Gluten Free/friendly Fast Food Chains,

[Serversymptoms]

What are gluten free/ friendly fast food chains, seemingly where you can feel as if you can pick anything off the menu like anyone else. Why can't fries be gluten free, hard to order a gluten free pizza, why is there a large lack of gluten free bread available at these food chains.

(17 years old, have not been diagnose as celiac... though went on gluten free diet, and observerd... I think I'am celiac)

I guess sometimes providing your own bread for a burger isn't a big deal, though when you can't eat the fries... it gets horrible. When you would like to order pizza ( my favorite food) and cant, that gets horrible. I do know in some cities there are pizza chains that have gluten free crust etc....

[Juliebove]

I don't know of a single place where you can pick whatever you want off the menu. We did used to have a gluten-free restaurant here, but it wasn't good. Oh the food tasted good. It's just that the service was bad and slow and the owner was nutty.

We do not eat at McDonalds because they have lied to us too many times about what is in their food.

At Wendy's we get the chili, fries, side salads and oranges. Burger patties and baked potatoes are safe as well.

At Burger King, we get burger patties, side salads, fries and apple fries.

We get the bowls or corn tortilla tacos at Taco Del Mar. Not all of the meat is safe. We have chicken or beef.

At Dairy Queen we get burger patties, fries and side salads.

There are several safe items at Taco Time.

We do not eat at Taco Bell. Too much junk in their food.

Always keep in mind that there is a chance of cross contamination if you are eating fast food. Especially with fried things.

[sarahk47]

My favorite fast(ish) food place is Chipotle. I can eat everything except the flour tortillas there, so it's easy. Qdoba's pretty easy, too, but their guac isn't as good.

[Serversymptoms]

Thanks for replies, looking for more

_____________

Fries? I've been told to stay away from their fries, all contain gluten.

[GlutenGalAZ]

I don't know where you are located (state)...

I don't really eat out anymore b/c of some ingredients I avoid (MSG, Nitrates/Nitrites etc).

If you live in a state that has an In N Out, you can do their fries or a double double protein style (lettuce instead of a bun). Wendy's is good, you can get their baked potato and chili (might want to tell them you don't want the saltine crackers).

Some places you can get their fries. Some fries b/c of how they are made in general are a no no but some places where the fries are safe in general you just need to make sure they cook them in a dedicated fryer (one that isn't shared with the chicken nuggest, onion rings etc).

This link is more San Diego area but you might find some helpfull info on it:

Open Original Shared Link

[dkader]

I don't know where you live, but I like to eat at Eat N Park which actually offers a gluten-free section on their menu. You just have to tell them you have Celiac Disease or Wheat Allergy and they even put that info on your order and receipt. I live in Ohio. Good luck.

[Aroostook]

Thanks for replies, looking for more

Fries (potatoes) do not contain gluten, however several companies do coat their fries in an attempt to make them crispier or give them a flavor. The coated fries (such as McDonald's) you must stay away from. All others are in the game!! Love my fries!!

_____________

Fries? I've been told to stay away from their fries, all contain gluten.

[darkmoonsinger]

My favorite fast(ish) food place is Chipotle. I can eat everything except the flour tortillas there, so it's easy. Qdoba's pretty easy, too, but their guac isn't as good.

Chipotle is awesome! I was visiting San Mateo / San Francisco for a conference and had heard good things about Chipotle, so I stopped in... I asked the gentleman behind the counter to change his gloves because of a food allergy; he did and very thoroughly washed his hands, then asked what type. I said "wheat" (yes, I know, but I don't find barley, rye, and oats much "in the wild", and I've gotten so many blank looks when I say "gluten" that I've gotten very discouraged) and my jaw nearly hit the floor when he came back with "gluten?"!

Chipotle gets major kudos from me for having educated workers!

-Jamie

Self-dagnosed January 2009 via elimination diet and challenge

Doctor diagnosed "either celiac disease or IBS-GS" January 2009

Antibody negative, January 2009

Genetic marker negative

Too chicken to go back to gluten to get 'scoped.

[Serversymptoms]

Lately San Diego has been rising as one of my favorite cities.... As I've been coming across, is San Diego supposely suppose to be the most ( and likely only) celiac friendly city? Life for a celiac in San Diego would be much easier?

_____________________________________________________

I live in Michigan

I would be glad to go back to eating fries, they go so well with the burgers....... I have not been diagnose as being Celiac by my doctor, though going on the diet I feel as if I'am celiac. I rather not go back and eat gluten for 3 or so months and get re-tested.... I rather get a biopsy or some test that is more accurate to tell me if I'm celiac, I also found out the other day that I'm msg intolerance... always wonder why I felt a spur in symptoms when eating msg... mainly in chips.

