Trying the Whole30 challenge and want to eat out? In this post, I’ll share with you several Whole30 compliant restaurants. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosures.
There are very few “approved” Whole30 restaurants, therefore, for the purposes of this article, I’m going to talk about a few popular restaurants where I personally know you can get a Whole30 compliant meal.
If you’re like me, you like to meet friends for lunch or want to go out to eat with your family on the weekend. I believe just because you are on a special diet doesn’t mean you have to give up your social life. I eat a special diet year-round (a strict gluten-free diet) so I know a thing or two about not wanting to be left out of the social circle just because of your dietary restrictions.
Many people on the Whole30 challenge refuse to eat outside of the home during the challenge, however, I want to go about my normal business and simply adjust accordingly. Of course, I always prefer to eat at home, but it’s just not possible when you have a busy professional and social life!
Here are a handful of Whole30 compliant restaurants to consider:
(1) Zoës Kitchen – Whole30 Approved® Restaurant
Zoës Kitchen has a Whole30 approved menu, which means it pays some sort of “licensing” fee to Whole30 in order to use the Whole30 logo and name on its menu. On top of that, Zoës Kitchen offers a decent-sized Whole30 menu.
With more than 250 locations in 20 states, chances are there’s a Zoës Kitchen near you. (Unfortunately, a few years ago, all the Zoës Kitchen locations in Colorado shut down.)
I ate at Zoës Kitchen three times during my Whole30 challenge, and I always ordered chicken kabobs with double roasted vegetables and the Israeli skhug. Doesn’t this look amazing?!?
(1) Modern Market – Whole30 Restaurant
While Modern Market is not a Whole30-approved restaurant, the menu is full of made of from scratch, clean ingredients that are Whole30 compliant.
Modern Market has even published a guide to eating Whole30 at Modern Market on its blog!
You can enjoy many of the fresh salads with a few omissions and swaps, and you can even enjoy the delicious and spicy green chili chicken soup.
Several homestyle plates and breakfast items are also Whole30 compliant, so you really can enjoy quite a few dishes here!
We were in a rush the other night and I didn’t have time to make dinner, so my husband brought home this for me to enjoy – yummy!
(3) Five Guys – Whole30 Restaurant
You can enjoy a lettuce-wrapped burger at Five Guys without worrying about breaking your Whole30 commitment. The burgers are not cooked in any oil (as you can see on the menu, the burgers contain no allergens).
Don’t be fooled by Internet folks crying foul. While Five Guys uses peanut oil to cook its fries, it does not use any oil to cook its burgers.
Peanut oil and fries are both off limits on Whole30 anyway, so just don’t get fries and you’ll be fine.
Instead, load your burger will the toppings, except avoid the grilled mushrooms and relish (both contain high fructose corn syrup). Also avoid the ketchup, mayo and BBQ sauce – just bring your own Whole30 approved ketchup from home ( or top your burger with hot sauce instead).
(4) Just BE Kitchen
If you live near Denver, you can get a Whole30-compliant meal at Just BE Kitchen, a dedicated paleo and gluten-free restaurant.
Just BE offers a ton of Whole30 options including warm soups, breakfast bowls, and more. Visit Just BE Kitchen online and click on the Whole30 option on the drop down menu.
Read more about Just BE Kitchen’s Whole30 options in this article.
(5) Chipotle
Chipotle is a staple restaurant in my gluten-free world, and I was excited to learn you could enjoy a Whole30 compliant meal at the fast casual restaurant.
You can order the chicken or carnitas salad or a vegetarian bowl. (Please note that chicken and carnitas are the only proteins cooked in sunflower oil not rice bran oil.)
You can enjoy the guacamole, salsas (except for the corn salsa) and the fajita vegetables without worry. Avoid the toritallas, chips, rice, beans, cheese, sour cream and queso. See the Chipotle ingredient list to verify the accuracy of this information.
Additional Reading: What’s Gluten Free at Chipotle?
How to Order Anywhere
Many restaurants will happily help you find something to eat. When navigating a menu, look at:
Salads – What swaps can you make? Maybe add an avocado in lieu of the cheese? Avoid bacon as it likely contains sugar. Ask for oil and vinegar instead of dressing, or bring your own Whole30 approved dressing from home.
The Grill – Grilled items are usually cooked only with seasonings and no butter or other oils. Ask for grilled chicken or steak cooked with only olive oil and S&P. Bring your own Whole30 compliant BBQ sauce from home.
Sides – You can enjoy a baked sweet or white potato (no toppings, just ask for a side of olive oil and salt) along with a side salad or grilled veggies.
Brunch – Ask for your eggs to be fried in olive oil vs. butter and ask for homemade pico de gallo, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and avocados on top of the egg with a side of fresh fruit.
Pitfalls to Avoid
Remember, just because it looks Whole30 okay doesn’t mean it is. Even Chili’s fajitas contain milk and soy (despite looking like they’re Whole30 compliant). The more simple and clean you can order, the better. Remember, it’s only for 30 days. You can do this!Here are some things to avoid when ordering at a restaurant:
- Avoid things cooked in peanut, rice or soy-based oils.
- Avoid dressings and condiments (except hot sauce is usually ok).
- Avoid foods with sauces.
- Avoid anything deep fried – that isn’t in the spirit of the Whole30.
Anything Else?
The included restaurants are ones that I have tried and am therefore able to tell you with greater certainty how you can enjoy a Whole30-compliant meal.
Have you found other Whole30 restaurants? Please share in the comments and I will add them to this list.
Other article:
Chipolte has a whole 30 bowl
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