Review of Summer House

As a Celiac, I legitimately LOVE Summer House in Las Vegas at the new Durango Resort that opened in December 2023. I've already eaten here multiple times! It's a gorgeous restaurant.

I have had the fish and chips (x2) $35.95, the steak frites $38.95, the picnic fried chicken basket $22.95, the 2 Tickets to Paradise cocktail $18, the potato salad deviled eggs $9.95 for 3 halves (delicious but too pricey) and the shishito peppers for $12.95. I've also had the $3.95 gluten-free chocolate chip cookie and brownie from their bakery bar in the front.

According to our first awesome waitress, Shelby, they don't have a marked menu but they have a dedicated fryer! The batter on the fish and the chicken is gluten-free! I already contacted them via survey to let them know how important it is to mark their menu because this is an incredible selling point.

I get it, some people are weird about seeing "gluten-free" on a menu and won't order those items. So don't mark it on the regular menu. What is important is to at least have a separate menu so that people who care can ask, "do you have a gluten-free menu" and can find it online or in the restaurant. (BJ'S Brewhouse also doesn't mark "GF" on their regular menus, but has a separate stand alone menu with items that can be amended to be gluten-free.)

--- I'll say it a zillion times - not advertising that you have gluten-free options or a separate gluten-free menu is LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE. I have to research restaurants before I go to see if they accommodate me. If there is no indication that you can serve me, I'm not going to necessarily call every restaurant and ask for a host to talk to a chef and get back to me.

--- As a Celiac, Las Vegas casino resorts generally do not have microwaves in their rooms and almost none have mini refrigerators. If you have a medical dietary restriction, not only can you not bring your own fresh food to your room because there's no way to store or heat it, the restaurants on property can't accommodate you either! Summer House, you can and have accommodated me. Rather than eating a protein bar in a hotel room, I want other celiacs to patronize your business. At least have an online menu for "allergens."

--- Celiacs, people with wheat allergies, EoE, Crohn's, Hashimoto's, and rheumatoid arthritis all need to follow a gluten-free diet. Nevermind the amount of people without a diagnosis that are actively seeking foods that don't contain gluten (it takes on average 7 years to finally get a diagnosis of Celiac.) There are so many of us that want to spend our money at restaurants like Summer House but we have no idea that you exist if I can only find out by talking to our waiter once I'm already there. I only found this place on a fluke because my initial visit was during a mock service before opening.

--- Lettuce Entertain You Group, Help us spend money at your restaurants by at least having a separate menu with marked, gluten-free options! I don't care if it's just a QR code. I told my gluten-free online groups about this place and gluten-free people are so excited!

December 2023

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the 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 lunch
• Offers outdoor seating