I was very disappointed with my experience here. I had high hopes that it would be safe because of the good reviews and was sad that was not our experience. My son has a dairy allergy. I selected “no cheese” and stated that there was a dairy allergy when ordering. After picking up our food, I was disappointed to find cheese all over my son’s food. I have celiac and was hesitant to eat after they ignored my sons allergy info, but decided to risk it anyway because it was late and I was starving. I wish I hadn’t. I got super sick after eating. Summary: they don’t care about allergies and you are taking a risk by eating here. Taste wise, it wasn’t great. It tasted old and a little soggy. Definitely not worth it in my opinion.
From their allergen list: We have worked diligently to remove wheat gluten from all our sauces, dressings, and proteins. Natural glutens remain only in our flour and wheat tortillas and in two desserts--tres leches and key lime pie. This means that we offer "oceans of gluten-free options" in our menu. All of these items are gluten-free: all enchiladas, all tacos, all salads (without the flour or wheat tortilla), all nachos, and our chicken tortilla so up...which uses corn strips.
My very sensitive celiac son has eaten here almost monthly for two years, and he has never gotten sick! They always seem knowledgeable about cross contamination and try their best to take precautions. We're so grateful to have this place as an option when we want to go out to eat.
Every Costa Vida I go to have changed their gloves when I ask for gluten free. I always get the gf chicken enchilada, which they do with corn tortillas. Make sure to specify gluten free and they will use some clean (non contaminated) tortillas they have separated from the rest. They can replace many menu items with corn tortillas.
I just ate here and had a great experience. The staff ( manager) immediately washed his hands and changed his gloves when I asked for a gluten free meal specifying I have a true allergy. He followed the food down the line personally ( I asked him to!). The result? Great food, no gluten reaction and a pleasant stay in Cedar City! Thanks Costa Vida! You guys are my go-to tasty eat out restaurant at home and away.
I came here shortly after my celiac diagnosis and didn't really understand cross contamination. I got so sick and was very disappointed because I thought I had done everything right. Then I realized that even though all their filling ingredients were gluten free, they all come into contact with the flour tortillas, essentially making them full of gluten and affecting someone like me. I wouldn't recommend going here unless you can convince them to make your food with fresh ingredients that haven't been contaminated.
It's not really GF when you cross contaminate like crazy. Sorry :/
I went to this restaurant in hopes of finding a new gf place to eat. I was violently ill before I even left the restaurant. Their sauces and toppings are all gf, but they scoop them out of them same containers that they do when someone orders a flour tortilla. So when someone orders a burrito they scoop out the stuff, spread it around the tortilla, and then put the now contaminated spoon back in the container. They also use the same hot plate for ALL the tortillas. Not a separate one. They also told me they use the same tortilla press for their corn tortillas as they do their flour. They said they make the corn first, but if they're using the same press, then how can they guarantee the corn tortillas are still gf? Anyways, I got sick and won't be going back.