Bk Fries

[rache]

are burger king fries gluten free??? the website (Open Original Shared Link) says they do not contain wheat, but that doesnt mean they are Gluten Free... has anyone had problems with their french fries?

[jkmunchkin]

I personally haven't tried them since becoming gluten-free because I've read a lot of information about there being cross contamination with their fries. I'm not quite clear whether they have dedicated fryers or not but I do know even before starting on a gluten-free diet I would just about always find an onion ring mixed in if I got fries there. (although I actually usually did order the onion rings because I loved theres).

If you want fast food fries I'd stick to McDonalds. They have dedicated fryers. I go there constantly for fries and chocolate milkshakes.

[psawyer]

I was told by a former BK store manager, who is also my wife, that the fries are not safe because they have a coating that contains gluten. But that was more that five years ago so it may have changed. Nevertheless I stay away from BK.

McD fries are pure potato and are prepared in a dedicated fry station which processes only fries and hash browns (which are also gluten-free).

[lovegrov]

BK fries do NOT have a coating with gluten (maybe they did 5 years ago but not now) and the oil is dedicated. But as with any restaurant you always take a chance of CC.

richard

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Richard,

I normally agree with everything you say,

but I have not yet found a BK that has dedicated fryers -- everyone that I have been too mixes the onion rings and their gluten-filled hash browns in the same fryer...

Did you get a response from the corporate office on that one?

Bronco

[VydorScope]

The reality of it is all fast food fries are a risk. Some ppl try to tell me McDonalds are safe, yet I have yet to find a McDonalds that is safe, Lovegrov say BK is safe others disagree...

This places are franchise, so you never know what your going to get when you go into one and thier is alway a high risk of CC. I highly suggest you aviod ALL deep fried foods, unless you fried it your self.

[Carriefaith]

You could go into the bk store and ask the manager if their fryer is dedicated. I am super sensitive to gluten so I persoanlly stay away from their fries and all fast food fries because of cross contamination.

[CeliaCruz]

I was told by a former BK store manager, who is also my wife, that the fries are not safe because they have a coating that contains gluten.

BK fries do NOT have a coating with gluten (maybe they did 5 years ago but not now) and the oil is dedicated. But as with any restaurant you always take a chance of CC.

I normally agree with everything you say, but I have not yet found a BK that has dedicated fryers -- everyone that I have been too mixes the onion rings and their gluten-filled hash browns in the same fryer...

The thing that I've always noticed about Burger King -- having eaten there a lot back before I realized I was Celiac -- was that they are always changing their formulas and methods. While McDonalds test markets the hell out of its products and then more or less sticks to a tried and true method forever, Burger King is constantly switching gears. I've seen this since the seventies. A McDonald's fry is pretty much the same fry I've had since I was a kid -- except in the eighties with they played around with the oil content and took out the meat juice for a few years. Meanwhile BK fries sometimes have that smooth "skin" on the outside -- the same skin that diner fries have -- and I bet those are coated with gluten. And sometimes they are more like McDonald's Fries and probably closer to a pure potato formula. A few times, I've even noticed that the coating seems almost like the fry was dipped in a batter. I remember sometime in the mid-nineties, they launched a campaign claiming that they had these new fries that were beating McD's in taste tests. So if some of you are hearing that BK fries are safe and some of you are not, you probably both received accurate information -- but only at that particular time.

And I just wanted to add that I was ALWAYS finding onion rings in my fries -- and fries in my onion rings. So even if BK fires go gluten-free again, I will never trust that the fries are free of contaminants.

[lovegrov]

If you go check out the BK website, their allergen information specifically says the fries are not done in oil with any allergen, including wheat. Open Original Shared Link

I don't usually eat at BK myself, but I know that the BK closest to me has a dedicated fryer for fries. I've asked. The few times I've eaten there I've never seen onion rings mixed in, but a fast food place seems to me to be one of the chanciest places to eat.

richard

[Kailynsmom]

I contacted BK corporate office about 2 months ago with the same question because kailyn loves their fries.

Lady said that they cannot guarantee dedicated fryers and that they do not monitor gluten content, simply wheat. She said it's better for G-sensitive people not to eat BK

[Guest gfinnebraska]

I would never argue with Richard... he is always "right on" when it comes to his posts... BUT, having said that, I have ordered fries from BK too many times and found onion rings mixed in. I do not trust their fries ~ period. McD's I love and have never had an issue with ~ mainly because they do not serve onion rings. (sorry Richard! )

[rache]

thanks for the help!! im always stuck at work eating my gross food while everyone else runs and gets take out... i get sick of seeing them eating their burgers, subs, etc. i usually get McDonalds FF. Its the closest and i know theyre okay to eat. but french fries are getting old. i eat them at work, i eat them at home because theyre a quick and easy addition to any meal. im a mom on the go, the easier to cook the better. i just need some more fast food, take out ideas!! im so sick of eating the same things allll the time. im just now, after months of being gluten free, begining to get jealous of what everyone else gets to eat. i'm not going to cheat on my diet!!! but its just upsetting what i wouldnt do to just be able to eat a Whopper and fries....

[lovegrov]

I'd have to agree that there's no way the corporate office can guarantee every BK is using dedicated fryers like they're supposed to. But as far as allergens versus gluten, barley, oats and rye are not going to be a problem with fries. In fact, hidden rye and oats are never a problem as far as I know.

richard

[mytummyhurts]

Rache-

Just remember that their subs and burgers are going straight to their thighs!

