Gluten-Free at Buca di Beppo

I don't have celiac, and I am able to eat out frequently in many local Austin restaurants, but I am still very sensitive to gluten. I got glutened here. They have very limited options for gluten free, and most are not dairy free. I got an antipasti salad, noting to the waitress that I was gluten free, and drank water. I still got hit by gluten despite eating a meal that wasn't cooked. Clearly cross-contamination is a major problem with this kitchen. There are no gluten free pasta options, either, something the waitress and another table in our room were complaining about!

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?

— Not Much/None

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good vegetarian options

My gluten-free meal was a lemon chicken breast. No gluten-free pasta or bread. Not even a veggie. The lemon was overpowering and the chicken itself was dry. This was an extra sad attempt at a gluten free meal.

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

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

This location does a great job to prevent cross contamination. I have not gotten sick here once. I inform them of my gluten allergy and they let me order the lunch chicken Parmesan even for dinner. Ask for either the chicken parmesan without breading and flour or chicken limone without flour dusting. Their brussel sprouts, broccoli and green beans are all excellent and 100% gluten free. They also offer salmon gluten free. For appetizers the only item is their salads. They do not have a gluten free pasta, however, their marinara sauce is the best and I always get a side of it to go and make pasta at home.

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

— 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?

— Excellent

Visited Bucca di beppo with a large group and set menu. Understandable that they were very busy, but the waitress wouldn’t even talk to me about food allergies. They initially told me that they would just bring me something until I insisted on talking to someone. She finally came over after everyone was almost finished eating, and when I asked questions about preparation and cross contamination she just kept telling me “we’ve got it covered”. They eventually brought out a small chicken breast and about 1/2 cup of broccoli. They didn’t even offer anything else. I took activated charcoal with dinner just in case (I have a wheat allergy).

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?

— Not Much/None

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

— Poor

Technically gluten free, but the options are incredibly limited and unappetizing. It’s disappointing for someplace like this to have to much prestige in other areas of food and yet fail to do anything more to accommodate gluten free besides the bare minimum.

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

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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?

— Average

Only gluten free item was salad

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

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the 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?

— Average

I have not been here yet. Was given a gift card and started doing some research on who/what the restaurant was since having never eaten there. They have gluten free item on the menu, but you have to request kitchen mods like “please do not dust with flour”. Like this should be a known for gluten free…but instead we have to ask for it 🤷🏼

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

— Not very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

Some GF options, but everything is served “family style” and we were not allowed to order an individual sized GF item.

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?

— Not Much

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

— Below Average

Very limited GF menu!! No pasta!

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

— Not very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

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

— Below Average

Excellent experience last night for dinner. Party of 12, 1 with celiac. Went very well and so much fun. We had Caesar (croutons on side), salmon with lemon butter sauce, vanilla icecream. Everything was delicious, and the rest of the party enjoyed their dishes too.

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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

The “gluten friendly” menu clearly states that they provide it only for those “avoiding gluten” and that cross contamination isn’t only possible but will happen due to a shared kitchen. The only way to even order the entrees also makes ordering them online for delivery impossible since they disable special instructions on all platforms and you have to specify “no flour” modification to make the entrees “gluten friendly”. Total fail.

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

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

Their “gluten free” menu is a gluten-friendly menu, some of the items say to “just order and ask to not be dusted with flour.” As a celiac, I would steer clear from this establishment.

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?

— Not Much/None

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

— Below Average

My employer was hosting our holiday work party here with a $40 family style meal for everyone. I asked the restaurant if I could order off the gf menu and sit with my party because I have Celiac. They said no. They refused to let me participate in our work event because they said I would eat the gluten food and not pay. I contemplated suing them for discrimination but I was so mad and frustrated I decided to let it go and never, ever go there again. In retrospect I should have sued them.

Only a “gluten-friendly” menu, so contamination is very likely.

Celiac friendly?

No

I just tried to go here, they do not have any gluten free pasta.

Feb 1, 2020. Horrible!!! Ate dinner with a large group. I have Celiac disease and am sensitive to cross-contamination. I called ahead and was told that they offer a gluten free menu. Upon arrival, I asked for the gluten free menu but was told that the menu was only gluten friendly (not gluten free). I asked how seriously they take cross-contamination and this is where it all went downhill. Our server started joking about gluten and if it was really a "THING". Once telling me that the lettuce was guaranteed to be gluten free. He couldn't comment on the dressimg. I ended up not eating. The server was very sarcastic and by far this was the worst experience that I've had in the 2.5 years since my Celiac diagnosis. After dinner, I asked to speak with the manager but we never saw him/her. I will never go back to this or any Buca's.

Celiac friendly?

No

Had a limited GF menu, but definitely got me sick.

Celiac friendly?

No

So yummy!!! Gluten free menu includes a variety of options. I had the mozzarella caprese and chicken Marsala. And not super expensive either!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

One of my favorite restaurants!! Huge gluten free menu, including pizzas and pasta. I have had their spaghetti and meatballs many times and it’s always delicious! Their GF bread is free and comes with your meal, and it’s also delicious. Just ask for GF bread when they bring regular bread to the table.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

This restaurant is not celiac friendly and should not be listed as such. My wife became very ill after eating a salad that we were told was gluten-free. Four of our volleyball team members were sick the next morning after eating at the restaurant. Those four did not have celiac. Any restaurant worth it’s weight that claims to be celiac friendly and has a gluten-free menu would also have gluten-free pasta, which this one does not. Stay away.

