Papa Frank's Italian Restauant

I’ve gone to this restaurant for years both before being diagnosed with celiac disease and after. The prices are on the more affordable side. The building is old and the decor and vibe are cozy. They have a list on their menu of the things they can make gluten free. The only GF pasta they have is penne. They have sausage, clams (with its own kind of sauce), mushrooms, meat sauce. You can have a side salad or cooked broccoli. I forget what other options there are but those are mostly what I’ve gotten. The pesto is probably also on that list but I avoid because I’m dairy intolerant.

Their tomato sauce is GF but does contain a small amount of cheese. I haven’t had a dairy reaction to that small amount, for what it’s worth.

I always ask to have no cheese and no croutons on the salads and always ask for oil and vinegar for dressing.

In terms of how gluten free it is: In the past I had asked a million questions of the waitstaff to make sure they understood and would make sure no cross contamination. On my most recent visit we made a take out order and I hung around for a little bit by the kitchen. It’s a small and fast paced place and although I do think they have precautions in place I directly mentioned to the kitchen staff that I have celiac disease and they said they’d be extra careful. The person taking our order hadn’t passed that info on to them. I also specifically asked that they wash their hands before handling the cup, lid, and straw for my fountain drink, which they did, but I don’t think that would have happened if I didn’t ask.

So, I’m not sure if I’m going to return. I probably will at some point but will make a special effort to advocate and verify precautions are followed. However, it’s a pretty nice option for folks who are gluten intolerant but don’t have to be as careful as celiacs.

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

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch

hashimoto’s disease. The server took my GF needs very seriously. There were a fair amount of options. I had a beautiful lunch didn’t get sick and the service was fantastic.

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

— Somewhat

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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for lunch