Eating gluten-free in Bossier City is getting easier! Whether you’re managing celiac disease, a gluten intolerance, or simply making mindful dietary choices, gluten-free options are becoming more accessible across the city. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, and eliminating it can help ease digestive issues and boost overall wellness for many people. Two standout local spots leading the way are Don Juanz Baja Beach Tacos, known for their fresh, flavorful gluten-free menu items, and Buttercups Cupcakes. This sweet shop offers delicious, gluten-free treats without compromising on taste. These local gems are helping make Bossier a more inclusive and delicious place to dine.

Don Juanz Baja Beach Tacos

For nearly two decades, Don Juanz Baja Beach Tacos has been a staple in Bossier City, offering vibrant and fresh flavors to the local food scene. Founded by Don O’Byrne, who serves as President, the restaurant has evolved over 19 years from an authentic Mexican eatery into a Cali-Mex restaurant and bar that specializes in wholesome, organic, and regionally sourced ingredients, including wild-caught seafood that is prepared fresh daily.

Don Juanz is now recognized as a leader in Northwest Louisiana for offering certified healthy Cali-Mex cuisine. Interestingly, the restaurant didn’t set out to become a gluten-free destination.

“We never knew we were ‘certifiably’ gluten-free until Ochsner Eat Fit discovered us,” O’Byrne said. 

After sharing their recipe book with Eat Fit’s team of medical and nutrition experts, Don Juanz was confirmed as a provider of healthy, gluten-free options, as a result of their dedication to fresh, clean cooking.

“Just about everything on the menu is gluten-free, with just a few exceptions (wheat and flour tortillas, all steak items because of their soy sauce-based marinade, and Mahi-Mahi with a soy-ginger glaze),” said O’Byrne.

Each dish is made to order and crafted fresh in-house. To ensure safety for guests with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, Don Juanz has taken careful steps.

“Once a guest informs us that they are celiac, the cashier notates the ticket as an ‘allergy’ ticket in the kitchen.  Once the ticket is in the kitchen being processed, the kitchen crew prepares the menu item on a separate grill, cutting board, and service area using color-coded tongs and knives to minimize cross-contamination,” O’Byrne said.

“Our Gluten-free chips are fried in an independent fryer with Canola oil that produces zero trans-fat. At Don Juanz, cold and dry storage areas are separated to prevent cross-contamination. It’s this attention to detail, paired with a passion for clean, home-style cooking, that makes Don Juanz Baja Beach Tacos a standout in the Bossier City food scene.”

Address: 2333 Airline Drive, Bossier City, LA 

Buttercups Cupcakes 

At Buttercups Cupcakes, meeting customer needs is baked right into the heart of the business. With several locations and two serving the Bossier City community, this sweet shop is a local favorite!

Hannah Pierce, Operations Manager, has been part of that mission for nearly a decade, starting as a baker and working her way through every position in the company.

“I absolutely love our brand and our products,” she said. “It’s been a blessing to participate in the growth over the years and see the happiness it has brought so many of our loyal customers.”

That growth has included listening closely to what customers want, like gluten-free options that don’t sacrifice taste or quality. Buttercups began offering gluten-free alternatives nearly 15 years ago after receiving numerous requests from the community.

“Our offerings include several of our French macaron flavors as well as multiple cupcake flavors; all available daily,” Pierce said.

At Buttercups Cupcakes, ensuring the safety of customers with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease is taken very seriously.

“We use separate cupcake pans and utensils to make all of our gluten-free and vegan options, being extra careful to ensure there’s not any cross contamination. They are also stored separately, and they will always have a red heart sprinkle in the center to differentiate them from our normal flavors,” Pierce said.

When it comes to dietary options, Buttercups doesn’t hold back on the flavor!

“Wedding Cake is our top-selling gluten-free flavor. It’s become a staple on our menu over the years. As the seasons change, we also change our cupcake options to offer variety to our customers,” said Pierce.

“Currently, our flavors include Wedding Cake and Summer Berry. Wedding Cake is a white cake with notes of pineapple and almond, finished with an almond-flavored frosting, then coated in crunchy sanding sugar sprinkles. Summer Berry is our fun flavor of the season, full of lemon citrus, fresh blueberries, and finished with a wild berry frosting. Both are delicious and bursting with flavor, just the same as our signature cupcakes!”

Looking ahead, Buttercups Cupcakes is always open to growing its diet-friendly menu based on customer input.

“Our customers are the reason for everything we do in this business.”

“If they express the desire for more, we are more than happy to adapt and offer more delicious products. We love interacting with our customers through social media and in-person visits, so please don’t hesitate to reach out with any ideas or suggestions! It’s always a joy to hear feedback from our amazing Buttercups community,” she said. 

Address:  1201 Dixie Overland Rd. Bossier City

For those with gluten sensitivities in Bossier City, Don Juanz and Buttercups Cupcakes are offering delicious, diet-friendly options without compromise.