Celiac friendly?

No

They claim to offer gluten-free foods, yet I was only able to choose from maybe three items that could be made without gluten. I then received an extremely small meal once mine was made gluten-free. On top of that, they did not even offer gluten-free pasta. Did not feel like they were very accommodating towards my allergy.

Charged a ridiculous amount of money for a gf appetizer because won't offer smaller "non-family" style size for someone with allergy. Very disappointing.

Celiac friendly?

No

Waitress knew about celiac and food was amazing

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Honestly, it was just okay. No pasta options and I went with a group and had chicken marsala. The dish was okay but the prices of the dishes are for serving "family style". So basically I had my lonely chicken marsala with out any sides (unless I wanted to pay $11 for three servings of mashed potatoes and the same for a salad) and that was it while the whole family ate and tried the different dishes. It was probably is more a problem with my expectations rather than a problem with the restaurant but I thought it might be helpful for someone else especially if you are looking to fork out $30 per person.

As for getting sick...I think it was celiac friendly. I was nervous after reading reviews but I had a family member eat here with severe allergies and do just fine. I felt a little funny after eating but I have a bit of a soy intolerance and I didnt ask for the dish to be soy free---so I honestly couldn't tell if it was cross contamination or my soy thing.

No longer have gluten free pasta, limited gluten free menu.

not enough options, staff didn’t know anything, no pasta, wouldn’t go back

Celiac friendly?

No

The staff was friendly. But just wanted simple meat sauce on gluten free pasta. They were unable to provide.

So I ate here twice and it was wonderful both times. Having said that the attention to detail with the staff was wonderful. I have to give a shout out to Zeke he was my waiter the first night. On the second night it looked like he was working the kitchen, however when my meal came out he quickly noticed that it was not gluten free and had it sent back to the kitchen for a new one. His quick thinking and attention to detail is greatly appreciated and most likely had me avoid a very unpleasant evening. Thanks again man I appreciate it. These are the kind of people that should be in a restaurant, always looking out for the interests of the customer. Nothing bad against the other waiter, however attention-to-detail with food allergies cannot just be important customer service but also life-saving. Hope to visit again someday.

I felt unsafe off the bat, so I only ordered a glass if water. I was hardcore sick for a week. Everyone else loved the restaurant, but they are certainly not celiac safe.

Celiac friendly?

No

Stayed at Bally's in AC and found out from the bartender about Buca having GF options. We went to look at the menu and they have a special GF menu. Waiter was really nice and knowledgeable. Meals are family style and feed 2-3 people so it is a lot of food. Very happy!

Thankfully I called before going. The gentleman that answered the phone had absolutely no clue if they even had anything gluten free. Then said will I'm sure there's something. No thank you not taking my chances.

Celiac friendly?

No

Limited gluten free menu, which includes a cross-contaminated warning.

Celiac friendly?

No

Great food, family style only! So if your whole party doesn't want chicken and green beans I suggest choosing somewhere else. They do not have any carb choices that are gluten free.

Came here for a party not celiac safe and at first wouldn’t let me bring outside food so I could eat with everyone else.

Celiac friendly?

No

Not many options. I will not be back

No gluten free pasta and very limited options. Very disappointed. The risotto was good though.

Very few gluten free options, no gluten free pasta, or bread alternatives of any kind. They have a small gluten free menu that is safe from cross contamination but is usually just a regular dish with something removed and not replaced.

If I could give negative stars I would . Not GF

Celiac friendly?

No

There’s almost nothing in this menu that’s gluten free. They list bruschetta and in parentheses say ‘request no crostini’, so basically you pay an appetizer price for chopped tomatoes? No thanks. No gluten free bread or pasta and all GF menu items are regular menu items with something removed but not replaced, rendering them unappetizing.

No real gf options... mostly vegetables. No pizza, pasta, etc. Very disappointing for a modern chain when there are so many options that are better.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

How this location is certified GF is beyond me. They are careless and inattentive to the needs of GF and Celiac. After reminding them several times that we needed two items prepared GF, and after they stated both were prepared GF, the Celiac attendee got very sick two hours after dinner, and closer examination of leftovers showed one item was coated with flour. Beware.

I love Buca di beppo since my family is pretty big and family style is a fun way for them to eat. with my celiac disease I, of course, don't share with them but I can always find something tasty to eat here. I always get the Apple salad which is delicious and very gf. for my main course i order 2 appetizers, the sausage and peppers and mashed potatoes, and they never disappoint. I have eaten and catered from here numerous times and I have never gotten sick and it never disappoints. I would definitely recommend as another Italian option if your family is tired of olive garden ;) very tasty and gf friendly.

there is one entree and one salad you can order. No pasta or breads at all. 😩

No GF pasta, very few options beyond lettuce and meat w/ no sauce.

No gf pasta...couple of menu items were gf but very limited

Just called them and they do have procedures in place to respond to gluten (and any declared allergy) to prevent ingredients and risk of cross contact (clean pan, utensils and counters). They do not have gluten free pasta.

Salad with no dressing is not a GF option.

Not much for GF options, I had the Salmon... it was alright but minimal sides for a Celiac

Celiac friendly?

Yes