Taco Mama

They are very knowledgeable. You can only get a bowl if your are cross contamination sensitive. Been a 3 times and never been sick and able to change it up each time

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

— 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

The cashier at Taco Mama was SO knowledgeable. I guess I had looked at the GF menu of a different Taco Mama so I said I had celiac and wanted the Nachos and she immediately corrected me and said that this restaurant is the only one in the chain that has a shared fryer so the chips are not gluten free. I ordered the chicken tacos and she made sure I got the chicken NOT cooked in beer. When she put in the order she said “ok let me go tell everyone to change their gloves” without me asking her to. So sweet! I have very sensitive celiac and didn’t have an issue.

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

— 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/All

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

— Excellent

I always get a bowl. I’ve only gotten sick like once, the staff is knowledgeable if you tell them gluten allergy. Just dont get chips (shared fryer) or chicken (marinated in beer).

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

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the 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

Hit or miss. I always get a bowl. Sometimes I get sick, sometimes I am completely fine.

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

— Not 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

Have had some really great experiences here as a Celiac student at UA. Each time I go, I get a beef burrito bowl and fill it with whatever toppings I want. Staff is very knowledgeable - just let them know you have a severe gluten allergy and they’ve always marked it for me. One time, despite the line being out the door, the guy taking my order walked to the back kitchen himself and pointed my order out to the people making it just so they knew it was supposed to be GF. Never had an issue here and it’s so awesome to be able to eat Mexican!!!

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

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?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for kids
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers outdoor seating

Staff is very knowledgeable about ingredients & what is safe or not for celiacs. I don’t ever get sick & I love the food!!

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

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 kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers outdoor seating

COVID is still amongst us so I wasn’t able to see the food preparation process but I was assisted by an employee who was well informed about items on the menu that are and are not gluten free. The employee that assisted me was very helpful and knowledgeable.

People with celiac can choose between a salad or burrito bowl which is basically the burrito with no wrap. Most of the meats are GF with the exception of the chicken, tuna, and fried something or other. I ordered the shrimp which they said is cooked with salt and paper. The chips are not gluten free. What I like is that you can pick any additions you would like (e.g., onion, cheese, lettuce,...) so the items are customizable. Our total bill was about $56 for two burritos, which each come with two sides and chips, nachos with chicken, and the burrito bowl with shrimp. I of course added on the sangria which was excellent and everyone else has regular fountain drinks. The establishment is clean, even the outside deck area. Servers were very pleasant. The food is good and can be made as simple as you wish. Everyone in my party agreed that it was not the best Mexican food but it is good and reasonably priced. I will likely return, particularly because of the nice staff. I also like the location and being able to walk down the street to window shop after eating.

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

— Somewhat

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?

— Average

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The staff was very helpful. They told me what I should avoid like the chips (shared fryer at that location) and the chicken (which is marinated in beer). I had a burrito bowl with steak and some corn tortillas on the side. They noted on the ticket that I had a gluten allergy to flag it to the kitchen for preparation.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I came here under the impression that they were gluten free. The staff didn't really know if their kitchen was safe or not, but they asked around and told me that they had gluten free options.

I got a burrito bowl with no chips or anything suspicious.

I got glutened pretty badly. I'm not sure what ingredient did it.

The food tasted good, though!

Celiac friendly?

No

They're very knowledgeable of the menu! Basically avoid the chips, that's the main thing.

Staff knew what was celiac safe. Don't eat the chips. Basically you're stuck with a burrito bowl to keep things simple. Could get a corn tortilla taco or something.

However, we went there a second time this week and my husband got very sick. We didn't realize refried beans could contain bullion and therefore gluten. Staff must not have known either, that's the only thing that could have contaminated him. He got a bowl with rice, chicken (staff said chicken is safe), cheese, cilantro, and refried beans.

Took my 5 star rating down to 4 because of the Bean issue. :/

Manager talked with me and told me whether or not items I wanted were within my allergy needs. Don't eat the chips due to shared fryer.

They are very knowledgeable and accommodating.

Staff was very knowledgable and food was great!

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

— Very

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

Manager was awesome and honest about potential of cross contamination with chips and hard shells. Recommended soft corn tortillas for beef tacos and the rice. No signs of gluten exposure following meal!

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

— Very

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

The chicken is NOT gluten free, but every other meat is. Make sure you tell them you have celiac! In Gardendale specifically- they know what it is! When I tell them, I don’t get sick. I always order the nachos with ground beef and almost everything on it. I don’t ask for anything grilled just because I want as little to touch the grill as possible!

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

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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 dairy-free

Went here and they are gluten friendly. They are not, however, dairy free friendly. So if you are like me and have trouble with gluten and dairy I do not recommend this place. The chicken, ground beef, retired beans, and guac all have dairy in them.

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

Just spoke to the manager, who also has celiac disease. She told me that the chips and the taco shells are gluten-free and are fried in a dedicated fryer. She also told me that everything is safe, except for the chicken, which is cooked with beer. She is very knowledgeable.

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

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

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