Pikunico

This place is fantastic. Gluten free Japanese fried chicken! Great bowls! But, it is cash free. Must use a card. Parking is validated for “The Row” parking garage. Seating both inside and outside. Walk up to counter to order, they bring food to you. Fantastic gf sauces for the chicken! Update: now serving Japanese curry and fried kobucha squash. For gps directions, set the address as DTLA ROW.

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

— Very

Service was great and everything w had was gluten free. We did the family basket and it was fantastic and a good amount of food for 4 people.

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

Pretty uneventful and kind of expensive chicken. Parking was hard to find as both of my GPS options had no idea where I was trying to go. Chicken is fairly bland and not really worth parking in the parking garage and walking over for.

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?

— Not Much

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

— Below Average

I had their mixed GF fried chickens and it wasn’t flavorable or tasty. It tasted very bland. I was bummed.

Glad I didn’t feel sick at all though.

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?

— Average

Being able to eat fried chicken that I didn’t make myself is such an incredible gift. The environment is cool, the staff is friendly, the food is delicious. So happy to have found them!

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

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

— Excellent

We had a delicious GF meal! The fried chicken was SO delicious and so was the rice, veggies and dessert. All was gluten free. The guy working was so nice and accommodating! Warning: no cash!

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• 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

Almost everything is gluten-free except for sandwiches. The chicken is delicious, the sides are super tasty, and I love all the dipping sauces.

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?

— 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

Like another review mentioned, only the sandwich has gluten so pretty safe to eat here! I didn't care for the Egg Drop Soup. It has a heavy ginger taste and bit of a spicy kick. The chicken strips hit the spot for me though, especially since I was starving. It's pretty plain and I only used the mayo looking dip. I didn't care for the smell of the other two. The chicken was not dry at all.

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• 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?

— Good

Amazing, best fried chicken ever! Staff were so helpful and everything is gluten free except the sandwiches

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

Quickly fell in love with their veggie curry bowl earlier this year. I’ve ordered it many times without issue.

Not sure if this is an outlier of an experience but I went once when it was extremely busy (they were evidently understaffed and there was some event happening at the Row) and after waiting for well over an hour and a half, I watched the cook use her hands that had just prepped multiple chicken sandwiches to assemble the veggie curry. No change of gloves. Nothing.

In general, it is a bit concerning to me too that the sandwich-making station (where they prep the only entree that includes gluten) is utilized to prep other entrees. An obvious area for food-safety improvement. I spoke with the manager on duty and let him know what I saw, suggesting they also change how they prep their food in the back. He received it and seemed to be concerned. I ended up receiving a full refund.

I hope they do implement these changes because I genuinely enjoy the food here.

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?

— 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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Offers outdoor seating

I love this spot! Tons of GF options and great service. The chicken wasn’t as flavorful as I expected it to be, but I still think Pikunico is worth a try.

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

I like this place for its service but the food is kind of really mediocre except for the yuzu-aide and the desserts.

The chicken tastes like microwaved frozen food aisle chicken nuggets and the rice that comes with it is like convenience store rice — microwaved, a little raw, and moist. The curry, however, is alright. It’s bitter and is good with the white sauce.

This place reminds me of my childhood— full of neglect, microwaved leftovers, and A+s.

Five stars for being gluten-free and the service!

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?

— Poor

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

$20 for great fried chicken and a couple sides! It’s worth a stop

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?

— Good

I freaking love this place. Got the light fried chicken with fingerling potatoes. It came with homemade pickles and three different sauces. I’d been craving fried chicken so much and this did not disappoint. Zero symptoms after 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

This is the best fried chicken I’ve had that isn’t insanely expensive like yard bird. And Nima gave me the smiley face! Will be back ASAP!!

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

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

Other Characteristics

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

Nearly 100% gluten free and delicious! I got the family meal and it was a perfect amount of 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
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• 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 lunch
• Good for takeout

Delicious Japanese fried chicken. Casual dining and take out, counter service. Beautiful space. Everything on menu is gf except bread for the one sandwich they offer.

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• 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

Other Characteristics

• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers delivery
• Offers outdoor seating

Real talk: their thighs (which were boneless!) were the BEST part. Keep in mind, the portions are TINY. Though the wings are large, they aren’t worth it, the tenders taste bland. But the thighs are amazing. The fries are strange- they taste like they were frozen, are very soggy, and are covered in a green powder that looks like matcha, they taste okay, but are so soggy and moist we didn’t want to finish them. Again. The thighs are amazing. This place is so expensive that we spend $65 for two people and we’re still hungry unfortunately. That said: no reaction! So this is a great treat place. Wish they had lower prices I’d eat here all the time

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the 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
• Offers delivery
• Offers online ordering

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers online ordering

Cheap, safe, and delicious. LOVE IT!! I could cry

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

it was so nice that everything on the menu was gluten-free, except for the bread that was clearly labeled. Even the homemade cookies were gluten-free. We enjoyed a feast of several different meals, and I did not get glutened!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

We found this place down at the old American Apparel Buildings by chance, it was just great. My son has dinner, ordered more then brought the rest home! Loved it. As close to KFC as they’ll ever get!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

As mentioned, everything except the sandwiches are GF. I recommend the classic fried chicken. To be honest, this place is not as great as Birdies (my pre-celiac fix), but sometimes you just need fried chicken. I've noticed there is major batch variation in the fried chicken. Sometimes really delicious and moist, other times it seems like the oil needs changing.

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

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

Wouldn't have known about this place if someone else hadn't told us about it. Located in repurposed old warehouse buildings. Limited choices on the menu but super tasty. Only gluten is the bread for a sandwich. Otherwise everything is safe!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

We have celiac and they were SUPER knowledgeable and friendly. The food is amazing! Best fried chicken and to be gf, is such a treat.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Amazing food and except for the bread for a sandwich everything is GF including miso flourless brownie for dessert. Amazing Japanese fried chicken and sides!

Gluten free fried chicken! Need I say more? Stay away from the fried chicken sandwich otherwise it’s a delicious place to go all in on Japanese fried chicken and rice bowls.A little hard to find but worth the hunt.

Celiac friendly?

Yes