Vanilla Bean Cafe

We went there because they had a gluten free menu with some items listed as "gluten free upon request" and a salad as "gf". When I asked follow up questions to confirm the legitimacy, the waitress said that they had "never cleaned the griddle they use to toast all the bread (including gf) and no one else had any issue with it" and that the bacon was fried in the same oil as their breaded items. Despite it being "gluten free upon request" it required a lot of negotiation and she gave me a lot of attitude about it. I ended up getting the cranberry club sandwich with no bacon and on untoasted bread.

Aside from that, we had an hour wait and the food was mediocre after all the hassle.

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

— Not very

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

Great service and delicious food! The server was knowledgeable and helpful with gluten free accommodation. All of the omelets are available gluten free (upon request) she clarified that they have gluten free toast, but in a shared toaster, and that the hashbrowns are gluten free made in a seperate space. There are a decent amount of gluten free options. I had the Grand Portage Omelet with hashbrowns, it was delicious! Highly recommended!!!

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

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main 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

Out of hashbrowns, eggs had little to no flavor. Overall just not great.

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?

— Poor

Great food, wonderful baked omelets. Server knowledgeable of gf needs. Menu well marked with gf options.

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

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main 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

The menu's many GF options are clearly marked. Our waitress was very helpful and they served us 4 excellent and generous dishes. 3 of us are celiac and all would gladly go back again.

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main 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

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers outdoor seating

Uninviting restaurant and unfriendly hostess.

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?

— Average

not much to choose from, but VERY GF aware and delicious food!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

All their sandwiches can be made with GF bread or bun. My chicken sandwich arrived on a regular bun, and had to be sent back. (Glad I verified with the waitress that my order was GF; my bun looked the same as my daughter's hamburger bun). Definitely not celiac-friendly, as they just substituted my regular bun for a GF one back in the kitchen without recooking, which was ok for me since I only have a wheat sensitivity. However, the GF bun was excellent! Very soft with a good bun texture. So if they get your order right, it's worth it.

Bad luck with gluten free. Ordered cheeseburger that came burnt to a crisp. Got a second burger that was completely raw. Not kid friendly or food kid friendly. Do not recommend.

Gluten free toast available, gf noted menu items