Tortas Frontera by Rick Bayless

Unpleasant folks at this place regarding my questions. Terminal 5 has very few options and out of desperation I went here... Frontera offers a GF creamy poblano soup and one other soup. Delicious but not substantial at all.

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?

— Not Much/None

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

— Excellent

Cashier was knowledgeable, there were only two options though. I got the salad with chicken & no tortilla strips. Very good for quick airport food. Other option was soup.

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

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

— Good

Guacamole Salad with chipotle chicken was good. Real spicy, but good. I excluded the tortilla strips. The salad was not marked as gluten free, but didn’t have a bad reaction. Only the actual chicken (not the salad) and a cup of soup were listed as GF items. O’Hare terminals B and C were a gluten free food desert.

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?

— Not Much/None

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

— Good

July 14, 2021 - They have very little that is safe for a person with celiac. However, their team was fairly knowledgeable. The chips are fried with other items so they aren’t safe. That ruins the chips and salsa or guacamole. Very disappointing as chips and salsa or guacamole are items that could be simple and safe for celiacs. They helped me find something I could safely eat, which was a “salad” with 6 pieces of arugula, fresh avocado, four bites of chicken, a lump of melted cheese, and Adobe sauce. It was tasty but tiny. I’m skeptical about how my food was handled and whether the sauce was safe.

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

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

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for keto
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options

This is such a shame to hear the negative reviews as Rick Bayless’ daughter has celiac, I believe, and he had a reputation for being great on the gluten free front.

Had the breakfast cazuela without tortilla chips or avocados (allergy). Two hours later I’m on the floor of the airport throwing up and with awful pains. Never felt more sick. Definitely has cross contamination problems or just bad food.

Celiac friendly?

No

Not recommended. Got a salad with meat and they cook the meat along side the bread

When I said I had Celiacs and asked of their GF options the staff was friendly and didn’t scoff at me like many other restaurants at airports have done. He informed me of my options and I got a cubano, no bun. It was delicious and I was not “glutened” afterwards. I recommend.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Ordered salad with chipotle chicken and without tortilla strips. Delicious...but unfortunately got glutened. No way to avoid cross contamination here as it is after all a sandwich shop. Will not eat here again.

Celiac friendly?

No

I love the Clark St Frontera location but the airport location just isn’t set up for celiacs. Shared utensils and cooking equipment galore. I reluctantly ordered a cazuela bowl for breakfast after giving a ton of instructions....and after I watched the food being made, I know I can’t risk it. Gave my bowl away.

Celiac friendly?

No

Not celiac friendly. Was in agony within 10 minutes even after telling them I had Celiac and couldn't handle contamination.

I ordered the breakfast egg and mushroom cazuela without tortilla strips and zero issues.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Server told me tortilla strips were GF (they’re not). I ordered without anyway and they included them on my salad. Only found out non the plane.

They have GF options but it is impossible to avoid cross contamination. They cut the avocados with the same knife as the sandwiches

Celiac friendly?

No

Yummy cazuela with eggs and bacon, just left off the tortilla strips.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Server seemed very knowledgeable about their food and how it is prepared. Frying oil is shared with breaded chicken. All but one or two sandwiches available in a bowl with black beans and arugula.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Server took great care of me and produced a list when I asked about gf options. If you happen to be there while they’re serving breakfast (before 11 am), the cazuelas are plenty filling because they have sweet potato (and eggs, veg, and meat if you want) - just be sure to do no tortilla strips like it says on the GF list. A great airport option!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

There’s no way to avoid CC here. Staff not knowledgeable at all.

Celiac friendly?

No

It was very busy at breakfastn time. I started the conversatin with the cashier that if it were too busy to pay close attnetion, I could forego ordering. she assured me they would take it very seriously. we spoke at length and she went over every ingredient in the egg and bean bowl with me. when preparing, the staff changed gloves and retrieved a fresh, clean prep plate. She cleaned the area of crumbs and did a glove change even though I had seen her do a glove change right before for the previous plate. we spoke as she prepped ingredients and assured me that nothing in this area beside the bread (which only touches the board not every plate) had gluten. The cooking pan was not changed, but we risked the contamination given delayed flights and assurances that no ingredients did possessed gluten. writing this 30 hours after and no side effects. Happy to report for future flyers. Staff was awesome even with heavy morning traffic!!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Food was great as well as Marilyn who took the order and the guys doing the cooking. Menu on the wall doesn't show gf options but when u ask they show you the options from another menu at the counter. The Torta chopolte chicken was great and they said they also had gf soup. Not many options in airport but this place saves the day.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Person at the order section seemed knowledgeable. I had the Chipotle chicken torta and it was truly yummy even though there was not much to it without the bread. 4 stars only because the cross contamination opportunities seemed plentiful based on what I saw of the setup. I asked them to change gloves which I assume they did. Will update this review only if I get sick.

This place is the Terminal 3 near the lower K gates (K4 or so).

Cross contamination galore. I got soup that doesn't rub against bread (like their beans). Will update depending on condition.

OHare, next to K4. Had the chipotle chicken torta, no bread or strips. One of the yummiest things I have ever eaten in or near an airport.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

All tortas available with no bread or tortilla strips. Staff were able to answer my questions.

Celiac friendly?

Yes