Red 36

American restaurant
Accommodating gluten-free
Seafood
American
GF Options
Dinner
More
Set on the marina with outdoor picnic tables and a back porch overlooking an operable train bridge, this spot offers a laid-back vibe blending indoor and dockside atmospheres. The glamorous waterfront setting enhances the experience, especially for those seeking a gluten-free friendly environment with attentive service.
Accommodating Icon

Accommodating

Some risk of cross-contamination

Trained staff
Based on crowdsourced information
Always inquire directly about health and safety.

Good to know

1

They have a sign indicating major food allergies and safe handling practices.

2

No reservations accepted; expect a 25-minute wait during busy times.

3

Parking can be challenging; watch for ruts in the lot.

2 Washington St, Mystic, CT 06355, USA
2.4km

People are saying

E
Gluten-free eaters, beware. I have Celiac Disease. I can’t have gluten, full stop. When I walked into Red 36, I saw a sign on the wall identifying not only the 9 major food allergies, but also the safe handling practices a kitchen should follow for each one. Great! This is a sign that tells people with intolerances that we will be taken care of here. Once seated, I told the waitress about my intolerance, and she immediately brought me a gluten-free menu. Another good sign. I ordered the gluten-free tuna burger, which (according to the gluten-free menu) is supposed to omit the bun, fries, and anything else containing gluten. When my plate came out with fries, I knew something was off. I asked the waitress, and she apologized, confirmed that the fries were not gluten-free and offered to bring me a side salad instead. Separately, I started eating the tuna, but was surprised to find (buried beneath the fish and a pile of coleslaw) crispy egg noodles. I stopped eating and again asked the waitress if my order was gluten free. She returned to the kitchen and informed me that, (1) the crispy noodles were not gluten free, (2) despite having apparently put “gluten free” on my order, the whole meal was not gluten free, (3) the same thing happened at the table next to ours, despite having notified the kitchen accordingly. So, having unknowingly eaten gluten, I now have to wait out a week or more of painful symptoms of my Celiac Disease. I expect a lot more from restaurants that purport to exercise care for people with food allergies. It’s one thing if a kitchen is not equipped to cook according to dietary restrictions—I can manage my expectations. It is quite another when a restaurant is equipped to safely serve people with intolerances, communicates this to the patrons, and then fails to do so twice in a matter of an hour. There’s a lot of trust I have to put into restaurants, and I regret doing so in this instance. I’m beyond grateful that my intolerance doesn’t send me into anaphylaxis. I hope that, wherever the breakdown happened between ordering and serving, it gets resolved before other folks with food intolerances get sick. TL;DR gluten free diners, proceed with caution.
M
The atmosphere of this restaurant is great, but for what happened to me while I was here, the entire restaurant gets a 1 star. I have celiac, which I disclosed at the beginning before ordering. My family came here because it was recommended to us that the restaurant was safe and we confirmed on Find Me Gluten Free. Our waitress provided us a gluten free menu. We ordered from it. Our food came and i ate a lettuce wrap with the sauce offered. The waitress returned, apologetic, and stated that the manager had told her it wasn’t gluten free. As someone with a major intolerance, going out is a big deal. Feeling safe is a big deal. The manager did not bother to come and apologize to us but allowed the waitress to deliver the difficult news and continue apologizing. Don’t come here if you have allergies. This restaurant does not understand how serious allergies can be. You won’t be taken care of.
A
Lovely and delicious! If you eat on the patio/ lounge while it’s still cold out just keep that mind so you dress warm. I was able to eat my fill totally gluten free but if I could make a request, please add a dessert option for us celiacs! Kids loved the fish and chips. My tacos and husband’s lobster great too. The oysters were delicious and I recommend getting a bunch of the Mystic ones

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