Hard Rock Cafe

I called ahead and spoke to the manager to ask about how safely I could eat at this restaurant gluten-free. He assured me not to eat the fries as they recently switched brands and they would have wheat - and now the fryer would be cross contaminated, so don’t order wings

I asked his name and if he would be there and could babysit my meals since I am driving seven hours tomorrow

The manager was leaving - and yet he share with the next manager name Sam

When I arrived, I met Sam who had told the kitchen staff and bartender of my sensitive food allergy

I have had to eat this way for 19 years - and I have learned how important it is to talk to a manager and stress how important it is to eat out without cross contamination…- and yay! I had a great pulled pork sandwich on a GF bun with mashed potatoes and it was delicious and I didn’t get sick!

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

The wait staff was kind and understanding about allergies; the kitchen was not. They had gluten free buns, but no dedicated fryer or gluten free French fries. My experience was: I very clearly stated my allergies several times to the server and ordered a plain burger with a gluten free bun (no toppings or sides, as I could not eat any of them with my allergies). The burger comes out with a side of fries and every topping that they had for burgers (including cheese, even after I had clearly stated my dairy allergy as well), it did have a gluten free bun though. The burger was alright after they remade it for me, and the food was ok, not the greatest though. I did not get sick or anything from it. Overall, this restaurant is safe, but risky.

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

— Not 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?

— Not Much

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

— Average

My daughter got a gf menu and had the bbq bacon burger (gf bun) and said it was the best burger she had in a long time. Fries had a separate fryer as well!

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

They have a gluten free selection and separate menu, mostly salads and burgers where you can substitute a gluten free bun. I came here August 2022 and they did not have gluten free French fries like it said, which was disappointing. They mentioned they may get them back eventually

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?

— Some

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

— Good

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• 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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

We went with my family. Good experience and had a separate fryer for their fries! Didn’t get sick :)

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

Food was good but I was sick within an hour of finishing my meal, and it was the only thing I ate all day that wasn’t prepacked from home as part of our road trip.

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?

— Some

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

— Good

Waiter was very nice and knowledgeable. They have a GF fryer and made us a GF Sunday for dessert with GF brownies!! Very delicious and wasn’t sick after.

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
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• 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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout

During this time of Covid, it is nice to sit in a restaurant and eat! We were immediately approached by Sabrina who made sure all was safe and good for me. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and fries. As stated in a previous review, the bun did crumble, but it was good nonetheless. This is the second HRC I have eaten at...and both have been great.

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
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

Waitress was very knowledgeable! They air fry fries to keep them separate... overall not bad! Service was lovely!

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?

— Good

Waitress was knowledgeable on gf options and they have a gf menu available and seperate frier for fries. Food was great. Gf bun is crumbly which may be a deal breaker for some but not an issue for me.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Waitress understood the importance of gluten free and verified that our food had been made in the gluten free prep area. They have a dedicated gluten free fryer and prep area. We had wings, ribs, and fries. Yum and no sickness!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Said they had a dedicated fryer. Had a gluten free burger and bun. Ate a few fries. Expensive. Nothing special. Didn’t get sick.

Asked for gluten free and despite assurances from the waitress and stating gluten free on the bill family member was still sick all night.

Celiac friendly?

No

Not a dedicated fryer but will pan fry for you with additional wait time

The staff was amazing. They have a dedicated fryer, but we had a delay in our gf fries and the manager gave us half off our bill - not at all expected or asked for, but hugely appreciated. The waitress was fabulous and well informed, and couldn’t have been better.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Hands down...wonderful food and staff... I did not get sick... felt so blessed🇺🇸

Great burgers and fries! Staff was very knowledgeable and helpful and took cross-contamination seriously.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I am Celiac and didn’t get sick. The dry rub chicken wings were outstanding! The Caesar salad was great and the nachos were so so. Bit pricey, but that’s Hard Rock and the area.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Staff & kitchen was knowledgeable about gf options. Our server informed the kitchen staff that my husband and I have celiac disease and they made sure our meals had no cc. It took a while for our meals to come out, but we had a good meal with no side effects.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Excellent choices on gluten free menu-best wings gluten free or not-staff knowledgeable and helpful-I’ll keep Hard Rock Cafe on our short list for good gluten free food when we travel

The only place I have eaten here that actually gets it, our server was so understanding and helpful. "Tracy" well done!!!'

Celiac friendly?

Yes

They have an exclusive Gluten Free menu with a ton of options. They label, "Ask us for our Gluten Free Menu" right on the door.

Very happy! And...it's right outside of the Welcome Center to Niagara Falls/Maid of the Mist. Super convenient!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Gluten free menu. Dedicated fryer for fries. Gluten free buns.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

GF rolls and and dedicated fryer for fries. Had a really awesome chicken sandwich and fries, which is a nice treat for me! Fun atmosphere and good place to go on vacation.

GF fries in dedicated gf fryer!!!! Many choice on GF menu, including gf buns and dessert.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Dedicated GF fryer. Excellent burgers. GF menu has more choices than many restaurants. Unlike other recent reviewers, we found our Hard Rock Cafe server fairly well informed and conscientous. My wife had no post-meal gluten exposure symptoms. We would definitely eat here again.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Bartender said the Molson Cider is GF. Wrong...after several sips. Had to leave. They don't understand GF.

Celiac friendly?

No

Waitress was very helpful. Choices very limited. Food quality was poor

staff asked what do you want? we will tell you if you can have it. this went on for three items, at which point I asked for manager, whom had the same responses as server. not able to assure any cross contamination nor did I feel they were willing to try. daughters plate was brought to us with human hair attached......

Celiac friendly?

No

The server had no idea about gluten free options. I figured a plain burger would be ok, but none of the sides could be made GF and DF except for a plain salad. From our research we had to tell the waitress that they did indeed have GF buns, she had no idea. I've never been to a more allergy unaware Hard Rock.

Very celiac friendly! Waitress was knowledgeable and helpful. Everyone loved their food including the gluten free!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Lots of GF options. I went with a GF quesadilla, which had a wonderful shell. Server was knowledgable about my needs.

The food was eh as was the ambiance. We were assured of the safe fryer which was nice.

The operations manager Andrew took great care of us. He assured us that the fries were fried in a separate fryer and that the rolls were definitely gluten-free and they would pay extra attention to make sure that everything was handled properly.

Entradas gluten free. Las hamburguesas algunas son apta Celiaco, solo que no tienen pan y las hacen al plato

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

Was ok, but only ok. GF menu online but not available in restaurant. Not much choice, but the burger was tasty enough.

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• 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?

— Some

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

— Average

I had the gluten free cheeseburger with smashed potatoes. The burger was delicious. The potatoes were not so great. Really dry and not creamy. Would have loved to have more side options like fried. But no dedicated fryer.

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

— Somewhat

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

I have eaten at Hard Rock Cafe many times before but not at this particular location. I ordered ribs and fries for takeout and they assured me they would replace it with the gluten free fries and that everything would be safe.

Sadly, it was NOT. A few hours later I had to be taken to the ER in an ambulance. I am highly sympathetic so I know they weren’t gluten free. Currently, I am in the process of contacting customer service and trying to get a full refund.

So in conclusion, I’ve safely eaten at this franchise before but wouldn’t recommend this location. And if you do choose to eat here do NOT do takeout! 🚫

(I included a photo to show everyone what the fries SHOULD NOT look like)

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

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

They have a separate gluten free menu, and that made me feel comfortable eating there. They also specifically asked upon arrival if there were any allergies.

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