[lizard00]

When we're on the road and we do fast food, I usually try to stick with Wendy's or Chick Fil A. Chick Fil A fries are safe, because they don't fry their other foods. I usually order the chargrilled chicken w/no bun and fries. They almost always get it right, although this last time I went through the drive thru and they left the bun on...

At Wendy's, I am not so adventurous. I get the chili, and I ask about the fries. Some locations are safe, others are not. Most of the salads, are safe, I think. You have to be careful about the dressings, but they do have their menu info (complete with allergens) posted in almost all locations. I have only been to one or two where the info was not posted on the wall. Makes it much easier to figure out what you want. I have tried a burger w/ no bun there a couple of times, and every time it didn't turn out well.

Chipotle is also great if you have one nearby. Word of caution: they use soy oil in EVERYTHING, so if you can't do soy, it might not be a good idea. I used to eat there all the time, and had to stop when I realized that soy made me sick. It was a sad day...

[Crayons574]

Wendy's chili and a plain baked potato

[strawberrynin]

I've been eating at Taco Bell...despite the class D meat . I just order a crunchy taco. I can't add sauces...most of them have gluten. Their website is very, very good at listing what is ok and what is not. They put the ingredients of absolutely everything separately so you can request it exactly how you can eat it. They have short list which is OVERLY sensitive at Open Original Shared Link

Here's the latest Wendy's list. Open Original Shared Link

BK is here... Open Original Shared Link

Arby's is here...Open Original Shared Link

Subway...Open Original Shared Link

[Serversymptoms]

My favorite fast(ish) food place is Chipotle. I can eat everything except the flour tortillas there, so it's easy. Qdoba's pretty easy, too, but their guac isn't as good.

Oh wow, so at Chipotle there is at least a good variety of foods there available to eat for celiacs.

[GlutenGalAZ]

I also found out the other day that I'm msg intolerance... always wonder why I felt a spur in symptoms when eating msg... mainly in chips.

If you eat salades watch out for the dressing if you are avoiding MSG. I stopped eating things wtih MSG in it and feel so much better but have a harder time finding dressings I like b/c so many have MSG in it (it makes my head feel funny/strange).

GOOD LUCK

[tipnpat]

Jersey Mike's subs has an extensive gluten-free selection. They are not a "trained" gluten-free store but most of their meats are gluten-free and chips. They use Frito-Lay chip products and both the Jersey Mike's website and the Frito-Lay website have detailed allergen info available. I get a sub in a tub when I go. You just have to ask to watch for cross-contamination. I eat there all the time and have been gluten-free for 2 years and casein free for 1. They clean the slicer for me when I order so I don't get cheese residue on my meat.

Tip

[curlyfries]

Be wary of fries. I'm surprised no one has mentioned that the big issue with fries is whether anything else is fried in the same oil......such as onion rings.

[mamaw]

Strawberrynin & all others

I just went to the Taco Bell site once again to recheck . The tacos are not safe.... The taco meat contains oats not gluten-free certified oats just oats! NOT gluten-free.....

At one time the meat had wheat in it then they changed it to oats. Again not certified gluten-free oats so again tacos are not gluten-free.....

This can be extremely hard for newbies to figure out what is safe & what is not.

Just because someone else is eating it doesn't make it gluten-free so please be careful about dining out. gluten is hidden in everything.

blessings

mamaw

[RESO]

"What are gluten free/ friendly fast food chains, seemingly where you can feel as if you can pick anything off the menu like anyone else. Why can't fries be gluten free, hard to order a gluten free pizza, why is there a large lack of gluten free bread available at these food chains."

Sorry but I wouldn't trust any fast food except maybe if they offer salads (and of course, be careful of the dressing). Fries can be coated, fried with things such as onion rings and chicken nuggets, taco shells can be fried in the same fryer as everything else, etc. etc. It all depends on how sensitive you are, and since you're starting out, there will unfortunately be a lot of trial and error. I hardly ever eat out because it's frustrating to not be able to find things to eat and I feel bad having to ask the staff a zillion questions.

A few weeks ago, I got sick after I ordered a margarita at a restaurant, they use the same glasses as they do for beer and I'm pretty sure that with bar/restaurant dishwashing practices, the glass wasn't washed very well and there was beer residue in it. I had four days worth of symptoms after that.

