Review of Mercurio's Shadyside

April 21, 2024. Very unpleasant experience today at this restaurant. Many people have suggested to me that this place has safe gluten free pizza. Upon entering, I told our host that I had a severe gluten allergy. They told me that they weren't busy and that I should talk to the cooks. One cook assured me that eventhough they put dough on a common surface in a common oven there was no risk of cross contamination due to the heat of the oven. Dough is prepared in a separate area (immediately behind the common area, literally just behind the gluten area) and sauce and toppings are all shared between gluten and non gluten pizza. Although these are usually red flags, I listened to the chef who told me that in his 8 years, no one has come back to complain about getting glutened. I believed him and ordered. After eating, I was showing all of my tell-tale gluten cross contamination symptoms before I left. The cook was right. His 8 year streak of no gluten cross-contamination will remain intact. I will not go back to complain. Excuse my negatively, but this was a BAD experience for me.

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

— Not at all

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