Permanently Closed

Sazon Restaurant & Cafe

34 ratings
$$ • Restaurant
Reported to have a gluten-free menu
Safety Rating
19 ratings

As rated by the community

941 Spring Garden St
Philadelphia, PA 19123

Most Recent Reviews


Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Went for dinner to celebrate daughters birthday- I have celiac and she is sensitive. Omg the food was fabulous and completely safe for me. Such a relief especially after coming out of COVID lockdowns to find a place like this. Will definitely be back. Did not have room for dessert sadly.

Safety


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
  • Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
  • Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

Quality & Quantity


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

Updated 2 years ago read full review

Asymptomatic Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


This is still my favorite restaurant after 10 years of eating gluten free. The food is fantastic! I always try to order something different every time I go, and I'm never disappointed. But it's hard not to have a Pernil Arepa because they're so delicious. The chocolate desserts are amazing! This is a unique restaurant that I highly recommend.

Safety


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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings
  • Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Quality & Quantity


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


Other Characteristics
  • Good for breakfast/brunch
  • Good for dairy-free
  • Good for takeout
  • Good selection of healthy options
  • Good vegan options
  • Good with other allergies
Updated 3 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


The only non-dedicated gluten free facility in Philadelphia that is actually knowledgable and trustworthy. They are extremely careful. I have eaten here many times and never gotten sick. They fully understand what a dedicated prep space means.

Food is pricey but portions are good. Highest quality.

Safety


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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings
  • Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
  • 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
  • Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

Quality & Quantity


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


Other Characteristics
  • Good for takeout
  • Good selection of healthy options
Updated 4 years ago read full review

This establishment is NOT a dedicated gluten-free facility and may not be safe for those with celiac disease. Please contact the establishment directly to inquire about safety precautions.

Gluten-Free Features

  • Reported to have dedicated kitchen space
  • Gluten-Free Menu

Categories

  • Allergy Friendly
  • Dairy-Free Friendly
  • Healthy
  • Restaurant
  • Takeout
  • Vegan Friendly

Photos


Yuca frites GF
Starter salad and fried plantains. For got to take the main course !
Bday dinner👍yum
Add a photo View all photos

More Reviews


Overall Rating

Review


Best place for people with celiac, just let them know you have it!! I go here every time I’m in Philly

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 4 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Updated 4 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


Lots of options. Delicious and different lunch. Such a cute restaurant!! I went with my husband, son, and son’s friend. I’m the only one who has to be GF, and everyone enjoyed lunch. (They all had something GF.) I chose this restaurant based on the other reviews. I would love to go back and try something else.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 5 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


This was my first restaurant I went to after being diagnosed with celiac. I didnt feel nervous at all. We got lucky enough to have our waiter be the co-owner and he was very knowledgeable and made sure that they cooked things in a separate pan with separate oils. They even made sure to say this as it was brought to my table. Food was absolutely incredible and it's byob which is ideal. All desserts are gluten-free but make sure you ask what you can eat on the menu.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 5 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


This place is amazing. Try everything. Owner is wonderful and makes chocolate by hand.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 5 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


Wow wow wow. Super friendly staff. Very special food. Very gf aware. Great experiance. Not only the food, but the special chocolates and fruit juicy pops (pop sicles), great!!! Best sirilion steak ever...

Updated 5 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Delicious food, all arepas are gluten free!

Updated 5 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


This place is amazing! Knowledgeable and super friendly staff. Unbelievably delicious. Items clearly marked. Separate oil used for frying. Hands down some of the best food I’ve ever had.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 5 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


We ordered yuca frites, and arepas. Yum!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 5 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Sooooo good!! I can’t wait to come back here again!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 6 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 6 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


So many GF and safe for Celiac options. Everything tasted phenomenal.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 6 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Updated 6 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


Wonderfully authentic and tasty food. Owners and staff so helpful!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 6 years ago read full review

Symptomatic Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Fantastic food. Separate preparation area for gluten free. Helpful staff. 10 stars!

An arepa may seem small on the plate but I assure you is a full meal!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 6 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Best food I've ever eaten! My friends and I went here and could not get over how delicious the food was...and GF! Almost everything is GF and just make sure you let your server know. The owners are so sweet and accommodating. Will definitely be back!!

