True Food Kitchen
$$ • Restaurant
Most Recent Reviews
I tried the gluten free chicken tenders and it was not good. They were cold, the breading didn’t taste good and you could tell there was no care put into it. Overall this gluten free menu lacks flavor and touch.
The GF food here is extremely underwhelming. The pizza isn’t even gas station level but the expense is fine dining. I hope this prevents someone else from believing the hype about these places. The GF offering is about as “token gesture” as anything I have ever seen in a restaurant.
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More Reviews
This restaurant is wonderful and absolutely safe. You just need to tell your server that you have a gluten allergy. They are wonderful about it and their food is creative and delicious and the service is great. They had add seasonal items to their menu which makes it even more fun. Gluten-free flatbread warmed is so great and compliments any of their dishes. The food quality is top-notch. The vibe is great. We’re very lucky to have this restaurant near us.
Gluten free options safe for celiacs (but let the staff know about your celiac disease). The food could be tastier (specially the guacamole and the gluten free tortillas). Small portions for the price. The best was the excellent service and the comfortable atmosphere.
They were happy to accommodate, and had many GF options on the menu. Tasty food.
In town for a road race and found this place in the Fashion Island area. GF items marked on the menu, staff were knowledgeable as well. Food is all local and fresh sourced.
The server was very knowledgeable. I had pizza which is cooked in a separate oven!! The food was delicious and I would highly recommend.
In my restaurant top ten… SO GOOD!! And gf!
this might be my favorite restaurant of all time! As a chain and this location specifically. I've eaten here for years and they always get my food right-which is not easy since I need it gluten and dairy free. We just had brunch here for the first time today (usually have dinner). The blueberry pancake was delicious. So many blueberries ! The Hawaiian Fried Rice was unique and super flavorful. The garlic chili crunch on top was worth it. Eggs were cooked perfectly. My husband enjoyed his burrito-plenty of protein inside! The OG refresher (juice) has a great ginger bite. The service was perfect (they weren't busy but probably because brunch is a recent addition). The entire restaurant is super clean including the bathrooms. I love the bathroom set up-stalls separate from the sinks.
Super organic with lots of gluten-free options.
Great gluten free options. I ordered the sea bass with squash pie for dessert. Definitely will return!
Delicious! I ordered the lasagna bolognese and it was absolutely delicious
i used to go here and have no issues however the last few times my nima has tested positive for gluten in the ahi bowl and teriyaki quinoa bowl twice
So many options and amazing service! When I explained my allergies, the server helped me find things that I could eat and offered substitutions to make the foods that I wanted work for me!
I called a head of time they said they prepare food separately so no cross contamination and they did great! I ordered a turkey burger and sweet potato wedges no symptoms at all. I would definitely recommend!
Dedicated GF
Is there a gluten-free menu?
- — Separate gluten-free menu
Wonder Experience! Server knew celiac and asked about allergies or preferences. Separate cook brought out the food to keep it from cross contamination.
Will go back soon!
We got Lasagna Bolognese and Quinoa Teriyaki Bowl.
Amazing. Server was fabulous and very helpful. At her recommendation had the Lasagna off their winter menu. Absolutely delicious. Highly recommend!
Waiter knew what needed to be done and the chef brought out our food. Had pancakes, a scramble, and a plate of hummus with GF pita to dip, no reactions.
They were so attentive and careful regarding my daughters celiac. They offered alternatives to few menu items with gluten (like GF pita for one of the dips). My daughter had an amazing meal and it was all very safe.
Amazing food, friendly staff. Some of the items are marked gluten free, but they offer almost everything on their menu gluten free if you ask.
I always over eat here because it is so delicious and I never go home feeling sick. I am gluten and dairy free. Squash pie and vanilla ice cream so delicious.
Love True Food! They are always cared with gluten free orders. The food is healthy and delicious!
Delicious. Good balance of veggies meat and starch. Price is about $20 a plate for lunch but cheaper if you’re a vegetarian. Bowls, pizza, entrees. The burgers are not gluten free except for one. We all had bowls. My first teriyaki bowl! I’ve had gluten free soy sauce lots of places but this was my first teriyaki. Yum
Family meal out! They were sensitive to our needs and the GF pancakes were amazing!!
Excellent!! Wonderful food and service. You have to try the lasagna. Highly recommended!!
One of my favorite places forever. soooo many good options. it’s hard for me as a gf vegetarian to find places like this!
Great food! We had the banana pancakes, breakfast scramble thingy and melon refresher drink. The food was awesome and the service fantastic! Very Celiac friendly and had many diary free options!
Such a great meal. Knowledgeable staff and great gluten free option
I loved the tacos! The staff was very careful ans knowledgeable definitely would go back
This place was amazing! Clearly marked menu. Many choices including gluten free buns. I had a grass fed burger, miso marinated eggplant, and strawberry rhubarb crumble! Delicious. People are helpful and friendly! I asked if there will be one in Vegas and they said yes!
