Top 6 Gluten-Free Kid-Friendly Spots to Explore in Rockaway Beach

Ryan Utz

Rolled into town and needed a Gluten Free dinner. Saw they had GF crust, which was awesome for such a tiny beach town, but better yet, they have Gluten Free chicken strips! Not the best to write home about, but nonetheless, multiple GF options makes it for a happy day in our book. Pizza was good, the potato based crust was great and reminds me of Domino’s GF crust. Toppings were good, and right amount of sauce and (Tillamook) cheese. GF chicken strip were cornmeal breaded and very standard, but they were better than the tots. Those were probably the “worst” part of the order, but they were standard frozen tots, nothing to write home about. The caesar salad came with separately bagged croutons, which is a plus for the GF community, and lots of crispy greens. Overall will come back next time!

Amiya Mitchell

Their menu says they have gluten free fry dishes (steak frites, feta frites) and when I called ahead, they said they were very conscious of cross contact and had a dedicated fryer. When we arrived, the waitress (Mary was WONDERFUL) informed us that the fryer is indeed NOT dedicated. Therefore the fry dishes on their menu, marked GF, are not. We ordered the burgers (chicken AND beef) with GF buns and were disappointed in the charcoal bricks we got on both counts. The aioli was okay and maybe the only saving grace. We were also served a gluten bun on one of the burgers ordered gluten free and luckily were paying attention to each plate. Again, the service at OUR table, with Mary, was amazing and she was honestly wonderful. But that's the only thread that kept us there. We will not being going back, and are not optimistic on how we are going to feel as the night progresses.

Lindsay Bradbury

I’m so glad we stopped at Old Oregon Smokehouse! As someone with celiac disease, it’s incredibly hard to find good gluten-free clam chowder — but theirs is absolutely amazing. Rich, flavorful, and totally safe for me to eat. It’s such a rare treat to find a place that takes gluten-free seriously without sacrificing taste. Definitely worth the stop, and I’ll be back anytime I’m on the coast. Thank you for making delicious food accessible to those of us with dietary restrictions!

Scott Fisher

As the III suggests, this is the third location for the El Trio Loco family, with other restaurants in Manzanita and Gearhart. We became fans of the one in Manzanita, but we live in Rockaway, so this one is in walking distance. The staff is friendly and has made a point of opening up to the community; they had a regular table at our Artisan Farmers Market all summer, selling aguas frescas and tamales between the organic farm table and the Rockaway Renaissance Artists. My current favorite is their chile relleno, a big, fresh poblano chile blistered and peeled, then filled with cheese and wrapped in a thin, delicate egg layer more like a crepe than an egg dip. It's available in the usual combinations, but the flavor of roasted chile transports me. If you're very hungry, their chuletas de puerco are superb. The dish includes two generous pork rib chops (think prime rib of pork) in a warm, savory spice blend. It's served on a bed of sauteed onions, tomatoes, and jalapeños, so heat is available if you want it. But be hungry: the first chuleta will satisfy an ordinary appetite (especially if you're on your second bowl of chips and salsa). They also do whole fish (tilapia) al mojo de ajo, with a crispy golden crust over tender delicate white fish. That's another that's suitable for sharing. And because the crust is made from corn meal, it's gluten-free. Drinks include a wide selection of tropical-themed libations, including several unique twists on the margarita. One favorite is the Margarita Oaxaqueña, which uses mezcal (a smokier version of tequila, made by roasting the agave plant instead of steaming it) and Grand Marnier, all with a Tajin rim (salt, chile powder, and dried lime). They also use the Tajin rim on my new favorite, the Jamaica Margarita. In this case, jamaica refers to the dried hibiscus flower used to make a tart, refreshing beverage. When you add tequila, triple sec, and Tajin, it raises it to a whole new level. Perhaps best of all, El Trio Loco is open till 9 PM most (all?) nights—a rarety in Rockaway. (In the past, we've had to explain to visitors looking for dinner at 7 PM that they're out of luck: most places here are closed by then.)

S McInnis

We found this to be a warm and friendly restaurant. Heather was our server. She was very attentive and helpful during our visit. The clam chowder was not only the best I’ve ever eaten, it was also gluten-free!! The Captains Plate was incredibly tasty as well. We left there full and happy.