Austin, Texas is a fantastic city, especially if you’re on a gluten-free diet and love Mexican food! Living here, I’ve been amazed by the number of restaurants offering safe and delicious gluten-free options. It’s truly a joy to explore the vibrant Mexican culinary scene without worrying about gluten.
However, navigating Mexican cuisine as someone who is gluten-sensitive or has celiac disease can be tricky. Many traditional dishes rely on flour tortillas, and cross-contamination is a real concern, especially in kitchens where flour tortillas are made in-house. Places like Chuy’s and Pappasitos, while popular, can be risky due to the sheer amount of flour in the air. Fryers are another potential hazard; if they’re used to fry flour tortillas or churros, the oil becomes contaminated. Ideally, you want to find restaurants with dedicated gluten-free fryers.
Thankfully, things are changing for the better. I’ve noticed chefs and restaurant staff becoming increasingly knowledgeable about gluten-free needs. It’s becoming easier and safer to dine out, and we’re even seeing more 100% gluten-free kitchens emerge, like ATX Cocina, which is a personal favorite.
It’s important to remember that every restaurant is different. Even within chains known for gluten-free options, practices can vary. New restaurants might start with good intentions, like a dedicated fryer, but things can change – fryers can become contaminated, suppliers can switch, and chefs move on. It’s an ongoing learning process for everyone involved.
For me, a good sign is when a server asks if my gluten-free requirement is dietary or due to celiac disease. This shows they understand the seriousness of cross-contamination and are likely to take extra precautions to ensure my meal is safe. It’s been a wonderful experience to eat out more often and discover the ever-growing list of gluten-free Mexican restaurants in Austin.
Discovering Gluten-Free Mexican and Tex-Mex Flavors
Delicious smashed papas bravas at ATX Cocina, a gluten-free Mexican restaurant in Austin
ATX Cocina
ATX Cocina stands out as one of our top picks for gluten-free Mexican food in Austin. This restaurant offers incredibly delicious modern Mexican cuisine, and the best part? Their kitchen is 100% gluten-free. You can dine here with complete peace of mind.
Their corn tortillas are a highlight, handmade from heirloom corn varieties sourced from small family farms in Mexico (all non-GMO). The freshness and quality of the ingredients are evident in every dish. I highly recommend starting with their salsa sampler and guacamole. For main courses, the verduras (brussels sprouts with verde chorizo and green mole), smashed papas bravas (with smoked chili aioli, fried herbs, and lime), and the barbacoa beef short rib are exceptional – the barbacoa is incredibly good! While it’s on the pricier side, the quality and gluten-free assurance make it worthwhile.
Valet parking is available, a definite plus in downtown Austin. They also have a fantastic daily happy hour from 4:30 to 6:30 PM with a rotating menu – the tamales and empanadas are must-tries if they’re on offer! Lunch is served on Fridays as well.
Takeout from Eldorado Cafe, a great option for gluten-free Mexican food in Austin
Eldorado Cafe
Eldorado Cafe is a fantastic option, especially for online ordering and curbside pickup. What I really appreciate about Eldorado Cafe is their menu clearly marks items containing gluten (G) and dishes with potential cross-contamination risks (CC). This makes navigating the menu for gluten-free choices incredibly easy and stress-free.
I tried the Carnitas Cubanos (crispy pork roasted in a flavorful Cuban-style citrus garlic mojo), which was served with pickled red onion, pico de gallo, guacamole, corn tortillas, and your choice of two sides. I opted for the Eldorado Rice and Las Calabasas (butternut squash hash), while my companion enjoyed the Beef Enchiladas. Everything was absolutely delicious. There are so many other gluten-free dishes on their menu that I’m eager to try next time!
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Delicious guacamole at Fresa's, a popular spot for gluten-free Mexican food in Austin
Fresa’s
Fresa’s quickly became a favorite of ours after we heard about their many gluten-free options and their amazing wood-grilled chicken. They have two locations in Austin, and the South First location is particularly charming with its takeout window, beautiful patio, and bar area. It’s a great atmosphere to enjoy delicious gluten-free Mexican food.
When dining gluten-free at Fresa’s, stick to the corn tortillas. Regarding the chips, they are outsourced, and there’s some uncertainty about their celiac safety, so I personally prefer to enjoy their fantastic guacamole with corn tortillas instead. The chimichurri skirt steak and grilled achiote & citrus chicken dinners are highly recommended! It’s best to avoid anything fried here, as they do not have a dedicated gluten-free fryer, meaning there’s a high risk of cross-contamination.
Gloria’s
Gloria’s offers Latin cuisine with several locations, including one at The Domain in Austin and others in Dallas. I’m a big fan of their hand-made tamales, which are gently spiced and filled with chicken, potatoes, and bell pepper, all wrapped and steamed in banana leaves. Their black beans and rice are also excellent gluten-free choices.
I would advise skipping the chips at Gloria’s, as they are likely fried in oil that is also used for gluten-containing foods (no dedicated fryer). It’s always best to speak with your server about gluten-free options. I believe they have a gluten-free menu guide available. And don’t forget to try their margaritas!
A delicious looking taco from Grizzeldas, a restaurant with gluten-free Mexican options in Austin
Grizzeldas
Grizzeldas is known for its eclectic and beautiful space. It’s always a great place to recommend to friends visiting Austin. The atmosphere is lively, and their frozen margaritas are notably strong!
