Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas
$$ • Restaurant
Most Recent Reviews
Traveled here but had to leave immediately because they are not safe for celiac. If you don’t have to worry about cross contamination this would be an option. BUT TO BE HONEST— STAFF WAS BOTH EDUCATED & EDUCATED.
Luna has changed their menu which is disappointing. They no longer have a dedicated fryer and have marked all GF and cross contact foods as wheat free on their regular menu. They do have a separate gluten free menu if you ask for it. There are still many choices but I will miss the fried fish and chips. Last night I got the carnitas with coconut rice, chimichurri sauce and collards. It was very tasty and I’ve had no ill effects. We will go back as I try to find my new favorite item on the new menu. Sticking to the GF menu, I feel safe.
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More Reviews
Recent menu changes have made this place unsafe and inedible
They always discouraged my notifications that I needed to avoid cross-contamination, as they said most everything was safe and it wasn't worth the conversation. Then silently they changed their practices to make most of what was previously safe, not safe. With that sneakiness, I trust them less than most other places now. I won't eat there anymore, as I'm not sure even what they claim is still safe, really is.
Devastated by the recent change in the menu and procedures. Changed GF markings to Wheat Free and servers couldn’t promise safety like they used to, eliminated many of the previous options. Eating at Luna was the event that tipped me over toward moving to Durham and then to downtown Durham. We used to take everyone who visited us to Luna because it was such a great option. Really sad that I lost my favorite place.
Changed kitchen procedures and menu around Jan 2024. Far fewer safe options now- no longer have a dedicated fryer. Very disappointing. Menu now marked as “wheat free” instead of “gluten free” which is confusing and makes me concerned management doesn’t really understand the difference.
Unfortunately had the same experience described in the other new reviews. Have loved Luna for years, but they have completely changed their menu. Spoke to the waiter and manager at one of their establishments, and they are no longer going to be celiac safe. All GF markings removed from the menu, now listed “wheat free”.
No longer celiac safe. Silently changed their preparation procedures and the owner said they are not informing customers because it is a come at your own risk establishment. Very disappointing.
Similar to the reviews below- Lunas has sadly changed their kitchen and are no longer celiac safe. They changed all their notations from “GF” to “WF” for simply wheat containing ingredients free. The fries and other items are fried in the same fryer and flour empanadas and there is a greater risk for cc. When asked why it was to “reduce waste”and said it likely won’t change back. Such a loss
They recently changed to getting empanadas in the same fryer as everything else. They still have a few gluten free options, but sadly not nearly as many as they used to - basically just the meat, grain bowls, salad, beans, and rice.
We were excited to try Luna again after all the positive reviews from other Celiacs, but my husband, who is super sensitive and has an immediate reaction to being glutened, got very ill after just a couple of bites of his meal. Unfortunately, we cannot recommend Luna to other Celiacs.
Really knowledgeable about gluten free and celiac and they have a dedicated frier! Got the rotisserie with maduros and yuca fritz and they were all amazing!
Went in for lunch today and it was delicious! I asked about the Peruvian chicken as I had seen some comments on here that it was cooked in beer and wanted to make sure I wasn’t ordering something that would get me sick. Our waiter informed us that the chicken is no longer cooked in beer as they have tried to become more allergen aware, and he even double checked with the staff in the kitchen to be sure that my meal would be celiac safe. We will definitely be back!
Delicious! I got the fish and chips, my friends got empanadas. The fish and chips was great! I loved the sauce and the yuca fries are so crunchy. There’s a lot of gluten free options, though no empanadas.
Excellent experience. 2 of us GF (celiac), 2 of us not. All 4 enjoyed their meals. I had the Luna salad (whole) with pulled pork. Very tasty. Shared side of fries. Would definitely go again when in the area. Server very knowledgeable and helpful.
Food was amazing. I had a beef brisket patacon pisao with tostones. Gluten free items were marked.
Great food. Waiter immediately understood and noted Celiac on my order. Quick service as well.
Amazing food, fast service, lots of options. Great place to take the kids.
When I told the waiter I had celiac, he said “I got you.” I ordered arepas. One of them is topped with chicken that is marinated in beer, so I knew I couldn’t have it. Before I could even ask, the waiter was prepared to swap out the chicken for something else! Food was delicious and I did not get a reaction afterwards.
I am gluten intolerant so I can't necessarily comment on extensive cross-contamination, but there were several gf and vegan options. I ordered the arepas and they were FANTASTIC. Lots of options for sure, as lots of Latin food is made with corn versus wheat.
Stopped here for lunch while driving through. The gluten free fish and chips were great. Rapid service and helpful staff.
Incredible! Safe, clearly-marked GF items. Organic, grass-fed, antibiotic-free meats. Inventive South American cuisine. I had the patacones and they were amazing. GF is not an afterthought here. It's all over the menu. Highly recommend.
Great food, felt fine afterwards. Staff was knowledgeable on GF and cross contamination.
Love the food and Gf and Df is easy for them! And the new location in Carrboro is just as good!
I ate here and was very nervous. Ordered the arepas. It was really good and didn’t have a reaction.
None of their chicken dishes are gluten free despite it showing that it is on their online menu. The chicken is marinated in beer. This was problematic for me, as I don't eat beef or pork and went in there specifically for the chicken.
Accidentally ordered empanadas in a completely absentminded moment. Mentioned I had celiac for preparation and the woman taking my order stopped to say empanadas were not GF. She saved me from myself! Got the Luna salad with carnitas and it was delicious.
Server assured me that everything on their menu labeled GF was truly GF without cross contamination. Food was pretty good. Had a good experience here.
Delicious food, great flavors. Staff is knowledgeable about food allergies and sensitivities.
Amazing food, very knowledgeable about gf and the food is amazing. Fast and friendly service too! Visited once in Oct 2018 and once in June 2019, both times were great.
Good food, didn’t get sick. Was a little worried when the food came out so fast but I think so much of the menu is gf that it was ok. I had the pork carnitas, platanos maduros, and yuca fries.
GLUTEN ALERT: Peruvian Chicken is cooked in BEER but listed as GF on menu. That said, when I told the waitress I was Celiac, she told me about the beer prep. I ordered something else and was assured that it would all be totally gluten free. It makes sense as last time I was in Durham I ate at several restaurants and got glutened at one of them. This was the only new restaurant I ate at, and now with this information, I feel certain I got glutened here.
The food is good, but apparently you really cannot go by the menu. I told the last waitress I was GF too, but she either didn’t know about the beer prep or didn’t care.
If you are super sensitive, maybe check with a manager to ensure all your food is totally and actually free of Gluten.
My son was recently diagnosed with Celiac disease, so eating out has become a bit stressful. We were thrilled to find numerous gluten-free options on the menu. So many delicious options, and our server reassured us that our selections were indeed gluten-free, and she also made a special note about my son having Celiac. They even have gluten-free options on the dessert menu!
GF clearly marked, staff knowledgeable and very clear that they are not a GF kitchen. That said, I had the jackfruit with GF sides and no problems.
All menu items were well marked! Lots of GF options.
Staff super helpful and kind, everything was delicious! I got the GF fish and chips and my friend got rotisserie chicken. Then we split the GF banana pudding and about lost our minds. 😄👍
Really good GF options. The arepa sampler was safe and delicious.
I have been twice and have thoroughly enjoyed myself both times. Lots of great gluten free options.
amazing! the sandwich thing with plantains for buns? brilliant!
