Don Pablo's

[GlutenFreeAl]

Anyone tried the gluten free menu? Any luck?

[lorka150]

if you're talking about the one in amherst, i've spoken to the manager and he had never heard of gluten-free.

[amybeth]

I've gone to Don Pablo's several times since I've gone gluten-free. They had menu items listed on-line. I've talked to the manager a couple of times while I was there. He asked very good questions and made me feel very comfortable -- giving recommendations, etc. -- however, I have had symptoms after every visit. I guess I got cross-contaminated from something in the kitchen?

This is one particular location in PA, but I've taken off of my list of restaurants to visit.

[GlutenFreeAl]

Thanks for the heads up. I was really excited to see tortilla soup on the gluten free list, because I love love love that! But don't they cook the flour tortillas and the corn tortillas in the same fryer???

I guess if I want Mexican, I need to cook it myself. But I haven't found any corn tortillas that I don't react to!

Argh!!

[Guest cassidy]

Thanks for the heads up. I was really excited to see tortilla soup on the gluten free list, because I love love love that! But don't they cook the flour tortillas and the corn tortillas in the same fryer???

I guess if I want Mexican, I need to cook it myself. But I haven't found any corn tortillas that I don't react to!

Argh!!

I used to work at Don Pablo's in college. They don't make the flour and corn tortillas in the same place. I actually have made the flour tortillas from little balls of dough - it is fun. I'm not sure where they make the corn, maybe those are pre-made, but the flour tortillas aren't fried, they are made on a flat grill. I haven't tried eating there since going gluten-free. In the restaurant where I worked, most of the kitchen staff didn't speak English. I am a little leary on how the translation would go. I miss their food because I ate so much of it back then.

[Lisa]

After understanding that they had a gluten fee menu, we went there for lunch. I asked the waitress for the gluten free menu............Duh, what a ditts. She said, oh yeah, that's on the internet, we don't have it here in the restaurant. Next time, the manager is going to be sitting at our table. Thank God, I love mexican and Amy's food for breakfast. Yummmmm

[Lauren M]

Be careful, the one near me fries their chips in the same oil as floured items.

- Lauren

[happygirl]

In general, Don Pablo's are not trained on the gluten free menu....the company just lists the items that technically are gluten free (in terms of ingredients, not cross-contamination/frying/etc). They are similar to Olive Garden-the company will tell you which items are safe, but they don't have a gluten free "program" like Outback, PF Changs, etc.

[Cheri A]

I just found/made the YUMMIEST Chicken Taco Soup... it did have beer in it so my dd didn't eat it. But I'm going to make it again w/Strongbow that was suggested as a beer subsitute. I'd be happy to post the recipe, if anyone wants it.

[NicoleAJ]

Amybeth, is the Don Pablo's in PA you were talking about the one in Altoona? I was actually thinking of going to that one the next time I go over there, so I'd appreciate the heads-up if it they seem responsive but have problems with cc.

[amybeth]

NicoleAJ --

You may be safe. I was referring to Langhorne, PA -- but I would still be very diligent about cc -- especially since reading the other posts here. Good luck!!!

[kbtoyssni]

I hate to drag up such an old thread, but I wanted to add my experience with Don Pablo's today. I wanted the chicken taco salad using corn chips. They cook their chicken with soy sauce (yikes, really? soy sauce isn't even mexican!), and they add flour to the shredded cheese to keep it from sticking. They can prepare both without the soy sauce and flour, but it's something to be aware of. I've usually done ok at Don Pablo's, but I'm not sure I'd go again based on today's experience and all the strange places they use gluten.

[blueeyedmanda]

I'm glad you posted this. John has been dying to try the Don Pablo's at my parents house and I keep shooting down the request...now I can back it up!

[missy'smom]

I used to go to Don Pablos and get the fish tacos-made up my own meal going by the info. online-menue is not available in the restauraunt. Ditto what happygirl said. Anyway last time I went there the fish looked like it has been floured(in the past you could tell it was naked). After sending it back twice and asking numerous questions(about the fish only), finally someone came out and said that they had changed fish from what they used to use. I don't remember if I ever did get a straight answer but I didn't eat the meal.

I haven't been there in a long time. Used to get the fajitas with corn tortillas.

[Rwwright16]

The disclaimer at the top of the PDF version of the gluten free menu is enough to keep me away. Gluten free items are cooked on the same surfaces and fryers as any other food so cross contamination is highly probable.