Fast Food Places

[winenstuff]

Some reason I don't feel like cooking dinner today and looking to get some fast food. Wendys and Chic Fillet are the two that most go to, both are really good, but was wondering if anyone knew of any good fast food places they like to go to, or that at least offer a good amount of gluten free stuff other than the salad and drinks?

[Coleslawcat]

Some reason I don't feel like cooking dinner today and looking to get some fast food. Wendys and Chic Fillet are the two that most go to, both are really good, but was wondering if anyone knew of any good fast food places they like to go to, or that at least offer a good amount of gluten free stuff other than the salad and drinks?

Chipotle! The entire menu except for the flour tortillas is gluten free. I tell them I have a wheat allergy when I order and they wash their hsnds, change gloves and serve me from fresh bins of food rather than the ones that havfe been out and may be contaminated. I've been to several and they are all accomodating.

[Kate79]

Five Guys, too - the only thing with gluten is the bun, so they'll serve your burger wrapped in lettuce instead. And the fries are safe, since they don't use the deep fryers for anything else.

[BreninMA]

Be careful! I was there yesterday and the meal I ate there was the ONLY food I had all day that wasn't in its original state; I had a *terrible* reaction! I *think* it was the corn chips, which they do warn about on their site but the reaction I had was way out of proportion based on my past experiences with them. They DID seem a little crazed so it's possible that there was some accidental contamination but for someone who has more severe problems than I do it might have been far more dangerous.

[mbrookes]

Has anyone tried taking their own bun to Five Guys? Do you think that would work? I would love to be able to eat a burger and fries there.

[eatmeat4good]

What Bun would you take?

I bet they would not mind one bit.

[Lilith]

I tried the chopped salad at Arby's a few weeks ago - hadn't been to Arby's in YEARS but had a coupon and hubby was up for it. I got the salad with roasted chicken and honey mustard dressing, both of which (and the salad) were deemed gluten-free on their website. It was the best fast food salad I have had, and I am glad to find a place to stop in a pinch where I don't have to rely on the person behind the counter understanding questions about gluten-free foods . . . Their jamoca shake was pretty good too!

[Darissa]

I tried the chopped salad at Arby's a few weeks ago - hadn't been to Arby's in YEARS but had a coupon and hubby was up for it. I got the salad with roasted chicken and honey mustard dressing, both of which (and the salad) were deemed gluten-free on their website. It was the best fast food salad I have had, and I am glad to find a place to stop in a pinch where I don't have to rely on the person behind the counter understanding questions about gluten-free foods . . . Their jamoca shake was pretty good too!

Thanks! I didn't know Arby's had any gluten free options. I will check out their website.

[Racer-J]

Thanks! I didn't know Arby's had any gluten free options. I will check out their website.

They do. My father has had their roast beef. Apparently they put it in a container and you get more meat than you would on the actual sandwich. It's fast food though so that may not be the case at every location nor their attention to detail. This was apparently a very cautious and caring location.

For example, I know people here have said that they eat at Chiopotle but, the one I went to last week was a "hawt mess". Everybody was touching everything and there was no way in the world that changing the gloves at this location would have made any difference. I am guessing the best time to go to any of their stores would be as soon as they open, be the first customer, and hope nothing has been done prior to your arrival. I'm betting that during "prep" though the taco shells, corn tortillas, and even just the empty "bowls" are cross contaminated since they are all in the same are of the flour tortillas and handled by the same person before they even head down the "assembly line". It would be so much simpler if they didn't even have flour tortillas but, flour tortillas are greater in every way to a corn tortilla unless it's an enchilada so it's obvious why they use/sell them.

[Darissa]

.From Previous Post

"For example, I know people here have said that they eat at Chiopotle but, the one I went to last week was a "hawt mess". Everybody was touching everything and there was no way in the world that changing the gloves at this location would have made any difference."

We feel the same way about all the Chipotles we have visited. We quit eating there due to all the cc from the flour tortillas. We were tired of getting sick every time we ate there. They spoon the meat/rice/beans on the flour tortillas, and touch the flour tortillas, and than put the spoon back into the serving pan of food. Too much CC for us. We are very sensitive to CC. I've even asked if they had fresh pans of rice/beans in the back that they could get our food out of, and they said no.

