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Five Guys Burgers

twe0708

By twe0708
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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twe0708 Community Regular
twe0708
Posted

I love Five Guys Burgers and would like to continue to eat there. My question is this, if I go there and ask them to prepare my meat with a clean spatula and not put it on a bun is that good enough? Do they need to cook my meat on a different part of the grill because the spatula they have been using for all of the other burgers have possibly touched the buns and then came back and touched the grill? Also, is the whole grill contaminated from days of cooking and them just wiping the grill down which could possibly leave traces of wheat? Is it good enough to just order and ask to leave out the bun or do I need to worry about all of the above too? They only make burgers and fries so I know their fries are safe because they are the only thing cooked in peanut oil. :rolleyes:

I was just diagnosed with Celiac Disease but have no where near the symptoms of some others I read about if they eat something containing wheat products. Just get a little bloated, with occasional mild cramping.

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celiac-mommy Collaborator
celiac-mommy
Posted

I've been there. I'm not celiac, but I would NEVER allow my kids to eat there. WAAAYYY too dangerous as far as CC goes. That's just my 2 cents.

twe0708 Community Regular
twe0708
Posted
  • Author
I've been there. I'm not celiac, but I would NEVER allow my kids to eat there. WAAAYYY too dangerous as far as CC goes. That's just my 2 cents.

What is CC? Also how is it "way too dangerous with just buns" vs. the average restaurant?

JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted

cc=cross contamination

Some commercial hamburgers contain gluten (even without the bun) as a filler.

Even if the burgers (meat only) are gluten-free there is still a very high risk of a crumb of a bun getting into your food.

I make delicious burgers at home with ground beef, onions, gluten-free soy sauce (you can also use gluten-free worchestershire), and egg -- you can look online for recipes :)

Bon apetit,

Jillian

What is CC? Also how is it "way too dangerous with just buns" vs. the average restaurant?
twe0708 Community Regular
twe0708
Posted
  • Author
cc=cross contamination

Some commercial hamburgers contain gluten (even without the bun) as a filler.

Even if the burgers (meat only) are gluten-free there is still a very high risk of a crumb of a bun getting into your food.

I make delicious burgers at home with ground beef, onions, gluten-free soy sauce (you can also use gluten-free worchestershire), and egg -- you can look online for recipes :)

Bon apetit,

Jillian

Thanks! I am new to all of this so I have many questions. So if there is a concern for cross contamination then how does anyone with celiac disease go out to eat? If this one restaurant which only makes burgers and fries is risky then what about all of the other restaurants out there? Even if the burger is gluten free, do you really have to worry about the crumbs from the buns hitting my food if I request it without a bun?

Mskedi Newbie
Mskedi
Posted

Since it sounds like you regularly went there, have you built up a rapport with any of the employees? If so, maybe they'd be more likely to be extra careful with your food.

I'm not familiar with the chain itself, but it doesn't sound anymore likely to have cc than, say, In-N-Out, which also only sells burgers and fries. My sister & I haven't had any problems there, so I'd say it's worth a shot.

Do they ever warm their buns on the grill? If they do, that'd be my biggest concern. Make sure you check.

Then again... you've gotten the opposite advice from everyone else so far, and I'm new to this, so please take what I've written with a grain (or more) of salt.

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

Five guys is certainly no more dangerous than any other place. Their burgers are all beef; no "filler." And fries are the ONLY thing they put in the fryers.

richard

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celiac-mommy Collaborator
celiac-mommy
Posted

Ours is such a popular place that the line is usually wrapped around the entire restaurant. They are sooo busy all the time that I wouldn't take a chance mainly because their attention to details can't possibly be enough. There are a few fast food chains here that we visit occasionally and we only go because their grills and prep stations are in separate areas, so if I ask for a patty with cheese, they're taking it directly off the grill, no buns in sight-and I only do during off peak times, never during a dinner or lunch rush. You are correct though, it is like roulette every time you eat out and twice in the last 4 years we've been burned (and it was at the same restaurant so we've not gone back!)

We are very fortunate here in Portland that we have so many restaurants that cater to Celiacs specifically. We have many options, but I understand most cities are not as allergy friendly.

GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

I second the In and Out theory -- they also only fry french fries in their oil, etc. My son and I order our burgers on lettuce instead of bun with good luck so far.

As for restaurants being risky, the answer is yes -- there is a risk of CC at all restaurants. We still go out to eat (not as often as we used to), do a bit of research before we go, try to avoid peak lunch/dinner hours, order very carefully and hope for the best.

Good Luck to you!

JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted

I love going out to eat -- I'm a social person & am on lots of sports teams who go out for drinks/appies after games :) I always call ahead when going to a new restaurant to see if they can accommodate me and to explain my dietary needs. I usually ask to speak to a manager when I get there to make sure my meal will be safe. Once you develop a relationship with a restaurant you can build trust and eat without worrying.

Sounds like others know this chain and that their burgers are safe, so just talk to the management about your needs and I'm sure they can take good care of you.

Enjoy!

Jillian

Thanks! I am new to all of this so I have many questions. So if there is a concern for cross contamination then how does anyone with celiac disease go out to eat? If this one restaurant which only makes burgers and fries is risky then what about all of the other restaurants out there? Even if the burger is gluten free, do you really have to worry about the crumbs from the buns hitting my food if I request it without a bun?
hermitgirl Contributor
hermitgirl
Posted

Their website says everything but the bun is gluten free. On the right hand side of their homepage.

Open Original Shared Link

modiddly16 Enthusiast
modiddly16
Posted

Five Guys is actually more safe than almost any other fast food restaurant. I've contacted them before and if you watch while they cook.........they have one grill for the burgers, a completely separate grill for the buns and the fries are in a dedicated fryer. They're very helpful and I've eaten there countless times without getting ill. I wish some of the people on this board did a bit more background research before jumping to conclusions and scaring people away from places that really do go out of their way to help folks like us!!

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

Everybody has to make their own decisions, but my life would be absolutely miserable if I never ate out. Sorry, that's just not an option for me. Instead, I make wise choices and talk to places ahead of time.

richard

debmidge Rising Star
debmidge
Posted

This thread has been very helpful. I had been wondering about Five Guys for sometime now and now will do 2 things:

1) visit their website to look into their position on "gluten free"

2) take the time to visit Five Guys when they are not busy and discuss my husband's gluten free needs.

It is exciting to find new places to eat which provide gluten free selections. Thank you to everyone who provided their information and their personal positions on this important issue. I feel that everyone has information to offer and I try to glean what I need to know in order to make the best decision.

D.

TrillumHunter Enthusiast
TrillumHunter
Posted

We eat there occasionally. The way it is set up you can see everything going on. I watch the people change their gloves and lay out paper before they make my food. We've eaten there during busy times and they still do that.

I like their fries but I wish you could order them well-done.

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