Matt's El Rancho

The food is good and atmosphere is fun! Always a long wait. The servers are usually knowledgeable about what contains gluten.

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• 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

• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good vegetarian options
• Offers outdoor seating

I have received so much conflicting information here. I’ve been told one thing on the phone, and then another in the restaurant. During my last visit I was assured everything was gf but I felt so sick afterwards. This time, I called ahead and was assured chips are gf and in a dedicated fryer. While at the restaurant, I started eating the chips. Then the waitress told me chips aren’t safe and there are gluten containing items in the same fryer. I didn’t feel comfortable ordering a meal because of all the mixed information. Super disappointing and hoping to clear this up.

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?

— Average

My family and I eat here almost every week! Two sensitive celiacs and not been sick there after a year of dining, The menu is limited on GF options however, they are labeled and are our favorites. I get the bob Armstrong queso with their house GF chips, the enchiladas with avocado salad. My celiac daughter gets the chicken tortilla soup and hard shell beef tacos. My typical eating husband and son eat a variety of other options each week. Margaritas are awesome.

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?

— Not Much

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

— Excellent

We’ve lived just a short walk from Matt’s for 4 years and have stayed away b/c of the amount of traffic and volume they do. Wandered up on a Friday at 5:30 and miraculously got seated right away for a 2 top. Was really surprised and overwhelming impressed w/ both the service, food, and drinks. Some GF items are marked and the chips are in a dedicated fryer. Will definitely go back soon.

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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

They are knowledgeable about gluten and cross contamination. Chips are made in a dedicated fryer. Their food is delish!

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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

Good food, there are a few items clearly marked on the menu as gluten free and the waitstaff was very knowledgeable and friendly when I was asking questions about possible cross contamination. I would recommend eating here.

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good vegan options
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

I eat here all the time and usually get guacamole and Tacos Al Pastor. The chips are made in a dedicated fryer. This is a great place to take friends and family visiting Austin. PS. Try the Knockout Martini if you aren't driving ;-)

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

I have celiac and have never gotten sick eating there for dinner. I usually eat chicken enchiladas with tomatillo sauce or gluten-free (no batter) chiles rellenos. Chips are from a dedicated frier and guacamole is not contaminated with gluten that I can tell, and I am very sensitive to gluten. If you have worries ask to speak to the manager before ordering.

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

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Offers outdoor seating

My boyfriend raved about this place before we tried it, but it was not a great experience. Waiter was so ignorant. Told me chips and queso weren’t gluten free despite being marked, turns out they were. Ordered cheese enchiladas, they brought chicken. Am vegetarian. No apologies. The enchiladas were also the worst I’ve ever had & I could not eat more than a bite- if you want good verde cheese enchiladas, go to Baby A’s. Don’t think it’s that safe, and the food sucked. I would’ve walked out but was eating with boyfriend’s dad :/

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

— Not at all

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?

— Not Much

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

— Poor

Our server was pretty knowledgeable and was able to tell me the reason the fajita meats were not gf was because of the sauce that is put on them at the end. I got nervous about the tortilla strips on the soup and he checked and said they use a dedicated fryer for the tortilla chips! So while there were a couple of surprises (good and bad), the labeling seemed accurate, the staff was helpful, the food was decent, and I didn’t get sick.

I felt nervous the entire time I was eating there because our waitress was not knowledgeable or confident about what was gluten free. I didn't get sick so that's a plus, but I also didn't enjoy the food because I was concerned it wouldn't be OK.

Celiac friendly?

No

Waitress was knowledgeable about gluten free items on menu. I did not ask if a separate grill was used for GF items. Our waitress did mention the cook left the final coating off the corn tortilla tacos that gives it a more crisp feel. Food was delicious and atmosphere was fun.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The server was great - he said what was already GF (the menu marks clearly as well), and also said that they can make adjustments if there was something else I fancied.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

This is not a gluten friendly kitchen. they put flour in too many things that actually shouldn't have flour at all... like guacamole!

Celiac friendly?

No

Great service , great frozen margarita!! So gluten helpful!! Salsa has a kick!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

many gf choices. good food and fun atmosphere!

I have Celiac and can always eat well at Matt's! As others have said, the practice of having the manager come to table is so great. They're very patient and answer all questions, and are clearly very knowledgeable about the menu. The one thing I have noticed is the evening staff is the best staff. The brunch/lunch staff seems less knowledgeable and the two times I've eaten brunch at Matt's I've gotten sick (but never at dinner!). Also seems to be miscommunication between managers over whether or not the tomato vinaigrette drizzled on the guacamole is gluten-free, so just avoid that vinaigrette!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I have been here twice since I found out I have Celiacs. The owner or manager comes to the table and goes over any questions about the menu you have. With the exception of a few things, basically their entire menu can be made gluten free. Its nice to have that many choices. The owner said his wife has Celiac and since she is GF that makes him GF so he understands the importance. Per the owner, they have a dedicated fryer.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Manager was very helpful. They have lots of items that are available gluten free.

They don't actually have a gluten-free menu, but they have many gluten-free options. The server had the manager come over to talk to me about what I could eat. The manager was extremely helpful and reassuring. Also, the chips are gluten-free and fried in a dedicated fryer!