Pearl Sushi - Stratford

I had the worst experience ever at this restaurant!! I had no issues with the takeout, and they even had gluten-free soy sauce. However, when I went to dine in person, it was a horrible experience. The restaurant was empty as they had just opened, and I was their only customer so far that day. The owner was working and when I told him I was Celiac, he freaked out and told me to leave. He refused to serve me, despite me explaining that I had eaten there before and just needed them to use a clean knife for my sushi. It was incredibly rude and embarrassing. It's difficult for fellow celiacs to find safe places to eat while traveling, and I had planned on having lunch at this restaurant before catching a bus. This experience meant no lunch and an overwhelming feeling of embarrassment. I give this restaurant a massive thumbs down.

The restaurant had a welcoming atmosphere, but the service was a bit slow. The gluten-free options were clearly labeled on the menu and they promptly provided gluten-free soy sauce. However, when the sushi arrived, there was gluten-containing Wasabi on all the plates with the gluten-free sushi. The staff seemed unaware of the risk of cross-contamination, making the meal stressful and concerning. We are now anxiously waiting to see if my son, who has Celiac disease, will have a reaction.

I'm from out of town and happened to stop by to ask if they catered to people with celiac disease. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they offer over 20 gluten-free options clearly marked with dedicated symbols and messaging on the menu. They even have a separate soy sauce option that is gluten-free, brought in a separate kettle.

We always schedule a lunch visit to this place while in Stratford. The menu periodically offers new items and it would take a year to try them all. No disappointments yet.

We went in for a late lunch and were served our food very quickly after ordering and got a delicious variety. This place has many sushi options for vegetarians - you definitely won't go hungry.