Mary Ellen's Bar & Restaurant

Yes, it’s an option for bog standard bar food. My opinions are based on delivery and that has been taken into consideration for this review.

Nothing is very good. The best you’ll say about any item is that it’s fair. My opinions are based on what I’d expect from a late night bar joint in Key West, not a bistro or gastropub.

Several items, their fried pickles, cauliflower, and mushrooms are very bad. All are mush covered in unpleasant batter. Tater tots are a fatty, tasteless mess, likely from frozen. French fries used to be good, but those can’t be relied upon to arrive fresh — or even acceptably warm.

Gluten free bread used as a replacement is probably Udi’s or similar grocery store brand.

Once, they were reliably OK. The only thing to recommend now is their late closing time.

I haven’t asked, as I’m NCGS, but I don’t expect this to be safe for celiacs. To their credit, to my knowledge I was never glutened. And if I had been, it wasn’t enough for me to notice.

NOTE: Gluten free bread is offered on items containing gluten. Be very careful to review and cross reference every item.

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?

— Some

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

— Below Average

Love this place. Nothing fancy, but very cool place. Food was great! Had a GF grilled cheese. Best ever!! Trying the pizza next. Didn’t get sick. Woo hoo!! Pizza was AMAZING but no longer available:( GF not listed but available!! Have been coming here for years

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

— Somewhat

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

Their house pizza is on a gluten free crust. Because they don’t serve any other pizza, I was comfortable ordering and avoiding cross-contamination. Pizza was good.

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?

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good for takeout

My kids with celiac were so excited to eat grilled cheese, burger and fries! Gluten free bread available on all sandwiches. We were told only items cooked in fryer had a corn starch breading not flour. Chicken was cooked in separate fryer. Since we had kids we sat at a high top table vs the bar. Not fancy but prices were great! A/C appreciated!!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Ugh. I'm surprised to see the other positive reviews. I ordered a gluten free pizza which tasted good....but I was in the bathroom 10 minutes later! Definitely not Celiac friendly.

Celiac friendly?

No

Quick delivery on Super Bowl Sunday. We got pizza, a roast beef sandwich with pickles, cheddar and horseradish sauce on GF bread and a Caesar salad w/o croutons. It was delivered hot by a super nice guy. The food hit the spot. Comfort food, indeed.

I literally had the best GF grilled cheese EVER. Bar left a little to be desired though.

Definitely not a dedicated space. But food is great. They have gluten free bread and can make any sandwich for you.