Gluten-Free at Buona

Not safe, double dipping bread in beef with juice

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

— 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

My boyfriend and I shared the bio a beef sandwich and the Chicago style hotdog on gluten free pita… soooo good

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

— Somewhat

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

I’ve always craved the food at Buona. Within the past few months, I noticed that they now offer a GF pita bread. I get it with the grilled chicken breast. It does need a bit of sauce like Mayo or Ranch, etc. So good.

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

I ordered a hot Italian beef sandwich and a hot dog. They were both served on a pita not on bread. I didn't ask if they dip in the same sauce as they do the glutinous bread. It was good but the pita doesn't absorb the au jous like bread would. If I got it again I would order the "gravy" on the side so I could dip it.

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

— Somewhat

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers outdoor seating

I worked at a few locations. They offer gluten free pita bread for sandwiches and pizza. Beef, chicken and burgers are all naturally gluten free but there is a high risk of cross contamination due to how the food is prepared. Fryer is shared with breaded item so fries are not safe.

Would recommend buying the pre packaged beef and making it at home super delicious and you will know you are safe

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

— 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?

— Not Much

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

— Excellent

I've been a fan of Buona for decades. The food is always top quality and so are the people and the service. I went there today and got a large Italian beef with mild giardiniera on a gluten free pita and a side of fries. It was amazing and perhaps one of the top five Italian beef sandwiches I've ever eaten. The fries are some of the best I've ever eaten and better than I remember them being in recent past. Buona is clearly not using a dedicated fryer for their fries because I got moderately contaminated and I was forced to take a four hour nap this afternoon to sleep it off. Such a shame because they were sooo good. Buona, this is 2023 and YOU NEED A DEDICATED FRYER FOR YOUR FRIES.

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

— Not 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?

— 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 dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers delivery
• Offers online ordering

So excited to have been able to fry Italian beef while in Chicago on GF pita!! It was really good!!

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

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

— Excellent

Not gluten friendly. Dangerous to order. They have gluten free bread that looks like pita bread. However I ordered it and got regular bread on two separate occasions. They did replace they it but if one didn’t know it was, you wouldn’t know. Please avoid.

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

— 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

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

— Average

While I myself don’t have gluten allergies, my girlfriend is celiac, and if you are reading this and have similar dietary needs then stay away from anything containing their roast beef for the sandwiches. When they dip the sandwiches they use the same tray of ajus and beef as they use to put on the sandwiches which means all of the beef is contaminated with gluten. They are not knowledgeable about this as I told them there was a severe gluten allergy. Stay safe !

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

— 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?

— Not Much

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

— Average

I ordered the chicken-avocado Protein Bowl. I told the order-taker I have a severe wheat allergy (easier than explaining Celiac's). While he made notes in their system the manager was nearby. He came over closer and verified that was what I had said. I told him it was important my food stay far away from bread and surfaces with flour and crumbs, etc. He went right over to the kitchen and got the attention of a cook, talked to him for a minute or two, then came back and told me they would make sure to take care of it. My husband's food was made and brought out separately from mine. My order was brought over to me by the order-taker, who had not been handling any other food (that I saw). They were very nice and accommodating, and my food was very good.

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

— 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?

— Not Much

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

— Excellent

The naked bowls are amazing! Love the beef and sausage combo. Only time I've had a problem here is with the gf pitas. They absolutely do not consider cross contamination with those - beware!

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

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

— Excellent

FYI cross contamination warning - They dip regular bread in the same beef/juice they serve “gluten free” beef bowls and sandwiches from. This chain is not safe.

Celiac friendly?

No

Horrible. Do not eat here. They dip the gluten free beef in the same juice that bread goes into all day. They warm up the gluten free pita bread on the same panini press which regular bread is on all day and they do not clean it beforehand. The pizzas also go through the exact same oven as the the regular crust and they use the same pizza cutter for gluten free pizzas. Take it from me, I’m a former employee.

Celiac friendly?

No

Buona Beef uses the most amazing pitas for the beef sandwhich!

I had never been here before so when I went up to the counter I asked the girl if they had gf. The manager was behind her so he said I will go ask. When he came back he said yes. They have gf pitas. They showed me the beef and Au Jus said Gluten Free. They open a new container of au jus so it isn’t cc. They were very nice. I was super happy to finally find a restaurant to eat lunch at.

Absolutely delicious GF pita-type bread for the meat sandwich was amazing. But, after I ordered that, I ordered a side salad and the order taker did not think to tell me their salad for some reason has little pasta rings in it ?!?!

Celiac friendly?

No

Terrible. Beyond terrible. I get poppy seeds from other buns on my gf bread. I get full gluten cheeseburgers when I order and pay extra for the gf bread. Complete joke. Unfortunately I have to give at least 1 star to post.

Celiac friendly?

No

GF flatbread is delicious! They have fantastic sandwiches and you can even make pizzas on their gf flatbread!