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Richard,

I suppose my issue (along with dedicated fryers) is the manner in which the cooked product is stored. Frequently (if not all the time), the fries at BK are stored "with" the onion rings. Furthermore, BK employees always use the same "Scooper" to scoop the fries and the onion rings. This is why I do not eat the fries there.

At Mc D's (except the airport and smaller ones in malls), it is easy to see the fryers for the fries are separate from the other fryers (for McNuggets, Fliet of Fish, Mc chicken, apple pies, etc). Additionally, the area for scoopinf fries at McD's is only used for fries (and the gluten-free hash browns). The McNuggets and other fried items are picked out of the fryer and served immediately (thye do not touch the fries "area" (at least in the ones I have seen here in Vegas...

In the end, the decision is up to the individual Celiac, but BK has done absolutely nothing to assure me of their commitment to avoid cross contamination (MCD's has done it - in my opinion).

[lovegrov]

The Whopper used to be my favorite fast-food hamburger but now it's the Low Carb Thickburger, although I rarely eat it. Hardee's does not have dedicated fryers, so the fries are out.

I personally do avoid the BK fries. Actually, I pretty much avoid them all. Sometimes I make my own at home.

richard

[VydorScope]

Richard,

I suppose my issue (along with dedicated fryers) is the manner in which the cooked product is stored. Frequently (if not all the time), the fries at BK are stored "with" the onion rings. Furthermore, BK employees always use the same "Scooper" to scoop the fries and the onion rings. This is why I do not eat the fries there.

At Mc D's (except the airport and smaller ones in malls), it is easy to see the fryers for the fries are separate from the other fryers (for McNuggets, Fliet of Fish, Mc chicken, apple pies, etc). Additionally, the area for scoopinf fries at McD's is only used for fries (and the gluten-free hash browns). The McNuggets and other fried items are picked out of the fryer and served immediately (thye do not touch the fries "area" (at least in the ones I have seen here in Vegas...

In the end, the decision is up to the individual Celiac, but BK has done absolutely nothing to assure me of their commitment to avoid cross contamination (MCD's has done it - in my opinion).

Again, I must stress at how EACH FAST FOOD PLACE IS DIFFERENT.

I have _never_ found a McDonalds where the fries were safe to eat. I worry when ppl post stuff like you do that ppl will read that and think thier McDonalds is safe. If your ever out my way, I hope you do not eat at any of the McDondlas that have gluten'd my son.

Personaly I will not eat McDonalds, or BK, or whereever fries, and I would HIGHLY suggest no one with celiac disease does.

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Vyder,

Note the phrases in my earlier post

"at least the ones I have been to in Vegas"

"The decision is up to each individual Celiac"

"In my opinion"

these terms are based on my observations and experience and not definitive or all-encompassing.

Sorry to hear about your boy's experience, but my comments should not be read to influence all Celiacs that all MCD's are gluten-free -- that would be foolish.

Sorry if I struck a nerve with ya, just my observations.

[KaitiUSA]

I won't eat them because I always find an onion ring in mine. Since I was diagnosed I will not trust them.

[rache]

its so depressing to know that i cant eat out anywhere knowing that the food is 100% gluten free. this has to be one of the most frustrating diseases (ok... well that ive had a peonal experience with). i dont understand why nothing is being done, at least quicker, to make celiac more public!!

[VydorScope]

The Whopper used to be my favorite fast-food hamburger but now it's the Low Carb Thickburger, although I rarely eat it. Hardee's does not have dedicated fryers, so the fries are out.

I personally do avoid the BK fries. Actually, I pretty much avoid them all. Sometimes I make my own at home.

richard

My Favorit fast fod burger si the Low Carb Burger at Backyard burgers, they actually COOK it when you order it, and its real meat, not htat grey stuff.

However, I have not yet got any reply back from them about gluten in thier spices, or etc. So I am hestant to try them again, eplsy while recovering still and prbly not notice any sympton chnage.

Before celiac disease I would eat that one almost exclusively though! Very tasty!

Fynny how I remember a time when it was considered a "bonus" to find an onion ring in your fries....

[rache]

everyone talks about these restaurants and i have no idea what they are... i live in western PA. Theres nothing here. i have to drive almost an hour just to go to the Outback, where they have a gluten free (kind of small) menu...

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Ironically,

I think Outback has one of the larger Gluten Free Menus - they have like 20 things for us!!

Rache,

Do you live West of Pittsburgh?

These restarants all have gluten-free menus:

Wendy's

Arby's

Carrabas

PF changs

In Pittsburgh, you can go to Mitchell's Fish Market and ask the chef for gluten free options.

How far from Pittsburgh,Ohio border do you live??

[rache]

well considering i dont eat steak or any seafood... MY gluten-free mene is limited.

the best idea of where i live is halfway between pburgh and erie pa. im about 15 min from the oh border. we have (within 20 minutes from my home) arbys, wendys, BK, McD, Subway, Perkins, Eat n Park, Golden Corral, Applebee's, Panera, a lot of smaller resturants (which ive gotten sick from after explaining my needs to the managers)

[lovegrov]

"well considering i dont eat steak or any seafood... "

That does tend to put the brakes on eating out a good bit, esepcially with celiac. Steak and grilled or baked seafood are a couple of safer bets.

I have eaten the brunch at Golden Corral once. The omelets are made right in front of you and the manager at the one I went to was very good about checking things. Buffets can be chancy but he got me a couple of fresh things -- fruit, bacon.

richard