Dining out with celiac disease requires vigilance and trust in restaurant staff. Unfortunately, a recent experience at Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen in Cypress, TX, proved to be a significant setback in navigating gluten-free dining. This review details a concerning incident involving cross-contamination and a lack of understanding regarding dietary restrictions, leaving a celiac diner seriously ill.
The visit started with attempts to clarify gluten-free options with the server. Despite initial smiles and a seemingly confident demeanor, the server’s knowledge about celiac disease and gluten-free requirements quickly proved inadequate. Inquiries about menu items revealed that even seemingly safe options, like steak fajitas, were prepared with soy sauce – a potential source of gluten. While corn tortillas and chips (prepared in a dedicated fryer) were identified as potentially safe, the presence of decorative pita chips became a recurring and alarming issue. Dishes, including gluten-free orders, arrived garnished with these pita chips, highlighting a lack of attention to detail and a high risk of cross-contamination in a busy kitchen environment.
Despite repeated polite requests to remove the pita chips, the server seemed overwhelmed and failed to grasp the seriousness of the situation for a celiac diner. Compounding the issue, the dimly lit seating area made it difficult to thoroughly inspect the food. This lack of visibility led to the accidental consumption of a flour tortilla, mistakenly placed beneath a stack of corn tortillas. The reviewer only realized the error after consuming a significant portion, noticing a texture difference masked initially by spicy salsa and fillings.
Upon pointing out the flour tortilla mix-up, the server’s reaction was dismissive and unhelpful. A fake apology and a nonsensical offer to call 911 for an “allergy” further emphasized the staff’s lack of training and understanding of celiac disease. This experience paints a worrying picture of Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen in Cypress, TX, as a potentially unsafe dining option for individuals with celiac disease. The review concludes with a strong recommendation to avoid this establishment, citing concerns about poorly trained teenage staff and the high probability of cross-contamination in a chaotic, packed restaurant setting. For those requiring strict gluten-free dining, Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen in Cypress, TX, appears to present an unacceptable level of risk.
