Gluten Free at Busboys and Poets

Gluten free fried chicken! Fun atmosphere

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

— Very

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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

I was glutened here. I love the mission and service of this restaurant, but not all of their dishes marked gluten free are safe from contamination (the GF brussel sprouts are cooked on a surface that also cooks gluten items). The wait staff was patient and checked on a few items for me, but even though they assured me that the fried chicken (which was marked GF) was safe, I ended up with a stomach ache. I’ve had their sweet potato dish without a problem, but I now hesitate to try any other item on their menu. Sadly, I don’t think Busboys and Poets is safe for someone with celiac.

Celiac friendly?

No

Staff is pretty knowledgeable about gluten allergies, they've always been helpful and let us know what could possibly have cross-contamination. I've had breakfast (eggs and fruit) and lunch (Cobb salad with grilled chicken) here with no issues. Only 4 stars bc food is good but not amazing

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Gluten free marked, good service, food is consistent and a great place to bring groups as there’s something for everyone. Their sweet potato fries are safe and delicious.

After reading several good reviews my experience at the Hyattsville location was not good. After discussing gluten free options with the server he brought out French toast that was definitely not gluten free. I asked about the bread when it came out so luckily did not eat it. He did apologize and offered to remake gluten free but I was already uneasy after they’d completely messed up the order. They never brought the correct food order out. Everyone else at the table finished and ready to leave and I still didn’t have a replacement. The manager did take my order off our check and gave 10% off our other items but I left without getting anything besides water. One of the worst experiences I’ve had and I’ve been gluten free for many years. I think being very clear with the server would help because ours didn’t seem to have a clue about gluten free and was likely the one that brought the wrong food due to entering the order wrong.

Celiac friendly?

No

This is my second visit! I ordered the gluten free fried chicken the other night and it was amazing!! I'm ordering the nachos tonight, and confirmed GF so I think results will be good. Nice place with wonderful people. Feels good here! I'm Celiac and it's been good!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

This location has moved across the street to 450 K St., NW. Tasty food, lots of options. I have eaten here safely many times.

The gluten-free fried chicken and french fries were delicious. And I had no negative reactions. They use a dedicated fryer.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Great food. Staff was knowledgeable. Menu indicates gf. My husband loved his fried chicken.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Staff was knowledgeable and friendly. Would recommend to anyone.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Ive been here before I had gluten intolerance and am familiar with the menu and service. I asked if specific dishes I was interested in were gluten-free. The waitress said yes. I told her I couldn’t have any gluten so I need to be sure. I then ordered an entree without the bread or cheese. The entree was delivered to me wrapped in flatbread. While I was with a group, all others already had their food when I arrived to meet them. It was also my birthday so my party (who clearly don’t all understand gluten issues) ordered me an apple fritter and ice cream desert as a surprise, from the same waitress. I was sadly unable to eat either one. Not a reliable place for gluten intolerances, clearly.

Super great place to eat. I’ve never had a bad meal here. Gluten-free menu items are clearly marked, and the staff is always willing to help you explore more options.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

My husband and I have been eating here regularly when we are in town. First of all, the customer service is excellent. As for the food, the gluten free options are plenty and they even have GF fried chicken! Yes indeed!

Every staff member that we have encountered is knowledgeable about their gluten free items. That says a lot for how they are trained. Also, if a menu item (mainly the sandwiches) are not marked GF, often it’s just swapping out the break for GF bread, which they have... and it’s good GF bread. All y’all out there that know what I’m talking about understand this. It matters. I’m not sure why they don’t state it on their menu. They really should.

I have not been disappointed once eating at any of the Busboys and Poets. Love the coffee drinks too 😁.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I could barely hear the server when they spoke to me after a long wait for him to come to the table. The portions were very small for the price. Everything tasted ok but it still was a bit of a letdown.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I love this place. And the toasted GF bread is awesome. I appreciate that this is something available to me.

We were so excited to try this place out and were disappointed that at the hostess station a sign was posted saying that foods are in a cross-contaminated kitchen. We left.

Celiac friendly?

No

Gluten free French toast! The staff is extremely friendly and very knowledgeable. Items are marked on the menu “gluten free friendly”, they also have gf bread to substitute.

Babe you were the other night. Their food was delicious and I didn’t have any digestive issues. Thumbs up for me

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Awesome place, tons of GF options! The menu does periodically change but I always find a new favorite. Currently, it's the blackened salmon!

I got sick from the food - The manager then told me that they cook the gluten free french toast, etc. on the same surface as items containing gluten.

Celiac friendly?

No

GF fried chicken (!!) and hazelnut chocolate cake. Both were lovely, neither gave me trouble. Space was a bit loud, but staff took the time to understand my needs through the noise.

So happy to be able to eat gluten free French toast! They do warn you that it may not be completely free of cross contamination but they try their best. I am super sensitive and did not have a reaction. My mom is also very sensitive and she didn’t have a reaction either.

I had a severe reaction here from the burger and sweet potato fries. Potentially cross contamination but those who are sensitive I would avoid.

Celiac friendly?

No

GF Fried Chicken was AMAZING! I made my husband order the sweet potato fries too so I could try them and they were incredible! So thankful we tried out this place!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Absolutely incredible. Aside from gluten-free fried chicken and MANY other options, the drinks, service and environment are stellar.

