Picante

Dined there for the first time & was very pleased.

Remember to ask your food be supervised when you order, to ensure your safety. You order and pay at the register when you enter and good sign, the woman was more flustered I was ordering in Spanish, than my insistence thing must be GF! (She managed, btw. Much of the staff are native Spanish speakers. All appears fairly knowledgeable re gluten. The woman bussing the table (Salvadoreña) asked if I was celiac or gluten intolerant.)

That aside, the food was delicious, and authentic. The Pibil excellent, and the tostones superb. Dedicated fryer on site. Top of your meal with café de la olla.

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• 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?

— Most/All

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegetarian options
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

As a super-sensitive celiac, this is the only place I eat out that also serves gluten. They have a dedicated line where they make gluten-containing food, and everything else is gluten-free. They also have separate friers for gluten-free and gluten-containing foods. I can't recommend this place highly enough, the food is excellent, service is fast, and most importantly I am safe when I eat there.

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

— Very

Tried this place a few weeks ago cus it’s close to my job. I got rice and refried beans and a carnitas taco with guacamole and salsa verde. I’ve now eaten there 10 or more times with 0 symptoms. I’ve also had the Azteca soup. Grateful to have another restaurant I can eat at!

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

I found it difficult to order vegan/gluten free here. Not a lot of options and wasn’t able to enquire about any measures to prevent cc. I ate here and think I felt fine but the food was unremarkable and I didn’t feel super confident that I was having a safe meal. I think I asked and the fryer was gf so I had chips…. But don’t quote me on this. I actually ate here about three months ago and just remembered to write a review so maybe ask again!

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

— Somewhat

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

I've been glutened a handful of times here, even when I order the most basic items on the menu like rice and beans. There is definitely some cross contamination going on or ingredients used are not entirely gf. Be careful.

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

Delicious food. They pay attention when you tell them about an allergy.

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

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

— Very

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

My Fav Mexican place! Posole, chicken soup, tacos al pastor! It’s super yummy and I’ve never gotten sick.

Getting a side of carnitas with a side salad is my fave here. Been safe so far. It’s the only thing i can have with a no grain way of eating. If you are just gf and not with other allergies- there are many things on the menu.

Super fast service, great food and did not get sick :) even called ahead and spoke to two people who talked to me about using separate areas and how flour and corn never cross in the kitchen.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Recently discovered this place on Find Me Gluten Free. Staff were very knowledgeable. My daughter with celiac enjoyed the chips and Manchamanteles Tacos. Wish it were closer to UC Berkeley!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Really good & a wide variety of menu choices

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Amazing authentic Mexican that is safe for Celiac. We go here almost once a week since trying it over a year ago and never have gotten sick or had a reaction. Menu clearly marked, they make their corn tortillas in house right in front of you. Must Try!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The food here is so delicious! I was impressed when a manager came over and reassured me that all of my food would be prepared in a separate safe area of the kitchen. Also they have a dedicated fryer! My Nima sensor was all smiles. Highly recommend!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The gluten free items are marked as gluten free on the menu. The woman at the cash register was very friendly and helpful. I had enchiladas verde no cheese or sour cream and watermelon juice. Very delicious!

I spoke with the manager. He said he designed the menu himself with a friend who has a severe gluten allergy. The servers don't know what gluten is, just follow the menu that shows what is gluten free. I've had the rolled tacos twice with no problems. Make sure to ask for it without dairy if you are dairy free.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Many gluten-free options marked on the menu. Had no problems afterwards. Pretty tasty food for a reasonable price.

Gluten free options and corn tortillas. Really good fast service. I've eaten here many times and have never had a problem and I am celiac. I usually get the shredded chicken tacos or carne asada plate.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I have to change my review after getting glutened at this restaurant. In the past, the staff had seemed poorly trained about gluten, but I never got sick on previous visits. I guess I just got lucky before. I will not be back.

Celiac friendly?

No

I love Picante. Their menu clearly states if an item is gluten free (image of wheat with line through it.). Kitchen is busy but I've never had a problem here. It's my family's first choice for Mexican food. My kids love it and I can eat safely. I mostly get the tortilla soup. Very little risk of cross-contamination.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I have been eating here for years but the menu has changed for gf options. Not sure they know what's going on anymore because the manger said that the chicken tacos have never been gf. It's the only thing I've ever ordered in the last 10+ years. Not guaranteed safe anymore.

Celiac friendly?

No

I had a gluten reaction after eating here -- not strong, but strong enough to impair me, and keep impairing me after yesterday's dinner.

The two servers I talked to did not understand what gluten was and were completely at loss -- mixed it up with dairy issues, in fact. Only the third server came up and promptly showed me a printed menu, with gf dishes marked.

Ordering off the menu and stating my gluten-freeness was, however, *not enough*. Given the great reviews, I'm sure the place could be good, but in my case they disregarded my explicit notice and probably cross-contaminated the food in some way.

Because it was both extremely tasty, and the servers were extremely friendly, I will Picante try again and very explicitly and clearly state that I get very sick, and that extra care must be taken, that I am happy to wait much longer too (the food was there within three minutes, which is suspicious given the time careful food prep takes).

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Gluten free is well marked on menu and they were able to answer questions I had about dairy and soy knowledgeably over the phone, which was great. Pork tamales were delicious, not the best I've had but still really good. Got takeout but seemed like a lively atmosphere inside. Can't wait to go back and try more options.

One of our GF standbys - excellent Mexican food and fabulous corn tortillas!

Outstanding gf menu and food! Loved the different hot sauces. Everything was just great, quick friendly service!

Thought the food here was great and loved that they clearly marked which options were gf.

The food is delicious. I've never been glutened here. But, given that wheat is in the kitchen and they are a low-cost/high volume establishment, am never completely calm when I go, afraid an accidental cross-contamination might happen. That said, been many times and each time loved the chance to have Mexican food out instead of at home!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Great Mexican restaurant. Clearly marked GF items on the menu, knowledgable staff. Highly recommended.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Whenever we are in the mood for Mexican and are in Berkeley we try to stop in here for lunch. The GF selections are clearly marked and the food is always great. A bit noisy and sometimes hard to find a table if you have a large group but well worth going anyway.

This place is awesome! They clearly label everything gluten free and have a ton of options. They even have gluten free beer!