Lupe tortilla is one of the best texmex restaurants and they have a vast menu that will leave you salivating. But is there anything in this menu for those of us who are sensitive to gluten?
The short answer is Yes! Lupe tortilla has tons of items listed on their menu which are gluten sensitive.
From their mock tails, to corn tacos, enchiladas and carne asdas, Lupe tortilla is a heaven for gluten sensitive folks.
However, most items are prepared in a shared kitchen, so if you suffer from celiac disease, it is best to exercise caution and avoid any doubtful items.
Continue reading this article o find out the gluten free options available at Lupe tortilla, how to identify them and make your way through a delicious gluten free meal.
Gluten-free Options At Lupe Tortilla
From nachos to breakfast burritos and enchiladas, Tex-Mex cuisine has something for everyone. This is why its huge popularity comes as no surprise to anyone.
Texmex cuisine has found its way into the food habits of the US and has its own special place in pop culture as well.
Lupe tortilla is a Houston based franchise serving freshly made texmex items to thousands of people every day. What makes it more attractive is that most of its menu is gluten free!
Yes, you read that right. Majority of the items on their everyday menu are safe for consumption for those who wish to avoid gluten.
This means tons of options for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. No more sticking to just drinks and sad little single item menus!
Lupe tortilla has a beautifully laid out menu which clearly marks gluten free items.
All those menu items which contain gluten or those where ingredients cannot be substituted for gluten free ones are marked separately with a drawing of an ear of wheat.
Avoid all such items and specifically ask for corn tortillas.
However, remember that all items are prepped in a shared kitchen so be sure to communicate your allergen concern to the server beforehand.
Let’s take a look at what Lupe tortilla offers on is gluten free menu.
Appetizers:
- CHILI CON QUESO
- QUESO COMPUESTO
Carne molida, guacamole
- TABLE SIDE GUACAMOLE
- GUACAMOLE SALAD
Avocados, tomatoes, onions, lime
- QUESO FLAMEADO
Melted Jack cheese, chorizo, jalapeño sausage or carne molida
- SHRIMP AND AVOCADO CAMPECHANA
Shrimp, avocado, cilantro, tomatoes, onions, peppers
- CHIPOTLE SMOKED RIBS
House made spicy chipotle BBQ sauce
- GRILLED QUAIL
Bacon-wrapped, jalapeños, Jack cheese, roasted red pepper butter
Nachos:
- NACHOS MATAMOROS
Frijoles, Jack cheese, jalapenos
- FAJITA NACHOS CON PABLANOS
Frijoles, chicken, Jack cheese, poblano peppers. Served with guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo,
jalapenos
- NACHOS COMPUESTOS
Frijoles, carne molida, cheddar cheese, guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes, jalapenos
SOPAS AND ENSILADAS (Soups and Salads):
- TORTILLA SOUP
Grilled chicken, tortilla strips, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, Jack cheese, poblano peppers, sliced avocado.
- SPICY SHRIMP AND RICE STEW
“Tex-mex Gumbo,” grilled shrimp, rice, jalapeño sausage, Jack cheese
- TACO SALAD
Iceburg lettuce, grilled chicken fajita or carne molida, tortilla chips, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese, tomatoes, choice of house made dressing
- ENSALADA VERDE
Mixed greens, roasted poblanos, avocado, pico de gallo, queso fresco, choice of housemade dressing
- TIJUANA SALAD
Romaine hearts, Caesar dressing, queso fresco, fried tortilla strips.
- SHRIMP AND AVOCADO SALAD
Mixed greens, avocado dressing, tomatoes, corn, avocado, poblanos, queso fresco, grilled Gulf shrimp, fried tortilla strips
Fajitas:
Lime Pepper Marinated, Hand-pressed flour or corn tortillas, guacamole, pico de gallo, Cheddar cheese, grilled onions, rice & frijoles. (REMEMBER TO ASK FOR CORN TORTILLAS)
You can choose from the following items or personalize your own by buying it by the pound and adding ad on items such as grilled quail, pepper shrimp brochette, lobster tail, jalapeno sausage or chipotle smoked ribs
- GRANDIOSO
1Lb. beef & chicken, (6) bacon-wrapped pepper shrimp
- BARBACOAS
1Lb. beef & chicken, spicy chipotle smoked ribs & jalapeno sausage
- MAXIMO
1Lb. beef & chicken, (6) bacon-wrapped pepper shrimp, (2) jalapeno bacon-wrapped quail, spicy chipotle smoked ribs & jalapeno sausage.
- SONORA
1Lb. beef & chicken, (6) grilled shrimp, (2) jalapeño bacon-wrapped quail.
