Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Five Guys Burgers And Fries For The Win


josh052980

Recommended Posts

josh052980 Enthusiast

So I emailed Five Guys because there is a brand new one down the street from me, and everyone raves about their fries, and this is what they emailed back:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Josh,

Thank you for taking the time to write in to Five Guys, we appreciate you taking the time to do so. We have received your inquiry in regards to the presence of gluten in our products.

Currently, Five Guys DOES NOT offer a gluten free bun, as we have yet to find a bun we feel meets the flavor of our burger. However, I


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



CarolinaKip Community Regular

So I emailed Five Guys because there is a brand new one down the street from me, and everyone raves about their fries, and this is what they emailed back:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Josh,

Thank you for taking the time to write in to Five Guys, we appreciate you taking the time to do so. We have received your inquiry in regards to the presence of gluten in our products.

Currently, Five Guys DOES NOT offer a gluten free bun, as we have yet to find a bun we feel meets the flavor of our burger. However, I

lovegrov Collaborator

The fries are also gluten-free and done in a dedicated fryer. At the 5 Guys I went to, when the supervisor heard me ordering gluten-free, he changed gloves and then made the burger for me in a safer area to lessen the chance of stray crumbs. All without me asking.

richard

josh052980 Enthusiast

The fries are also gluten-free and done in a dedicated fryer. At the 5 Guys I went to, when the supervisor heard me ordering gluten-free, he changed gloves and then made the burger for me in a safer area to lessen the chance of stray crumbs. All without me asking.

richard

Did you have to do anything besides order with no bun for him to know you wanted gluten free?

joey1011 Newbie

Did you have to do anything besides order with no bun for him to know you wanted gluten free?

I always ask them to change gloves. Usually they do it without my asking. Haven't been there in a while though as I'm cutting back on beef. Decent burger, but very greasy.

lovegrov Collaborator

Did you have to do anything besides order with no bun for him to know you wanted gluten free?

I think he took the order and I mentioned I didn't want the bun because I had to eat gluten free. He immediately knew what that meant and what to do to lessen the chance of CC.

richard

Darn210 Enthusiast

We LOVE Five Guys . . . the first time we ordered and I said that my daughter needed a bunless burger, he asked if it was an allergy. We said yes (as the easy way to answer) and he yelled out "allergy" when he called back her order. They changed gloves. Now we just order "bunless because of an allergy".

Fries are fantastic but here is a hint . . . you don't need to order a serving of fries for each person. Me and my two kids can't finish one order of fries when we've all got a burger as well.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



modiddly16 Enthusiast

I agree. Five Guys is fantastic. I try not to eat there a lot because holy greasy deliciousness....but I've eaten there more times than I can count and never gotten sick!

  • 2 weeks later...
MrsVJW Newbie

I've eaten Five Guys both during the gluten-filled days and the gluten-free days. They never had a problem changing gloves when I ask. Their setup does minimize the chances of cross-contamination - buns are heated in a different area than the meats, etc.

I do usually go for as plain of a burger as possible to help cut down on cross contamination (the more toppings you add, the more your chances of cross-contamination, obviously). Ours is close to home so I usually bring it home and put it on my own bun at home. Understandable that they cannot "fix" it for you with your own gluten-free bun if there are local ordanances against bringing in outside food into their prep area (I've heard tales of this).

I react to the most minor of cross contamination and I think only once have I had minor issues (I am a gluten allergy person, got a slight skin rash). I do also watch them while they make my food - if I've ever seen them do something and not been comfortable, they have always been quick to correct the problem or start over.

Last time my husband went and ordered (after a year, he's finally feeling *he* knows the rules well enough to order for me, lol) and they gave him a burger on a bun for me. Sigh. He said no, he needed a bunless one. They suggested taking the bun off the burger. He said no, I have a wheat allergy, I can't do that. They made me up a fresh one, sans bun.

Katrala Contributor

I ate at a Five Guys for the first time a few weeks ago - in Tampa, I believe.

The cashier rang up the bunless request / allergy and while I was watching the guy make it, I said to my husband, "I wonder if he'll know to change gloves?" He heard me and asked if it was an allergy. When I told him yes he looked at the cashier and said, "You have to TELL me when there's an allergy - it's not OK to just forget."

While that was all good and such, I just wasn't impressed with their other stuff like I had hoped I would be. It was so greasy and the fries were just "OK." I haven't had restaurant fries in so long that I was looking forward to it. They are only seasoned with salt (and not much at that.)