Very knowledgeable and helpful staff and many gluten free options or way to make things gluten free! I had the kale salad with chicken and no croutons and it was great.
One of best for celiac in area. Clearly marked and educated staff. Hard find in this area! Very friendly staff too!
I wish this was closer. SUPER knowledgeable staff and options for vegetarians as well.
Amazing staff and a diverse menu. They also have the ability to make all of their pizza, sandwiches, and wraps gluten free.
I ordered a Mediterranean quinoa salad that was so good. Staff took extra precautions to make sure I was safe. They cook their gf meats on a separate grill so cross contamination concerns are low. I did not get sick and it's been 2 days. Symptoms usually hit within 24 hours. Happy to find a place nearby that can serve healthy options.
Fresh, reasonably priced and they are so knowledgable about cross contamination. Did not get sick and I am super sensitive. I had the seated Ahi salad and it was amazing. Waitstaff is wonderful. Def recommend reservations.
This place was wonderful!!! The server really made me feel safe from cross contamination, he made great recommendations. We split papaya salad, we had grass fed steak tacos, seared tuna wrap all GF. For dessert we had a gf chia seed lemon cake. Lots of choices for dinner and dessert.
I ate the turkey wrap with the gluten free pita and subbed the yogurt for umami dressing since I'm also dairy free. It was AWESOME! Totally delicious! My friend got the panang curry and couldn't stop raving about how good it was.
Wonderful meal - heirloom tomato & watermelon salad with goat cheese and sea bass street tacos. Server was helpful & knowledgable to keep my meal safe. Wish there was one closer to Tulsa!
Awesome restaurant! Lots of healthy & GF options. The GF thin crust pizza is outstanding! Felt safe eating there. Great job with GF!
I rarely eat out. I have celiac, and am extremely sensitive, as well as very careful to avoid cross contamination -- whether I feel it or not. Damaging my health is not worth a night out.
That said, I've visited both Santa Monica True Food, and Newport Beach, and they've both been the best experiences I've ever had dining out as a celiac.
I understand that they have partially dedicated spaces for GF food prep, and always dedicated utensils. Certainly Newport assured me of this, and the server in Santa Monica made sure to take extra notes, and passed a note on to the chef.
They make excellent pizza -- I loved the Roasted Kale and Tomato. Best GF I've had. But the Salmon, as well as the Curry, are also well worth a bite. A bit pricey, but if you're going to eat out, let it be eating well. Portions are plenty, staff are knowledgeable, atmosphere is peaceful (in Santa Monica -- a bit loud in Newport); and they're highly aware of issues with cross-contact.
The safest one could be in a non-dedicated kitchen, without a doubt.
Three wonderful experiences on different occasions within a year and a half. Visited once during a slow period, once moderately busy, and one very busy Saturday night with a min. 30 minute wait. Ever time we experienced healthy, delicious, gluten free and cross-contamination-free eating. Pricey, but trendy/hip/modern atmosphere, and great location (next to shopping, movies, and beach). Excellent service and knowledgeable staff on every visit. Highly recommend the hummus with g-free pita bread appetizer. Pizzas are excellent, as well as the teas to drink. Peace-of-mind gluten free eating.
Reviews of this Chain
I had the Spicy Panang Curry Bowl which was healthy, delicious, and only mildly spicy. Hubs had the True Crisp’d Chicken tenders. He said they were good, but he was jealous of how much better the Panang Curry was. Would definitely go back if we lived in the area
gluten free (& vegetarian) are clearly labeled on the menu- and a vast majority of the menu is gluten free. YAY! It was awesome seeing so much that I could choose from. The food was a little over salted, and it’s pricey…. But it was great to not have to stress over my choice.
They can make almost anything on their menu gluten free or vegan. I am gluten and dairy free and always find more than enough to eat. They are very careful when preparing the food as well
Great choices for gf. I had the Thai peanut noodles. Great service.
UPDATE: Food still good, menu still clearly marked, and servers still knowledgeable and careful to check with the kitchen. But I just can’t come here anymore. It’s still way too loud and portions are so small for the price. Kale salad bowl literally had just kale and dressing. Yes the crouton crumbs were left off for me, but that’s the only thing that was omitted. Partner’s ahi dish had 4 thin, silver dollar sized slices of ahi over a sad bed of quinoa. Boring and expensive - a depressing combination! Can’t have meaningful conversations with friends and family and so way less upside than other places in this price point.
PREVIOUS REVIEW: The food is really good here and the waitstaff are knowledgeable and very careful. I have eaten here twice and haven’t gotten sick. The only drawback is that is really really loud, so probably not a great place for an intimate meal.
