Bear Cub Cafe & Grill

We stopped here on my 40th birthday while in Gatlinburg. I was really hoping for a safe meal to eat as the previous reviews were promising . Within 15 minutes of leaving I was having horrible stomach cramps . And we didn't even make it to our next stop before I had to make an emergency run to the nearest restroom. The owner's wife waited on us and assured me that they take precautions to avoid cross contamination. Basically the entire menu is gluten free minus a few entrees. I'm not sure if I was glutened or if I got food poisoning. But either way. I would not consider this a safe establishment to eat at. Needless to say the rest of my 40th birthday was ruined and I spent a good portion close to a bathroom. Added note my husband also ordered the chicken strips and did not get sick . Also the food was bland and lacked flavoring.

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

Couldn’t believe this place was on DoorDash! We got fried pickles, fried chicken and fries. Was absolutely delicious! Such a treat.

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

— 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?

— Most/All

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

— Good

Absolutely wonderful find and meal thanks to this app. Waitress/owner's wife was super kind and friendly. Very dedicated gf, v and df place. Very safe. Extra precautions are taken in the kitchen. My chicken stir fry was delicious. Husband had a gf pasta dish that was also delicious. Definitely worth checking out. They even have gf chicken strips and fried pickles on the menu.

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies

We had all the fried things, lol! Everything was really good in flavor and I didn’t get sick!

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

— 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?

— Most/All

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

— Good

This cute little Cafe is all gluten free. The owners are very knowledgeable and friendly! My boyfriend and I both had chicken strips and fried cauliflower. I also had a side salad with ranch dressing and he had French fries. All of the food was delicious. Their homemade ranch is really tasty. The French fries were delicious. It was nice to be able to feel safe in stealing French fries! If you are in the Gatlinburg area and looking for some good food, I recommend trying this place even if you aren't gluten free!

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies

The best place in Gatlinburg for someone who is celiac (or dairy free, vegan). Most of the menu is gluten free including delicious fried chicken and friend pickles. My husband and I also shared the wild rice salad and it was wonderful to find a healthy option here! Chef has training in plant-based cooking and staff was very knowledgeable about food intolerances. They are committed to avoiding cross-contamination. I’m very sensitive to trace amounts of gluten and did not get sick. My non-gluten-free friends also really enjoyed the meal!

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• 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

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 Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies

No frills and a little quirky, but the food is good and I didn’t get sick.

Good food, and everything on the menu is gluten free except the lemon juice, which is used in the stuffed peppers entree. The chef/owner said the lemon juice isn’t guaranteed to be gluten free by his vendor that supplies it, so he can’t be 100% sure that it is gluten free.

The food was good. I had the fried chicken tenders and French fries, and my husband had the burrito special called the “construction worker’s dinner,” which was two burritos with rice and salsa and corn. We also ordered the fried pickles appetizer. The breading on the chicken tenders and fried pickles was really good. The French fries were so crispy, really good fries! The fryers are safe because they don’t use any gluten in them.

This place was a little quirky and you can tell it’s a new establishment, but the owner and staff were really friendly and happy to discuss my celiac needs, and the food was all good. I didn’t get sick after eating here.

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
• 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

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 Characteristics

• Dog friendly
• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers outdoor seating

Great food My wife has celiac and almost every on the menu is gluten-free.

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

— 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?

— Most/All

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

— Excellent

Great food and cheaper than most restaurants in the area that do not accommodate for celiac. Couldn’t recommend enough.

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

— Very

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

• Dog friendly
• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers delivery
• Offers outdoor seating
• Reservations recommended