How 20 Restaurants with Gluten-Free Options Fared When Tested for Hidden Gluten

I’ve tested various restaurants with gluten-free options for hidden gluten using my Nima Sensor, a portable gluten-detecting device. Most of these restaurants offer a gluten-free menu or gluten-free options. In this article, I’ll share how 20 popular restaurants fared when put to the hidden gluten test. Please note my results may not be indicative of your results and you should always do your own due diligence before enjoying a meal at any of these restaurants. Please read my disclosures.

I love eating out, but eating out safely when you can’t eat gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and sometimes oats, isn’t always to do.

Over the years, I’ve been using a device called the Nima Sensor, a portable gluten-detecting device that enables me to test a small piece of my food for gluten before taking a bite. (Soon the Allergy Amulet will be available, another hidden gluten testing device.)

When my server places a meal in front of me, I have no way of knowing the following:

• Is this the gluten-free dish I ordered? How do I know it wasn’t confused with another dish? Trust me, a lot can go wrong between the time you order your food and the time it arrives at your table.
• Is this dish prepared only with gluten-free ingredients? Gluten can sneak into a dish if the chef doesn’t thoroughly check the labels of dressings, marinades, and sauces for hidden gluten.
• Is the dish prepared so it’s free from potential gluten cross-contamination? Did the chef wash his hands and pots and pan before preparing my dish?

However, with a Nima Sensor in hand, I’m able to check my food before I eat it. In a sense, Nima takes the first bite letting me know if this meal is safe for me to proceed or not.

Keep in mind, however, that the Nima Sensor has a lot of limitations, and cannot, for example, detect gluten in fermented foods. It also only checks a small piece of your food, not the entire dish. Read more about these limitations before you invest in a Nima Sensor in my article, What You Need to Know About Nima Sensor Before You Buy.

The truth is, however, that the Nima Sensor can prevent you from getting accidentally glutened, helping you stay safe and healthy at every turn.

How the Nima Sensor Works

To use the Nima Sensor, you simply put a small amount of your food into one of the single-use test capsules, then put the test capsule inside your Nima Sensor.

Press the start button. Nima will then make funny gurgling noises. In about 2-3 minutes, Nima will display either a “Found Gluten” message or a smiley face indicating that it did not find any gluten. I love when Nima smiles at me.

What You Need to Know About My Tests

Before I share the results of how 20 restaurants that offer gluten-free options fared against the Nima Sensor, please note the following:

• These are my personal results and may not be indicative of the results you get when you test dishes at these same restaurants or at different locations. Menus vary, as do preparation methods. Some restaurants have processes in place to eliminate the risk of cross contamination (like Red Robin), while other restaurants have methods that are spotty at best (like Cheesecake Factory).
• I only order dishes that I’m assured will be safe for me to eat. If the risk of cross contamination is high (like it is when ordering pizza), I don’t order the item and instead order grilled fish or tacos. If a waiter says the gluten-free pasta is cooked in shared pasta water, I will never order it, nor will I order anything cooked in a shared deep fryer.
• I always tell my server that I cannot eat gluten and that I’m serious about following a gluten-free diet. When I use strong, assertive language, I feel like my server takes my order seriously.
• I ask a lot of questions to ensure my food is prepared right. The Nima Sensor is not a substitute for asking questions or lazy ordering. You can read what critics have said about the device in this article. Bottom line is some people think gluten-free people are lazy or too dumb to properly use this device. Let’s prove them wrong.
• I always tell my server have a testing device that allows me to test my dish for gluten before I eat it. Most waiters are intrigued by Nima. My hope is it encourages them to go the extra mile to provide me with a safe meal.

Read my book, Dear Gluten, It’s Not Me, It’s You for more tips on eating out gluten free and living a full, gluten-free lifestyle.

20 Restaurants, 20 Gluten Tests

Now that you’ve read my disclaimers, and understand how Nima works, please enjoy this list of how 20 restaurants that offer gluten-free options fared when put to the Nima Sensor test:

Restaurant: Bonefish Grill

Menu Items(s): Grilled rainbow trout + flourless chocolate brownie

Results: No gluten was found in either item. I feel really good about eating here.

Read about my full experience in this article, How to Eat Gluten-Free at the Bonefish Grill

Restaurant: California Pizza Kitchen

Menu Item(s): Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza + Cauliflower Crust Margherita Gluten-Free Pizza

Results: No gluten was found in the gluten-free pizza, but Nima found gluten in the cauliflower crust pizza (the restaurant claims the cauliflower crust contains no gluten, however, the server failed to make sure the pizza was prepared in the dedicated gluten-free area). If you order gluten-free pizza, never veer from the standard menu (i.e. don’t add olives or any other toppings, or it will render your pizza no longer gluten-free). Always look for the toothpick in the center of your dish indicating that the pizza is indeed gluten-free.

Read my full results in this post, What’s Gluten-Free at California Pizza Kitchen

Restaurant: Caribou Coffee

Menu Item(s): Gluten-free breakfast sandwiches (2)

Results: No gluten found

I had a great experience at Caribou Coffee!  Read the full results in my post, Caribou Coffee’s Gluten-Free Breakfast Sandwiches Get Tested.