But thanks for the info on Arbys. Can't wait to try the shakes and roast chicken salad!

[Coleslawcat]

They do. My father has had their roast beef. Apparently they put it in a container and you get more meat than you would on the actual sandwich. It's fast food though so that may not be the case at every location nor their attention to detail. This was apparently a very cautious and caring location.

For example, I know people here have said that they eat at Chiopotle but, the one I went to last week was a "hawt mess". Everybody was touching everything and there was no way in the world that changing the gloves at this location would have made any difference. I am guessing the best time to go to any of their stores would be as soon as they open, be the first customer, and hope nothing has been done prior to your arrival. I'm betting that during "prep" though the taco shells, corn tortillas, and even just the empty "bowls" are cross contaminated since they are all in the same are of the flour tortillas and handled by the same person before they even head down the "assembly line". It would be so much simpler if they didn't even have flour tortillas but, flour tortillas are greater in every way to a corn tortilla unless it's an enchilada so it's obvious why they use/sell them.

About Chipotle

When I eat there I tell them I have an allergy (easier than explaining). They actually serve me out of all fresh containers using fresh serving utensils. They do not serve me out of the ones that are on the line and likely contaminated. They almost always have another set ready to go anyway to replace the current ones when they empty out, so they just pull the plastic back on those and serve me from them. I haven't been contaminated there yet and I eat there very frequently. They seem to take the most care of any fast food place I've eaten at.

[Darissa]

About Chipotle

When I eat there I tell them I have an allergy (easier than explaining). They actually serve me out of all fresh containers using fresh serving utensils. They do not serve me out of the ones that are on the line and likely contaminated. They almost always have another set ready to go anyway to replace the current ones when they empty out, so they just pull the plastic back on those and serve me from them. I haven't been contaminated there yet and I eat there very frequently. They seem to take the most care of any fast food place I've eaten at.

Wow that's great they do that for you. Our Chiptoles here (I've asked at least 3 different ones) won't do that. Maybe I won't give up on Chiptoles and try a different one here in the Valley. It would be nice to be able to eat there again. They have great food. Thanks for the info.

[GlutenFreeManna]

Has anyone tried taking their own bun to Five Guys? Do you think that would work? I would love to be able to eat a burger and fries there.

That's a good idea. I would not ask them to take my gluten-free bun and make the burger though, I would just take the bun and put my lettuce wrapped burger on it myself after getting my order. Most restaurants cannot take outside food back into their kitchens for health code reasons. Also, I have observed (at least at the Five Guys in my area) that most of the workers speak English as a second language. They are well trained and understand the word "allergy" very well. They always change gloves and take care to make the lettuce wrapped burger on a different countertop from the regular bun burgers. I do think, however, it would confuse them if I said I have an allergy and then tried to hand them my own bun. Most of the time they ask me in broken English, "you have bread allergy?" And I tell them, "Yes I'm allergic to bread, please be careful." And they nod and make my burger wrapped in lettuce.

[winenstuff]

I'll have to try out Chipolte sometime, and that's awesome to hear that Five Guys will wrap it in lettuce because I was hesitant of going back there.

Thanks for the advice everybody.

[modiddly16]

If your Chipotles won't do that for you then you need to contact that manager as well as corporate, because they claim to be allergy friendly (to a degree obviously) and advertise that they will accomodate on request. I've never had an issue with several Chipotles (across several states) so I'd definitely look into that! You shouldn't have to miss out on the deliciousness because of lazy workers.

[Darissa]

If your Chipotles won't do that for you then you need to contact that manager as well as corporate, because they claim to be allergy friendly (to a degree obviously) and advertise that they will accomodate on request. I've never had an issue with several Chipotles (across several states) so I'd definitely look into that! You shouldn't have to miss out on the deliciousness because of lazy workers.

Thank You. I think that I will contact them. Chipotles used to be a favorite prior to going gluten-free. And when we travel, it would be nice because there are so many Chipotles around different areas.