Updated 7 years ago read full review

Gluten Sensitive

Overall Rating

Review


We had a fabulous meal here. My husband and I are both gluten free. He is vegan and I also don't eat dairy. We don't have celiac but they seemed knowledgeable. I didn't ask about cooking specifics, but I'm sure a call would answer any questions. The majority of the menu can be made gluten free. BYOB

Updated 7 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Excellent restaurant with amazing naturally gluten free authentic food. The owners are wonderful and very knowledgeable about Celiac. We will definitely return!!

Updated 7 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


Sazon Restaurant and Cafe (www.sazonrestaurant.com) is a homestyle restaurant serving authentic Venezuelan cuisine. Husband and wife team Robert and Judith create true magic in their restaurant. Gluten free & vegetarian options abound. Try the arepas (corn patties similar to a sandwich roll). I had the Grilled Veggie Delight arepa which had portabella mushrooms, eggplant, green pepper, tomatoes, onion, and spinach infused with cilantro pesto. The fried sweet plantains with shredded white cheese were the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Save room for Sazon's chocolate flan, caramel vanilla egg custard, and homemade chocolate truffles!

Updated 8 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 9 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


Such amazing food! I almost didn't even try it driving by... I am so glad we did! Delicious plantains, they have a separate fryer for gluten free items and take time to educate you on their menu. And SO DELICIOUS!! Try the plantains and arepas!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 9 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


Just had my birthday dinner here. It was great.

Updated 9 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


The food is mostly gluten free and really delicious. Our dinner was excellent. We followed up with some of Robert's truffles and a cup of chocolate. I can't even use words like delicious. The chocolate was an experience. I am ruined for other chocolate!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 10 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Awesome food, so many options. Even a GF fryer so we celiacs can enjoy fried plantains... Something I really never expected to eat again! Also just super kind and friendly service.

Updated 10 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Sazon claims to offer the most extensive Venezuelan menu in the US. Now I'm not in a position to verify or dispute that, but I certainly can attest that not only is the food at Sazon exceptional, but they are quite knowledgable in all things gluten-free and celiac-safe preparation (it certainly helps that most of the menu is gluten-free to begin with).



After taking a few moments to soak in the relaxing atmosphere, I went with one of the arepas, which is sort of a corn cake sandwich, served with a variety of fillings. I've only ever been to one other place that serves arepas, and Sazon's put them to shame. I got three bites in, and ordered a second one to go. Now one is certainly enough for a meal; my plan was to eat the second for lunch the following day. When I told them my intentions, they packaged the second arepa up so that the corn cake, pork (pernil) and sauce were all kept separate so the corn cake wouldn't get soggy, which definitely strikes me as going the extra mile.



A couple of extra things to note about Sazon:

a. They are not open for lunch during the week

b. It is a byob restaurant

c. They are cash only

d. They offer a variety of delicious-looking chocolates (I did not try them)

e. It almost made me want to move to Philadelphia.



I'd like to further qualify my rating by saying that I typically give high marks to any place that truly understands gf-prep and cross contamination; with so few gf-safe options, I feel beggars can't be choosers (yet). A decent meal that doesn't make me sick is infinitely preferable to a delicious one that does, and that typically is the basis for my scores. Sazon nails both the preparation and the quality, and I intend to return any time I find myself back in Philly.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 10 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


owners are super friendly and hands on willing to make dietary changes and separate fryer for gf. all ingredients fresh and prepared daily.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Updated 10 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


Love this place!

Updated 11 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Updated 11 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Review


Yummy, fresh food AND its a BYOB! Everything is fresh and delicious. I have dined here several times and have never had any issues with cross-contamination. The hot chocolate is to die for.

Updated 11 years ago read full review

Overall Rating

Updated 12 years ago read full review

Celiac

Overall Rating

Review


The arepas are delicious, but the patacon is by far my favorite meal. They also have the best hot sauce, which is awesome on the fried yucca and everything else. byob too. love this place!

Updated 12 years ago read full review

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