Chain restaurants are sometimes a good option for gluten free, especially in a small town where not many know what gluten free is, though they are not generally known as the safest option for celiacs due to risk of cross contact. In my experience, they vary by location so make you give ask all the questions and give the allergy “spiel” at each location because I’ve found some locations to be more “on it” than others, depending on which restaurant. It’s common to ask if they can change gloves when making your order at many of these locations. As always, Please be sure to inform your server of your dietary needs at time of ordering your meal and verify it is gluten free upon delivery. ANyone with celiac should always exercise judgment upon ordering at any of these places.
Applebee’s: While they have gluten free options, I’ve always understood largely that cross contact makes eating here very difficult for a celiac.
BJ’s brewhouse: I don’t necessarily think the “gluten sensitive” options are the safest in general for celiacs, but I’ve had good luck with the salmon bowl with quinoa rice & cauliflower rice, it’s excellent. The chef or manager came to talk about it once in ABQ, West Side side location. I always be sure to tell them it’s for celiac or a severe gluten allergy and order baked not blackened salmon due to cross-contact. They don’t have any statements on cross contact precautions that I can find.
Cheesecake: They do have gluten free options in their menu and an online search option. There is a possibility of shared cooking surfaces which is why I try to stick to items that are less likely to have cross contact such as the gluten free shepherds pie, which is amazing! Just ask when ordering which are safest.
Chili’s: Chile’s has a “gluten friendly” menu with almost every options having a disclaimer: “** Denotes ingredient is cooked on a surface with other gluten-containing foods OR in shared fryers—exposing ingredient to gluten cross-contact.” As a result I haven’t really chosen to eat there except when I was desperate in a small town in Texas once. Texas baby back ribs (without sides), loaded baked potato soup and salads without croutons and meat seem to be the only options without this disclaimer, I had already been glutened the day before so I really can’t tell you how it went since I was already sick.
Chipotle: Most of chipotle’s menu is gluten free except the flour tortillas. Regarding cross contact and celiacs, they state “If you are highly sensitive to gluten and would like us to change our gloves, just let us know at the start of your order. You should be aware items containing corn, including corn tortillas (chips and crispy corn tortillas) and corn salsa, may have trace amounts of gluten from potentially co-mingling with gluten-containing grains in the field.”
Five Guys: This is often a great burger choice lettuce wrap for celiacs. Here is the allergen menu. The fries are gluten free and the only thing in the fryer. They also stated: “Please be aware that our bread does contain gluten, so there is always a risk for cross-contamination. If you have a gluten allergy, please tell your cashier when ordering and our team will take extra care to avoid cross-contamination by changing gloves more frequently.”
Fogo de Chao: This is an all you can eat restaurant. Most things are naturally gluten free. The entire market table menu is gluten free. They have naturally gluten free Brazilian cheese bread rolls
In-N-Out Burger: Another great burger option lettuce wrap and the fries are also gluten free and the only thing in the fryer. I get mine animal style with chopped chilis.
Longhorn: On their website it has a gluten sensitive menu and says: “Although LongHorn Steakhouse does not have gluten-free kitchens, we will make every attempt to meet your needs for a gluten-restricted diet. Because of the handcrafted nature of our menu items, the shared cooking and preparation areas of our kitchens and our reliance on suppliers for information, we cannot guarantee any item is free of gluten. While these items are made without gluten-containing ingredients, they may not meet the definition of “gluten-free” for those who are highly sensitive.” Surprisingly, they have good reviews on Find Me Gluten Free, though I assume it will vary by location.
Melting Pot: A chain that I’ve heard great things about but haven’t been since being diagnosed. They are supposedly great about cross-contact and with gluten free variety options. Each of their locations are certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) which is amazing!
Olive Garden: They have a gluten sensitive menu, on which they state” “The menu items we call “gluten sensitive” are our menu items that are made without gluten-containing ingredients. We do not claim these items are “gluten free” because we have not chemically analyzed them to confirm if they meet the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) definition of “gluten free” (20 parts per million of gluten). While we do have processes and procedures in place to minimize cross-contact with other gluten-containing foods, these items may not be suitable for our guests who are highly sensitive to gluten.” They advice you tell your waiter about allergies which will trigger several processes, including changing their gloves and serving utensils. Each of our managers has completed a food safety course, which includes basic information about food allergies, in addition to safe food handling practices.
Outback Steakhouse: They have a gluten free menu and were knowledgeable about Cross contact. I’m told through the grapevine that one of the owners children is celiac in the ABQ Westside location and they do good training with staff on this. These may vary on location with different ownership. Online they say: “Outback Steakhouse is serious about gluten-free. For over a decade we’ve designed gluten-free options for those who need and chose to eat gluten-free. Our Registered Dietitian work closely with our chefs to create a variety of gluten-free options .”
Pei Wei: Part of P.F. Changs franchize, they do have a gluten free menu. It’s always felt less safe than P.F. and I don’t believe they take the same precautions.
P.F. Chang’s: It’s been a longtime favorite of the chain restaurants for me, especially when I lived in L.A. and it was closer to me. They have a gluten free menu and state: “Our chefs use a designated gluten-free cooking area with gluten-free woks and cooking utensils. Many of our restaurants use designated gluten-free plates as an extra step to ensure your meal is gluten free.”
Red Lobster: Their allergen menu says: “Because of the handcrafted nature of our menu items, the shared cooking and preparation areas of our kitchens, and our reliance on suppliers for accurate information, we cannot eliminate the risk of cross-contact or guarantee that any item is free of any allergens. Please also note that this information does not indicate which items may have been made in a facility with an allergen. * Lack of gluten-containing ingredients does not necessarily meet the definition of “gluten free” for those who are highly sensitive. When placing your order, please let your server know if you have a food allergy or intolerance.” Find Me Gluten Free reviews are moderately ok, but vary on reactions.
Red Robin: I emailed them to ask about gluten free items with no cross contact, which is listed on their excellent allergen menu online. Here is where I have posted their complete response. The Steak Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Tortilla Chips, Yukon Chips and Brussel Sprouts do not contain any of the big 9 allergens or gluten and all of our restaurants do have a designated fryer to cook upon request for ONLY Steak Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Tortilla Chips, Yukon Chips and Brussel Sprouts. I’ve had great experiences at the one on the west side, and allergy meals come out with an allergy flag.
Rudy’s: Verify at each location, but I believe most the meats are gluten free except the pulled pork. Here is an allergen menu for the Coors location in ABQ.
Wendy’s: They have an allergen menu with items like the baked potato. About allergens, they state: “cross contact is possible due to common handling and preparation areas in our restaurants. We are unable to guarantee that any menu item can be completely free of allergens.”
Anything to add? E-mail me at glutenfreeandglorious@gmail.com
