The Boulder Tap House

I used to love this place. I kid you not, I ate there once a week at minimum and would invite all of my friends and family there when they would come in to town. Sometime in 2023, they changed their menu and removed the sides I used to get that were safe for celiacs. The burger I used to get had also changed slightly and the food is dry. That isn’t the part that frustrated my family and I though, I understand menus and sides have to change as prices of food do! The last few times I have gone, I have had a poor experience with safety. Before this experience I was already losing trust with this restaurant after some smaller miscommunications. For some background with this story, my sister and I are both gluten free, but I require caution with cross-contamination, she does not. We made sure to specify the difference between my sister’s choices and my autoimmune needs. The waitress assured me she understood and I trusted that. When my burger came out, it had cooked onions on it which I did not ask for, but I assumed it was an alternative for the Pabst onions which contains gluten. The waitress thought the same. Regardless, I do not like to eat until everyone gets their food, and my sister’s burger was taking a very long time to come out. Eventually the manager came over and apologized for the mix up with the burger and took my sister’s burger off of our tab for the wait. We waited longer. Then her burger came out with the fries she ordered as her side. When I picked up my burger, I felt something crunchy under the bun. There was an entire fry stuck into the bottom bun of my burger. Thank God I didn’t eat it. We are assuming they put my sister’s burger on her plate with the fries, then realized they had the wrong burger, took it off and put it on my plate. When I informed the waitress that that would have made me very sick, she told me that it shouldn’t happen and she was sorry and suggested I take a box someone at home could at least eat it instead. When I asked how to prevent this in the future she stated that I should be more clear that it would have made me really sick and I told her that multiple members of my family stressed that before the order. Since my sister’s burger was already removed from our tab we didn’t fight the issue, but it was very frustrating that both sets of parents for my fiancé and I were there to celebrate the start of our wedding planning and I still wasn’t able to eat that meal with them. Go somewhere else if you want to be confident your meal is safe!!

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

They have new menus and GF did not get added to the printer menus. They do have GF bums and they seem knowledgeable.

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

I've eaten here twice and it seems like I've been ok both times. However, the gluten free menu options are very limited and the burgers are very disappointing and somewhat dry. There are basically no sides either - fryer is shared, coleslaw had dairy, and the side salad was gross. It's the only safe place I can find in Kato currently so it'll do on occasion, but I can't say the food is really that good or that I'd look forward to eating here again.

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

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

Other Characteristics

• Good for lunch
• Offers outdoor seating

Ask for gluten free menu. Staff are knowledgeable of Celiac Disease.

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

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

Excellent! Highly recommend The Boulder Tap House. Waitress was knowledgable about protocol and ensured I knew how the food was handled. I had the steak lettuce wraps and they were AMAZING. Can't wait to come back.

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

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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 menu. Staff was very knowledgeable and double checked items for us. Gluten free bun and sides. No dedicated fryer for fries or potatoes. Rice and other sides available. Food was great. My children have Celiac and did not get sick. We had hamburgers and pulled pork.

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

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

They have a gluten free menu guide. I had one of their craft burgers and subbed coleslaw for fries (not dedicated). It was delicious and filling. I opted for no gf bun and didn't miss it at all. The server suggested I have sautéed onions because the version that typically goes on has gluten. He let me know my burger was prepared on a gluten free grill. Also let me know the chefs are knowledgeable and careful.

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

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

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

Manager was very conscious of contamination & strives to help Celiac's eat safely.

Great meal. Will definitely visit again!

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?

— Separate gluten-free 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 dairy-free
• Good for takeout

Great GF bun and very considerate!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Staff generally knowledgeable, will but know going in fryer not dedicated. Burgers are best GF option in town and haven’t had bad experience yet (5 times in!)

Celiac friendly?

Yes

This has always been one of our favorite places to eat before my fiance was diagnosed with Celiac disease. . Their menu is Gluten Friendly, not gluten free. They offer fried wings that use the same fryer as everything else. With that being said, there runs a risk of cross contamination. That happens anytime you eat out or someone else prepares your food. The staff made this clear right away. We tried it after recommendations by extremely sensitive individuals. Each time we ordered a burger with gluten free bun and coleslaw. First time we tried it, he didn't get sick. 2nd time we tried it he was sick.

Celiac friendly?

No

Celiac friendly?

Yes

By far my favorite place to go in Mankato! Really good burgers and sandwiches. I've never gotten sick here so I'm happy!

We have been here several times and the staff is very knowledgeable about gf. The fries are battered so if you have a gluten intolerance don't have them. Great burgers and a Udi bun (39 carbs for you diabetic celiacs like me).

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Had GF bun, GF menu for substitutions, didn't get sick!

So good

Celiac friendly?

Yes

When we were given the gluten free menu we were informed that there could be contamination from non-gluten free items. No special work space given for this preparation. We left the restaurant because of the chance.

Celiac friendly?

No

Service was slow but they offer gluten free buns!