CARNE ASADAS (With rice and frijoles):
- CARNE ASADA
- STEAK LUPE
Carne Asada, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, peppers, Jack cheese
- FILET ASADA
Bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin, lime pepper butter
- STEAK AND ENCHILADA DINNER
Bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin, lime pepper butter, (2) braised beef enchiladas, cheddar cheese, onions, ancho sauce
- ASADA AND SHRIMP
10 oz. Carne Asada, (3) bacon-wrapped Pepper Shrimp.
- MIXED GRILL
6 oz. Carne Asada, half Chicken Lupe, (3) bacon-wrapped Pepper Shrimp
- THREE PEPPER CHEESE STEAK
Carne Asada, sliced jalapeños, serrano, habanero, Jack cheese
CHICKEN AND RIBS (WITH RICE AND FRIJOLES):
- THE ORIGINAL CHICKEN LUPE
Marinated grilled chicken breasts, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, peppers, Jack cheese.
- CHICKEN LUPE DEL MAR
Chicken Lupe, grilled shrimp, Jack cheese, roasted red pepper cream sauce
- CHICKEN LITTLE
(1) Marinated grilled chicken breast, corn tortilla, ranchera sauce, grilled poblano peppers, Jack cheese
- QUESADILLAS
Chicken fajita or spinach & artichoke, pico de gallo, Jack cheese, guacamole, sour cream
- CILANTRO JALAPENO CHICKEN
Marinated grilled chicken breasts, cilantro, fresh jalapeño slices, Jack cheese
- POLOS ESPINACAS
Marinated grilled chicken breasts, spinach, artichoke, cilantro cream sauce, Jack cheese
- CHIPOTLE SMOKED RIBS
House made spicy chipotle BBQ sauce
- Chicken Flaca
Marinated grilled chicken breasts, spinach, artichoke, green tomatillo sauce. Served with seasonal vegetable or rice & frijoles.
- POBLANO CHICKEN
A poblano pepper stuffed with roasted chicken, Jack cheese
Fresh Seafood (With rice and frijoles):
- Grilled fish tacos
Mahi Mahi fillet, creamy roasted poblano sauce, lettuce, pico de gallo, puffy taco shells. Salmon can be added as well
- TILAPIA VERACRUZ
8 oz. fillet, grilled shrimp, roasted red pepper cream sauce, cilantro, queso fresco.
- LOBSTER TACOS
7 oz. grilled lobster, lime pepper butter, lettuce, pico de gallo, puffy taco shells.
- CEDAR PLANK GRILLED SALMON
8 oz. fillet, jalapeño tartar sauce.
- SALMON SENCILLO
8 oz. grilled salmon, pico de gallo, roasted red pepper butter.
- PEPPER SHRIMP BROCHETTE
Grilled bacon-wrapped Gulf shrimp, red jalapeños, Jack cheese, roasted red pepper butter.
- GRILLED MAHI-MAHI
8 oz. grilled fillet, pico de gallo, roasted red pepper butter.
- SHRIMP & POBLANO ENCHILADAS
(2) Enchiladas, grilled shrimp, Jack cheese, grilled poblano peppers, roasted red pepper cream sauce, corn, tomatoes, green onions.
Tacos:
- AL CARBON
(2) Chicken fajita, flour or corn tortillas, guacamole, pico de gallo, queso, sour cream. Beef Fajita can be added as an add on
- CARNITA
(2) Crispy pork, corn tortillas, lettuce, cilantro, onions, spicy serrano salsa.
- BARBACOA
(2) Braised beef brisket, corn tortillas, cilantro, onions, queso fresco.
- CRISPY BEEF
(3) Carne molida, lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes.
- PUFFY TACOS
(2) Carne molida, lettuce, guacamole, cheddar, tomatoes.
- SPICY CRISPY CHICKEN TACOS
(2) Crispy chicken, Lupe’s fire roasted red jalapeño hot sauce, spicy serrano salsa, lettuce, pico de gallo, pickled red jalapeños, puffy taco shells.
Enchiladas:
- CLASSIC TEXAS’-MEX
(3) carne molida, ancho sauce, queso, cheddar cheese, grilled onions.
- SOFT CHICKEN TACOS (ENCHILADAS)
(2) Roasted chicken, flour tortillas, ranchera sauce, Jack cheese.
- FLAT ENCHILADAS
Carne molida, corn tortillas, serrano pepper, ancho sauce, melted cheese, tomatoes, onions.
- SPINACH & ARTICHOKE ENCHILADAS
Fresh spinach, artichoke, corn tortillas, Jack cheese, roasted red pepper cream sauce, green tomatillo sauce, spicy red sauce.
- GREEN ENCHILADAS
(3) Roasted chicken, corn tortillas, Jack cheese, green tomatillo sauce, pico de gallo, sour cream.
- SPICY RED ENCHILADAS
(3) Roasted chicken, corn tortillas, Jack cheese, spicy red sauce, pico de gallo, sour cream.
