Review of Willie’s Grill & Icehouse

As a regular restaurant, it would have been a 4 star review. As a celiac-friendly restaurant, it cannot be recommended as a good choice. Dine at your own risk! Make sure to speak to a manager first before ordering if you do find yourself here and starving.

I was meeting a friend for an early dinner - before it got crowded on a Friday evening. When I ordered, they noted "gluten allergy" on my ticket and I also informed my server to reaffirm no bread, no croutons. I ordered a burger wrapped in lettuce and a side salad. The salad was fine - no issue there. About halfway through cutting up bites of burger, I felt something squishy in my mouth and immediately spit it out. A small chunk of bread was apparently stuck to the bottom of the patty, pointing to the burger having been made with a bun and then "corrected" to lettuce wrapped rather than re-made from scratch.

I knew going into the place I had a 50/50 chance of a "safe" experience based on previous reviews. I lost the gamble this time!

The waitstaff was friendly - did not hold it against our server at all - and the manager was apologetic, saying she would re-check with the kitchen staff about the important of importance of allergy/intolerance. Even so, unless they seriosuly change their approach, not a good place for us Celiac-types to eat. Stick to the bar and frozen margaritas!

Celiac friendly?

No