The Meatball Cafe

Ordered the Rigatoni Bolognese with gluten-free pasta. Served without cheese it’s dairy free as well. Delicious! Gluten-free bread is not available.

Server & management will research available options and aim to please!

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?

— Not Much

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

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free

We had an early dinner here and were VERY happy with the experience! Gluten-free spaghetti noodles are available, and we chose two dishes: carbonara and Bolognese. The Bolognese wasn't creamy at all, but was still very tasty and had plenty of meat. The carbonara was excellent - not too creamy, generous portions of pork and well-balanced. We had excellent service from David and everyone there was so friendly and kind. We ate on the open-air patio, which was very comfortable. Highly recommend this restaurant for anyone visiting South Padre Island!

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

— Very

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?

— Excellent

Delish! The only GF option listed on menu is the pizza but they make their own pasta and do have a spaghetti noodle so you can order several pasta dishes. We have visited twice. First time I got pizza, it was great and I dipped the crust in the olive oil they use for the bread (waiter brought me my own), yummm. Second time I got the scallops with GF noodles. It was $4 upcharge. Meal was amazing. Family got same meal (with gluten) & loved theirs).

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?

— Excellent

Wonderful gluten free options! The food was delicious and most of the menu choices can be made gluten free. I had the eggplant parmigiano, something that I haven't been able to order in a restaurant since going gluten free. It also came with pasta, also delicious. We will definitely return!!

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

— Very

Went for lunch today. I asked for a gluten free menu, & although there wasn’t one the server was very knowledgeable. Answered questions I hadn’t asked yet. I asked about different water pasta was boiled in. He said great care was taken & all done separately. I ordered the pesto pasta with chicken. It was wonderful. I was waiting for some symptoms but absolutely no problem. I will be back.

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?

— 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 Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch
• Good vegetarian options
• Offers outdoor seating

Great experience. They had a separate gluten free menu and really good gf pasta

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

I was pleasantly surprised when I asked if they had gluten free options, the waitress handed me a whole menu of gf options!! I went with something I am familiar with in other places a cauliflower crust and vegetable pizza. It was excellent! We have been coming here for years and I just got diagnosed celiac, it's been overwhelming but this helped knowing we can still come here.

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

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

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good vegetarian options
• Offers outdoor seating

Mediocre at best but they do have gf options. Kind of spendy too.

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?

— Below Average

I had the best gluten free pizza I've ever eaten here. It's a crispy thin crust and so delicious. There are many gluten free selections on a separate gluten free menu. The server was helpful and very attentive. My husband loved his meal, as well. He is not gluten free.

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers outdoor seating

There weren’t too many reviews, and we weren’t sure what to expect. However, they were very accommodating to our group of 10, nine of whom had a wide variety of food allergies including gluten and casein. Our waiter, Nicholas, was unfazed by our complex dietary requirements. He had a menu available to help figure out who could eat what, and he even had the actual ingredient list for their gluten-free pizza crust handy. There was nice spacing between the tables inside, and there was also outdoor seating in a covered patio. Most of my party opted for gf pizzas in various forms which they really enjoyed. My daughter got the pear salad with grilled chicken which was huge and delicious. My husband got the fettuccine Alfredo with added grilled chicken which he also enjoyed. Pleasantly surprised they were able to accommodate us so well on a holiday weekend! My kids reminded me several times to write this review!

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

GF pizza was decent. The problem is everything in South Padre tastes like the gross tap water. Staff was friendly and 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?

— Not Much

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

— Average

This is THE BEST HOME-MADE GF PIZZA IN THE ENTIRE WORLD, hands down. I’d even argue it is the best pizza even compared to those with gluten. I can’t believe it’s gluten free, I loved the crust so much I started picking the edges off and eating them even before the middle with ingredients. Why can’t everyone make a gf crust like this omgggg!!!

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?

— Excellent

Food was not tasteful at all, bland. My family got regular food and didn’t really eat it. They said the Cesar dressing was nasty. Was disappointed over all.

I inquired about the GF options and was told what they were. I ordered and didn’t say GF. Before food was brought out I asked if the waiter put it in as GF he was like um no. I’m like I was just asking about which items I could get GF. He had it fixed.

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?

— Poor

I felt safe eating here. Our server was sweet, but clueless about GF, young, & sooooo slow. He messed up our pasta order & brought corn noodles to my corn-allergic mom instead of zucchini noodles. GF Alfredo sauce was very watery, but tasted okay.

They have gf pasta and were accommodating and knowledgable about gluten allergies. However, the gluten tolerant members if our party complained that their food was bland.

atmosphere was nice. sat on the patio. glad we were not in a hurry as wait staff was a bit o. the slow side. had a gluten free pasta (needed salt) but not terruble.

I have always had the most wonderful meals here. I have a habit of going in, grabbing a manager and have them instruct the cook to make me something GF. They make their sausage in house, so it too is GF. They have done lots of creative things for me. I am not a big pasta fan, so I get a lot of sauteed veggies with Fish, chicken or sausage. I also enjoy the Risotto.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

It said you could make any pasta dish gluten free for an extra $2. I got fettuccine Alfredo, but they had to use skinny noodles. It was a little watery overall, but was still a good option if your family wants Italian :)

Celiac friendly?

Yes

We chose this restaurant because it was listed as having a GF menu. What a disappointment. The waitress didn't know anything about the GF menu. The menu did state that any pasta dish could be replaced with GF spaghetti. So, I order my meal and clarify with the waitress that the sauce IS GF. She says yes. Then she comes back and says no the sauce is not GF but I can have this and points to one dish on the menu. Yeah, one item on the menu is available completely GF. Why advertise a GF menu if all you're willing to do is change out the pasta? My dish I ended up getting was so bland. Why do people think GF means no seasoning. My husbands pizza was good! But, if you must be GF this isn't the place.

Celiac friendly?

No

Delicious gluten free pasta! The best I have had in the U.S. The Meatball Cafe has a lot of different gluten free italian food options. Definitely worth the stop!

Celiac friendly?

Yes