Austin, Texas, a city celebrated for its vibrant food scene, holds a special place in the hearts of Mexican food lovers. But for those navigating a gluten-free lifestyle, dining out can sometimes feel like a challenge. Fear not! Austin is also becoming a haven for delicious and safe gluten-free Mexican food experiences. This guide is your passport to exploring the best Mexican culinary delights Austin has to offer, all while keeping your gluten-free needs in mind.
Finding truly gluten-free Mexican food in Austin TX requires a little savvy. Many traditional dishes rely on wheat, and cross-contamination is a real concern in busy kitchens. Restaurants that prepare flour tortillas in-house, like some large chains, can pose a risk due to airborne flour. Fryers used for gluten-containing items like churros can also contaminate otherwise gluten-free options.
However, the good news is that Austin’s culinary scene is increasingly aware and accommodating. Many chefs and restaurant staff are knowledgeable about gluten sensitivities and celiac disease, making it easier to dine safely. We’re also seeing a rise in 100% gluten-free kitchens, offering peace of mind and incredible flavor.
This guide highlights some of the best spots for gluten-free Mexican Food Austin Tx has to offer. Remember, restaurant practices can change, so it’s always wise to confirm gluten-free procedures with your server. Asking if they understand the difference between a gluten-free diet for preference and one for celiac disease is a great way to gauge their awareness.
Let’s dive into a world of flavorful, gluten-free Mexican food in Austin!
Top Gluten-Free Mexican & Tex-Mex Restaurants in Austin
ATX Cocina
For a truly exceptional and completely gluten-free Mexican food Austin experience, ATX Cocina is a must-visit. This modern Mexican restaurant boasts a 100% gluten-free kitchen, ensuring no risk of cross-contamination.
Their commitment to quality extends to their corn tortillas, handmade from heirloom, non-GMO corn sourced from small family farms in Mexico. The freshness and elegance of every dish are remarkable.
Highly recommended dishes include their vibrant salsa sampler, creamy guacamole, flavorful verduras (brussels sprouts with verde chorizo and green mole), the smoky smashed papas bravas with chili aioli, and the incredibly tender barbacoa beef short rib. While it’s on the higher end price-wise, the quality justifies the cost.
Take advantage of their daily happy hour (4:30-6:30 PM) with a rotating menu featuring must-try tamales and empanadas. Lunch is also served on Fridays. Valet parking adds to the convenience, especially in the downtown location.
Eldorado Cafe
Eldorado Cafe stands out for its fantastic online ordering and curbside delivery, making it easy to enjoy gluten-free Mexican food Austin style at home. Their menu is exceptionally helpful, clearly marking gluten-containing items (G) and dishes with potential cross-contamination risks (CC). This transparency makes choosing gluten-free options straightforward and stress-free.
The Carnitas Cubanos, featuring crispy pork in a citrus garlic mojo, is a standout. It comes with all the perfect accompaniments: pickled red onion, pico de gallo, guacamole, corn tortillas, and your choice of two sides. The Eldorado Rice and Las Calabasas (butternut squash hash) are excellent side choices. Beef enchiladas are another popular and tasty option. With so many tempting choices, you’ll want to return to explore more of their menu.
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Fresa’s
Fresa’s has quickly become a local favorite for gluten-free Mexican food in Austin. Known for their wood-grilled chicken and numerous gluten-free options, Fresa’s offers a delightful dining experience.
With two Austin locations, the South First spot is particularly charming with its takeout window, spacious patio, and bar area. For a truly gluten-free meal, stick to their corn tortillas. While the chips are outsourced and their gluten-free status isn’t completely confirmed for celiac safety, the guacamole with corn tortillas is a safe and delicious starter. Don’t miss their chimichurri skirt steak and grilled achiote & citrus chicken dinners – they are exceptional. It’s best to avoid fried items here due to the lack of a dedicated gluten-free fryer.
Gloria’s Latin Cuisine
Gloria’s Latin Cuisine offers a taste of Latin flavors with several gluten-free Mexican food Austin options. With multiple locations, including one at the Domain in Austin and others in Dallas, Gloria’s is a reliable choice.
Their hand-made tamales, steamed in banana leaves and filled with chicken, potatoes, and bell peppers, are a highlight. The black beans and rice are also excellent and naturally gluten-free. It’s best to skip the chips, as they may be fried in shared fryers. Ask your server for their gluten-free menu guide for more safe options. And be sure to enjoy their fantastic margaritas!
