Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar

The Short Answer

Yes — Loro can work well for gluten-free diners, with one important limitation. Gluten-free items are marked directly on the menu, and the staff keeps a detailed celiac allergen list you can ask for at the counter or bar. The smoked meats and rice-based dishes are the strongest options. The catch: there is no dedicated fryer, so anything fried should be avoided entirely if you have celiac disease.

About Loro

Loro is what happens when two James Beard Award winners decide to collaborate. Chef Tyson Cole of Uchi and pitmaster Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue built an Asian smokehouse that runs Texas barbecue technique through a Southeast Asian lens — smoked brisket, but with fish sauce, herbs, chili, and rice.

The format is counter-service and casual: you order at the register, grab a number, and food comes out to a picnic table. That informality is genuinely useful for gluten-free diners, because the ordering counter is where the allergen conversation happens, and there's no pressure of a server hovering while you work through questions.

For celiac and gluten-sensitive diners, Loro sits in a useful middle ground. It is not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, and it does not pretend to be — but the menu labeling and the allergen documentation are more thorough than most Austin restaurants at this price point.

Gluten-Free Dining at Loro

Here's how Loro handles gluten-free orders, and what to do when you get there:

• GF Items Marked on the Menu: Gluten-free options are labeled directly on the menu, so you can identify candidates before you reach the register
• Celiac Allergen List Available: Ask at the counter or bar for the allergen list — it shows which items are safe as-is and which need modifications
• Say "Celiac" When You Order: Stating it explicitly gets a note attached to your ticket so the kitchen is aware
• Ask the Bartender: Several diners report the gluten-free menu is most reliably obtained from the bar
• Rice-Based Dishes Work Well: Rice bowls sidestep the wheat-noodle problem entirely

Cross-Contamination Note: Loro is not a dedicated gluten-free facility. The most important specific risk is the fryer — there is no separate gluten-free fryer, which means every fried item shares oil with breaded, gluten-containing food. If you have celiac disease, skip fried items entirely rather than asking whether a particular one is "probably fine." Soy sauce is also common in Asian cooking and frequently contains wheat, so confirm sauces rather than assuming.

What to Order (and What to Skip)

Based on how the menu is built, these categories tend to be the most workable:

• Smoked meats: Brisket and other smoked proteins are the house specialty and are typically the safest structural choice — smoke, salt, and pepper don't involve wheat
• Rice bowls: Rice as the base rather than wheat noodles removes the single biggest risk on an Asian menu
• Steak: Frequently reported as a gluten-free-friendly option
• Ask about noodles individually: Some noodle dishes are reported as gluten-free, but noodle composition varies — verify against the allergen list rather than assuming

Skip entirely if you have celiac: Anything fried. With no dedicated fryer, shared oil makes fried items an unnecessary risk regardless of whether the item itself contains wheat.

Menus change seasonally. Always confirm against the current allergen list at the restaurant — this page is a starting point, not a substitute for asking.

Two Austin Locations

The South Lamar location is the original and has the larger patio. The Domain location is more convenient if you're already in North Austin and pairs well with a shopping trip.

Hours

Both Austin locations keep the same schedule:

• Monday–Thursday: 11:00am–10:00pm
• Friday–Saturday: 11:00am–11:00pm
• Sunday: 11:00am–10:00pm

Hours can shift on holidays — check loroeats.com before heading out.

Is Loro Good for Celiac Disease?

It depends on your sensitivity level and how carefully you order.

Points in its favor: menu labeling, a written allergen list available on request, staff accustomed to the question, and a menu whose signature items (smoked meat, rice) are naturally gluten-free rather than modified versions of wheat dishes.

Points against: shared kitchen, no dedicated fryer, and an Asian-influenced menu where wheat-containing soy sauce appears in many preparations.

For gluten sensitivity without celiac, Loro is a comfortable choice. For diagnosed celiac disease, it is workable if you use the allergen list, state your celiac status clearly, and avoid fried food — but if you are highly sensitive or reacting to trace exposure, a dedicated gluten-free kitchen is a lower-risk option. Austin has several, including ATX Cocina, which is 100% gluten-free.