Sal's By Victor

I have two family members that are celiac, so my review may be different from those that are gluten-sensitive or those that are able to chose a gluten-free lifestyle. Just for some background, my husband was diagnosed 10 years a go, and my daughter was diagnosed at 18 months of age. She is now 3. Her case was and is a severe allergy to gluten. We are residents of Williamsburg and I was so happy to find a place that had so many gluten free options on their menu. I will skip through the details of the conversation I had with the waiter, assuring that the allergy was acknowledged and written, and go straight to the outgoing conversation with an employee, Jennifer, as we paid our bill. She told me that all pasta, regular or gluten free, is cooked in the same water, unless you specifically request it from a manager. Please don’t make the same mistake I made. I thought that telling our waiter that our daughter had a “severe allergy” to gluten was enough. I did call Sal’s to tell them about our night (our 3 year old has been vomiting for over an hour.) I am sorry to say that we give Sal’s a thumbs down for gluten awareness.

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

I ordered the gluten free penne and got glutened, this is a NO GO for anyone with celiac. Everything is contaminated.

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?

— Poor

Prior to ordering, I informed server that I have celiac disease and cannot eat anything with wheat (it’s an Italian restaurant — and at the time of posting, this restaurant has thirteen 4-star ratings). Server looked puzzled and asked if I can have eggs and milk. After briefly trying to explain, I ordered salmon & vegetables, avoiding the pasta offerings, although they do have “homemade GF penne” as an option. Food was good, and I felt a little better because she said she checked with the chef about the oil/vinegar salad dressing, which also contained spices. I was very hapoy when she informed me as I had planned to skip any dressing.

What’s frustrating is that the server appeared clueless re: celiac but multiple reviews averaged four stars.

Update: I got sick

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?

— Average

Had GF pizza and is pretty good, 2nd time I had Alfredo sauce and got sick.

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?

— Average

The seafood Thermadore was amazing! We also ordered a gluten free pizza which was also really good. Our waitress was very knowledgeable and I felt very safe, did not get such. They can pretty much make any dish gf, no bread though.

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

— Very

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

We found this through this website and we were just driving through. This place was a wonderful surprise. The food and the service was excellent. There was no problem about identifying gluten foods.They were clearly marked on the menu. It turned out to be the best Italian food we have had in years.

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 dinner
• Good for keto
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Offers online ordering

Good Italian food! Lots of options, basically the whole menu is gluten free. Make sure you ask your waiter though because not too much of it is actually marked but they knew the answers to what was gluten free and what wasn’t right away. We got the mussel appetizer and some were a little sandy but good flavor. For dinner we had a Hawaiian pizza and shrimp Alfredo. The pasta could have used a little more sauce but it had a very good flavor. The pizza was dense like a typical gluten free crust but again good taste. Fun experience and lots of room for big parties to sit.

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

— Very

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?

— Most/All

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
• Good for takeout
• Offers outdoor seating

I was pleasantly surprised at the ease of ordering gluten free pasta with eggplant marinara sauce. I was debating between that and pizza with gluten free crust. I was very happy with my order. It came out piping hot with fresh basil on it. Delicious! The flourless Godiva chocolate cheesecake was over the top! A very positive experience.

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

Absolutely delicious food. I had the chicken fiorentina and was wonderfully surprised. If I lived close by, I would definitely be a regular customer.

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

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

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

My celiac child says “give them 5,000 star rating”. Loved the GF meal. Salad with balsamic, penne with a meat sauce, flourless chocolate tort to go (ate for breakfast this morning). No symptoms, loved the food, they are very aware of GF. Wish we had time to come back for more.

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

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

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the 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

Had a delicious meal here. They offer gluten-free pasta. I ordered penne a la vodka and chicken and the waitress was sure to relay to the kitchen staff to ensure my whole meal was prepared gluten free.

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

Really delicious veal marsala. Ask for the GF pasta (penne) and the waiter will ask the chef if he can make what you want GF.

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

Our waitress was knowledgeable on GF food and even adviced to not order the GF dessert if it was an allergy or a health condition, because it could have cross contamination in the baking process. She knew what dishes could be prepared GF. My husband has Celiac and we had a good experiencie at this restaurant. He ordered salad with the house dressing, mozarella and tomatoes appetizer, gf pasta with red sauce, sausage and shrimp.

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good vegan options
• Offers outdoor seating

Pasta and pizza available GF, marked on the menu. I asked about seafood risotto and the chef offered to make it GF. It was delicious! Everyone else (non GF) had a different dish and raved about how good it was. Highly 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 kids
• Good for lunch

The food is so delicious! I’ve eaten here many times and never gotten sick. Get the penne ala vodka!! Also, celebrated my 50th here and the seafood dishes are amazing!!

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
• 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

Other Characteristics

• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Offers outdoor seating

Got the GF pizza and seemed like it was a homemade crust which was amazing. Always enjoy finding a place that’s not using a frozen premade crust.

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

I will tell you the real deal. The Penne alla vodka was delicious. Go for the pasta! It came with a salad, but to be honest it was premade in a refrigerator and really sad looking by the end of the day. 1.5 grape tomatoes, one cucumber slice and iceberg lettuce.

The pizza was a typical frozen crust that is sold in a restaurant supply store and the cheese is packed on plentifully to mask the crust, which is flavorless. The restaurant was friendly and service was good. The server was very attentive and kept asking if everything was ok. We went when the restaurant was just about empty, though. They are open until 11 pm at night.

They had a gluten free chocolate cake on the menu for dessert, but we were full. A plus for inclusion.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Got the gluten free pizza, it was delicious.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Pretty good GF pizza and they claim it’s 100% GF on the menu! GF penne is also available.

Best gluten free Italian I have had since I was diagnosed! One of my favorite restaurants in Williamsburg!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

They specially made me chicken Marsala and penne. It was by far the best chicken Marsala I've ever had.

They had no idea what gluten free was.

Celiac friendly?

No

They have gf penne pasta only, but said they could make most meals gf. I had the chicken with spinache, mushrooms, zucchini, carrots and a light sauce. It was very good. It was supposed to come with linguini but since I asked for gf, they just didn't sub out with penne. It was still good, lots of veggies. The place was huge!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Mediocre and not worth it. Meat sauce tastes like unsalted chef boyardee.

Celiac friendly?

No

Great gf pasta dishes! Highly recommend.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

wonderful place! beautiful inside and we had delicious gf pasta! daughter and I both are celiac and no problems here. I had chicken marsala and she had chicken in cream sauce on pasta. yum!

They offer gluten free pasta and pizza. Each time we come to Williamsburg we always eat at this restaurant. Definitely one of my favorite places to eat. This trip we dined in and later during our visit also ordered delivery via online. Highly suggest giving this place a try.

Celiac friendly?

Yes