Where is Condado Tacos?

Condado Tacos started in Ohio in 2014, and has expanded to Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Michigan alone offers 7 locations, including Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Troy, Royal Oak, Detroit and Ann Arbor. I’ve visited the Polaris location in Columbus, as well as the Royal Oak location. Recently, I was invited to the grand opening of the Breton Village restaurant in Grand Rapids, which is their 40th location. 

What Gluten Free Options does Condado Tacos Offer?

Prior to attending the event, I reached out to Condado Tacos staff with a few questions. They were great at answering all of my questions in advance. In addition, they were generous with their time in answering additional questions while at the restaurant. Here at the answers to my most pressing questions. 

• What gluten free options does Condado Tacos offer?

Everything on the menu is gluten free except for the following items;  Flour tortilla shells, Gochujang BBQ Sauce, and Korean BBQ Jackfruit. These items are never cooked in our fryers. 

How Does Condado Tacos Prepare Gluten Free Orders? 

• What steps does Condado Tacos take to prevent wheat cross contact with gluten free orders? 

We do not have a separate dedicated gluten free prep space. However, if an item is marked specifically as “gluten free,” our team considers it an “allergy” and uses a set of protocols to keep our guests safe. This includes washing hands and putting on fresh gloves. In additioan, staff use an entirely separate cutting board and only pulls fresh product to avoid any cross contact. We also package those items separately into their own basket/tray or To Go bag.

• Does Condado Tacos have a Dedicated Gluten Free Fryer? What Oil Do You Use?

We only fry the following items : Tofu (crusted with gf cornmeal), corn taco shells, corn tortilla chips, brussels sprouts (gf) and tater tots (gf). We use a highly refined soybean oil for our fryer. However, we also fry tofu in our fryer.  

(From FARE-“Highly refined soy oil is not required to be labeled as an allergen. Studies show that most people with soy allergy can safely eat highly refined soy oil as well as soy lecithin. If you are allergic to soy, ask your doctor whether you need to avoid soy oil or soy lecithin.”) 

What Food Allergen Training Does Your Staff Receive?

• What Training does Condado Staff Receive about Preparing Gluten Free Orders?

All staff goes through allergen training during the initial onboarding process. We consider a gluten allergy as serious as any of the other main allergies like tree nuts, shellfish, and other commonplace allergies. Every Condado Tacos location has a common allergen guide guests can reference, and it is updated with any menu change we undergo.

• What Other Dietary Restrictions Do You Accommodate? 

We use no peanuts or tree nuts on our menu. (We do use pumpkin seeds, which may have cross contact issues with nuts, in processing.) In addition, we currently have no shellfish on our menu. (Our chipotle honey contains fish ingredients.) Our menu is easily modifable for dairy free, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free eaters. Our menu has a key that denotes these options. We do not have dairy free cheese options, at this time.  

What Did You Order?

I was invited to a private event for the new Breton Village location. (In full disclosure, I was not charged for any of my beverages or my meal.) Condado Tacos is widely known for their margaritas, which they had available. However, I rarely drink alcohol, and appreciated they they had mocktails available. (Stay tuned for Condado’s new mocktails menu that will be released in April.) I thoroughly enjoyed their Cactus Juice, which is made from prickly pear juice, pineapple, lemon and ginger beer. 

This is my third time dining gluten free at Condado Tacos, and I love their queso. On this occassion, all guests were given an order of chips, queso and guacamole. This is their Three Buds menu option, which allows you to pick any three dips, and is served with chips. One of the new items on their menu is their Brussel Simmons queso, which may be the best queso I’ve ever eaten in my life. It’s topped with crispy shaved Brussel sprouts, bacon, and a balsalmic glaze. 

What Tacos are Gluten Free? What Proteins Are Offered?

