Philadelphia, PA - Sometimes it is hard to go out and eat on a restricted diet; however, many popular restaurants are now making it much easier to go out to eat with gluten-free menus or amendments to your order.
Chain Restaurants That Offer Dietary Restricted Options
The following eateries, in my opinion, are some of the best gluten-free chain restaurants to eat gluten-free based on options and the willingness to accommodate both food allergies and dietary preferences.
Noodles and Company
One would think Noodles and Company would not be gluten-free because of having "noodles" in the title. Still, there are multiple tasty options at this restaurant! You can substitute either gluten-free fusilli, Zucchini, or rice noodles with many of the popular dishes such as the Penne Rosa, Pesto Cavatappi, Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, and more. In addition to that, many of their salads are gluten-free with select and the Pad Thai noodle dish and Thai Chicken and Tomato Basil Bisque soup. One outstanding aspect about Noodles and Company is that when you order anything gluten-free, they also ask if it is a preference or an allergy to make your dish correctly.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
An interesting fact about Chipotle is that everything on the menu besides the flour tortilla is entirely gluten-free! Chipotle is a restaurant where they assemble the food before you, so you can pick and choose what you like in your burritos, bowls, tacos, and more! They avoid cross-contamination by having everything in select containers and labeling everything on their website that could have traces of gluten in it through the processing of the food.
Jimmy John's
Jimmy John's has a newly added gluten-free item to their menu, the "Unwich" wrap. You can take any sandwich, minus the bread, and wrap it in lettuce. Many of the ingredients for their sandwiches are gluten-free, but make sure to check the allergen list just in case. With an allergy at Jimmy John's, you can specially order to make sure they make the wrap on the paper instead of the work table to avoid cross-contamination and to have them change their gloves before they produce your sandwich.
MOD Pizza
One food that I thought I would not be able to have again after being gluten-free was pizza, but not with MOD Pizza! This restaurant has a build-it-yourself feel with making pizzas, and they offer crust without gluten to make it on. They make the pizzas on separate papers to avoid cross-contamination of wheat from other pizzas. The majority of their toppings are healthy and do not contain.
Boston Market
This restaurant is one of those places with many different options because you can choose an entrée, side, and drink. The meals offered are other chicken meals or bowls, with sides such as fresh steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, southwest rice, and more. In addition to this, they guarantee that all of their food is made in different environments from common allergens.
Five Guys
You wouldn't think that a burger place is almost all gluten-free, but Five Guys are! The only products on their menu that contain gluten are their buns, HP sauce, malt vinegar condiments, malted milkshake, and Oreo cookie milkshake. Everything else is entirely gluten-free. They have not made a bun without gluten as a part of their menu yet, but they offer all of their sandwiches and burgers with lettuce and all of the toppings, just minus the bun.
Olive Garden
Olive Garden is a fantastic Italian chain restaurant! There are so many gluten-free options here, such as their famous house salad with vinaigrette dressing, Zuppa Toscana soup, many of their chicken and steak dishes, as well as you can substitute gluten-free rotini noodles in with any of the dishes. Olive Garden is also one of the great restaurants that ask if you are avoiding gluten as an allergy or a preference, making it easier to know that there would be no cross-contamination with your food.
Jason's Deli
Jason's Deli has so many options and modifications for people who are avoiding gluten. You can ask most of their sandwiches to use Udi's brand of bread on them! In addition to that, a lot of their salad, spuds, and more are all gluten-free. There is no way you would not be able to find anything on this menu, even with a diet restriction!
California Pizza Kitchen
California Pizza Kitchen not only offers pizza with a gluten-free crust but many other options off of its menu. They offer multiple salads, appetizers, soups, and desserts. When you go to the restaurant, all you have to do is ask for their gluten-free side menu, and all of the food is on there. This is one of those sit-down restaurants that you cannot miss with their options!
PF Chang's
PF Chang's has a whole gluten-free menu modified for both people with allergies and those who prefer this diet. Surprisingly enough, they also have gluten-free soy sauce. Usually, Asian soy sauce contains gluten, but you have to ask for the gluten-free soy sauce, and you are good to go! They have dishes such as their egg drop soup, spicy chicken, shrimp with lobster sauce, Mongolian beef, and so much more. I believe that this place has one of the most options made without gluten when asked!
The fear of never being able to eat out again is over; with so many restaurants making modifications and options, it makes it a lot easier! As always, make sure to check the allergen information at the restaurant before eating. Talk with the employees to make sure that they are accommodating to your dietary needs. Now, enjoy these restaurants and the delicious food that they offer!
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