GlutenFreeSpot.com » Gluten Free Fast Food http://www.glutenfreespot.com Gluten free diets have never been easier! Reviews, Tips and Other First Hand Information Thu, 01 Apr 2010 23:38:37 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Is There a Dedicated Fryer? Ask http://www.glutenfreespot.com/2009/10/28/is-there-a-dedicated-fryer-ask/ http://www.glutenfreespot.com/2009/10/28/is-there-a-dedicated-fryer-ask/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:25:24 +0000 Eric http://www.glutenfreespot.com/?p=236 One problem you will have to be aware of at restaurants is the deep fryers. Sure French fries seem safe but most places cook their breaded chicken strips or breaded items in the same fryer as the fries. This creates a problem with cross contamination. Some places will be able to dedicate a fryer just [...]]]> One problem you will have to be aware of at restaurants is the deep fryers. Sure French fries seem safe but most places cook their breaded chicken strips or breaded items in the same fryer as the fries. This creates a problem with cross contamination. Some places will be able to dedicate a fryer just for French fries or gluten free items but I would not count on that for most places. Make sure to ask the waitress before ordering if it is possible to have a dedicated fryer. One place that I have gone and had success is Red Robin. I asked if they could dedicate a fryer to make it completely gluten free and they were able to accommodate.

]]> http://www.glutenfreespot.com/2009/10/28/is-there-a-dedicated-fryer-ask/feed/ 0 Gluten Free Fast Food: Qdoba http://www.glutenfreespot.com/2009/10/22/gluten-free-fast-food-qdoba/ http://www.glutenfreespot.com/2009/10/22/gluten-free-fast-food-qdoba/#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:38:58 +0000 Eric http://www.glutenfreespot.com/?p=221 Last night I was with some friends and they wanted to go to the Qdoba that is on campus, I felt unsure about ordering there so I decided to not take a chance with anything besides the chips and salsa. I did a post a few weeks ago about Gluten Free Fast Food Menus [...]]]> Last night I was with some friends and they wanted to go to the Qdoba that is on campus, I felt unsure about ordering there so I decided to not take a chance with anything besides the chips and salsa.

I did a post a few weeks ago about Gluten Free Fast Food Menus and I wanted to add another: Qdoba. Qdoba is basically a Subway for Mexican food. I would not consider Qdoba your typical “fast food” becuase there is no drive through but it is close enough. You choose what you want and they take you through a line of toppings much like at Subway. Flour tortillas are automatically out of the question, but if the Qdoba in your area serves corn tortillas or tacos you may be in luck. I would ask the person who is preparing your food to use a new pair of gloves to avoid any cross contamination from their hands. Also, since they are taking your meal along the same path of counter as wheat tortillas I would ask them to be especially careful and place something down so there is no cross contamination. I also worry that the toppings that they use might have came in contact with some Gluten. Preparing these tacos and burritos takes a lot of hand contact and when people are reaching for toppings with the same gloves as they are touching a flour burrito is might cause problems. It might not cause problems for some though.

I would make sure to call ahead and speak to the manager and let him or her know you might be stopping in later, also ask if the meat and other toppings are Gluten free just to be safe. I am pretty sure they are safe for the most part, the most important part of your visit will be communication with the person who prepares your food. Let them know your situation and that you are needing them to wear new gloves and be careful about what your meal touches. If anyone has had an experience at Qdoba please let us know!

]]> http://www.glutenfreespot.com/2009/10/22/gluten-free-fast-food-qdoba/feed/ 0 Fast Food Gluten Free Menus http://www.glutenfreespot.com/2009/10/08/fast-food-gluten-free-menus/ http://www.glutenfreespot.com/2009/10/08/fast-food-gluten-free-menus/#comments Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:59:43 +0000 Eric http://www.glutenfreespot.com/?p=159 As I mentioned in my last post I would be following up with more information on Gluten Free options at fast food restaurants. I have included links below to some of the top fast food restaurants and their gluten free options. Most of these are allergen chart which allow you to see what each individual [...]]]> As I mentioned in my last post I would be following up with more information on Gluten Free options at fast food restaurants. I have included links below to some of the top fast food restaurants and their gluten free options. Most of these are allergen chart which allow you to see what each individual item contains.

In my opinion Wendy’s does the best job with their menu. Personally I would stick with salads because they are pretty safe and away from the kitchen. I would still be careful about eating at fast food restaurants just because of the potential for cross contamination though. If you have had success at one of these restaurants and would like to share please do!

Taco Bell
Carl’s Jr.
Wendy’s
Dairy Queen
Burger King
Subway

]]> http://www.glutenfreespot.com/2009/10/08/fast-food-gluten-free-menus/feed/ 4 Tip: Fast Food Restaurants http://www.glutenfreespot.com/2009/10/07/tip-fast-food-restaurants/ http://www.glutenfreespot.com/2009/10/07/tip-fast-food-restaurants/#comments Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:22:20 +0000 Eric http://www.glutenfreespot.com/?p=154 Eating at fast food restaurants might be one of the most frustrating things about living with a Gluten Free diet. The small kitchen combined with employees who are not extensively trained about eliminating cross contamination and what kind of preparation food needs for a special diet can lead to a problem. Many restaurants have tried [...]]]> Eating at fast food restaurants might be one of the most frustrating things about living with a Gluten Free diet. The small kitchen combined with employees who are not extensively trained about eliminating cross contamination and what kind of preparation food needs for a special diet can lead to a problem. Many restaurants have tried to be a little more helpful by proving nutritional information in either a brochure or a poster with nutritional information on it. Eating at a fast food restaurant is a big risk and I recommend staying away from fast food joints if at all possible.

Of the fast food restaurants I think Wendy’s does the best job at catering to those with a Gluten Free diet. I would always recommend staying away from french fries because most cookers are not dedicated to french fries, there might be breaded products cooked in the same oil. McDonald’s used to have a dedicated cooker for their fried which made them Gluten Free but a few years ago they stopped that and they are no longer safe. Obviously stay away from burgers, and I would be hesitant to try any patty’s just cause I would fear for cross contamination from back in the kitchen. Wendy’s has a decent menu for those allergic to Gluten. Here is their Gluten Free Menu. They have some chili that is pretty good and some good salads. I noticed recently that their chicken on their BLT salad switched over to breaded when it used to be grilled. I was pretty disappointed when I got my salad to find strips of breaded chicken on my salad.

When eating at fast food restaurants be safe. Stick with items that you are certain with and you can even talk to your order taker to tell them about your concerns with your dietary needs. Communication is key! I will do a post tomorrow about Gluten Free options at other fast food restaurants.

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