Condado Tacos offers lots of gluten free options. You can order some of their Suggested Tacos, or build your own. I appreciate that their menu denotes which items are spicy, as my stomach doesn’t handle spice so well. When it comes to ordering, my server stated that one taco is a snack, two to three tacos are a meal. Since I wanted to try other items, I only ordered one taco.  

Their “Suggested Tacos” menu offers any protein choices, as well as vegetarian options. Choose from chicken, ground beef, brisket, pork, steak, or plant based tacos. They even offer veggie chorizo! I ordered their Plane Jane Taco, as I wanted to try their Kewl Ranch shell. If a taco you want is listed as being made with a flour tortilla, you can ask to sub a corn tortilla instead. 

What About Vegetarian Options? 

With the option to build your own tacos, nachos and bowls, there are many vegetarian options. I chose to order a Rice and Black Beans bowl. I chose their Roasted Portabellas as my protein, which were AMAZING. My waitress was great in walking me thru how to add to my bowl, and was great with suggestions. Their creamy Avocado Ranch was the perfect topping for my bowl. 

Truth be told, I was so full from the Three Buds dip sampler, I took the bowl home and ate it for lunch the next day. It still tasted amazing, rewarmed the next day. I dare say this is better than any bowl I’ve ever ordered from Chipotle. Condado Tacos also offers Thai Chili Tofu as a protein, as well as Veggie Chorizo. Unfortunately, their Korean BBQ Jackfruit is NOT gluten free. 

Let’s Talk About This Art Work! 

Each Condado Tacos location features hand painted art work by local artists. As you can see in the top right hand corner of the first photo, it says “Feb NO 40.” This marks the month this restaurant opened, and that it is the 40th Condado Tacos location. Sometimes artists include their instagram handle so you can follow them on social media. I didn’t get a chance to look for it, but I’ll defintely try the next time I go! 

“Condado Tacos celebrates the communities they join by hiring local artists to paint the walls and ceilings of each restaurant with unique, street-art inspired hand painted murals. For the Breton Village location, Condado Tacos is serving up scenes featuring “The Startling Tales of Condado #40,” where pages from our very own Grand Rapids Condado comic book series are strewn about the room.

In each artist’s mural, you’ll find pages from each of the artists’ different stories. Grand Rapids area references include Punk Island, the Griffins hockey team, the Grand Rapids cityscape, the geology of the Great Lakes, the Fishladder, Grab Corners (now Campau Square), Finny – a fin whale skeleton from the Grand Rapids Public Museum, and other hidden images local Michaganders will recognize and enjoy.”

Excellent Customer Service

While the food was amazing, the customer service was just as wonderful. Staff were great at answering questions. I even told a server how impressed I was that I overheard him asking his guests if they had any allergies, prior to serving them. My server has been with Condado Tacos for 2 1/2 years. She said she personally appreciates Condado’s attention to allergens, as she and her friend both have dietary restriction. 

I was able to chat at length with Tina, one of the managers, and she was great at answering any additional questions I asked. She was very friendly, and easily approachable, as were all the other management staff. The CEO of Condado Tacos stated the goal of their restaurant is to encourage guests to “come as you are.” I left that evening feeling welcomed, and encouraged that this is the kind of place that will take my gluten free dining needs seriously. 

After eating here, I’ll be adding Condado Tacos to my Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Detroit restaurant dining guides. And don’t forget Columbus! 

Condado Tacos
Multiple Locations – Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, N. Carolina
Michigan- Grand Rapids (Breton Village and Bridge Street), Kalamazoo, Troy, Royal Oak, Detroit and Ann Arbor, 
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Tik Tok

*Disclaimer- I was invited to a private event, and was not charged for my meal. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. This is my third time eating at Condado Tacos, and look forward to dining with them again. 

Condado Tacos is one of many Michigan eateries I’ve visited. You can find a list of them on my  Michigan gluten free dining post. Please remember to always ask any restaurant about their food preparation practices, before dining.

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Facebook Community Scores Again

Back in October, I shared my list of Michigan Gluten Free Dining Options on Facebook. As always, our community quickly highlighted other places I should try. Since more than one person mentioned Hidalgo Mexican Restaurant, I decided I definitely needed to stop in! Thanks to Amanda and GlutenFreeFoodieMI for the suggestion!

This restaurant intrigued me because someone mentioned Hidalgo Mexican Restaurant uses a dedicated gluten free fryer. I made sure to call prior to driving over, and the person on the phone assured me they did. They also verified the know to change gloves, etc when preparing gluten free meals. From the moment I walked in the door, staff guided me through what was and was not gluten free.

Attention to Detail

Besides my need to eat gluten free, my husband must also avoid pork. When asked about his needs, staff quickly answered that they use no lard in the restaurant. HUGE plus for us, as my husband rarely gets to eat authentic Mexican food. Plus, they distinguish the mild from the spicy salsa by putting a chip in the hot salsa. Since I can’t handle spicy food due to my hiatal hernia, I especially appreciated that.

So Many Gluten Free Options, What to Order?

In reality, very few things on the Hildago Mexican Restaurant menu were off limits to gluten free diners. The issue became “what to order”? So many choices! My husband ordered the Combo Plate. It consisted of 1 taco, 1 enchilada, 1 burrito and 1 tostada. Plus it came with a side of rice and beans. He loved it all and even shared a few bites with me.

I ordered the Chicken Flautas entree. It consisted of 3 fried corn chicken taquitos topped with lettuce, tomato, guacamole and sour cream. Like my husband’s meal, mine also came with rice and beans. I was so excited to be able to order something deep fried as my meal. That never happens!

If I can describe the food at Hidalgo Mexican Restaurant in one word, it would be “fresh.” Not just that the food is freshly prepared, but that’s it’s not covered up with spices. It doesn’t feel “heavy,” if that makes sense. Just good, Mexican food, cooked in the tradition of Hidalgo, Mexico.

Gluten Free Deep Fried Ice Cream

In all honesty, the deep fried ice cream originally drew me to Hidalgo Mexican Restaurant. I haven’t had deep fried ice cream since graduating college in December of 2001. (Remember Chi-Chi’s?) While my Mexican Unfried Ice Cream is delicious, it can’t quite compare to the crispy shell on this dessert. (And yes, I verified that the coating is gluten free and not made from Kellogg’s Corn Flakes.)

Great Food, Amazing Staff

While the food tasted great, I was really impressed by the staff. Kim, the manager, took time to chat with us for quite a while. She explained that customer requests for gluten free meals lead them to set aside a dedicated fryer. Before any new staff wait on tables, they must know gluten free procedures inside and out.

We were blessed to chat with the owner and cook, Tony, as well. Despite not having Celiac Disease issues himself, he’s passionate that all patrons get a safe meal. He even stands up to cooks at other restaurants who think gluten free is a “fad.” It’s so nice to have others sticking up for us!

After talking to staff, it was obvious that Hidalgo Mexican Restaurant is more than just a business. It’s family. While they may not be blood related, they’re dedicated to one another, and their customers. When you visit, keep an eye our for Tony’s plane. The staff put it together, and there’s even a miniature sized Tony flying the plane!

Hidalgo Location, Hours and Contact Information

333 Industrial Park Dr
Belleville, Michigan 48111

Tuesday – Friday 11 am – 9 pm / Saturday 12-9pm / Sunday 12-8 pm

(734) 697-3271
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Email

**I was not compensated in any way for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Follow this link to see my other list of positive Michigan gluten free dining experiences.**

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What is a Honcho? 

While many may think that the word “honcho” is related to cowboys and the southern U.S., it’s actually a Japaneses word that means “squad leader.” This newest restaurant is definitely a place that’s makes you leave your expectations at the door and opens your mind to an interesting world of flavors.