This place is amazing! So many clearly marked GF menu options. I had the falafel as a starter which was amazing and a good portion for two to share. I ordered the vegetarian curry which was on point. According to the kitchen stuff they have four separate deep fryers in order to separate gluten as well as separate the meat from the non-meat dishes. I had some of my spouses meal and which was the catfish and corn cake which was so so so good. Zero problems with cross-contamination.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Yummy. It’s hard to find gf fried chicken but they nailed it. I will be dreaming of their sweet potato fries until I visit D.C again next

Celiac friendly?

Yes

We went for brunch, there are clearly marked GF options and everything was delicious. Definitely will be a restaurant we go to every time we are in DC!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Oaxaca omelet was amazing. can't wait to come back for the fried chicken.

update: went back for the French toast and it was perfect!Served with real maple syrup.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The tri-colored quinoa with chicken was outstanding. So was their creamy tomato soup & GF bread.

I have had both the pizza and the chicken without any problems. I have visited maybe 3-5 times without issues and staff is very knowledgeable about gluten!!! I will continue to go back!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

This place is my DC favorite. GF options are clearly marked and staff are very pleasant. The fried chicken is a definite win AND they have gf dessert options

The GFF French toast was a heavenly treat. Our server was incredibly knowledgable. I will be back!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Lots of delicious options including quinoa tabouleh, fried chicken, etc. everything clearly marked. Knowledgeable staff.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Highly recommend! Over 50% of the menu is GF! Chicken is cage free. Most food and product is organic and VERY fresh! Every GF item we ate was DELICIOUS! We enjoyed the fried chicken, GF bread used with the grilled bacon and cheese sandwich, and delicious hazelnut chocolate cake. Yum! Everything was super fresh. Super yummy. We will definitely go back again!

Very cool place. Lots to look at and the Gluten free menu is great.

and the smell when you walk in is amazing

We really enjoyed dinner. The gluten free folks dined on French fries, fruit, mashed potatoes, the BEST nachos ever, poached pear salad and beans and wild rice. Seriously delicious. The only things fried in the fryer are GF. When our server didn't know the answers to my gluten free and allergy questions the manager came over. Very nice and very knowledgeable

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Came in for coffee and good reads, so I can't speak to the food, however Gluten Free items are clearly identified on their menu. They also have vegan and vegetarian options as well.

Lest you be mislead by other reviews- the only things the fryer is used for are gluten free items. No, they don't have a separate fryer, but it isn't going to cause any cross contamination. The fried chicken slayed me. I was then kicked out for licking the plate.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Incredible, awesome food!! After 5 years of not being able to order good fried chicken, today I had some incredible fried chicken, mashed potatoes and collard greens. Service and food are awesome!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I've spent a lot of time at busboys and poets, and have a vast array of wonderful memories of eating and drinking here. But most of those are from before I knew that I had celiac. I keep going back on the basis of my fond memories of the food and service; and I keep getting glutened (always by way of cross contamination). If you have celiac, I would recommend avoiding busboys. If you don't worry about cross-contamination, I'd strongly recommend going there. I've given them a "3" to split the difference between the "1" for celiac-friendliness and the "5" for everything else.

Celiac friendly?

No

Eaten here many times (breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner) and had never had a problem. I'm always very clear that the GF is medical, and ask them to indicate that on the ticket. Once they came back and said that the fries were being friend in the shared fryer due to a malfunction in their separate fryer. Despite the disappointment, I appreciated the heads up.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The gluten free French toast is A-MAZE-ING. SO GOOD!!!

I went for brunch, and was very excited for the very well advertised gluten-free french toast. Of course, they were all out. I proceeded to pay $8 for eggs, as my diet is extremely limited .

I appreciated the fact that I had more than one gf choice for dinner. I get irritated when there is only one thing...and it is something I don't like. I had the shrimp and grits. They were very good. I did taste my husband's fried chicken, also gf. Everything was good. I had the gf hazlenut cake. It was a little dry...but I'm not complaining. As a side note, my bil is df and had the regular pizza with the df cheese--and loved it. He ate the whole thing, which is very unlike him.

Numerous GF options, quality food and huge portions.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Was excited to get fried gluten free foods, but asked before ordering if they use a dedicated gf fryer and the manager said no. They have 2 fryers... One for vegetarian food and one for non-vegetarian foods. Ended up going somewhere else since I have celiac and can't have foods cross-contaminated.

Celiac friendly?

No

We ordered 3 items, all labeled gluten free: wild rice and beans with chicken, pan seared chicken and the nachos. The gluten-induced migraine kicked in about 45 minutes later. Unfortunate, since we enjoyed the food, but we won't be going back.

Celiac friendly?

No

Excellent fried chicken. There is a good selection of gluten free items and service was great. They have a good knowledge of gluten allergies and take every precaution to assure the customer it is safe to eat.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Delicious food, cool vibe but but high risk of gluten cross contamination. My daughter reacted both times we went. The first because they put wheat crackers with her soup despite multiple reminders that she has celiac disease. The second time likely cross contamination as her reaction to gluten is quite recognisable. Service also slow.

Celiac friendly?

No