Find Restaurants That Take Gluten-Free Seriously
If you have celiac, you know not every “gluten-free option” is the same. That’s why every restaurant in this app is researched and vetted before it’s listed.
What is the Gluten Dude Vetting Process?
First...perhaps I should explain WHY we vet. Simple. Because your health and safety matters to us. While other apps simply list every suggested restaurant, we think that's irresponsible...and potentially dangerous.
So we take the time and the effort to make sure we are only listing restaurants that have your well-being in mind when they make their gluten-free dishes.
Here's how the process works:
1
Each listing begins with input from someone who’s eaten there and had a positive gluten-free experience.
2
Our team reviews menus, online reviews, and community feedback to see how the restaurant approaches gluten-free food.
3
We contact the restaurant and ask detailed questions about their preparation areas, staff training, cross-contamination protocols, etc.
4
If a restaurant understands CC and has procedures in place to minimize it, it moves forward. If not, it doesn’t make the cut.
5
Every restaurant on the app is put into one of four categories so you can eat out according to your safety level (see below).
Here is a look at our full vetting flowchart. The process isn't simple. And that's exactly the point.
How We Classify Each Restaurant
It's important to remember that every restaurant that is not 100% gluten-free carries some risk. Our goal is to minimize that risk for you. To help you make the decision that is best for you, every restaurant on the app is placed in one of four categories.
100% Gluten-Free
Means just that. No gluten at all in the restaurant and completely celiac safe.
Dude Vetted
Responded to our vetting email and 1) have an understanding of the seriousness of celiac disease; and 2) have specific procedures in place to minimize the risk of CC. Each of these restaurants will include a DUDE VETTING NOTE explaining these procedures.
User Suggested
Did not respond to our vetting email. For these restaurants, we did extensive research and if the positives way outnumbered the negatives, we added them to this category.
Chains
Restaurants with multiple locations. We only added chains that got consistently good reviews from the GF community. And no fast food places. Extra caution should be taken when eating at any chain restaurant as there can be many variables from location to location.
Please do your due diligence for any restaurant that is not 100% GF. Be your own best advocate.
Trusted by the Gluten-Free Community Around the World
Grateful for This App
"I am so grateful for you, your app and your dedication to the celiac community. It's comforting to have you in my corner."
Most Reliable App
"The most reliable app for celiac safety around. It's not crowdsourced and nothing is left to chance."
What You're Doing is Amazing
"It's been over 20 years for me and I still get so nervous going out to eat. What you're doing for our community is amazing."
Vetted by People Who Care
"Your app has helped us eat on three separate vacations. It makes me feel so much more comfortable to know that places have been vetted by people who really care."
Total Peace of Mind
"Nothing else I have seen has the depth & breadth of useful, up-to-date, and peace-of-mind info on where to safely go. Thank you!!!"
A Lifesaver
"Your app was a lifesaver for us, giving my daughter the confidence to go out there and interact with food and the world. Thank you."
Worth the Money
"Excellent app that is worth the money. I have gone to a dozen restaurants recommended on this app and every one has been fantastic."
So Valuable for Travel
"An absolute must-have if you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity! This app is so valuable for travel but also for day to day life."
I Know How Hard It Is to Eat Out Gluten-Free
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2008, and not only was I pretty dang sick, I was also terrified. Of what? Well…a lot of things that came with this strange new disease. But mostly, I was scared to eat out again.
This was at a time when I had never even heard the word gluten until my diagnosis—and most restaurants hadn’t either. Would I ever find a restaurant that truly understood celiac disease?
After a few months of healing and calming my nerves, Mrs. Dude and I took one of our Dudettes to PF Chang’s. While they weren’t 100% gluten-free, they were one of the first restaurants to “get it.” They had a gluten-free menu and clear procedures to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
I still remember that night vividly.
Waiting for a table, nervous but hopeful.
Giving my “celiac speech” for the first time.
Having my first (and last) Red Bridge beer.
Actually enjoying my food, my family, and—for the first time in a long time—feeling almost normal.
When the meal was over, I thanked the waitress and told her it was my first time eating out since being diagnosed. I even teared up. She probably thought I was nuts, but to me, it was emotional. It meant freedom again.
Fast-forward 13 years. Managing celiac disease got easier, but finding restaurants that took gluten-free seriously was still a huge challenge.
That’s why I created the Gluten Dude app—to make eating out less stressful and a lot more enjoyable for people living with celiac disease. Because everyone deserves a seat at the table, without the fear.
Download the app today and discover why people trust Gluten Dude.
Find 100% Gluten-free Restaurants in...
Tons more 100% gluten-free AND Dude-vetted restaurants around the world on the Gluten Dude app. New restaurants added every day.