While the menu doesn’t specifically mark gluten-free dishes, there are several options available. Similar to other restaurants, the chips are fried in a shared fryer. However, their corn tortillas are 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, which might have been used for flour tortillas.
I highly recommend the picadillo tacos with Jacoby aged ground beef. Given its popularity, especially for dinner, making a reservation at Grizzeldas is a good idea.
The patio at Guero’s Taco Bar, a fun spot for gluten-free Mexican food in Austin
Guero’s Taco Bar
Guero’s Taco Bar offers a dedicated gluten-free menu, which is a great start. While I haven’t yet dined inside the restaurant itself, I did visit their patio area on a Sunday to enjoy live music. The chips and salsa were confirmed to be gluten-free and safe, making it a fun and worry-free experience, though more of a social outing than a full restaurant review. However, based on their gluten-free menu, I’m planning to return and try out the restaurant properly soon.
Takeout kit from La Condesa, offering modern gluten-free Mexican food in Austin
La Condesa
With more Austin restaurants offering curbside pickup, it’s been a great opportunity to explore new places and dishes, and La Condesa is a standout. Located downtown, La Condesa offers a wide range of modern Mexican gluten-free options. It’s worth looking at their original menu in addition to the online order menu, as the full menu has even more detail about gluten-free choices.
We opted for their taco kits, featuring barbacoa cooked in banana leaves and grilled mushrooms with a fantastic mint chimichurri, along with heirloom corn tortillas. We added a few extra sides, and everything was absolutely delicious. I’m definitely looking forward to dining at La Condesa again soon.
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Spicy Chicken Enchiladas from Lupe Tortilla, a Tex-Mex restaurant with gluten-free options
Lupe Tortilla
Lupe Tortilla is another of our favorite Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin. Impressively, almost everything on their menu is gluten-free, including their tortilla chips, as they use a dedicated fryer! Their guacamole, salsa, and bean dips are also highly recommended.
The menu is helpfully marked with a small wheat symbol next to items that contain wheat or flour and are not gluten-free, making it easy to identify safe choices. They also have excellent skinny margaritas, both frozen and regular.
Some of my favorite gluten-free dinner options at Lupe Tortilla include the Lime Pepper Beef Fajitas (served with corn tortillas), Carne Asada (which is essentially their lime-marinated beef fajita steak served with rice and beans), Barbacoa Tacos, and the Spicy Chicken Enchiladas.
Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant
Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant is known for its excellent Mexican food and offers a good selection of gluten-free choices. In my experience, the servers at Manuel’s have always been very knowledgeable about gluten-free options and able to guide me through the menu.
It’s important to note that their fryers are not dedicated gluten-free, so it’s best to avoid fried items. However, their tortilla chips are sourced from El Milagro, confirmed to be safe and non-GMO.
Maudie's Tex Mex, a popular spot for gluten-free Tex-Mex in Austin
Maudie’s Tex Mex
Maudie’s Tex Mex is another go-to spot in Austin for Tex-Mex and margaritas. Their menu clearly marks gluten-free items and those that can be modified to be gluten-free, which is very helpful.
They do not have a dedicated gluten-free fryer. However, they do offer gluten-free tortilla chips upon request, which they will bring to you in a sealed plastic bag. Be sure to specifically ask for the GF chips and avoid the regular chips, as they are brought to the table quickly and could easily be mistaken for gluten-free. Their salsa is also nicely spicy!
Some of my favorite gluten-free dishes at Maudie’s include the Carnitas Tacos, Seasoned Beef Soft Tacos, Beef Lover’s Enchiladas, Taco Salads, and Skinny Sheryl’s. It’s worth noting that their guacamole contains a little sour cream, so it’s not dairy-free.
Gluten-free tacos at Suerte restaurant in Austin
Suerte
Although the dinner menu at Suerte isn’t explicitly labeled for gluten-free options, most of their dishes are naturally gluten-free, and the staff is very knowledgeable about dietary restrictions. They make their own masa tortillas from corn in-house, and they are absolutely divine.
Pictured are the Suadero tacos, featuring confit brisket, black magic oil, and avocado salsa crude. They are truly unique and incredibly delicious! We also tried the goat barbacoa, grilled sweet papas, and roasted broccoli with broccoli almond mole, mustard seed, and tarragon – all were fantastic. It’s best to avoid the ceviche (as it contains soy sauce) and desserts if you are strictly gluten-free.
Gluten-free options at Torchy’s Tacos in Austin
Torchy’s Tacos
Torchy’s Tacos are undeniably “damn good,” and they offer a gluten conscious menu. This menu lists items that are made with gluten-free ingredients. However, they do include a disclaimer that cross-contamination is possible due to their shared kitchen environment.
Personally, I have not experienced any gluten issues after eating at Torchy’s. Corn tortilla chips are considered safe at some locations (it’s always best to ask if they have a dedicated fryer at your specific location to be sure). Torchy’s has numerous locations around Austin, including one at Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium.
When ordering takeout from Torchy’s, it’s always wise to double-check your food. For example, The Independent taco should come with portobello mushrooms that are not breaded, but mistakes can happen.
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