Grizzeldas
Grizzeldas provides a vibrant and visually appealing setting for enjoying gluten-free Mexican food Austin style. This eclectic spot is perfect for a fun night out with friends. Be warned, their frozen margaritas are known to be strong!
While their menu doesn’t explicitly mark gluten-free dishes, they offer several options. Their chips are not fried in a dedicated gluten-free fryer. However, their corn tortillas are both gluten-free and delicious. If you inform your server of your gluten-free needs, they will bring your corn tortillas wrapped in foil to avoid potential cross-contamination from the tortilla warmer. The picadillo tacos with Jacoby aged ground beef are a must-try. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner, as Grizzeldas is a popular destination.
Guero’s Taco Bar
Guero’s Taco Bar offers a dedicated gluten-free menu, making it easier to navigate their offerings. While personal experience dining inside the restaurant is still on the to-do list, enjoying their patio on a Sunday with live music was a pleasant experience. The chips and salsa were confirmed to be gluten-free, making for a safe and enjoyable snack. With a promising gluten-free menu, a return visit to fully explore their restaurant is definitely warranted.
La Condesa
La Condesa, located downtown, has expanded its offerings to include curbside pickup, providing a convenient way to enjoy their modern gluten-free Mexican food Austin options. Their taco kits have been a delightful discovery. Exploring their original menu (before the online order menu) reveals a wealth of gluten-free choices.
The barbacoa cooked in banana leaves and grilled mushrooms with mint chimichurri are exceptional choices, especially when paired with heirloom corn tortillas. Adding a few extra sides completes a fantastic gluten-free Mexican feast at home. La Condesa is definitely a place to revisit and explore further.
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Lupe Tortilla
Lupe Tortilla is a long-time favorite for Tex-Mex in Austin, and great news for the gluten-free community: almost everything on their menu is gluten-free! This includes their tortilla chips, which are fried in a dedicated fryer. Their guacamole, salsa, and bean dips are also highly recommended.
The menu clearly marks items containing wheat with a wheat symbol. Lupe Tortilla also offers excellent margaritas, both skinny and regular, frozen or on the rocks. Dinner favorites include the flavorful Lime Pepper Beef Fajitas (with corn tortillas, of course), Carne Asada, Barbacoa Tacos, and Spicy Chicken Enchiladas.
Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant
Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant is known for its delicious Mexican cuisine and attentiveness to gluten-free diners. Servers are consistently knowledgeable about gluten-free options, making for a comfortable dining experience.
While their fryers are not dedicated gluten-free, their tortilla chips are sourced from El Milagro, ensuring they are safe and non-GMO. It’s best to avoid fried items, but plenty of other gluten-free choices are available.
Maudie’s Tex Mex
Maudie’s Tex Mex is another Austin institution for Tex-Mex and margaritas, with good gluten-free awareness. Their menu is marked to indicate gluten-free items and dishes that can be modified to be gluten-free.
They do not have a dedicated fryer, but they offer gluten-free tortilla chips served in a sealed plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination. Be sure to specifically request the GF chips and avoid the regular chips offered initially. Their salsa is known for its spicy kick. Popular gluten-free dishes include Carnitas Tacos, Seasoned Beef Soft Tacos, Beef Lover’s Enchiladas, Taco Salads, and Skinny Sheryl’s. Note that their guacamole contains sour cream and is not dairy-free.
Suerte
Suerte offers a unique and mostly gluten-free Mexican food Austin experience. While their dinner menu isn’t specifically labeled for gluten-free options, the majority of dishes are naturally safe, and the staff is well-informed about gluten sensitivities.
Their homemade masa tortillas, crafted from corn, are a standout feature. Pictured are the Suadero tacos with confit brisket, black magic oil, and avocado salsa crude – a truly unique and delicious combination. Other excellent choices include the goat barbacoa, grilled sweet papas, and roasted broccoli with broccoli almond mole. It’s best to avoid the ceviche (due to soy sauce) and desserts.
Torchy’s Tacos
Torchy’s Tacos, a beloved Austin taco chain, is known for its “damn good tacos” and offers a gluten-conscious menu. This menu lists items made with gluten-free ingredients, but they do include a disclaimer about potential cross-contamination in their shared kitchens. Personal experience suggests that many gluten-sensitive individuals tolerate Torchy’s well.
Corn tortilla chips are available at some locations (always confirm about a dedicated fryer). With numerous locations throughout Austin, including inside Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium, Torchy’s is a convenient option. Exercise caution with to-go orders and double-check ingredients, such as ensuring the portobello mushroom in “The Independent” taco is not breaded.
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