Taco Bamba

I’ve been here a few times and they seem to take my no cross contamination/ gluten allergy request seriously. They did inform me the chips are fried in the same oil as gluten items. I usually stick to the traditional tacos. Pretty yummy overall! :)

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

— Somewhat

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

Be careful to emphasize gluten free and no contamination. The traditional tacos and chips have been safe for me as a celiac. Very tasty tacos - worth it.

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

One of my regulars. I have been eating here ever since being diagnosed with Celiacs and have never had a problem!

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?

— Good

Wonderfully delicious! I’m celiac and had no issues. When ordering online, click on “gluten allergy” and they know to be careful. They have a detailed allergen menu on their website so you know what items (many!) are gluten-free.

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

— Very

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

Can make anything gf and dairy free very helpful and nice. Super delicious and spicy! I got sick though :(

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

— Not very

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

Tasty tasty tasty. I’ve eaten at various Taco Bamba locations in northern Virginia for years and always had good experiences. This one is closest to my office and I eat here for lunch a few times a month and have never had issues. My favorite tacos are Al Pastor and Barbacoa. They have GF queso dip, which I appreciate. Their salsas are delicious. I’ve never been sick after eating at Taco Bamba. Tasty drinks at the bar, too. Especially the watermelon margarita when in season. Recommend. The line can get long at peak lunch, so online ordering is helpful.

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?

— Most/All

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

— Excellent

Delicious

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

— Somewhat

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

*** UPDATE ***

I have eaten here several more times since then. I think there is an issue with cross contamination specifically with the Taco Bamba taco - one ingredient in the taco is the chicarrone crumbles - which are likely prepared in a shared fryer. I noticed some digestive issues after a few visits and also noted an elevated level of antibodies in my blood in the weeks after eating here. Proceed with CAUTION!

*** ORIGINAL***

I went here with some coworkers for lunch. Called beforehand and checked the website. They have a allergy sheet online that's a little confusing, but serviceable. Manager on the phone was very reassuring and amenable to handling allergies.

When ordering I specified my allergy, the person taking my order selected an option on her POS system showing my allergy.

I ordered the Taco Bamba and the Taco Pescado, and had no reaction to my knowledge.

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• 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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers outdoor seating

ORDER ONLINE

I have eaten here three times. First two, I ordered online (tacos, bowl & chips/salsa) and had zero issues. I was able to specify “allergy” and “corn tortillas” on my order.

Yesterday was a different experience. I went at 330 when I figured the lunch rush would be over and it would be quiet so I’d order in person. Bad idea. The person taking my order was distracted along with being on the phone too. She put “no flour tortilla” on two of the tacos and “no flour pita” and “no flour tortilla” on a third. I questioned that I needed corn bc of an allergy and she said this was the option in the register. When I got the order, the one taco was on a flour pita. I asked them to remake it and specified it needed to be from scratch, that they couldn’t just replace the base. I tried to watch the line to make sure, but of course someone got in the way part-way through. I inspected the taco for a good minute before eating, questioned myself, and decided to dive in because it was the one I went to the restaurant for (shrimp taco). Four hours later, I paid the price of celiac cross-contamination 😭. I know when I’ve eaten something with gluten in it vs cc and this was cc (I assume they kept the same taco stuff). It’s all on me for eating it.

I will be back but will ALWAYS order online, even when eating there. Lines are long so will save time too.

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

— Somewhat

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