While having them as a gluten-free option is nice, I'd much rather have a burger and fries from home.

AMBSneakySnack Newbie

So I emailed Five Guys because there is a brand new one down the street from me, and everyone raves about their fries, and this is what they emailed back:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Josh,

Thank you for taking the time to write in to Five Guys, we appreciate you taking the time to do so. We have received your inquiry in regards to the presence of gluten in our products.

Currently, Five Guys DOES NOT offer a gluten free bun, as we have yet to find a bun we feel meets the flavor of our burger. However, I

MrsVJW Newbie

They've got a good system in place without the bun. I, for one, am happy that they maintain that if they can't do it "right" by offering a gluten-free bun - They get their bread fresh, so they may not have a freezer set-up to stash gluten-free buns to take them out when needed (and it's hard to predict how much "fresh" gluten-free product you'd go thru). They'd need a different way to heat up the bun, and they currently handle all their buns on one single surface with one person manning that station. Couldn't use that same station, and if you had one dedicated grill for the gluten-free buns, that is a lot of real estate in the kitchen, it would either require another person OR you have one person doing both right next to each other... hello, cross-contamination city.

I'd rather be offered something that is 99% safe but somehow a little less than it's gluten-y counterpart than something that is less safe.

Darn210 Enthusiast

I've seen/read (can't remember where, I'm getting old) where they get suggestions of things to add to their menu and they always turn it down. They do what they do and they do it well, why mess with success . . . that's my take away on their position and quite honestly, I'm good with that. When I walk in there, I know exactly what I'm going to find. For the record, my daughter would order it bun free anyway, she's lost the taste for hamburger and bread together. She says it soaks up all her ketchup :P

pricklypear1971 Community Regular

I've seen/read (can't remember where, I'm getting old) where they get suggestions of things to add to their menu and they always turn it down. They do what they do and they do it well, why mess with success . . . that's my take away on their position and quite honestly, I'm good with that. When I walk in there, I know exactly what I'm going to find. For the record, my daughter would order it bun free anyway, she's lost the taste for hamburger and bread together. She says it soaks up all her ketchup :P

Sounds like me with In N Out.

And I so get the ketchup thing...my son slathers it in ketchup.

  • 3 months later...
healing123 Newbie

We experienced gluten big time at five guys. I think it depends on how sensitive you are and the training of the staff. We watched the glove change and called out allergy, however, in thinking back, we don't know what was put on the surface area before we came in. We like Five Guys, and hope it works for those who can tolerate. Please know, for those who have severe sensitivity, there are many variables that come into play. We asked the even changed the spatula, still a very bad reaction.

Thank you

mboebel Newbie

The one by me is very understanding - the cashier (I have seen her there more than once) has a family member with celiac so she really gets it. We've had very good luck at Five Guys & another local chain (Beef a Roo).

  • 2 weeks later...
lpellegr Collaborator

The spatula is the thing that keeps me from ordering their burgers - when they are done with the burger they slide it off the spatula onto the bun, and there's the point of contact between bun and spatula. But the fries are the only fast-food fries around that I feel safe with, and they are wonderful.

kareng Grand Master

The spatula is the thing that keeps me from ordering their burgers - when they are done with the burger they slide it off the spatula onto the bun, and there's the point of contact between bun and spatula. But the fries are the only fast-food fries around that I feel safe with, and they are wonderful.

I could never eat thier burgers and fries. Way too much food! I get the fries and eat peanuts, too! Then I don't have to worry that they may grill a bun for someone or get crumbs on a spatula.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - Clear2me replied to Clear2me's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      7

      Gluten free nuts

    2. - Mmoc replied to Mmoc's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Blood tests low iGA 4 years later digestive issues

    3. - Aretaeus Cappadocia replied to Clear2me's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      7

      Gluten free nuts

    4. - trents replied to Larzipan's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      42

      Has anyone had terrible TMJ/ Jaw Pain from undiagnosed Celiac?