- SHRIMP & POBLANO ENCHILADAS
(2) Enchiladas, grilled shrimp, Jack cheese, grilled poblano peppers, roasted red pepper cream sauce, corn, tomatoes, green onions
Flautas:
(4) Roasted chicken, corn tortillas, Jack cheese, guacamole, sour cream, chile con queso
Platos mixos (With rice and frijoles. Fried egg and guacamole available as add on items):
- THE LUPE
Cheese enchilada, tamale, ancho sauce, carne molida chalupa.
- THE NICO
Cheese enchilada, tamale, ancho sauce, carne molida taco.
- THE PABLO “PATRON”
Braised beef enchilada, cheese enchilada, tamale, ancho sauce, crispy carne molida taco, guacamole salad.
- THE PEDRO
Braised beef enchilada, cheese enchilada, ancho sauce.
- THE JUAN
Crispy carne molida taco, braised beef or cheese enchilada, ancho sauce, guacamole salad.
- THE IGLESIAS
- THE GERALDO
- THE CHONG
[2] Green chicken enchiladas, crispy chicken taco.
- THE LOPEZ
Braised beef enchilada, ancho sauce, crispy carne molida taco.
- THE SR. GAFFIGAN
Braised beef enchilada, cheese enchilada, ancho sauce, puffy carne molida taco.
- THE CHEECH
Braised beef enchilada, ancho sauce, carne molida chalupa.
- THE GARCIA
Carne molida chalupa, crispy carne molida taco, puffy carne molida taco.
Deserts:
- FLAN
Caramel sauce, whipped cream, seasonal berries.
The Brunch Menu:
The following items are only available on weekends between 9am and 2 pm
- E.B.L.T TACOS
(2) Fried egg, bacon, lettuce, tomato, carne molida, homemade corn tortilla, queso.
- BARBACOA TACOS
(2) Braised beef, fried egg, cilantro, white onion, corn tortilla.
- CARNE ASADA & EGGS
¼ pound Fajita steak, 2 eggs, pico de gallo. Served with refried beans & potatoes.
- FAJITA OMELET
Fajita beef, roasted poblano, grilled onion, Jack cheese, spicy red sauce.
- CHILE RELLENO OMELET
Roasted poblano, Jack cheese, ranchera sauce.
- BARBACOA BENEDICT
Pupusa, barbacoa, poached egg, chile-lime hollandaise, poblano, cilantro.
- SMOKED SALMON BENEDICT
Pupusa, warm smoked salmon, poached egg, chile-lime hollandaise, poblano, cilantro.
Tips for a Gluten free meal at Lupe Tortilla
While most items at Lupe Tortilla are gluten free, you still need to be extra cautious while ordering. Follow our carefully curated tips for a wonderful experience at Lupe Tortilla
- TALK TO YOUR SERVER:
Your server is your guide to a gluten free meal. Always clearly communicate your dietary restrictions to your server and ask for their help.
Servers are extremely knowledgeable and can help you pick out a dish which meets your dietary restrictions. Moreover, they can suggest changes in dishes to suit your dietary requirements and also make sure the chef knows your allergies.
- WATCH OUT FOR THE EAR OF WHEAT:
The menu at Lupe Tortilla has a tiny ear of wheat symbol drawn next to items which contain gluten. Watch out for those items and avoid ordering them.
- CALL BEFOREHAND:
As a rule of thumb, it is always better to call ahead and discuss your dietary restrictions and food allergies. Availability of menu items carries from location to location. Calling ahead will help you and the staff prepare better for your meal and avoid any kind of hassles.
- AVOID RUSH HOURS:
Waiting staff and kitchen staff are usually accommodating your gluten free needs. However, things can get over looked during rush hours. For your own safety, try and schedule your visits during early hours to avoid problems.
Cross-Contact Risk:
While gluten inside your food is dangerous, a small crumb of gluten on your food can prove to be quite dangerous as well. Any contact with foods containing gluten can trigger an allergic response. This means if gluten free food is cooked using the same utensils or fried in the same oil, it can become contaminated with gluten.
At Lupe Tortilla, all food is made in shared kitchens. Hence, it is advised that you tell your server about your food allergies so that the kitchen staff can do their best to accommodate you.
This is also the reason why if you have a severe gluten allergy, you should be extra cautious.
Reviews For The Gluten Free Menu At Lupe Tortilla
Reviews from people who are gluten sensitive are the best way to gauge if a restaurant actually meets gluten free requirements or not.
Most people have rated the taste and quality of gluten free food as excellent. Almost all people have termed the menu to be very helpful in picking out gluten free items.
Majority of the reviewers praise the waiting and kitchen staff about their knowledge about gluten free items. The managers, waiting staff and chef are cooperative and willing to help.
However, some reviewers have pointed out that there is still a risk for cross contamination.