Torchy's Tacos

Have gone twice now. First time asked staff for a gluten free menu and was told there wasn’t one. Tried to ask staff about items containing gluten, then ordered what I thought would be safe. My avocado taco arrived deep fried in some crumbs that I assumed were bread crumbs. Tried to order corn, a poor sub for a taco, but it was so salty it was inedible. Asked for refund and staff said manager would “ do it later”. Staff very rude. Refund never happened. I went home hungry. Complained on corporate site and got a gift card. Tried to go back many weeks later, was shown the one menu with gluten free choices, very limited and what I got was mediocre. Never going back. Lots of better taco restaurants in Phoenix to choose from.

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

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main 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?

— Below Average

Despite reading the reviews for Torchy’s GF menu, I decided to give them a try. I ordered off the special GF menu (a pork taco bowl with rice and then a beef taco on a corn tortilla) and made sure not to get anything from the fryer. I felt sick after eating my meal and am positive it was contamination.

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 much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

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

— Below Average

I went to Torchy’s yesterday and spoke with the cashier about ordering a Vegan/GF taco. He spoke with the Manager to make sure the Mofaux taco on a corn tortilla fit that criteria. My husband ordered the same thing not specifying GF (he does not eat a GF diet). We think the server may have mixed the orders and gave me my husband’s taco and I got sick from my meal. I also ate some chips and salsa so the problem could have been from that option as well. When I dug deeper into the online menu it seems as though there is no real option for someone with celiac who does not eat meat… and even some of the meat filled items seem to have gluten marked as a contaminant. Do your research and eat at your own risk. I read that there is not a dedicated fryer for the chips so that is a problem if you are celiac.

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?

— Not Much/None

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

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good vegetarian options

Summary - Yummy but had issues ordering from the gluten conscious menu and chips are in shared fryer.

Story - When I asked the server about gluten they immediately brought over the manager. Manager was great! They brought me the “gluten conscious” menu, explained that the chips are fried separately but the oil from both fryers are combined (so not GF but listed on the menu). I ordered the baja shrimp taco and the brisket taco on corn tortillas, mentioning the gluten allergy/menu to the server.

When the food came out, the shrimp was breaded and fried (so not GF), so we sent back with the server to redo. Then we realized that my partner’s burrito had vegan meat instead of the beef he ordered (burritos are not GF). He mentioned to manager who happened to walk by. Manager went back to kitchen and didn’t come back out until our food was out and correct. Everything was really good, including the mexican rice and street corn sides.

We tried to pay but the manager comped our meal. Very nice!

There is a bar and specialty cocktails but we didn’t try any.

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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

I told the server I had celiac disease, explicitly asked her to indicate that I was GF on my ticket, and she did not. She also told me the chips are cooked in the same fryer as everything else, so I did not have any. Anyway, I ordered the airstream salad with the grilled chicken and have been sick all day :(

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?

— Poor

Tasty tacos on corn tortillas, no GF info on menu and only 1 fryer.

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

— Not very

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 dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

The person behind the counter seemed a bit unsure in dealing with gluten free requests, but then she also couldn't tell me what white wine they had, so she must have been new. Be sure to look at the "gluten conscious" menu to know your options before you order. That said, the chips are made in a dedicated fryer, and the queso and GF tacos we picked were great.

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

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

The person who took my order was very knowledgeable about the menu and which items contained gluten and were safe. Food was absolutely 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