Tico's Restaurant

I’ve been to Ticos a few times since being diagnosed with celiac. They’ve always been great until yesterday. We called more than an hour in advance so they could start the fryer for gluten free chips. We got to the restaurant and they said no one started the chips. We were then told they would be out in 10-15 minutes. About 10 minutes later we were told no one started them yet and we probably wouldn’t get them today. I was bummed since I had been craving them but got over it. We finally did get the chips about an hour later and got them to go. I ate probably 10 chips at the restaurant. When I got home I was very bloated and uncomfortable. I then took some meds and went to bed. Around 3 a.m. I woke up and was puking until 7:30 a.m. My entree was a rice bowl with chicken on the gluten free menu. When I ordered I asked for gloves to be switched and the waitress reassured they would. Between the rice bowl and the chips I got glutened and definitely will not be going back.

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

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

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

— Good

I am not celiac. I thought the food was amazing! I haven't had so many choices at any Mexican restaurant before. Very impressed. You can call ahead and order gf chips and salsa in a dedicated fryer for your arrival time. Wait staff was great. Your gf entree comes out in a plate with a brown rim which confirms that the kitchen knew it was a gf meal. Will definitely go back!

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

I appreciated the dedicated gluten-free menu and brown rimmed plates. The staff seemed like they were very used to catering to gluten-free clientele. We came for lunch and I got a hard shell chicken taco, cream cheese chicken enchilada, and rice. We shared the chili Cheese dip and it was great.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

So excited I can still eat here post Celiac diagnosis! They serve the items from the gluten free menu on a different plate (brown rim). When I asked about the chips, she said that she couldn't guarantee that the oil wasn't used for something else the day before, but that I could always call ahead and they would start me up a new fryer. So I had them do that so I could take home 2 pounds of chips by the time I was done with dinner! Very happy. Update: I have eaten here over 6 times in the last year and have always felt fine after. I call ahead and have them start up a fresh fryer and buy lots of chips.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I’ve eaten here many times since being gluten free and I’ve never had any problems. They seem knowledgeable and willing to make it a great dining experience.

Ordered a burrito from the separate gluten free menu and explained my allergy to the wait staff. It came out in a flour tortilla. Seriously? Had a reaction from the chips which the waitress promised were gluten free. Would consider unsafe.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Ugh, I was hoping this would be an awesome gf Mexican food find especially based on the other good reviews but... So in the other reviews people mentioned calling ahead to warm up the dedicated gf fryer for chips. I called a few minutes ahead (we were traveling along 1-80) to make gf chips and they said ok but seemed confused about why I was calling if I was dining in. Anyways, we get there, it's super slow service, after a long wait and I back to hostess stand to get a gf menu bc no waitress in sight, finally we get a waitress and she assures me the chips she's serving is gf along with queso. They were delicious. I prefer the nacho wheels, again more waiting and waiting, the food comes, looks good and I eat one. Then remember from the reviews that the gf food is served on a brown rimmed plate and there isn't a brown rim on my plate, oh no! I go to the hostess stand to find someone bc again no waitress in sight, the supervisor lady comes back to the table and checks it out, calls the owner, checks with the kitchen staff and no one can apparently remember which fryer they put my tortillas in. I kinda freak out, we've got a long drive and I just may or may not have got glutened. Nobody will fess up to what happened. I took a couple activated charcoal pills to be safe. They offer to not charge me for the food and remake it in the gf fryer. It took so long! My husband and daughter finished their meals, and I had to go find the supervisor to say Hey just make it to go, bc we can't wait here any longer. In the end, I didn't get sick. Either it was gf or the charcoal saved me. But it wasn't a great experience.

Great food, and if you call ahead they'll fry up some fresh gf chips for the salsa!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

This place is amazing! I can't remember the last time I have been able to safely eat Mexican food - so happy with Tico's! They are very aware of cross contamination, and the food is so delicious! I recommend calling ahead if you want chips from a dedicated frier. I have celiac and had no reaction!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Be sure that your plate has a brown ring around it! I got served a flour tortilla on accident. The server was very apologetic and got it fixed right away. Very fresh food, very extensive GF menu.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

My husband has celiac disease. We ate here over the weekend. We called ahead for chips fried in a separate fryer. We asked for the gluten free menu. They have a good range of gluten free options. The plate was different from non-gluten free plates. He wished he had eaten more. Will go here again.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Best Mexican restaurant I have ever eaten at that is gluten free you are going to be blown away how good this place is I have very bad celiac and have not gotten sick at all they bring out your food on a plate designated only for gluten free and the wait staff is excellent, also the menu is quite extensive! Highly suggest!!!!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Love Ticos! Great place. Great food. Friendly and helpful staff. Highly recommend!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Large GF menu. Server knowledgeable and helpful. Fast service and great food

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Yes! Love it. Call ahead for gluten free chips and they make a batch just for you. Gluten free meals come out on a different place than all other meals, also!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

We no longer live in Lincoln & with my newly discovered gluten intolerance, I was sad that I couldn't return to our old favs. Ticos is fabulous. They have a huge gluten free menu & even make certain the corn chips are fried separately. Awesome. Had my favorite- their famous ticoritta which was wonderful as ever. Will eat here everytime we are back.

Great food and a great atmosphere. Diverse gluten free menu. Love all the options. I'll definitely be returning.

Celiac friendly?

Yes