Thanh Tinh Chay Restaurant

Sickest I’ve gotten in years from eating here! I was SO disappointed because the food was delicious, and my husband and I had 2 different servers reassure us everything was GF and safe for celiac (despite nothing being marked on the menu as gf, just vegan, not the same at all) —naming certain ingredients they use, how the owner was a nurse and cares a lot about food as medicine for inflammation etc. I’d be interested to know if others who have rated this restaurant so highly have gone back and been fine, or wrote their review immediately after eating and got sick later that day…

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

— Not at all

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

Amazing selection of food. Knowledgeable staff and celiac safe! Just be aware it is a little pricey in my opinion, but as a specialty restaurant understandable.

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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

— Excellent

Experienced waiter explained all Ingredients and safety. Dedicated gluten free and vegan. Great flavor and unique experience. Couldn’t ask for more

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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

— Excellent

What an incredible place! Ate here SEVEN times in six days on a recent trip to San Diego. Hardly put a dent in the 250+ menu items, but every single thing I had was marvelous, and I felt fine after every meal. Everything is gluten free and vegan, and the service is wonderful. How to navigate a menu with so many items? Just approach it with an open mind, don't over-think the concept of 'vegan meat', and get a few things that grab your attention. Even the appetizer portions are quite large, and entrees are generally more than enough for a single meal.

Some things I enjoyed: #6 Helen pancake. This was marvelous; maybe the best. #16 Sticky rice dumpling #17 Steamed rice pancake #19 Helen rice ball w/ pork belly #38 Lotus salad #41 Helen salad #58 Soft duck roll #155 Helen fried rice w/ Vietnamese sausage #169 Dan Dan noodle w/ sea bass #180 Soft sauté noodle w/ Vietnamese sausage #224 Helen spicy bread w/ salmon #238 Tofu steam buns

Also - save room for all the delightful assorted custards they have for dessert.

Needless to say, I have become something of an evangelist for Thanh Tinh Chay...

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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

— Excellent

WOW!!! Dedicated GF with exceptional service and a true passion for providing Vietnamese food for vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free people. So incredibly grateful to have found this place!

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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 keto
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers delivery

I’m so happy I could cry. I tasted flavors and textures I never thought I’d have again. Steam buns & banh mi were incredible as was the coconut flan. I’ve never eaten out so confidently being lactose & gluten intolerant with high cross contamination sensitivity for gluten. Mmmm fried things….

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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 lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies

Heaven for this vegetarian with Celiac! It seriously seems too good to be true, but I’m extremely sensitive to cross-contamination and I’ve been twice now, trying all the food on the table without an ounce of glutening symptoms. I was skeptical because nothing is labeled gluten free, so the first time I went, 4 people working there confidently assured me everything was gluten free. The owner told me some of the ingredients used for the bread flours and fake meats. I have had the bahn mi, crispy dumplings, crispy chicken steamed buns, crispy buns, fried rice, spicy Korean soup, and dumpling soup. Each time as I’m eating I’m wondering if it’s truly gluten free or if I’m making a huge mistake and going to end up in the hospital, but it’s been 24 hours since my second visit and now I can be 100% confident they know what they’re doing and I will be back to keep eating all the breads and fried things.

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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 selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies

Loved this place. The noodles were SO good. Portion sizes are a bit on the small side. The flan was incredible. The best gluten free and vegan place I’ve ever eaten.

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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

— Excellent

This a vegan and gluten-free dedicated Vietnamese restaurant that is a must try for the GFDF crowd.

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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

— Excellent

I had no problems after eating here. I’m writing this review the next day. I was very nervous after seeing the other reviews after I had already ordered but I was so impressed with the Banh Bo Kho with pate!! The baguette was amazing. Soup was so flavorful as well! Really couldn’t believe it was gluten free. Definitely on the pricy side but it was worth it considering this was my first time having this dish in years!! No itching and no stomach issues even hours after eating here! The owner even gave me a complimentary dessert as well! I would come here again!!

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

Reported to be dedicated gf and seemed very attentive. We had a top-notch meal, and, 24+ hours later, I have no symptoms whatsoever.

I’m sorry that other reviewers got sick. I get the sense that this restaurant avoids gluten from a position of holistic health rather than from specialization in allergies or a personal connection to celiac. In my experience, places like that rely on “naturally gf” ingredients but don’t always appreciate how pervasive cross contamination can be in the supply line. (For example, soy/tofu can be contaminated if it is grown or processed at places that also handle wheat as a common crop rotation. I did not ask about the soy supply chain for this restaurant, and I wish I had, even though mine seems to have been clean yesterday.)

