I ordered the chicken fajitas with corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas. The refried beans are made with lard not butter. I did not have any adverse reactions! Will be eating here again! (Note: I’m not Celiac but gluten sensitive).
— Somewhat
— Some
— Excellent
Place was packed due to Veterans Day, so all the waiters were under a lot of time pressure. Food was average good, didn‘t feel super safe though. Waitress was somewhat knowledgeable. She only pointed out three types of tacos that she thought were actually gf. Ground beef seems to best thickened with flour, same for the salsa. No dedicated fryer, so chips were off limits as well.
— Not very
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Not Much
— Good
My family of half celiacs and half gluten intolerance absolutely adore this place. I would say most of their food is already or can be made made to be gf with corn tortillas instead. The staff is very kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. We have had some of their breakfast foods, burritos, tacos, enchiladas, their smothered queso dishes, chips, salsa, guacamole and everyone is feeling good. However, they only have one fryer for everything so something’s are not able to be made gf sue to that. Would definitely recommend!
— Very
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Most/All
— Excellent
Be sure to speak to a manager before ordering. Do not rely on servers to know.
Not safe at all. Lots of cross contamination. Salsa and chips were told to be not gf. Server says tacos and enchiladas were gluten free but read here that corn tortillas may contain gluten. Staff was very unknowledgeable. Did not eat here.
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Not Much/None
— Not at all
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Not Much
— Average
No gluten free menu or allergen list available. Went off recommendations from staff member. The corn tortillas are not safe. Literally flushed my money down the toilet.
No
No gluten-free menu. Ask to speak to the manager and they will take care of you. Most items are gf. I had green Chile chicken enchiladas, guacamole, chips, ice tea, and the salsa they serve with the chips, and I did GREAT. I am highly sensitive. I look forward to going back.
Yes
Limited menu but they grilled corn tortillas so I had chips for guacamole!
Headed to L&J based upon the reviews. New Celiac and had eaten here many times before I was gluten free. Haven’t been a huge fan of the food, but came basically off of the gluten free reviews. The hostess also gave me the vegetarian menu and I figured I was in for a long lunch. But, the server went and asked and was super helpful. Knew what I could and couldn’t eat. As an example, the green sauce was ok, but not the red as there is wheat in it. Don’t eat the chips, etc. He made me feel comfortable that he/they actually knew what they were talking about (sans the hostess).
Yes
First of all, is this the only place anyone eats in this town? Even aside from gluten free eating, being so close to Mexico, if this is "authentic" Mexican food then I no longer like Mexican. Yikes! I've had better Mexican in Germany for god's sake. Anyway, we went here after reading the lengthy reviews on this site, thought it would be a good place. We came here and it took at least 15 minutes just to get water. I asked the waiter what options they had that were gluten free and he said he didn't know, and just sort of left it at that, stopped talking or trying to answer. Dumbfounded by his response, I started inquiring about how they cook in the kitchen, if they cook the corn tortillas on the same thing as flour tortillas, and so on, he gave me some recommendations based on the things I told him. It took me continuing to ask several questions before he finally said he would ask someone. So ok, strange I thought, just an inexperienced service worker I thought. He comes back out with a vegetarian menu saying the kitchen staff said I should order off that, it had many things on it that were clearly not gluten free, things even he had recommended not getting, and after I pointed out he initially tried to play like he knew what he was talking about and that I should just order off that anyway. I explained kindly that this was a vegetarian menu, and that gluten free is not the same as vegetarian, that I could eat meat just not gluten (this person has no issue with the English language by the way) and he went back again to ask the kitchen, after another not very helpful answer upon his return (still no water) he went back a final time to the kitchen, and I ended up getting a chicken fajita with a cooked and allegedly corn tortilla, which looked like flour to me, had my boyfriend try it to see if he could tell if it was corn. He thought it was flour but wasn't sure, and I didn't feel comfortable even trying it after that weird series of encounters, maybe I was just paranoid at that point but who could blame me? Finally, someone was trying to order a lunch for me from there and was asking them on the phone about their cooking practices and had been met with what must have been an equally unhelpful interaction. I overheard him asking about a salad with just plain grilled chicken on it, if that would be safe in regards to their cooking practices, and he got off the phone not having ordered anything because he said they had no idea at all and didn't feel comfortable ordering from there. So there you have it, I have no idea what happened between my experiences and the peoples' before me but I would not recommend this place for anyone, not just on the basis of not gluten free friendly, but generally unimpressive food.
In the area for work. Are here 3 times. My allergy is severe, the manager came out and went over each and every item on the menu that is or could be made gluten free and what to stay away from. Very knowledgeable. I didn't feel uncomfortable ordering like at most places. I'm Very skeptical eating out... But I went back because I did not get sick. Everyone was very friendly and atmosphere is awesome!! The sangria was pretty rocken' too! Very pleased. And recommend this place to anyone that is super sensitive like me!
I have been coming to L&J Cafe for about four years. It's my go to joint when I'm in El Paso for work. Locals had recommended the place, and ever since, it's been my go to joint on travel in El Paso. (and when you come, don't be swayed by exterior appearances...the place is very safe and friendly.) I hadn't been since having to make the gf switch, and I was a little worried that I was going to find out that I was no longer going to be able to eat here. My worries were completely unfounded. I called in advance and the hostess definitely knew what gluten was, and she knew they could make gf dishes. She told me to check with the manager when I got there for how they could accommodate. Matt, the new manager (also a trained chef), actually came out, sat down, and talked about the changes he was making and what I could and couldn't have. Since they use the same oil for everything, the house chips were off, BUT he had a special gf batch made for me--which he said it's standard for the 2-3 of us that come each week. He also brought out an order of guacamole on the house--you know how you usually feel like a pariah at a restaurant that doesn't cater to gf's? L&Js treats you like a VIP. I was able to get my green enchiladas, and I was assured it would be cooked separately--the latter without my even asking. Matt had a whole list of things I could have...but I already knew I loved the green enchiladas (which also comes in a light version for dieters out there), so I apologize for not listening better to report out on options. They were plentiful, though. If you happen to have a non gf friend or co worker along, I still highly recommend the cinnamon sophapillas and the caldillo for them. They are currently renovating and expanding, so it's be surprised if gf wasn't part of the menu come Nov 2013. the manager indicated that additional changes wetter coming to the kitchen and mentioned the how he was working with the kitchen staff so that they understood gf cooking. I felt very safe eating there and they were so nice and helpful on gf options that I will still be coming back again and again. Sorry, this is a really long review. Warranted, though because no other gf people have reviewed it yet. Gf diners shouldn't be missing out on this place just because it doesn't come up online as a gf option.
Yes