach enchiladas and they were delicious!!!

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

I have safely eaten here twice in the past month. Felix is an amazing server and has been for years. Even before I got celiac disease I would eat here 10 years ago and I am so thankful they offer gluten free items, safely at that. The street tacos are soooo good. Chips and salsa are safe as well.

The food was nasty

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

My daughter and I have eaten there many times. The chips and salsa are always great. I enjoy the steak fajitas. My daughter usually has a side of refried beans cheese and rice. We have never had a problem there and the food is great!

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

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

I'm bummed to say we won't be eating here anymore. We've enjoyed Manuel's for years (such tasty safe chips!), but lately their kitchen seems to have gotten disorganized. We've had mistakes with our order every time over the past few months and I've had reactions. Maybe if they get their kitchen back in order it'll be ok again one day but I'm not going to risk it.

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

— Somewhat

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
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

We had a great experience here! The staff was knowledgeable and provided us with corn chips (fried separately) to start. The gluten free menu had lots of options. We felt completely safe eating here. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful. Celiac friendly and 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?

— Separate gluten-free 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 lunch
• Good for takeout

Tacos shells and tornado shell burnt Beans and chicken were scorched

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

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

— Poor

Got the carne machaca. It was pretty tasty, it gonna lie.

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

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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?

— Good

I'm actually angry that in order to write a review, I have to give this place at least one star. It don't deserve it! Service was awful, we we're left waiting on the phone for 10 minutes before someone came to take our order. We explained the need for gf due to being celiacs and no one seemed to know what gluten was. I have no idea how they got so many good reviews. We ordered three different entrees and everything came back with gluten on it. The only non celiac in our group eat his food, but it wasn't even good after all the other disappointments. Definitely not safe for celiacs.

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

— Not at all

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?

— Below Average

Other Characteristics

• Good for takeout
• Offers online ordering

I have the shrimp and steak fajitas. Also the chips are fried in its own fryer. It’s been a long time since I went to a Mexican restaurant. I highly recommend.

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

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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 lunch
• Offers outdoor seating

Dedicated fryer for their tortilla chips. I got the soft shell beef taco with rice and beans from their lunch menu. Very good!

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

Other Characteristics

• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good with other allergies
• Offers outdoor seating

Love the chips and Salsa! So good. And safe due to the dedicated fryer. We have been eating here gluten free for years. We are always well taken care of. They are doing a good job due to Covid at this time with plenty of spacing of closed tables.

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

Happy to be able to eat the chips, however salsa had an odd sweetness to it and guacamole was bland. Rather average Mexican food in my opinion especially in AZ.

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

This place was wonderful. Dedicated fryer so I was able to have the same warm tortilla chips as everyone else. A separate gluten free menu. The waiter was knowledgeable about what ingredients had gluten. It has been a long time since I’ve had Mexican food, and it has always been my favorite type of food so I will definitely go back!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The food and service was excellent!

I’m celiac. The staff was very friendly and the food was amazing.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I am celiac, I have eaten here several times. the wait staff are friendly and patient. they have a gluten free menu and dedicated chip fryer. I usually order the machaca dinner, have not had any issues/reactions.

I frequently eat at this location. Manuel's has a separate fryer for their tortilla chips and corn products, just let them know what you are allergic to and they can make accommodations.Their staff is very friendly and most are knowledgeable, check with a manager if you have questions. I believe they do have a GF menu upon request. They prepare a special dish for me, as I have multiple allergies along with the gluten issue. They do not have a separate GF kitchen, but are very careful, I've never become ill after eating here.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac daughter loves the beef tacos and refried beans. She gets them only with cheese and no other garnish to reduce contamination. She has never been sick or felt unwell afterwards.

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?

— Good

When asked I was told the chips are fried with everything else so not celiac safe. I was also told the salsa contained gluten but the hot sauce did not. The server had no knowledge about the gluten friendly menu. First I was told the fajita meat is marinated in beer then asked someone else and was told the opposite. Needless to say I watched my family eat. I didn't want to take any chances.

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

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

Other Characteristics

• Good for keto
• Good for kids

Food is really good. They have a GF menu and the staff didn’t even hesitate when I asked about GF items. The server was really knowledgeable and super nice. My partner enjoyed his street tacos immensely.

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

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

Waiters very knowledgeable of menu and gluten allergies.

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?

— Separate gluten-free 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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options

This location does not have a dedicated fryer, my husband and I left because the server advised they could not accommodate my gluten & Dairy allergies like the location in Mesa can. I was super bummed.

Celiac friendly?

No