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,388
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Whirlwind acres
    Newest Member
    Whirlwind acres
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Clear2me
      Thanks for the info. I recently moved to CA from Wyoming and in that western region the Costco and Sam's /Walmart Brands have many nuts and more products that are labeled gluten free. I was told it's because those products are packaged and processed  in different  plants. Some plants can be labeled  gluten free because the plant does not also package gluten products and they know that for example the trucks, containers equipment are not used to handle wheat, barely or Rye. The Walmart butter in the western region says gluten free but not here. Most of The Kirkland and Members Mark brands in CA say they are from Vietnam. That's not the case in Wyoming and Colorado. I've spoken to customer service at the stores here in California. They were not helpful. I check labels every time I go to the store. The stores where I am are a Sh*tshow. The Magalopoly grocery chain Vons/Safeway/Albertsons, etc. are the same. Fishers and Planters brands no longer say gluten free. It could be regional. There are nuts with sugar coatings and fruit and nut mixes at the big chains that are labeled gluten free but I don't want the fruit or sugar.  It's so difficult I am considering moving again. I thought it would be easier to find safe food in a more populated area. It's actually worse.  I was undiagnosed for most of my life but not because I didn't try to figure it out. So I have had all the complications possible. I don't have any spare organs left.  No a little gluten will hurt you. The autoimmune process continues to destroy your organs though you may not feel it. If you are getting a little all the time and as much as we try we probably all are and so the damage is happening. Now the FDA has pretty much abandoned celiacs. There are no requirements for labeling for common allergens on medications. All the generic drugs made outside the US are not regulated for common allergens and the FDA is taking the last gluten free porcine Thyroid med, NP Thyroid, off the market in 2026. I was being glutened by a generic levothyroxin. The insurance wouldn't pay for the gluten free brand any longer because the FDA took them all off their approved formulary. So now I am paying $147 out of pocket for NP Thyroid but shortly I will have no safe choice. Other people with allergies should be aware that these foreign generic pharmaceutical producers are using ground shellfish shell as pill coatings and anti-desicants. The FDA knows this but  now just waits for consumers to complain or die. The take over of Wholefoods by Amazon destroyed a very reliable source of good high quality food for people with allergies and for people who wanted good reliably organic food. Bezos thought  he could make a fortune off people who were paying alot for organic and allergen free food by substituting cheap brands from Thailand. He didn't understand who the customers were who were willing to pay more for that food and why. I went from spending hundreds to nothing because Bezo removed every single trusted brand that I was buying. Now they are closing Whole foods stores across the country. In CA, Mill Valley store (closed July 2025) and the National Blvd. store in West Los Angeles (closed October 2025). The Cupertino store will close.  In recent years I have learned to be careful and trust no one. I have been deleberately glutened in a restaurant that was my favorite (a new employee). The Chef owner was not in the kitchen that night. I've had  a metal scouring pad cut up over my food.The chain offered gluten free dishes but it only takes one crazy who thinks you're a problem as a food fadist. Good thing I always look. Good thing they didn't do that to food going to a child with a busy mom.  I give big tips and apologize for having to ask in restaurants but mental illness seem to be rampant. I've learn the hard way.          I don't buy any processed food that doesn't say gluten free.  I am a life long Catholic. I worked for the Church while at college. I don't go to Church anymore because the men at the top decided Jesus is gluten. The special hosts are gluten less not gluten free. No I can't drink wine after people with gluten in their mouth and a variety of deadly germs. I have been abandoned and excluded by my Church/Family.  Having nearly died several times, safe food is paramount. If your immune system collapses as mine did, you get sepsis. It can kill you very quickly. I spent 5 days unconscious and had to have my appendix and gall bladder removed because they were necrotic. I was 25. They didn't figure out I had celiac till I was 53. No one will take the time to tell you what can happen when your immune system gets overwhelmed from its constant fighting the gluten and just stops. It is miserable that our food is processed so carelessly. Our food in many aspects is not safe. And the merging of all the grocery chains has made it far worse. Its a disaster. Krogers also recently purchased Vitacost where I was getting the products I could no longer get at Whole Foods. Kroger is eliminating those products from Vitacost just a Bezos did from WF. I am looking for reliable and certified sources for nuts. I have lived the worst consequences of the disease and being exposed unknowingly and maliciously. Once I was diagnosed I learned way more than anyone should have to about the food industry.  I don't do gray areas. And now I dont eat out except very rarely.  I have not eaten fast food for 30 years before the celiac diagnosis. Gluten aside..... It's not food and it's not safe.  No one has got our backs. Sharing safe food sources is one thing we can do to try to be safe.        
