Taco Mama

I love Taco Mama! They have an allergen menu online and are aware of celiac. I asked about their child and those are done in a separate fryer. Definitely recommend

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

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

I’ve eaten here several times and the food is delicious! However I usually get an upset stomach the next day, but not contamination sick as far as I can tell. I’m not sure what it is that makes me sick, whether gluten or maybe just another ingredient? My non celiac friends have also noticed an upset stomach after eating their too, so makes me think maybe it’s something else that gets us. It could be cross contamination, but I don’t think so. Staff is VERY knowledgeable about what is GF and what isn’t and accommodating in subbing out things to make it GF. This is the first place I’ve been able to get a quesadilla since my celiac dx years ago(on corn tortillas). The food and service are so good, I keep coming back despite the upset tummy next day. It’s my understanding that the chips and queso are safe. They offer corn tortillas for tacos and quesadillas. Most meats are GF except a few of the meats like the shredded chicken due to seasoning. Their queso is my favorite!

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

The person at the counter explained everything very carefully to me and double checked on anything they weren't completely certain of. I ordered a build your own nachos and it was delicious.They seem to have good practices regarding cross-contamination because I ate there yesterday and have not felt bad at all.I will definitely be back and would definitely recommend them.

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
• 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 dairy-free
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Offers outdoor seating

I asked staff what was gluten free and they said almost everything. Avoid the flour tortillas, braised chicken, Mac n cheese, and you’ll be fine. The chips are fried in a dedicated, gluten free fryer where the corn taco shells are also fried. I frequent Taco Mama, my standby order is the steak nachos, but I also love their tacos. Their queso and guac are both fantastic. I am celiac and have eaten here dozens of times with no issues. I cannot recommend this place enough

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
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

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 lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers outdoor seating

Just called and they said their chips were NOT gluten free and the person on the phone was not even sure what I was initially talking about. Definitely not safe for celiacs.

Celiac friendly?

No

GF fresh chips and Queso!!! There are only a few things that aren’t GF (flour tortillas (but they have corn which are safe), chicken bc its beer braised, fried fish, and mac’n’cheese.

10/10 on food, service, and atmosphere! It’s more fast-casual. You don’t have a dedicated waitress, you order at a register then they bring it to you but there’s ton of staff walking around asking if you need anything. Just tell them you are Celiac or GF when you order - if you have celiac or an allergy and tell them they will take extra precautions and change gloves!

I recommend shrimp tacos w lettuce, chipotle ranch, corn, avocado and chips and Queso 😋

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The staff is knowledgeable about what ingredients are gf and which aren’t, and will let you know when you’re building your taco/burrito/bowl/etc. The menu has a build-your-own section that is totally customisable so you can avoid any gluten ingredients. Their chips are fried in a separate fryer and don’t have gluten.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Manager was awesome and honest about potential of cross contamination with chips and hard shells. Recommended soft corn tortillas for beef tacos and the rice. No signs of gluten exposure following meal!

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

The chicken is NOT gluten free, but every other meat is. Make sure you tell them you have celiac! In Gardendale specifically- they know what it is! When I tell them, I don’t get sick. I always order the nachos with ground beef and almost everything on it. I don’t ask for anything grilled just because I want as little to touch the grill as possible!

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

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

They are very knowledgeable. You can only get a bowl if your are cross contamination sensitive. Been a 3 times and never been sick and able to change it up each time

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?

— Excellent

The cashier at Taco Mama was SO knowledgeable. I guess I had looked at the GF menu of a different Taco Mama so I said I had celiac and wanted the Nachos and she immediately corrected me and said that this restaurant is the only one in the chain that has a shared fryer so the chips are not gluten free. I ordered the chicken tacos and she made sure I got the chicken NOT cooked in beer. When she put in the order she said “ok let me go tell everyone to change their gloves” without me asking her to. So sweet! I have very sensitive celiac and didn’t have an issue.

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

Went here and they are gluten friendly. They are not, however, dairy free friendly. So if you are like me and have trouble with gluten and dairy I do not recommend this place. The chicken, ground beef, retired beans, and guac all have dairy in them.

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu