Welcome to taco heaven! Austin is one of the best cities in America for Mexican food, and the good news? Much of it is naturally gluten-free thanks to traditional corn tortillas. Whether you're craving street tacos, breakfast tacos, enchiladas, or Tex-Mex classics, Austin has you covered.
This guide features 15+ restaurants serving exceptional gluten-free Mexican food, from dedicated corn-tortilla taquerías to upscale Mexican restaurants with celiac-safe protocols. We'll cover tacos, Tex-Mex, BBQ fusion, and everything in between.
Quick Facts: GF Mexican Food in Austin
- Naturally GF: Corn tortillas, tamales, most salsas, ceviche, fajitas (skip the flour tortillas)
- Watch out for: Flour tortillas, chimichangas, shared fryers, wheat-thickened sauces
- Best for celiacs: Restaurants using corn tortillas exclusively or with dedicated GF protocols
- Top picks: Valentina's, Suerte, Veracruz All Natural, Tacodeli
🌟 Best Gluten-Free Tacos in Austin
Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ
Legendary Austin institution combining Texas BBQ and Mexican flavors, all served on handmade corn tortillas. This South Austin gem is famous for their GF-friendly approach — nearly everything can be made gluten-free.
Must-Try GF Items:
- Real Deal Holyfield — Brisket breakfast taco with refried beans, avocado, pickled jalapeños (on corn tortillas)
- Brisket Taco — Smoked brisket, avocado, jalapeño-cilantro sauce
- Pulled pork, beef fajita, and al pastor tacos (all on corn tortillas)
- Elote (Mexican street corn)
Why it's celiac-safe: Corn tortillas only (no flour tortillas in the kitchen). Staff is well-trained on GF needs. Separate prep areas for proteins.
Veracruz All Natural
Fresh, healthy Mexican food with handmade corn tortillas made daily. Veracruz is a local favorite for breakfast tacos and fresh aguas frescas. Their commitment to quality and freshness makes this a safe choice for celiacs.
Must-Try GF Items:
- Migas Taco — Scrambled eggs, tortilla chips, cheese, pico de gallo
- Rajas Taco — Roasted poblano peppers, caramelized onions, potato, cheese
- Chicken Tinga Taco — Chipotle-braised chicken
- Fresh guacamole and salsas (all made in-house)
Why it's celiac-safe: Uses corn tortillas exclusively. Fresh ingredients prepared daily with minimal cross-contamination risk.
Tacodeli
Popular Austin taco chain with extensive GF options. Nearly all tacos can be ordered on corn tortillas, and they clearly label GF items on their menu. Staff is generally knowledgeable about gluten-free needs.
Must-Try GF Items:
- Otto — Refried black beans, bacon, avocado, queso fresco (on corn tortillas)
- Freakin' Vegan — Organic tofu, roasted potatoes, refried black beans
- Dona — Grilled chicken, poblano peppers, bacon
- Fresh salsas (most are GF)
Note: While most items are GF-friendly on corn tortillas, they do have flour tortillas in the kitchen. Communicate your celiac needs to staff.
Torchy's Tacos
Austin-born taco empire with creative flavors and corn tortilla options for almost every taco. They offer a "Diablo" corn tortilla (fried) or traditional soft corn tortillas.
Must-Try GF Items:
- Trailer Park Taco — Fried chicken, green chilies, cheese, pico (request corn tortillas, skip the fried chicken for safer option)
- Democrat Taco — Shredded beef barbacoa, avocado, queso fresco
- Republican Taco — Grilled jalapeño sausage, shredded cheese, pico
- Queso (check ingredients, most varieties are GF)
⚠️ Important: Shared fryers and kitchen space. Request corn tortillas and communicate celiac needs. Some locations are better than others with cross-contamination protocols.
🍽️ Upscale Mexican & Tex-Mex
Suerte
Upscale Mexican restaurant in East Austin with housemade corn tortillas and an outstanding cocktail program. Chef Fermín Núñez creates modern Mexican cuisine with GF-friendly options throughout the menu.
Must-Try GF Items:
- Tacos al Pastor — Achiote-marinated pork, pineapple, cilantro
- Carne Asada — Grilled ribeye with salsa verde
- Ceviche — Fresh fish with citrus (naturally GF)
- Elote — Roasted corn with mayo, cotija, chile
Why it's great for celiacs: Staff is highly trained on dietary restrictions. Corn tortillas made in-house daily. Knowledgeable servers can guide GF options.
ATX Cocina
Modern Mexican restaurant with an extensive GF menu. They offer dedicated GF corn tortillas and many naturally gluten-free dishes. Known for their fresh margs and lively atmosphere.
Must-Try GF Items:
- Street Tacos — Choice of protein on corn tortillas
- Carne Asada — Grilled steak with rice and beans
- Fajitas — Sizzling plates (skip flour tortillas, request corn)
- Queso fundido — Melted cheese with chorizo
January 2026 Update: Featured on our site as a Tex-Mex favorite with strong GF accommodations. Staff reports excellent awareness of celiac protocols.
Chuy's
Popular Tex-Mex chain with a dedicated GF menu. They offer corn tortillas for tacos and fajitas, and many naturally GF dishes like rice, beans, and grilled proteins.
Must-Try GF Items:
- Fajitas — Chicken or steak with corn tortillas
- Boom Boom Enchiladas — Can be made with corn tortillas
- Tex-Mex Combo — Build your own with GF options
- Creamy jalapeño dip (GF, served with chips)
Note: Request the GF menu and communicate your needs. Shared kitchen environment requires extra caution.
🌯 Fast-Casual Mexican Chains
Chipotle Mexican Grill
National chain with transparent GF options. Nearly everything except flour tortillas and crispy taco shells is gluten-free, including all proteins, rice, beans, and toppings.
GF Options:
- Burrito Bowl — Skip the tortilla, load up on rice, beans, proteins, and toppings
- Tacos with corn tortillas (crispy shells contain gluten)
- All proteins (chicken, steak, carnitas, barbacoa, sofritas)
- All salsas, guacamole, cheese, sour cream
⚠️ Cross-contamination warning: Chipotle uses a shared serving line. Request that staff change gloves and use clean utensils. The safest option is a bowl rather than tacos.
Freebirds World Burrito
Texas-based burrito chain offering GF bowls and corn tortillas. Build your own with extensive protein and topping options.
GF Options:
- Monster or Super Monster Bowl — No tortilla, all the toppings
- Tacos with corn tortillas
- All proteins, beans, rice, salsas (verify current ingredients)
Note: Shared prep line. Request fresh gloves and clean utensils. Bowls are safer than tacos for celiacs.
🥞 Breakfast Taco Spots
Juan in a Million
Austin institution famous for the "Don Juan" breakfast taco. While known for their massive flour tortilla taco, they do offer corn tortillas for any of their breakfast tacos.
Must-Try GF Items (on corn tortillas):
- Egg & Bean taco
- Migas taco
- Chorizo & Egg taco
- Potato & Egg taco
Note: Flour tortillas are the default — make sure to specifically request corn tortillas.
Papalote Taco House
24-hour breakfast taco spot with corn tortilla options for all tacos. Perfect for late-night cravings or early morning fuel.
GF Options (on corn tortillas):
- Egg & cheese tacos (all varieties)
- Bean & cheese
- Bacon, sausage, or chorizo breakfast tacos
Note: Flour tortillas are standard — always request corn tortillas specifically.
🌮 Food Trucks & Casual Spots
Cuantos Tacos
Authentic street-style tacos with fresh corn tortillas. Simple, delicious, and naturally gluten-free. Check their Instagram for current location.
Must-Try:
- Al pastor tacos
- Carne asada
- Rajas con queso (roasted poblanos with cheese)
Tyson's Tacos
Farm-to-table Mexican food with housemade corn tortillas and locally sourced ingredients. Extensive vegetarian and vegan options, many naturally GF.
Must-Try GF Items:
- Roasted cauliflower tacos
- Grilled fish tacos
- Chicken tinga
📋 What's Naturally Gluten-Free in Mexican Food?
✓ Safe Bets (Usually GF):
- Corn tortillas — The foundation of authentic Mexican food (always verify no wheat flour added)
- Tacos — When made with corn tortillas
- Tamales — Made with masa (corn flour)
- Fajitas — The meat and veggies are GF; skip flour tortillas, use corn
- Carne asada, al pastor, carnitas — Grilled or slow-cooked meats (verify marinades)
- Rice and beans — Almost always GF
- Guacamole, pico de gallo, salsa — Fresh toppings are naturally GF
- Queso — Melted cheese dips (verify no flour thickeners)
- Ceviche — Raw fish marinated in citrus
- Elote (Mexican street corn) — Naturally GF
⚠️ Watch Out For (Often Contains Gluten):
- Flour tortillas — Obviously contain wheat
- Chimichangas — Fried burritos with flour tortillas
- Crispy taco shells — Some brands use wheat flour
- Mole sauce — May contain wheat as a thickener (ask!)
- Enchilada sauce — Sometimes thickened with flour
- Fried items — Shared fryers = cross-contamination risk
- Chorizo — Some varieties contain wheat fillers (verify with restaurant)
- Soy sauce in marinades — Asian-fusion Mexican spots may use soy sauce
- Beer-battered items — Contains wheat
- Tortilla soup — Often topped with fried tortilla strips (request without)
💡 Tips for Ordering GF Mexican Food
How to Order Safely:
- Always ask: "Are your corn tortillas 100% corn?" — Some brands add wheat flour for flexibility
- Request fresh gloves and clean utensils — Critical if flour tortillas are in the kitchen
- Avoid fried items if they share fryers — Chips, flautas, and crispy shells may be cross-contaminated
- Ask about thickeners in sauces — Mole, enchilada sauce, and queso may contain flour
- Verify chorizo ingredients — Some brands use wheat fillers
- Choose grilled over fried — Grilled proteins are safer
- Be specific: "I have celiac disease" — This gets better attention than just "gluten-free preference"
- Check seasoning blends — Some pre-mixed seasonings contain wheat
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Are corn tortillas always gluten-free?
Usually, but not always. Authentic corn tortillas made with masa (corn flour) are naturally gluten-free. However, some mass-produced or commercial brands add wheat flour to make them more pliable. Always verify with the restaurant that their corn tortillas are 100% corn.
Can I eat chips and salsa if I have celiac disease?
It depends on the restaurant. Corn tortilla chips are naturally GF, and most salsas are too. However, if the restaurant fries flour tortilla chips in the same oil, there's cross-contamination risk. Ask if they use dedicated fryers for corn chips, or skip fried items entirely to be safe.
What Mexican dishes should I avoid with celiac disease?
Avoid: flour tortillas, chimichangas, some enchilada sauces (flour-thickened), crispy taco shells (may contain wheat), mole sauce (often uses wheat as a thickener), fried items from shared fryers, and chorizo (unless verified wheat-free). When in doubt, ask!
Is Tex-Mex or authentic Mexican food better for gluten-free?
Authentic Mexican is generally safer because it relies more heavily on corn tortillas and traditional preparation methods. Tex-Mex tends to use more flour tortillas, wheat-thickened sauces, and fried items. However, many Tex-Mex restaurants now offer excellent GF options — just communicate your needs clearly.
What's the safest way to order Mexican food with celiac disease?
The safest approach: Choose restaurants that use corn tortillas exclusively (like Valentina's or Veracruz), order grilled proteins with corn tortillas, skip fried items, verify sauces don't contain wheat thickeners, and always inform staff you have celiac disease so they take extra precautions with prep.
🗺️ Explore More GF Dining in Austin
Looking for more gluten-free options in Austin? Check out these other guides:
- Best Gluten-Free Pizza in Austin
- Best Gluten-Free Breakfast in Austin
- Gluten-Free Date Night Guide
- Complete Austin GF Dining Guide
- Browse All 40+ Restaurants
🌟 Your Experience Matters!
Have you found an amazing GF Mexican spot in Austin we missed? Or had a great (or not-so-great) experience at one of these restaurants? We'd love to hear from you! Your feedback helps keep this guide accurate and useful for the gluten-free community.
Last Updated: February 6, 2026
This guide is regularly updated with new restaurants and menu changes. Bookmark this page for the latest GF Mexican food recommendations in Austin!