Change their gloves before they make your sandwich!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Bon appetite! Very delicious sandwich, italian beef, just ask for gluten-free bread;)

I love their GF bread for sandwiches. More of a pita type bread. We visit every time we come to Chicago. I’ve never had a reaction. Staff is knowledgeable and take care to avoid cross contamination

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I have had no issues with GF Beef which is on a GF Pita, and quite delicious. The manager has even opened a new beef for me to ensure no issues. I have not tried the fries, I was told quite awhile ago (years) they were not GF, however, I will ask again after reading these reviews.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Staff was knowledgeable, paid attention to detail, went above and beyond to accommodate various food problems. Food was tasty. Staff super friendly!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Great gf bread, would recommend!

You can’t get the Italian beef because the regular bread is dipped into it. However, they have great prepackaged beef and sauce to take home and heat up. They also have My Bread pita that you can bring home or use your own buns. We get he prepacked meat, sauce and peppers and create our sandwiches at home. Just as yummy and we never get sick.

I ordered 7inch beef with hot peppers no cheese.. the bread wasn’t very good and resembled pita bread.. I didn’t get sick,but an hour before eating I did take a pill vitamin that helps if you ingest any gluten. I’ll post a pic. Hopes this helps someone.. As far as I know I’m just intolerant.

Beef sandwich with gluten free pita is really good.

Please be aware that if you have Celiac then you might want to avoid the beef all together. I visited one of these chains recently and was told by the servers that even when ordering a gluten free beef it is still dipped into the beef juice which is crossed with the regular beefs as they dip them all in the same au'jus sauce. However a burger on the pita or salad are an option.

Celiac friendly?

No

I was concerned the first time I ate here because I was told they would clean the oven very well before my pizza was cooked. I thought contamination highly possible. However, I did not get sick and the pizza was tasty. The 2nd time I was here got the Turkey Club panini in the gf pita and it was amazing! Again, no issues with getting sick.

Very gluten conscious. They ask if your gluten free choice is an allergy and take even further precautions. GF pita bread and pizza crusts are really good.

They must have changed the policy as the person at the counter told us there is no dedicated fryer for gluten free.

Celiac friendly?

No

I got the gf Italian beef baptized, sweet, & cheeky! Yum!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

When I ordered a sandwich on gluten free bread, the worker informed me that they can't guarantee anything is actually gluten free. Although I did not get sick, I still wouldn't say this place is celiac friendly for those who are even more sensitive than I am. Many "gluten free" options though.

Celiac friendly?

No

they have gluten free options. the food was good but there staff have the slightest clue of knowledge of there menu ask if the fry where gluten free they said no do to contamination in the fryer then offerd a pasta that they assured me was gluten free ate it got sick there manager was nice concerned explain what happen and what he would do to correct it ...

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The gluten-free flatbread was really good and even held up with an Italian beef. The staff was very aware of their GF options.

Be cautious, I spoke to the manager there and he said that wheat bread is dipped in the same pan all beef is pulled from, contaminating all the beef.

Celiac friendly?

No

Love, Love, LOVE there gluten free beef and cheese fries!

This is the only fast food place you can get a burger on something! Too bad can't have the chips or fries :( Great burgers and salads.

They now dip wheat buns in the beef juice. It is contaminated

Absolutely delicious! The gluten free bread is like nothing I've ever had before. The turkey club was wonderful. Fries and chips are made in the same oil as the chicken, so those aren't gluten free. The atmosphere is fun and the people working here are really friendly and nice. I'll definitely come back.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I either get the pizza or Italian on gfree pita. It's good and I have not had any reactions.

this is my 2nd time at a Buona and love it. Bravo for educationing the staff. Love your italian beef and pita. I would go more but live an hour away. Bring one to Rockford il you would do beyond well!

I was so impressed with the staff. The person who took my order was so knowledgeable about celiac, he told me what was safe and what wasn't. We started talking and when I mentioned I was impressed with his level of knowledge, he said he took the time to educate himself about gluten and celiac. The food was delicious and my experience was better than I have had at sit down restaurants that claim to be knowledgeable about gluten. I will definitely be back!

they dip regular bread and gluten free bread in the same gravy. Not gluten free. they really should have dedicated gf gravy/beef.

Celiac friendly?

No

The beef and sausage combo bowl is good. The GF bread (pita) is also very good and they can do so many things with it. The fries have a dedicated frier.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I had the supremo pizza. A bit smaller than anticipated, but still a good price and very tasty!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Everything was fine here until new employees started working. I asked just for a naked beef bowl (just the beef and juice with no bread). Unfortunately they gave me a beef bowl with Italian sausage(which contains gluten) and when we kindly explained why we needed a NEW one they picked off the sausage and gave it back. I got sick. I've went back there multiple times after that hoping they learned, but mistakes kept happening. I'm really disappointed because it was one of the few chain fast food places I felt comfortable with. This location is not celiac safe due to high risk of cross contamination. I would only recommended the expensive gf pizza if you have to eat here, or try another location.

Celiac friendly?

No

Excellent beef sandwich on GF Pita with side of fresh fruit. I'll be back very soon.