I have eaten here many times and have gotten sick everytime. Cross contamination happens all the time and they don’t seem to be as well trained here as other Costa Vidas I have been to. Spoons touch the tortillas and then go back in the food.
— Not at all
— Not Much
— Good
Good food but a cross contamination nightmare. Unless you can convince the employee making your food to get new stuff from the back (which never happens in my experience), it’s all going to be contaminated. Good for gluten sensitivities if the cross contamination doesn’t bother you, but avoid it if you have celiac.
— Not at all
— Not Much
— Average
I love costa vida’s food and that so much of their ingredients are gluten free. However I’ve had to stop eating at this location after getting sick once. They do not take enough precaution over cross-contamination.
— Not at all
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Some
— Good
From their allergen list: We have worked diligently to remove wheat gluten from all our sauces, dressings, and proteins. Natural glutens remain only in our flour and wheat tortillas and in two desserts--tres leches and key lime pie. This means that we offer "oceans of gluten-free options" in our menu. All of these items are gluten-free: all enchiladas, all tacos, all salads (without the flour or wheat tortilla), all nachos, and our chicken tortilla so up...which uses corn strips.
We moved here recently and this location is terrible with cross contamination! The first worker will change their gloves, but then pass it on down the line to others who didn't prep at all. Costa Vida has been our go to and we have eaten at many different locations throughout Arizona and Utah with no problems. We have a friend who also has Celiacs and he didn't know he could even eat at Costa Vida because the only location he had been to was the one in Rexburg and he always got sick. The Idaho Falls location is much better at trying to alleviate cross contamination! We have had zero issues at the Idaho Falls location. They are MUCH more cautious. Go there!
— Not at all
— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
— Most/All
— Poor
Wife has Celiacs and the employees said that the only thing that has gluten in it is the tortillas. Everything else is gluten free. My wife hasn’t had a problem eating here. They changed their gloves out willingly and did their best to make sure there wasn’t any cross contamination.
— Somewhat
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Most/All
— Excellent
They said they took measures to prevent cross contamination both times I went, but both times I got very sick anyway. I even attended a catered event where the coordinators made sure the food was safe (on their end) for me, and still got sick, so the cooking process of the food is unsafe.
— Not at all
— No gluten-free information on the menu
— Some
— Average
My cousin works as a manager to Costa Vida, and she’s very aware how picky my condition makes me. She gets upset about customers who claim an allergy to gluten, or trivial ingredients such as cilantro, because none of their kitchenware and the nature of how they prepare food is completely compromised. For those who are not medically gluten free, don’t bet on finding a meal here. For those who are on the bandwagon as a fad, there will be something here for you.
— Not at all
— Not Much/None
— Poor
The staff is super nice and they change their gloves and wash their hands. Cross contamination is still an issue I’ve gotten sick here 3 times
I go here frequently and they do change their gloves but cross contamination is a big issue. I have celiac disease but haven’t gotten sick yet. The one in Idaho Falls is a lot better.
cross contamination everywhere. we love Costa, but this location isn't safe.
Always amazing and never any side effects!!
Yes
I've gone 3 times in the past 2 weeks. Each time there were different workers, and each time they changed gloves. They seemed aware of the seriousness of having gluten free food for allergies. One worker washed their hands before putting on the new gloves.
Each time I go I keep getting cross contaminated.
I have been recently diagnosed with celiac, and have had only bad experiences eating out until I tried Costa Vida. They are very careful to not cross contaminate your food and are very good to work with. I called before hand and asked the manager a bunch of questions, and he relieved all of the fears I had with eating there. They cook all of their corn tortillas first thing in the morning right after the griddle is cleaned. I did not have any reaction to the food I eat. I totally recommend it to anyone who is celiac or gluten free.
Yes
Excellent! You order at the counter and they prepare your food in front of you. They make gf corn tortillas at the beginning of the day on a clean grill before they make the flour ones. They change their gloves when you tell them you are gf. All fillings are gluten free. I loved this place.
Yes
they were so nice and accommodating. they all understood what I needed. the food was great.
Sooooooo delicious and very cautious! Plus you watch them make it so it puts your nerves at ease.
Yes
I love costa vida!!! Every one that works there know about gluten allergies. The food is so good! Everything is gluten free except for their flour tortillas. Their corn tortillas are so good!
Yes
This restaurant uses a buffet line to prepare food like a Qdoba or Chipotle, so there is a chance for cross contamination in all ingredients that might have a utensil or hands in them that have touched a flour tortilla. I'm extremely sensitive and chose not to eat here.
— Not at all
Not all the workers seem know about the gf protocols but when they do, they are very good at following them; changing their gloves, getting certain foods from the original containers etc.
— Somewhat
— Most/All
— Excellent
I had a sweet pork salad. The person that helped me wasn’t sure about my questions but the shift manager helped out. Gloves changed, one person took my order through the whole line. Fryer is GF and tortilla strips are safe.
Only thing in the restaurant with gluten are the flour tortillas. Watch your food and it looks at least as safe as Chipotle…honestly maybe a bit safer because they use utensils for lettuce and cheese where other places use gloves.
— Somewhat
— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
— Some
— Excellent
Pretty good. They seemed to understand the allergy protocol. I didn’t get sick
— Somewhat
— Most/All
— Excellent
I enjoy getting Costa vida on occasion this location does a good job. They take precautions to avoid cross contamination and I really like the sweet pork salad.
— Most/All
— Excellent