We took recommendations from the server who said she has many regulars who have celiac disease. Personally, I avoid deep fried food from a place that does not specialize in allergies, and here I avoided the bahn mi because the rolls frankly looked too good to seem gf! (The server assured us they are gf, made from water chestnut flour.) We stuck to items that are rice flour based. We sampled most of the soy mock “meats,” and they were all incredible, which is why this restaurant is nationally acclaimed for vegan cooking.

I was nervous because of reviewers here who sadly did get sick, but I can only say that my experience was excellent. We had rice patties, rice paper summer rolls with “pork belly” (yum!), two different spicy rice noodle dishes (the “shrimp” were excellent!), and a to-die-for tofu steam bun, plus the decadent crème brûlée.

I would only add that the dishes were rich & heavy with bold flavors and a host of ingredients that might be challenging for sensitive stomachs. We were very full but very happy. I’ll update if I experience symptoms, but I’m confident I’m in the clear by now.

Personally, I would go back, but I would inquire beforehand about the supply line, especially for all the soy/tofu in the beautifully-crafted vegan proteins.

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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 lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies

The server was so nice. They said everything was made in house and with rice flour and other non gluten flours. We ate four dishes plus dessert. Finished at 4:15 and now throwing up at 6:15. I was so hopeful. :(

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

— Not at all

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

Hands down the best restaurant I've ever been to. Dedicated gluten free and vegan authentic Vietnamese food! Stopped by with my mom who also has Celiac and my girlfriend who is vegan and as far as my mom and I go neither of us got sick! Incredible crispy shrimp, bao, stir fry, creme brûlée! Overall incredible. Hard to believe everything is gluten free and vegan but it is! I've eaten here multiple times with my all Celiac family and never had an issue! For the first time in years after eating noodles from a restaurant I didn't feel a hint of nausea or sickness.

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

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 keto
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies

Best service ever! Food was great! 100% will be going back. The options were overwhelming which is never the case with gluten free lol

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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

— Excellent

I threw up after going here, and I didn’t eat anything else that would have made me sick. The employee was very helpful, knowledgeable, and reassuring about everything being gf and even the specific ingredients they use. So I was surprised, but it was definitely a strong gluten reaction for me. Maybe still worth a try given the other positive reviews, but I’d ask a lot of questions if you do go. Food was decent, flavor-wise.

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

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

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

— Average

Such a great experience. Dedicated gluten free. Felt safe and the food was absolutely delicious. I went with two friends who are not vegan or gluten free and they loved it as well. Food is fresh and flavorful. So grateful for this place and will definitely be back.

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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

— Excellent

My wife and I just took a 3 day vacation to SD and this was the highlight of the trip for me! I have celiac and am very sensitive to cross contamination so I was initially wary about going as most of their advertising talks about the place being vegan but I called them in advance and they assured me everything is GF. When I got there I learned they make all their GF products in house including their fake meat, the bread for their Banh Mi, etc... This restaurant has INCREDIBLE vegan/GF Vietnamese food! The service was so good, the food was unbelievably tasty and I had zero adverse reaction to anything. It is so clear how much love and care goes into each piece of food they produce. I visited about a week ago and I am still dreaming of that food. Could not recommend more highly. If you are GF and in SD you MUST check this place out!

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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 vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers delivery
• Offers online ordering

Wonderful restaurant and staff (Trang served us and was a wealth of knowledge)! Every ingredient is prepared in house. Felt very safe. But, very importantly, everything was delicious! I would have loved my meal even before my celiac diagnosis.

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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

— Excellent

This place IS SO AMAZING it’s vegan and gluten free, there was soooo much to choose from. The woman who served us was super knowledgeable about gluten free and even went out of her way to explain all the ingredients to me and assured me it was definitely dedicated. It was REALLY good, so happy I came here.

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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

— Excellent

This restaurant is vegan and dedicated gluten free! I’m glad my wife and I stopped by on our trip visiting San Diego. I was most impressed with the gluten free bread for the bahn mi as it had a nice crispy and flaky quality to it. All of the “meat” we tried tasted good. We tried the house special bahn mi which had “pork”, the crispy “chicken” bao, spring rolls, and crispy wonton. All delicious! We also tried several of the desserts. My fav was the cheesecake and my wife enjoyed the crème brûlée. Will def eat here again if we ever visit SD again.

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

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