Restaurant:  The Cheesecake Factory

Menu Item(s): Gluten-free Pasta + Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake

Results:  Gluten found in pasta, cheesecake tested okay

I’m uncertain if the Cheesecake Factory understands how to prepare a meal gluten-free. Be sure to avoid gluten-free pasta altogether. Read about my entire debacle at this restaurant in my article, What’s Gluten-Free at the Cheesecake Factory?

Restaurant: Chick-Fil-A

Menu Item(s): Grilled Nuggets + Chicken Sandwich (with GF bun) + waffle fries

Results: No gluten found

Chick-fil-a understands gluten-free, and I felt safe eating here. Read my full results at How to Eat Gluten-Free at Chick-fil-a – #NimaTested

Restaurant:  Chili’s

Menu Item(s):  Chicken Fajitas with corn tortillas + Mexican Chicken Bowl

Results:  No gluten found in fajitas. Gluten found in the Mexican bowl.

I love Chili’s, but in order to eat here safely, you have to know how to order right. Not everything tested GF. Read my full post titled, Can You Eat Gluten-Free at Chili’s.

Restaurant: Chipotle

Menu Item(s): Chicken, rice, black bean bowl + queso

Results: No gluten was found in the bowl. Gluten was found in the queso. Please note that the queso is gluten-free, however, it likely contained gluten due to cross-contact).

Chipotle is a go-to place for me and I eat here regularly with confidence. Read my full results in this post, See What Happened When I Nima Tested Chipotle.

Restaurant: Dunkin’ Donuts

Menu Item(s): Gluten-free brownie (discontinued item)

Results: No gluten found

Read more about Dunkin Donuts gluten-free offerings.

Restaurant: Five Guys

Menu Item(s): Lettuce wrapped burger + fries

Results:  No gluten found

I love Five Guys and always get a safe meal. Read more about what’s gluten-free at Five Guys.

Restaurant:  Honest Burger (UK)

Menu Item(s): Burger + Fries + Onion Rings + Chicken Burger

Results: Nima didn’t find any gluten in most items we ordered; however, Nima found gluten in the chicken burger.

Restaurant:  Jersey Mike’s

Menu Item(s): Gluten-free hot submarine sandwich

Results: No gluten found

Jersey Mike’s does a lot to mitigate your risk of getting glutened, and you can feel confident ordering off Jersey Mike’s gluten-free menu.

Restaurant:  Noodles & Company

Menu Item(s):  Gluten-free fusilli noodles + zucchini noodles + chicken (always order chicken baked, not fried)

Results:  No gluten-found

I love Noodles & Company, but you must order right if you want to get a safe meal. Read more about how to navigate Noodles & Company’s gluten-free menu.

Restaurant: The Olive Garden

Menu Item(s):  Gluten-free pasta + salad + gluten-free grilled chicken parmesan

Results: Nima found gluten in the chicken parmesan; no gluten found in pasta or salad

Honestly, the Olive Garden is not a safe gluten-free restaurant. Read more about my confusing experience at the Olive Garden in my article, What’s Gluten-Free at the Olive Garden?

Restaurant:  The Original Pancake House

Menu Item(s):  Gluten-free pancakes

Results:  No gluten found

While I got a safe meal at the Original Pancake House, every location is different and you must heed my tips about how to navigate the gluten-free menu at the Original Pancake House.

Restaurant:  Panera

Menu Item(s): Turkey Chili + Tomato Soup (order with NO bread)

Results:   No gluten found

I rarely eat at Panera because gluten dust is everywhere. However, read my tips for navigating Panera’s gluten-free menu if you must eat at Panera.

Restaurant:  Pei Wei

Menu Item(s): Gluten-free spicy chicken + rice

Results:  No gluten found

Pei Wei is one of my favorite fast casual restaurants. I love ordering gluten-free kung pao chicken. The restaurant only uses gluten-free soy sauce. Read my full article, Eat Gluten-Free at Pei Wei.

Restaurant: Pizza Hut

Menu Item(s):  Gluten-free cheese pizza

Results:  No gluten found

UPDATED: Please note that Pizza Hut no longer offers Certified Gluten-Free Pizza. Read my article, What’s Gluten-Free at Pizza Hut?, to understand why I don’t recommend eating here anymore.

Restaurant:  Red Robin

Menu Item(s): Impossible Burger + Fries (ask for allergy fries prepared in dedicated fryer)

Results: No gluten found

Red Robin handles gluten issues AMAZINGLY! You are in good hands here. Read my full post, Get to Know What’s Gluten-Free at Red Robin.

Restaurant: Sonic Drive-In

Menu Item(s):  Tater tots and french fries

Results: Everything tested just fine at Sonic, must to my surprise. I have since learned that not all Sonic restaurants have dedicated gluten-free fryers. Always inquire within and test your food before eating it. I was not impressed with the sad bunless burger though. Read more about What’s Gluten-Free at Sonic.

Restaurant:  Wendy’s

Menu Item(s): Chili Cheese Potato + Chocolate Frosty

Results: No gluten found

Wendy’s is not my favorite place to eat, but in a pinch, you just might get a safe gluten-free meal here. Read my post, Nima Testing Wendy’s Gluten-Free Menu.

Like Eating Out?

I hope this article makes you feel more confident eating out gluten-free, of course, with an abundance of caution. Many restaurants offer gluten-free options, but not all offer safe gluten-free options. Eater beware.

For more tips on eating out safely when you can’t eat gluten, please download my ebook, The Ultimate Guide to Eating Out Gluten Free.