Clearly labeled menu, some of the best Caribbean food in Seattle, sweet & low-key atmosphere (the patio’s adorable and they keep the heaters going in winter), and the owner is so friendly & clearly knowledgeable about allergens. I didn’t try them, but…gf empanadas!! Love!
Be aware that almost everything is marked gluten free, even the fried stuff. They do not have a dedicated fryer, so none of the fried food is celiac safe. It can be confusing, but I double checked. The atmosphere was charming, but without being able to eat the yummy fried dishes, I’d probably skip it.
If you have celiac disease beware - The the “GF” notes on their menu are not accurate. You need to ask questions. Hopefully you get the same excellent waitress that I did.
When I asked the waitress about their “gluten free” tostones, she said “Oh, the fryer is not completely gluten free, so they’re only okay for people who are a little sensitive to gluten.”
That made no sense at all. That’s seriously like saying they’re peanut free even though they’re fried in peanut oil. It’s inaccurate and dangerous, because some people trust menus and will order them without asking and get very, very sick.
Luckily I had an excellent waitress who cared enough to work with the chef to make something safe for me. This is a major rarity in restaurants and I really appreciate it. But having to rely on lucking out and getting a good waitress in order to eat safely is really stressful.
This would be a five star review if they didn’t have dangerously inaccurate ideas about what gluten free means. Their food is incredibly delicious. Just ask lots of questions and steer away from the fryer.
Without a doubt my favorite ‘gluten free’ joint in all of Seattle. What I love about this place is that they’re almost entirely gluten free mainly because they use the best whole foods in their dishes. Meats, spices, rices... no pre-made anything. Plus, the owner, Luam, is easily the friendliest restauranteur I’ve ever met! He’ll treat you right.
Nearly the entire menu is gluten free, however, the shared fryer means most options are not celiac safe without skipping the fried portion. That being said, the owner offered to make anything separately if given advance notice. Even without the fried food, everything tasted great and was reasonably priced.
Absolutely love this restaurant. They specialize in delicious Cuban and Caribbean cuisine, the restaurant is warm and inviting, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Their lunch and dinner menus list a GF next to items that are gluten-free, and if you let them know your sensitivity when ordering, they take extra care in the kitchen.