If you or someone you love navigates a gluten-free diet, you already know the drill. You find a restaurant you’re excited about, pull up the menu, and then comes the question: “Is this actually safe for me to eat?”
We get it. And we take it seriously.
At Fondi Pizzeria, we’ve been serving gluten-free pizza to our Gig Harbor and Tacoma neighbors for years — and we do it differently than most restaurants. Here’s our honest guide to dining gluten-free in Pierce County, including what we offer, what to ask for, and a few other spots worth knowing about.
Why Gluten-Free Dining Can Be Tricky
According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, roughly 1 in 100 Americans live with celiac disease. And for the many more with gluten sensitivity — eating out isn’t just about finding a menu item that skips the wheat. It’s about trust.
Most restaurants that offer gluten-free options are still cooking them in the same ovens, on the same surfaces, and with the same tools as their regular menu. That means cross-contamination is a real concern, even when the ingredients themselves are gluten-free.
That’s why we went a step further.
How Fondi’s Does Gluten-Free Differently
Here’s the thing we’re most proud of when it comes to our gluten-free menu – We offer 2 different gluten-free dough options:
- A premade, frozen, option. This is the one that’s made in a separate oven away from the main line, and the safest bet for those with dietary restrictions. Made with a blend of buckwheat, potato, rice, and corn.
- Gluten-Free Hand Tossed – this is a risen dough, made fresh in-house. It is cooked in the same oven as our regular pizzas. So, there’s some cross contamination, but we do our best to keep that to a minimum.
We made this investment because we believe everyone deserves to enjoy a great pizza without worrying about what was cooked before theirs. It’s one of those details that might seem small, but if you’ve ever had a reaction from cross-contamination at a restaurant, you know it’s everything.
Our Gluten-Free Menu Options
Our gluten-free menu goes beyond just swapping out a crust. Here’s what you can enjoy:
Gluten-Free Pizza: Our GF crust gets the same love as our classic Neapolitan dough — topped with house-made mozzarella (pulled fresh every day), our scratch-made tomato sauce, and the same imported Italian ingredients that go on every brick oven-fired pizza we make. The only difference is the crust and the dedicated oven it’s cooked in.
Vegan Cheese Option: For our dairy-free friends, we offer vegan cheese on any pizza — including our gluten-free crust. So yes, you can get a pizza that’s both gluten-free and dairy-free at Fondi’s.
Keto-Friendly Options: Watching your carbs? Our fresh salads are hearty enough to be a meal. The Insalata di Mele with fennel and candied walnuts is a fan favorite, and our Caesar’s Forum is a classic done right. Pair one with a glass of Italian wine and you’ve got yourself a pretty perfect dinner.
Vegetarian Options: We’ve got plenty of meat-free options across our full menu, from our Margherita pizza (the one that started it all) to our fresh pasta dishes and paninis.
What to Know Before You Visit
A few honest notes to help you plan:
Talk to our staff. Our team is trained on allergen awareness and happy to walk you through options. If you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity, let your server know and we’ll take extra care.
We’re 98% scratch-made. Because we make almost everything in-house — our dough, mozzarella, sauces, dressings — we know exactly what goes into your food. No mystery ingredients, no guessing about what’s in a pre-made mix.
Both locations offer the full GF menu. Whether you visit us at Gig Harbor (4621 Point Fosdick Dr in Uptown) or our newer Proctor location in Tacoma (2515 N. Proctor Street), you’ll find the same gluten-free options and the same dedicated oven.
Takeout and delivery work great for GF orders. Order through Toast for pickup or DoorDash for delivery — just note your dietary needs in the order comments and we’ll handle the rest.
Other Tips for Gluten-Free Dining in Pierce County
We love our community, and we want you to have great options wherever you go. A few general tips for finding GF-friendly restaurants in the Gig Harbor and Tacoma area:
- Sushi restaurants are often a solid choice — many items are naturally gluten-free (just watch for soy sauce and tempura).
- Seafood spots along the Gig Harbor waterfront tend to have naturally GF options, especially grilled fish and shellfish dishes.
- Ask about dedicated equipment. This is the big one. A GF menu item cooked on shared surfaces may still cause issues for people with celiac disease. Don’t be afraid to ask how it’s prepared.
- Check community boards and Facebook groups. Local celiac and gluten-free dining groups for the Tacoma and South Sound area are a goldmine for real recommendations from people who truly get it.
If you’ve found a great GF-friendly spot in Pierce County, let us know! We’re always happy to share the love with our neighbors.
Why This Matters to Us
We opened Fondi’s because we believe great food brings people together. And that means everyone should have a seat at the table — whether you’re gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, or the kind of person who orders extra cheese on everything (no judgment, we love you too).
Our 21-year-old sourdough starter Sophia might not be gluten-free, but she fully supports the cause.
If you’ve been looking for a place where you can eat out without the stress, come see us. We’ll take care of you.
See you soon!
Con affetto, Chris Olsen & The Fondi Family
Fondi Pizzeria Locations:
- Gig Harbor — 4621 Point Fosdick Dr #200, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
- Proctor/Tacoma — 2515 N. Proctor Street, Tacoma, WA 98406
View Our Gluten-Free Menu | View Full Menu | Read About Our Ingredients
