Portage Bay Cafe

What a great place! The berry bar is phenomenal. There is outside seating with heaters and blankets. The food was tasty and so many gf options.

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?

— Most/All

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for kids
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegetarian options
• Offers outdoor seating
• Reservations recommended

Amazing options, pretty good in house gluten free bread.

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

Emailed restaurant in advance. General manager replied with the following, which I found to be helpful and accurate:

“Thank you for reaching out!

We pride ourselves in being able to accommodate those with severe allergies. When a server notifies the kitchen that a customer has an allergy, the kitchen will clean the cooking surfaces and will use fresh cooking utensils. The food will also be marked with an allergy flag so that the plate doesn’t get confused with any others by the food runner.

There are a number of items on our menu that are gluten free, and a number of others that can be modified to be gluten free. I recommend you check out our menu online here: https://www.portagebaycafe.com/brunch-menu. Any item marked “gf” is gluten free by default. Items like our omelettes and scrambles that usually come with wheat toast can be gluten free by substituting our gluten free bread. You can also check out our allergy book, which breaks down our menu and highlights the major allergens in each dish:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/544ab456e4b0f3ba72eb800a/t/60b0690a08aa190da562a44e/1622173962901/Allergy+Cards+Summer+2021.pdf.

I hope this info is helpful. Your server should be very knowledgeable about the menu and will also be able to answer any questions you have. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any other questions.”

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

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

Menu is clearly Marked gluten free. Server assured me things were gluten free. I did not ask my usual questions but I did ask them to make sure that certain things were gluten free. I have never been glutened so badly as I was here. I have been suffering for over two weeks. Unclear if it was the potatoes or the Dutch pancakes (marked gf) or the hollandaise sauce or just some serious flour in the air or the worst possible cross contamination. I would not recommend this restaurant 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?

— Not Much/None

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

— Good

My boyfriend and I have celiacs and this cafe had a lot of good gluten free options, clearly marked, on the menu! He got gluten free French toast and I got the farmers hash with gf toast. Didn’t love the bread but it is made in house and gluten free! Staff was also amazing and super friendly!

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

Ordered the vegan banana GF pancakes. Informed our server I had Celiac & they prepared them with fresh cookware. Best GF pancakes I've ever had!

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

I made a reservation it took 30 minutes to seat us the food to be honest that was gluten-free was terrible. The banana pancakes had no banana wheels in it and tasted gummy. The gluten-free French toast while the bread was thick was bland. I do not recommend going. I was really looking forward to this celebratory brunch but was left feeling disappointed. If you’re going to recommend make a reservation don’t it doesn’t do anything.

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

Beware of cross contamination. I was severely glutened here from the pancakes.

Celiac friendly?

No

Shared equipment means not gluten-free. Have gotten sick from buckwheat pancakes here.

Celiac friendly?

No

Be prepared to wait. After an hour plus wait we finally got a table then it was another 10min before our server came to our table. I told my server I was Celiac so everything needs to be Gluten Free, I ordered the Hueto’s Rancheros after a long wait it was brought to the table and noticed the corn tortillas were deep fried, I asked the server if this was GF, she took my plate away and after much discussion with other staff she came back to ask me if they could remake it. They remade it with soft corn tortillas. They did offer a trip through the fruit bar while I waited, which I declined. It’s busy, it’s loud and the service was marginal, no refill of our waters and I had to ask for more coffee. I’m not sure it’s worth the wait or the risk.

I have celiac disease and feel very comfortable eating there. Not once have I gotten sick. The staff is knowledgeable and food is cooked separately. My only warning would be the fruit and whipped cream bar that is open to all, which may give cross contamination; however upon request they will bring you knew fruit and whipped cream! Tasty food. Great options

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I didn’t get sick from the farmers hash bowl, and it was delicious. I can’t speak to other cross contamination- prone items.

I had the Swedish Pancakes with Lingonberry Sauce and Lingonberry Butter with fresh berries. The wait staff is very helpful. If you worry about getting berries from the complimentary fruit bar, they will bring you berries from the kitchen in small bowls. Very nice! While I enjoyed being able to eat Swedish Pancakes, I think they should have been more delicate. They were rather dense.

Update to my review. Today, 5-1-2018, I had Swedish Pancakes again and they were amazingly delicate and delicious! It was a good day! I never have a problem eating here, but I always eat the same dish.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Wish this place would take some precautions. Ate breakfast here Saturday morning and was sick the rest of the day. Not even a little bit celiac safe. Why bother offering gluten-free? :(

Celiac friendly?

