This original little gem, this cave, is where Metro Diner started, now a national chain. If you are from out of town and looking for a Metro cause there’s one around the corner from you, this place has the cozy ambience and elbow-to-elbow seating charm and busy worker cramped kitchen noise you need to fully taste the flavor of Metro. They have a GF menu, GF bread for $1, some outdoor seating with space heaters in the winter, and if you say gluten “allergy”, they have a protocol for cleaning cooking space, changing gloves and toasting bread under a heat lamp instead of in a toaster, etc. Still, obviously, with fried chicken, pancakes, waffles, wheat bread, etc in such a small volume, and no 100% dedicated GF cooking zone, utensils, pots/pans, cross contamination seems possible. Quieter back room with a handful of tables with a little more room. After eating there check out the shops and other interesting features of nearby historic San Marco area bordering the St John’s River.
— Not at all
— Separate gluten-free menu
— Some
— Good
I love Metro Diner. They are incredibly accommodating, have a large gluten free menu, and take careful precautions. Their gluten free substitutions are very high quality (the sandwich buns are some of the best gf buns I’ve had, you can’t even tell) and many of their items are already gluten free. I’ve never gotten sick here, or at any Metro location, and the waitress here even went above and beyond to make sure I was safe and comfortable. Delicious food, fun atmosphere, and I feel great!
— Very
— Separate gluten-free menu
— Most/All
— Excellent
They have a gluten free menu upon request. Servers were very knowledgeable and were upfront about the fact that there was no fryer dedicated to GF food. They recommended substitutions for fries and tater tots because they couldn’t ensure that fries would be safe
— Somewhat
— Separate gluten-free menu
— Most/All
— Excellent
I called and they said they had no gluten free options for some reason. Went anyway and they had a bunch of good tasting gluten free options
— Very
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Most/All
— Good
My mother-in-law ‘loves a diner’ and Metro is our spot - about once a month. I’ve only been diagnosed w celiac disease for 3 months so I’m still navigating it all but I was very impressed w/ Metro. They do not have ‘GF’ indicated on the menu but I’ve had multiple waitresses be very aware and helpful when I tell them ‘celiac’. I usually get an omelet and grits and GF toast. FYI - I asked and they buy Udi’s brand (from Publix) - which is actually very good GF bread.
— Somewhat
— Some
— Excellent
The staff was knowledgeable and helpful. I do wish they had more child friendly GF options though. My daughter had mashed potatoes and veggies and was happy but it was a little unremarkable.
— Very
— Separate gluten-free menu
— Some
— Good