As far as Qdoba, I did not have a good experience with them. Maybe it depends on the individual location. I looked on their website to find allergen info and it stated that only the soft corn tortillas were safe, there was risk of cc with the hard taco shells. When I went to the restaurant, I was all set to order tacos with soft corn tortillas and they told me they didn't have them!!! All they had were the flour and the hard corn tortillas. This was in downtown Boston.

On the positive side, there is a pizza place in Cambridge called Zing's and they do a gluten free pizza, using separate prep surfaces and separate utensils, they are very careful. They don't have a dedicated oven, but they claim that no one has gotten sick. It's a pretty good version of pizza, with all organic ingredients, etc.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but I would say if you are celiac or gluten intolerant, you just can't eat fast food, sorry. I'm sure there are others that will disagree but I think it depends on your level of sensitivity. Hope you feel better soon.

[DDD]

i don't do fast food but i highly recommend pizza fusion if there is one in your area.

Open Original Shared Link

they have Gluten-Free pizza, cooked in its own Gluten-Free kitchen on special Gluten-Free ovens. they are very conscientious. they also have Gluten-Free beer! and soy cheese too which is awesome because dairy makes me sick as well. their pizzas are very pricey, especially if its Gluten-Free and dairy free but i think its totally worth it because its really good and its the only place i can get a pizza around here.

[Amyleigh0007]

I had to research this myself last week. I was going to have to eat lunch out for two days in a row and I wanted to be prepared with a list of "safe" things to eat at local fast food places. This is what I found out; Arby's has three salads Chopped Italian, Chopped Turkey, and Chopped Turkey Club with Dijon Honey Mustard or Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing. Taco Bell has pintos and cheese, mexican rice, or tostada (NOTHING else is gluten free). Burger King only has apple fries or french fries (statement on website saying they fry their fries in a dedicated frier) and Panera Bread has many delicious salads to choose from. Just request chips or apple instead of the roll.

[RESO]

Just did a little online research and found out the following:

Wendy's has a gluten-free list, and there are actually a few items that are gluten free (baked potatoes, a couple of salads, etc.) Open Original Shared Link . They state that fries are not cooked in a dedicated fryer, so I wouldn't risk it.

Burger King has an allergen list, hardly anything doesn't contain wheat, but they state that their fries are cooked in a dedicated fryer. I would check on that at the individual location you visit. Also, they don't specifically state that any of their products are GLUTEN free, only if whether or not they are wheat free.

McDonald's just plain sucks, in my opinion. There is nothing on their menu that does not contain wheat (ok, maybe ketchup). Even their angus beef contains wheat. As far as their fries, after lying to the public for many years (and probably making thousands of individuals sick due to their lies), they fully admit on their site now that the beef flavoring in their fries contains wheat.

I always bring food with me wherever I go because I never know if I'm going to be anywhere near food I can eat when I'm not at home or in a familiar location.

[Lisa]

they fully admit on their site now that the beef flavoring in their fries contains wheat.

.

In an effort of full disclosure by McD's, the fries have been independently tested and the level of gluten in the french fries is considered safe for people with Celiac to consume. The cross contamination risk is high, as in any fast food restaurant. We generally suggest people to choose for themselves. I choose too.

McD's french fries has been the single most discussed topic since the birth of this forum. A search will support that.

[RESO]

In an effort of full disclosure by McD's, the fries have been independently tested and the level of gluten in the french fries is considered safe for people with Celiac to consume. The cross contamination risk is high, as in any fast food restaurant. We generally suggest people to choose for themselves. I choose too.

McD's french fries has been the single most discussed topic since the birth of this forum. A search will support that.

I agree with you that people should choose for themselves, also that this has been a highly discussed topic. The point I was trying to make is that I believe that lying about ingredients that are known allergens in food is really sleazy and low, whether or not the levels of ingredients are tested to be "safe". They should have just said that in the first place. I'd rather spend my hard earned money on products from a company that goes above and beyond the food labeling laws to clearly state any type of gluten ingredients, even those that could be hidden, such as Kraft, or a company that provides a gluten free list, such as Wendy's or Trader Joe's. This also is, I realize, a personal decision.

[Darn210]

Just did a little online research and found out the following:

Wendy's has a gluten-free list, and there are actually a few items that are gluten free (baked potatoes, a couple of salads, etc.) Open Original Shared Link . They state that fries are not cooked in a dedicated fryer, so I wouldn't risk it.

Wendy's can't claim gluten free fries on their web-site since not all of their locations have dedicated fryers. Many (Most?) of them do. . . just ask if they use a dedicated fryer for their fries at any location that you might stop at.