Address: 10500 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
Phone: (505) 898-1771
Website: http://www.elpinto.com/
August 2011: This review was written by GF Lady, the previous owner of GlutenFree Albuquerque.com and is used here with her permission.
I had heard from several users of this site that El Pinto had a gluten-free menu. However, I predetermined that the restaurant served too many customers to do an effective job of preventing cross contamination. Then I started receiving regular e-mails from users telling me that El Pinto should among the restaurants on this site. Obviously, I needed to listen to their advice.
I arranged to meet a group of friends at El Pinto on a warm summer evening. I called the restaurant just prior to my visit and was unable to speak with anyone who could answer my questions about cross contamination but I did find the gluten-free menu online. I was immediately surprised by how many items were on it.
Carne Adovada Plate
When we were seated on the patio, I asked the hostess for a gluten-free menu. A couple minutes later a different person from the restaurant staff delivered the menu and asked me if I had any questions. She explained in detail their procedures for preventing cross contamination and then added that they even have a gluten-free fryer that is used for some of the entrees.
I ordered the Carne Adovada Plate, and it was wonderful. The plate included the carne adovada , rice and beans. It also comes with corn tortillas, but I was way too full to eat them.
Over the last several years I had really missed going to El Pinto. Now, I can enjoy their great food on their incredible patio once again. I’m happy to recommend El Pinto to everyone eating gluten free!