Honcho- Part Restaurant, Part Coffee Shop 

When you first walk in from Main street, you’re greeted by the quaintest of coffee stands. They roast their own coffee and serve pastries daily until 4 pm. (The pastries are not gluten-free.) To your right is a fully stocked bar. The bar chairs look similar to the ones on the lower level at their other location, Fenton Fire Hall. Then as you walk past these two libation stations, you step up into the restaurant section of Honcho.

What’s Gluten Free At Honcho?

Through my reviews of the other Union Joints, I’m blessed to have built a friendship with their executive chef, Aaron Cozadd. I messaged him that we were planning to visit Honcho, and I inquired about what was safe to eat there. He messaged that he would be in later that day and would personally walk me through the menu.

After we caught up with each other, my husband and I had a seat at the counter, where one can watch the cooks at work. I was excited to see San-J tamari at the ready. All too often any Asian food consumed at a restaurant is made with soy sauce that contains wheat. As they say, first impressions are everything, and I was pretty sure that seeing this was an indication that this was going to be a great meal.

The Honcho Menu is 90% Gluten Free

Chef Cozadd explained that the majority of their menu is corn based, and tamari is used in place of soy sauce in their dishes. All of their chips, arepas and tortillas are made from locally ground fresh corn masa. The few non-gf fried items they have are cooked in a separate fryer so there is no cross-contact.

The 5-6 items on the menu that contain gluten are marked with a small icon next to them. For instance, their miso black beans contain gluten, as well as their fried chicken. I was blown away about how much “safe” gluten-free food there was to eat!

The Best Guacamole I’ve Ever Tasted

We started our meal at Honcho which fresh chips and an assortment of dips. From left to right is their house made Union Salsa, their Peruvian green chili dip (which is crazy delicious), grilled pineapple pico de gallo, and their own unique sweet pea guacamole.

This guacamole is unlike anything else I’ve ever tasted, and I am SO in love with it. It’s a blend of avocado, scallions and cilantro, mixed with English sweet peas and topped with spiced pepitas. Totally nontraditional, but it blew my mind. I might be my new addiction.

What are Arepas?

It took my husband and I a long time to decide what to order. It literally all sounded SO good. We finally settled on two arepas, a side of shaved caramelized Brussels sprouts (flavored with garam masala), and their rice bowl.

Arepas can be served either open faced with meat and cheese on top , or served more like a sandwich. Honcho serves their arepas like sliders. I ordered the Korean BBQ arepa. It’s made with the pulled pork that they slow cook at the Union Woodshop, and it’s oh so good.

What’s on Their Rice Bowl?

The rice bowl at Honcho is inspired by Korean Bi Bim Bap, but with a tinge of southwest flavor. Their dish comes with Kimchi and pickled chilis. Instead of the traditional gochujang, it’s mixed with their Peruvian green chili sauce. And of course, topped with a fried egg. The kimchi was a bit too spicy for me, so I let my husband finish it.

Asian Cuisine Fusion Optional

Honcho is definitely a place of taste adventure. Chef Cozadd encouraged me to try their blistered shishito peppers. While the heat was a bit more than I could handle, my husband stated that these may have been his absolute favorite part of our meal.

My husband and I appreciated the Latin American and Asian flavor combinations. I think it’s important to expand your taste repertoire. For those who may not be super excited about the fusion of flavors, Honcho creates weekly specials that leave out the Asian touches.

I truly appreciate the care Chef Cozadd and his team take to craft such a Celiac Disease friendly menu. They understand the seriousness of cross-contact, and take other food allergies just as seriously. We’ll definitely be heading back for arepas and more of that sweet pea guacamole!

Restaurant Locations and Contact Information

Honcho
3 East Church Street
Clarkston MI 48436
(248) 707-3793

Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Website

**While I originally paid completely for our meal, Chef Cozadd was generous enough to later send us a gift card to cover part of our costs. All of my thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Honcho is one of many Michigan restaurants I’ve visited. You can view a list of them on my  Michigan gluten free dining post. Please remember to always ask any restaurant about their food preparation practices.

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