Chipotle!

[megsybeth]

I'm very new to my diagnosis and living gluten-free. I've been in a couple upscale (expensive!) health food restaurants that catered to gluten free and where the waitiers were knowledgable but my first takeout experience at Chipotle was so great. The manager assured me only the flour tortillas had gluten and then asked if I'd like the person helping me to change her gloves since she had handled them. I knew I was supposed to ask but I probably would have been too shy. It just made me feel so good that they made that extra effort to assure me I wasn't a pain, that the restaurant cared.

[rosetapper23]

A number of people on this Forum have written to say similar nice things about Chipotle....and, in the future, please DO ask them to change gloves. It reinforces their training, and it's necessary to protect you.

[deltron80]

I eat at Chipotle a lot and I love it, but I have a feeling there is definitely some cross contamination depending on how sensitive you are. Even if you ask them to change gloves they sling those spoons around like crazy when it gets busy. Also, don't get cheese or lettuce because they use their hands for that.

[pricklypear1971]

  On 11/2/2012 at 4:52 PM, deltron80 said:

I eat at Chipotle a lot and I love it, but I have a feeling there is definitely some cross contamination depending on how sensitive you are. Even if you ask them to change gloves they sling those spoons around like crazy when it gets busy. Also, don't get cheese or lettuce because they use their hands for that.

Ask them to pull cheese and lettuce from a new container. I do, and they happily do it.

Yes, I'm sure there's some cc but it is very minimal. Remember the only gluten is the flour tortillas...

[mommyto2kids]

  On 11/2/2012 at 5:43 PM, pricklypear1971 said:

Ask them to pull cheese and lettuce from a new container. I do, and they happily do it.

Yes, I'm sure there's some cc but it is very minimal. Remember the only gluten is the flour tortillas...

Their meat is too spicy for me and makes me sick, but the service is good. Not much I can eat there. I just learned I can't do cheese.

[Mom-of-Two]

I have had Chipotle probably 50 times since being gluten-free, so maybe I'm an expert it is all about the people handling your food- you have to be assertive in asking them to be safe, when you order- my husband usually gets the order since it's usually eaten at home, he makes them wash hands, change gloves, they also get new spoons, and fresh cheese from the back (I don't get lettuce in mine), certain people there are better than others, and even wipe down their work space without being asked.

We have found the most important thing is to see that the same person completes your order, sometimes 5 people are on that line- rather than make 5 people go through the same process, one employee goes down the line with my order.

Never had a reaction, not once. My 8 year old has been gluten-free for 6 months and loves her Chipotle, no reaction from her either.

We have eaten at other locations maybe 2-3 times, we just ask for the same care wherever we are.

In our experience, these people are not trained--- some employees are awesome and know exactly what to do, others look at me and ask what gluten is, as they prepare to give me a flour tortilla. They are clearly not taught anything about this in the restaurant, so we teach them, easiest way!!

[StephanieL]

My son is also dairy allergic (along with a slew of others) and it is one of three places we are comfortable taking him!

Glad you found a safe option that works for you!

[brigala]

Last time I went to my Chipotle, when I told them we had a "gluten allergy" the first person in line called down to the rest of the staff. As soon as the order ahead of us had cleared the line, All of them, like in unison, changed their gloves and got towels out to wipe down the prep counter. The person at the front wiped down the tortilla warmer. Then they all stood there with the clean counter waiting for our orders to come down. I was very impressed.

 

Of course there's a chance of cross contamination in the ingredients, but in general flour tortillas don't "shed" as much as regular bread or of course loose flour. I only rarely eat out at places that aren't 100% gluten free, but on those occasions when I really need to I feel pretty good about our local Chipotle. At other locations I have had to get a little more specific and ask them to change gloves and such; but I still feel pretty confident that the level of contamination is lower than just about any other restaurant I could eat at.