Gluten-Free at Zao Asian Cafe

THEY ARE AWESOME!!! i love Zao. as a celiac (severe) they make me feel so safe. i’ve never gotten sick from them. today they went above and beyond and ever got me fresh ingredients from separate containers that haven’t even been touched!! so yummy and so conscientious!

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

— 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

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

— Excellent

This place is SOOO attentive when it comes to gluten free. A ton of their options are gluten free and they take special care with cross contamination. I LOVE Zao always but I feel like this location is extra attentive to celiac needs. Zao is a go to for me when eating out.

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

— 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

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

— Excellent

the staff was so knowledgeable and carful about gluten free. might be my new favorite quick restaurant. all staff changed gloves as soon as i mentioned being gluten free

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

— 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

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

— Excellent

Was delicious as always! Felt good afterwards. Ordered online and put gluten free, change gloves in notes. Yellow Curry was okay, pretty bland.

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

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

Food was delicious as usual! Did an online order, put in notes it was gluten free and to please change their gloves.

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

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

This is my celiac husband's choice for takeout 90% of the time! It's filling and delicious and he doesn't feel the need to order special like other places. His go to order is a bowl with rice, steak, teriyaki sauce, and his favorite veggies/toppings. He's eaten here more times than I can say and has never had a problem.

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

— 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

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

— Excellent

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

— 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

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

— Excellent

Even though I marked that I had a gluten allergy, I found two wheat noodles in with my brown rice.

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

— Not at all

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?

— Average

I did not eat here....... cross contamination. No way!

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

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— None

We ordered online, and we didn't get sick (sensitive celiac).

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

— Very

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?

— Good

I order from here quite often and they always do a good job and the food tastes great. Tonight I ordered soup and indicated GF and was told the broth just changed and is no longer GF. I’m so disappointed because the soup is delicious and never made me sick.

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

— 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

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Offers online ordering

They were so great! Everything is GF besides the brown noodles. Didn’t get sick, and it was super delicious!!! 👍🏻🙌🏻

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

— 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

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

— Excellent

I was shocked by how flavorful the bowls are. I didn’t get sick, there were plenty of options, and the bowls are packed to the brim.

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for takeout

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

— 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?

— Most

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good with other allergies

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

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

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

Consistently great food with lots of choices. Vegetarian options too. Never been sick here and the restaurant is overall very clean and efficient. Great option for kids. This location is surprisingly a GREAT spot to watch the sunset.

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

— 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

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

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

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

— Not at all

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

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

— Excellent

My girlfriend loves this place, and, as I was diagnosed with Celiac and am more aware of the difficulty of finding gluten-free options, I now love this place as well. Their menu online lists all of their gluten free ingredients. The only things you have to look out for based on my review are the spinach wrap, the yakisoba noodles, and their brownies. Based on watching their construction of the salad I ordered, each item has their own serving utensils so you don't have cross-contamination issues. I will definitely be eating there more often.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

They were really good about being gluten free. They changed their gloves and informed me on all the things that were safe to eat. All the sauces are gf because they use a gf soy sauce which is really nice because like no other places do that. The food is literally so good. The only thing is that I always feel bloated afterward and I don't know why

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

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

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers online ordering

They are so good with making sure there isn’t cross contamination here! Most things are gluten free so I’ve never been too worried about it

The rice bowls are so good! And the meatballs are gluten free now! I get a rice bowl, meatballs, and teriyaki sauce. All but maybe 2 sauces are gluten free!

I come here once a week and have never gotten sick. It’s so nice to be able to eat out, you don’t get that option very often when you have celiacs

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

— Very

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 don’t really worry about cross-contamination since 99% of everything here is gluten free

I get the rice bowl with meatballs and teriyaki sauce. Every sauce is gluten free except for 2 of them. The bowl is definitely enough food to fill you up. AND SO YUMMY

I go here about once a week. They are so so good with gluten free food. The meatballs are gluten free now! And so dang good. I’m obsessed with the rice bowl with meatballs and teriyaki sauce. I can have almost all of the toppings. This is my #1 gluten free/dairy free restaurant. I have never gotten sick here and never worried about getting sick here which is such a relief

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— All food and drinks are gluten-free

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

— Excellent

About 99% of the food here is gluten free. They take extra precautions if you let them know you have celiacs or intolerance. The only food I can’t eat here is the yakisoba noodles and the fried onions. The meatballs are gluten free now btw!! LITERALLY MY FAVORITE PLACE EVER

My favorite gluten free / dairy free restaurant!!

