A google search for “Banditos” turned up an extensive online allergen menu, so yesterday I went to the Banditos restaurant in Fulton, MD for dinner. Weirdly, the in-store menu says NOTHING about allergens. The hostess didn’t have any allergen info, either, but she assured me that the waiter would help me order a safe meal. The waiter, however, knew only that I should order corn, not flour tortillas. He seemed confused by my questions about cross contamination. Eventually, the manager assured me that I’d be safe as long as I ordered from the list of GF items from their online allergens menu, and as long as I informed the waiter that I needed the kitchen to take allergen precautions. He told me that those precautions include changing gloves and using freshly cleaned utensils and cooking surfaces. That info made me feel comfortable enough to eat there that evening, despite my initial reservations about the place. Nevertheless, I ended up getting very sick later that night. As a celiac, I realize that not every gastrointestinal disorder I experience is necessarily the result of eating gluten, but, as a celiac, I also feel obligated to warn others that this is probably not be a safe place for celiacs to eat.
— Not at all
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Some
— Good
I asked if there was a gluten free menu- I was told no. When I explained cross contamination and asked if it would be safe for me to eat here I was told no. The waitress was also extremely rude and did not care to even attempt to accommodate me. Definitely do not recommend
— Not at all
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Not Much/None
— Poor
I had high hopes for this restaurant since they offer a "Gluten Free" menu (that is, for tacos, you can substitute corn tortillas in place of their standard flour tortilla offering). However, sending the waitress back multiple times to ask if they use a dedicated fryer for their tortilla chips or if their corn taco shells were gluten free, she returned both times reporting that they do not have a dedicated fryer for their corn chips and their corn taco shells have a high risk for cross contamination. Fortunately I was able to get a burrito bowl that was very tasty, but I was disappointed to see that my food options were still so limited.
— Not at all
— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
— Not Much
— Good
I called and was told the complete opposite of the previous reviewers. The chips are in the same fryer, and they have no way to use a separate surface for taco shells.
— Not at all
— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
Pretty good tacos and fun vibes, not the best Mexican food but celiac safe.
— Very
— Most/All
— Good
Chips fried in dedicated fryer. Small chain and gluten free options are listed online to compare to the menu then confirm with staff. Not the best tacos ever but good portions and felt safe.
— Very
— Separate gluten-free menu
— Most/All
— Good