No

This place was great! Our waitress was very knowledgable about cross contamination and helped me find something safe to eat. I settled on an omelette that was awesome. I avoided the GF pancakes because I felt the risk for cross contamination was too high. My omelette came out wrong and even though the boy who brought it out was very rude, my waitress very quickly corrected the order.

While we love their omlets, braised greens and more main entrées that are gluten-free, preventing cross contamination and sharing detailed allergen ingredients is not their priority. Their gluten-free french toast is tasty, but it shares a non-dedicated grill and the gluten-free toast uses the same toaster as regular bread, this can be seen from the dining area as the kitchen is an open plan. I emailed the restaurant, identified our family as Celiac-positive, and asked about any shared equipment or hidden gluten in their ingredients because my kids' tummies hurt after eating there. I received a somewhat snotty response that only large restaurants are required to disclose that information. Their slogan is "eat like you give a damn" - well, we do, but apparently not all of their staff gives much of a care about customers who are asking for allergen concerns, not trying to steal proprietary information. Also, the wait times for a table are unbearable on the weekends, especially with kids in tow. I advise going to their website for a reservation a few days prior to your visit if you want to try it out.

Celiac friendly?

No

Delicious food but I get sick every time I eat there. Not severe symptoms but sick from contamination

Celiac friendly?

No

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Great spot, however I have had issues w cross contamination. They use the same toaster for regular and GF bread so if you're very sensitive I would steer clear. Yummy food overall.

Celiac friendly?

No

Nice atmosphere, great, fast service & delicious, good quality food

Delicious! So many gf options, like Swedish pancakes!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Choose from options like rice and tapioca flour Swedish Pancakes and Vegan Banana Pancakes or pick Gluten-Free French Toast made with homemade bread. The options are mouthwatering and wor th the wait. All served with maple syrup.

Amazing GF French toast, GF Swedish pancakes and more!!!! Was Sooo excited to find a great GF breakfast spot!

Excellent!!! Organic, GF, CF options! I had the GF Swedish pancakes and they were excellent!! So thankful to finally have a GF CF breakfast place Be prepared for cross contamination. I just took 2 gluten digest pills and had no problem. I'm celiac and highly sensitive to gluten

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Not celiac friendly. #CrossContamination.

Celiac friendly?

No

MAJOR cross-contamination, but luckily they warned me about it before I ordered. Not as gluten free friendly as they advertise. French toast goes in the same exact batter as the non gluten free version and the toast is toast in the same toast. Seriously disappointed.

Celiac friendly?

No

Glutened here immediately. Knew it after a few bites. They don't do anything to prevent cross contamination (they warned me not to get the toast or GF pancakes, etc) so I got the hot buckwheat, but was so sick anyway. Should have trusted my instincts and not eaten here at all. 100% not safe for celiacs. Go to Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe instead, they are awesome: separate prep areas and safe delicious food.

Celiac friendly?

No

Great menu! Great staff! And the food is to die for :) I feel safe eating here.

If you are gluten free in Seattle and don't go here for breakfast you are crazy. Gluten free French toast, pancakes, toast, and it all tastes amazing. And there's a toppings bar with fruit and nuts etc. Sausage and potatoes also all yummy. It's a good thing I don't live nearby, I'd be broke and huge. Oh and the coffee is perfect and served in huge mugs

You know this place is great by the line outside. But come a little earlier to skip that. We have found delightful sumptuous g- free options. Friendly staff, good service.

Had the best gf breakfast here on a recent visit to Seattle. I had the lemon ricotta pancakes, with lemon/raspberry topping. It also included a trip to the breakfast bar which had fresh fruit. So nice to eat a real breakfast. More gf choices available.

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

Delicious food, lots of GF options, and aware of safe preparation

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

My favorite restaurant for breakfast or brunch in Seattle. I always order the same item, Swedish Pancakes with Lingonberry Butter. Sooo good!! I’ve eaten at three of their locations and never had any problem.

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

Gluten free pancakes, eggs, and French toast options. French toast is made from house made challah.

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

I have high expectations for GF pancakes and, especially, for lemon ricotta pancakes. I was disappointed in these. They were heavy and chewy, not light and airy like I would expect. The berry bar is nice, but likely a source of cross-contamination. Coffee is good. Service is safe and fast. I would order something else if I'm ever back in Seattle.

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

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 breakfast/brunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers outdoor seating