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

— 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

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for takeout
• Offers delivery
• Offers online ordering

I have celiac and a peanut allergy. They changed their gloves and washed their hands. He made sure he was the only one to handle my food and told me to avoid the cilantro since peanuts fall in. Very knowledge and attentive.

My service dog cleared it for both gluten and peanuts. Pricing is good too.

The food is delicious definitely coming back!

Super careful about peanut allergy as well

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

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

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good with other allergies

Ordered 4 meals for curbside pick-up and two of the 4 were very messed up. Being celiac and opening up my meal to see crispy onions was heartbreaking. My husbands soup had no meat in it. We were celebrating a birthday and couldn’t even eat as a family.

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

— 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?

— Some

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

— Good

Great healthy yummy food. I got the rice bowl with chicken and veggies with curry and teriyaki sauce. I have celiac and they were great.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Have been here countless times. My stomach has started to feel a rumbly after eating here but I have no idea why because they won’t release their ingredients list. RED FLAG!

But I got super sick after having their soup. STAY AWAY!

Lots of delicious gluten free options and very knowledgeable and friendly staff.

This is my favorite place to eat! I never get sick here! Get the tiger sauce! It’s yum!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Almost entire menu is gluten free and gf items marked on the menu. Knowledgeable staff. Food is great! Eaten many times and never gotten sick.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Not celiac friendly I’ve gotten sick every time I go, definitely not giving them another chance.

Love the teriyaki chicken and steak bowl with brown rice. Everything is GF except tortilla and chips. They were very accommodating and knowledgeable when asking about the menu. One of my new favorite restaurants. Update: I learned today they do have sandwiches and noodles, as far as cross contamination, I'd ask them to change their gloves and ask questions to make sure. My son's rice bowl had noodles mixed in the rice, which is a first, I called and learned that rice noodles are in between the two types of rice. I'm hoping it's safe for him and not the noodles with gluten. Doesn't change my opinion of their food as it is delicious, just makes me concerned for my son with celiac.

I have gone to this particular location dozens of times. They are always willing to change their gloves. When I mention I have CD, they ask the next employee in line to change their gloves as well. Luckily, there isn’t a lot of gluten, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to go since I am very sensitive. Their bowls with chicken and teriyaki are my go to!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

They hay a list of what’s gf but without it they assume flour tortillas are gf so be sure you ask for corn tortillas specifically. The rest is naturally gf. Just wasn’t amazing in taste. It was ok.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

They were super helpful in helping me pick gluten free options. One employee chopped me fresh cilantro because he was worried about cross contamination of the cilantro on the line. I’m so happy to be able to safely eat here.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Almost everything is GF my son has celiac and has always had very good experiences.

Loved Zao!! I can’t wait to go back. They were very knowledgeable about the gluten free options as. Even recommended no peanuts because they can occasionally be mixed with the fried onions. The rice noodles were delicious and all the toppings, meat, and sauces were gluten free. I believe most were dairy free too!

Love the food here. They have rice noodles that are done correctly and naturally sweetened drinks.

Love their teriyaki rice bowl! I feel totally safe here!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Lots of GF options. Nice healthy choices including vegan, as well as gf chicken.

Everything is gluten free except the meatballs, sandwiches, and noodles. Rice bowls are awesome. I am celiac and never reacted but I would not call in. Go in and ask them to change their gloves - Some are really good about it and do it without being asked but some aren’t.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Most of the meats are gluten free. Staff is helpful.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I had the noodle bowl with the supposedly gluten free teriyaki sauce, steak, and green beans. It was the only thing I had eaten that day, so I know that Zao was the culprit. It tasted pretty good, but was not worth spending my night throwing up, and having a rash on my face for a few days. Don’t go here for gluten free.

Celiac friendly?

No

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The owner was very knowledge about celiac disease. He told me what was not GF because most of there menus is GF.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Attempted this yesterday. Young lady making a sandwich for a patron in line ahead of us used the spoon from the meat to open the bread bun. We walked out. Cross contact nightmare. Would not recommend eating here for those with celiac. Cross contamination risk is too high. Had to add a star rating to post. One star is too many. ZERO stars from us.

Celiac friendly?

No

this is a fast casual place, ie Chipotle style where to go down the line and tell them which ingredients you want. Nearly all the different components are gluten free, so it's easy to make a bowl that is safe (the tacos and banh mi aren't). The employee making my bowl was willing to put on new gloves when I asked (since they do handle bread and tortillas). Unlike Chipotle, where they use their hands to get some of the ingredients thereby contaminating them, this place has spoons or tongs for all the ingredients. Great flavor, especially the chili lemongrass sauce with beef and vegetables. Feels safe and tastes good.

Celiac friendly?

Yes