    • Mmoc
      Thank you kindly for your response. I have since gotten the other type of bloods done and am awaiting results. 
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      I wanted to respond to your post as much for other people who read this later on (I'm not trying to contradict your experience or decisions) > Kirkland Signature Super Extra-Large Peanuts, 2.5 lbs, are labeled "gluten free" in the Calif Costcos I've been in. If they are selling non-gluten-free in your store, I suggest talking to customer service to see if they can get you the gluten-free version (they are tasty) > This past week I bought "Sliced Raw Almonds, Baking Nuts, 5 lbs Item 1495072 Best if used by Jun-10-26 W-261-6-L1A 12:47" at Costco. The package has the standard warning that it was made on machinery that <may> have processed wheat. Based on that alone, I would not eat these. However, I contacted customer service and asked them "are Costco's Sliced Almonds gluten free?" Within a day I got this response:  "This is [xyz] with the Costco Member Service Resolutions Team. I am happy to let you know we got a reply back from our Kirkland Signature team. Here is their response:  This item does not have a risk of cross contamination with gluten, barley or rye." Based on this, I will eat them. Based on experience, I believe they will be fine. Sometimes, for other products, the answer has been "they really do have cross-contamination risk" (eg, Kirkland Signature Dry Roasted Macadamia Nuts, Salted, 1.5 lbs Item 1195303). When they give me that answer I return them for cash. You might reasonably ask, "Why would Costco use that label if they actually are safe?" I can't speak for Costco but I've worked in Corporate America and I've seen this kind of thing first hand and up close. (1) This kind of regulatory label represents risk/cost to the company. What if they are mistaken? In one direction, the cost is loss of maybe 1% of sales (if celiacs don't buy when they would have). In the other direction, the risk is reputational damage and open-ended litigation (bad reviews and celiacs suing them). Expect them to play it safe. (2) There is a team tasked with getting each product out to market quickly and cheaply, and there is also a committee tasked with reviewing the packaging before it is released. If the team chooses the simplest, safest, pre-approved label, this becomes a quick check box. On the other hand, if they choose something else, it has to be carefully scrutinized through a long process. It's more efficient for the team to say there <could> be risk. (3) There is probably some plug and play in production. Some lots of the very same product could be made in a safe facility while others are made in an unsafe facility. Uniform packaging (saying there is risk) for all packages regardless of gluten risk is easier, cheaper, and safer (for Costco). Everything I wrote here is about my Costco experience, but the principles will be true at other vendors, particularly if they have extensive quality control infrastructure. The first hurdle of gluten-free diet is to remove/replace all the labeled gluten ingredients. The second, more difficult hurdle is to remove/replace all the hidden gluten. Each of us have to assess gray zones and make judgement calls knowing there is a penalty for being wrong. One penalty would be getting glutened but the other penalty could be eating an unnecessarily boring or malnourishing diet.
    • trents
      Thanks for the thoughtful reply and links, Wheatwacked. Definitely some food for thought. However, I would point out that your linked articles refer to gliadin in human breast milk, not cow's milk. And although it might seem reasonable to conclude it would work the same way in cows, that is not necessarily the case. Studies seem to indicate otherwise. Studies also indicate the amount of gliadin in human breast milk is miniscule and unlikely to cause reactions:  https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/gluten-peptides-in-human-breast-milk-implications-for-cows-milk/ I would also point out that Dr. Peter Osborne's doctorate is in chiropractic medicine, though he also has studied and, I believe, holds some sort of certifications in nutritional science. To put it plainly, he is considered by many qualified medical and nutritional professionals to be on the fringe of quackery. But he has a dedicated and rabid following, nonetheless.
    • Scott Adams
      I'd be very cautious about accepting these claims without robust evidence. The hypothesis requires a chain of biologically unlikely events: Gluten/gliadin survives the cow's rumen and entire digestive system intact. It is then absorbed whole into the cow's bloodstream. It bypasses the cow's immune system and liver. It is then secreted, still intact and immunogenic, into the milk. The cow's digestive system is designed to break down proteins, not transfer them whole into milk. This is not a recognized pathway in veterinary science. The provided backup shifts from cow's milk to human breastmilk, which is a classic bait-and-switch. While the transfer of food proteins in human breastmilk is a valid area of study, it doesn't validate the initial claim about commercial dairy. The use of a Dr. Osborne video is a major red flag. His entire platform is based on the idea that all grains are toxic, a view that far exceeds the established science on Celiac Disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and a YouTube video from a known ideological source is not that evidence."  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.