SoKno Taco Cantina

I am going to say no to this place despite bing here several times and despite it wanting it to work because - well, there is no GF safe Mexican food in Knoxville that I know of. 1) this is another sad example of "Gluten-washing" (If you've heard of the term greenwashing, well, this is the gluten-free version, I just made that term up!). Another establishment where I've spoken to multiple different staff members, to be told 'yes' to being able to prepare my food with safe cross contamination measures, then to be told by an additional staff member that this was NOT possible. finally a forth staff member, a crabby manager, came out and told me they would make an exception, and do my fish without seasoning in foil, off the menu, despite the fish tacos being advertised as GF on the menu. (Cross contamination) 2) the service is horrible. been in here more than once where we were not served maybe til an hour later, big mistake to go here when hungry. 3)it was so obnoxiously loud that I could not hear my partner talk or enjoy my food when it finally came out. 4) just learned it failed its health inspection! Hard pass.

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

— Not 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?

— Not Much

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

— Average

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free

EDIT: the bartender in the truck at the back was very apologetic and open to learning about how Omission wasn’t appropriate for celiacs. Seems like he was just fooled by the deceptive marketing of Omission. He listened to why it wasn’t ok for celiacs and why he should recommend one of the 2 gluten-free seltzers they have instead if another celiac asks. It is frustrating to have to constantly advocate for ourselves but they were open to learning and I will give credit for that.

I called and asked about gluten free alcoholic drinks safe for celiacs, and they offered me omission, which is NOT gluten free and would have made me sick if I hadn’t already known about that brand.

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

— Not very

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

Other Characteristics

• Offers outdoor seating

I was very excited to find a good place in Knoxville to get tacos but I’ve been there three times and when I order the “gluten-free” tacos and tell them that I am allergic to gluten, they serve me the tacos with my own little thing of chips. Last week I got sick and they were the culprit. Called and turns out they fry the chips and gluten-free tortillas in the same fryer as the regular tortillas and were careless and did not mention that to me and I had to suffer the consequences. Assured me multiple times they had a new gluten free fryer AND IT WASNT. I have gotten sick every time i’ve eaten there. Severely disappointed

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?

— Some

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

— Poor

Recently received word that they no longer have a separate fryer for gf items and that even the gf tacos are flash fried in the same oil as flour tortillas. I haven't verified any of this with the owner/management, but if this is the case, it's so disappointing! This was the only Mexican style place in Knoxville that I had found to be safe.

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

Super yumm!! K, we tried this place on a Sunday, we thought it would be slow around 1130am. Menu is clearly marked, server, becca checked on the fryer for me. It had just been cleaned and new oil in it so, safe, but the chef said when they get busy, it may get contaminated, so, just ask before assuming. That being said, everything was super delicious AND I wish I lived next door to this place lolz. When we were leaving, the parking lot was packed... !

Celiac friendly?

Yes

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free

amazing!!! my mom and i both highly recommend the taco platter

Celiac friendly?

Yes

One of my absolute favorite places to eat! They have amazing tacos made with corn tortillas and all their nachos/ chips are corn as well. I LOVE this place. Never gotten sick!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

No separate GF menu but most items can be made GF. Dedicated fryer. Can do items with corn tortillas or as a bowl. I had carne asada burrito as a bowl and it was a generous portion more than I could finish. Would visit again when in Knoxville.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

They only have a few items on their menu that are not gluten free. The server didn’t sound the most knowledgeable but we had a good experience. She didn’t get sick. Server also said they had a dedicated fryer.

One of my FAVORITE places to eat!

Celiac friendly?

Yes