[Kate79]

I think it always depends on your local restaurant - I've had good luck with Chipotle, but I usually go to the same one and I'm mostly there when they aren't too busy - I think if you're there at the lunchtime rush, you're much more likely to have an issue.

I'm pretty sure 5 Guys wouldn't have problems with bringing your own bun, if you just put your burger in it afterward like someone else mentioned. I did have an issue last week with an employee who insisted they wouldn't do a lettuce wrap for the burger (claimed all their lettuce was 'pre-shredded') - but luckily the manager was there and explained that yes, they will do that! Good teachable moment for that employee

[brendygirl]

I live right down the street from FIVE GUYS and I bring MY OWN BUN. I thaw and microwave a Kinnickinnick bun and bring it and put my burger on it myself inside the restaurant. I have also brought Udi bread to eat as a bun, since I usually have some thawed and ready. I now have a place to buy SCHAR chibatta buns and I'll use those now. I LOVE SCHAR BUNS!

I bring my bread to LOTS of restaurants.

The funny thing is, the servers almost ALWAYS see the bun when I'm eating and say something like "Oh, no! You can't eat that!" or "I told them not to bring a bun, let me get you another ...." And I just say, I brought my own "special" bun, but thanks for paying attention!

I also enjoy using the term special, instead of high maintenance when I order. I say that my co-eaters are "regular" (in lieu of "normal"), but I am SPECIAL.

[AE Paul]

Moe's Southwest Grill, Boston Market and Burger King each have gluten-free menus/lists on their website, for what that's worth, though I am cautious with all fast food. KFC and Taco Bell do as well, though I would consider them even lower on the comfort scale.

[modiddly16]

I don't know that I'd ever trust a KFC or a Taco Bell...KFC for obvious reasons, I'm not sure I've ever heard them having any gluten free items..even their grilled chicken breast is covered in flour and Taco Bell for non-gluten stomach related issues

[Lima Bean]

I don't trust most fast food places. The workers don't speak English and they don't seem set up to make food really gluten free. I did OK at Wendy's with chili & potato but I had to talk to the shift manager.

[GlutenFreeManna]

I don't know that I'd ever trust a KFC or a Taco Bell...KFC for obvious reasons, I'm not sure I've ever heard them having any gluten free items..even their grilled chicken breast is covered in flour and Taco Bell for non-gluten stomach related issues

I agree! Doesn't KFC bread their chicken there? There's got to be flour everwhere! And Taco Bell puts wheat in their meat. I'm not sure much would be safe there.

[AE Paul]

Let me reiterate what I said so no one thinks I'm endorsing dining at any of these particular restaurants. In response to the question of other fast-food restaurants that have gluten-free options, I simply wanted to post the names of those that have gluten-free menus on their sites. Whether they're trained to really understand cross-contact and the like... I'm not the trusting kind on this. I'm not a fan of fast food, and they don't score well on the allergy- or intolerance-friendly scale. Sorry if my post was accidentally misleading.

[kareng]

Let me reiterate what I said so no one thinks I'm endorsing dining at any of these particular restaurants. In response to the question of other fast-food restaurants that have gluten-free options, I simply wanted to post the names of those that have gluten-free menus on their sites. Whether they're trained to really understand cross-contact and the like... I'm not the trusting kind on this. I'm not a fan of fast food, and they don't score well on the allergy- or intolerance-friendly scale. Sorry if my post was accidentally misleading.

I think it is good to point out there that there are places that have gluten-free menus and may not be very gluten-free.

I know lots of people who think if there is a gluten-free menu it must be OK for me.

[AkaiSohma]

Okay, so I've been working at a fast food joint for 2 weeks now, and honestly I wouldn't trust ANY of them. Crumbs from everything, get everywhere, things sometimes aren't cleaned just wiped down with sanitizing solution, everyone runs all over the place shouting orders to each other and bumping into each other so it is too hectic to keep track of any one thing.

I would maybe trust Five Guys just because the only things they make are burgers, fries and shakes so you don't have to worry about the fries in the same fry oil as other things etc...