How to Eat Gluten Free at Bonefish Grill

This post details how to eat gluten free at the Bonefish Grill and contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosures.

The Bonefish Grill is a casual dining seafood restaurant chain with more than 200 locations in 28 states. I decided to research the Bonefish Grill’s gluten-free menu for this article, as well as test the food for hidden with my Nima Sensor.

The Nima Sensor is a portable gluten detecting device that enables you to test a small, pea-sized portion of your food before you eat it. The device will tell you if it finds gluten or if your dish is free from gluten and therefore safe for you to eat.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and sometimes oats. While many restaurant dishes don’t contain gluten, per se, they are notorious for coming in contact with gluten during the preparation process. This makes eating out one of the biggest challenges faced by the gluten-free community today. (Read: What is Gluten and Why is it Bad for Some People?)

You can watch the Nima Sensor in action in my Facebook Live video. You can see me test the gluten-free flourless brownie for hidden gluten using my Nima Sensor.

Bonefish Grill’s Gluten-Free Menu

You can see the Bonefish Grill’s Gluten-Free Menu at this website, but I’ll sum it up for you below.

First, however, I want to comment on how welcoming the Bonefish Grill is to gluten-free patrons. It even has a dedicated gluten-free menu, a rarity in today’s world.

On the the Bonefish Grill website, you’ll also find this wonderful message to the gluten-free community:

“Gluten free definitely does not mean taste free. It’s easy to eat well and live well if you know where to look! At Bonefish Grill, you can choose from an entire menu dedicated to gluten-free options. From gluten-free appetizers, to fresh, wood-grilled specialties and even decadent desserts, you can have something new and different every time you come in.”

Wow, a restaurant that actually cares about the food it serves its gluten-free customers. Thank you!

Here are some of the foods you can eat off of the Bonefish Grill’s gluten-free menu. Remember to inquire with your server for the latest gluten-free menu options:

Salads: You can eat many of the salads. Just make sure they’re prepared without croutons and without farro/ancient grains if it’s part of the salad you’re ordering.

Grilled Fish: The grilled fish items are only lightly seasoned and wood-grilled, making them a safe bet for you. Salmon, sea bass and trout are typically available on the grilled fish menu. (I tested the rainbow trout for hidden gluten – see results below.)

Meat Dishes: You can choose from several steaks that are prepared without gluten, as well as Lily’s Chicken entree, also gluten free.

Seafood Specialities: Several seafood options (specifically lobster and shrimp) are available on the gluten-free menu at Bonefish Grill.

Sides: The garlic whipped mashed potatoes, the seasonal vegetables, and the jasmine rice are all gluten free, as are the steamed asparagus and sweet potato mash.

Dessert: The Bonefish Grill has two gluten-free desserts on its menu (last I checked), including a flourless macadamia nut chocolate brownie and creme brulee. I tested the flourless brownie with my Nima Sensor and share the results below.

Brunch: The Bonefish Grill offers a Saturday and Sunday morning brunch that includes several omelets for its gluten-free customers. I have not personally had the brunch at the Bonefish Grill, so I don’t have any first hand experience to report back to you at this time.

Eating Gluten Free at Bonefish Grill

I decided to eat at the Bonefish Grill with my husband so we could test a few dishes for hidden gluten. I wanted to see how the restaurant handled my request, how I was treated, and how the food fared.

When I arrived I asked for a gluten-free menu and was provided with one without hesitation.

Then, when I ordered, I told my server, “I eat gluten free and am serious about it.” He said gluten free would be “no problem” for them, and he kindly took my order.

I later spoke with the manager (she stopped by to check on us) and she said they take allergies very seriously. She said they use clean pans to cook allergy meals. She said the only thing that she cannot guarantee to be gluten free is anything cooked in the deep fryer. Makes sense as they do not have a dedicated gluten-free fryer.

We ordered the following two items and here is how they fared when put to the Nima Sensor test:

Grilled Rainbow Trout: All grilled fish dishes come with two signature sides. I ordered my dish with spinach and rice (the rice has a wonderful flavor to it – highly recommend). It also comes with a sauce. I got the mango salsa.

As you can see below, the Nima Sensor was all smiles when I tested my trout – hooray! (Smiley face means no gluten found.)

I also really enjoyed the trout. It was lightly seasoned, although I added a bit more salt. It was cooked to perfection, and I will order this exact dish again.

Macadamia Nut Flourless Chocolate Brownie: I also tested the Macadamia Nut Flourless Chocolate Brownie for gluten using my Nima Sensor. Once again, Nima is all smiles.

This brownie is rich and sweet. It came with a raspberry sauce, vanilla bean ice cream, whipped cream and chopped nuts. It’s rich and decadent. A few bites will leave a wonderful taste that lingers in your mouth long after you’ve dined.

I Highly Recommend the Bonefish Grill

The Bonefish Grill is a great place to eat at when you can’t eat gluten. Of course, remember to always:

• Disclose your “allergy” to your server. Be sure to convey the seriousness of your request.
• Request the latest gluten-free menu. The menu changes depending on the season.
• Look for clues that help you decode if your food is safe, test you food with your Nima Sensor (if you have one), and trust your gut (it won’t lead you astray).

Other Restaurants I’ve Tested

I write more about how to eat out safely when you eat gluten free in my book, Dear Gluten, It’s Not Me, It’s You and in my ebook titled, The Ultimate Guide to Eating Out Gluten Free.

I’ve been testing dozens of restaurants for hidden gluten over the years. Please visit my Eating Out archives to find out how to eat out safely at restaurants such as the Olive Garden, Maggiano’s, Cheesecake Factory and more.

Download my Gluten Free Safe Dining Card for FREE to ensure a safe, gluten-free dining experience every time.