Early Girl Eatery

The waffles and chicken were not gluten free despite the menu and server saying so which I felt was a chance I was taking anyways since the menu said gluten friendly..

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?

— Not Much

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

— Excellent

My favorite GF breakfast place in Charlotte. I love the GF chicken 'n waffles. Very knowledgeable staff. The menu is well-labeled.

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?

— Excellent

Food was great and the GF bun did not fall apart! Fried chicken was juicy and flavorful. However, we waited over 45 minutes for our food. They said there was a kitchen mixup and comped one of our meals.

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

Had what was supposed to be gf chicken and waffles, I should have known the chicken tasted too good to be gf…ended up REALLY sick after eating half. Pretty sure it was the regular version instead of gluten free, that seems to be the risk if ordering from Grubhub/door dash, etc sometimes the gluten free isn’t as clear as it is when ordering in person.

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?

— Excellent

I had the gluten free chicken and waffles. It was delicious. I am gluten sensitive and had no problem eating here. I will definitely go back. It’s not often you can find gluten free fried chicken!

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

GF Chicken and Waffles - Y U M! Menu is clearly marked with plenty of gluten free options. Staff is knowledgeable about allergy protocols and there is a separate GF fryer.

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
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

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 breakfast/brunch
• Good for lunch
• Offers outdoor seating

Great food, ordered fried chicken, mixed vegetables and side salas. Loved the fried chicken (dedicated fryer), and the mixed vegetables were also fantastic! We were the only people there for dinner and our waiter Christian was very friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend, will be back!

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
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

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 breakfast/brunch
• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch
• Offers outdoor seating

GF Chicken and Waffles Awesome

Dedicated Fryers

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 breakfast/brunch
• 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 online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

Amazing gluten free fried chicken!!!!

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

We used to love Early Girl. We love Asheville and stopping at EG was a huge culinary highlight of the trip for us due to our dietary requirements.

We were THRILLED that EG came to Charlotte and have eaten there twice so far. This was our third trip and it was a doozy. I looked online at the menu, and I even called ahead of time and verified that the ingredients had not changed for the items we planned to order. I also spoke to the manager when we were seated to confirm again that those items were safe for us. I specifically picked the fish & chips bc the menu said GF and the manager confirmed that the tempura batter is GF & dairy free (uses ginger ale instead of milk).

We ordered and were very clear with our server that we needed GF dairy free. Somehow, it all went haywire in the kitchen. My GF DF kids’ food came out with cheese all over it. Their side of gravy looked really similar to the regular gravy in the photos, so I asked both the runner and the server to confirm it was the right one and GF DF. Both said yes, it was the GF gravy. The server took back their food to fix it, and left the gravy. We waited while they re-made the kids’ food.

Then, the manager came by and apologized for the confusion…then, she saw the gravy that they left for my kids’ food. The gravy was NOT GF. We had no way of knowing that because we had asked and were told it was safe by the runner and server! Then, she looked at my plate. I ordered the fish (tempura batter) and chips that she and I discussed when we were seated. She was really upset and said that the fish and chips have regular flour. She took it away and the kitchen confirmed it was made with regular flour. I was so absolutely confused - it is clearly marked GF on the menu and I had even confirmed with the server that it was GFDF. She also implied that the fryer isn’t dedicated GF, as she said that it’s not safe for celiac due to CC with other things in there (we were told in the past that it is).

I changed my order to the safest thing I could find. Thank goodness I was waiting for the kids’ food to be re-made and hadn’t eaten any of the fish and chips. Honestly, there were other issues, but these are the GF related ones. The manager apologized for all the confusion, which was kind. Honestly, though, I don’t feel we can trust EG as a ‘safe for us’ restaurant anymore. If the items on the actual menu that are marked GF use regular flour, and we can’t trust the server to bring the correct gravy, nor trust the kitchen to ensure items are also DF (no cheese), then I just don’t know how we can trust EG and eat there safely in the future. :(

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?

— Not Much/None

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

— Average

Other Characteristics

• Offers outdoor seating

Fried chicken plate was delicious with mashed potatoes and green beans. We ordered takeout. Hoping they have worked out the startup kinks!

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

Most of their menu is gluten free and they have amazing gluten free fried chicken

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?

— Most/All

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Offers outdoor seating

I've been here a few times and still don't know what to think. The fried chicken sandwich was good but very bland (though I did ask for them to leave the sauce off). Chicken fingers were great. Fries and mashed potatoes were good. The servers were NOT at all knowledgeable, which is unsettling. Never had an issue after eating here, but I have to ask tons of questions and they always have to go back to the kitchen for every one; they didn't even know which sides were gluten free. Hoping they iron out the kinks from being a new restaurant soon.

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Offers outdoor seating

I have gotten glutened here the last two times I went and they are not careful. Beware.

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?

— Below Average

Fantastic food, lots of gf offerings clearly marked on the menu. Waitress also noted my allergy and was knowledgeable about substitutions.

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

As a Celiac, I was so excited to try this restaurant because I’ve never had gluten free fried chicken. I ordered the Chicken and Waffle and specified my allergy as well. I was told multiple times that it was gluten free, however I ended up getting very sick from it. Very disappointing after reading all the great reviews :(

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

Very good fried chicken and waffles!!! The fryer is completely dedicated gf. They have gf poutine and many other choices as well. Safe from a celiac standpoint

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

I ordered the fried chicken sandwich. The breading they use comes standard Gluten Free so no need to worry about CC.

Taste- 10/10 Gluten Awareness- 10/10 Will be going back- ABSOLUTELY

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