These 5 Restaurant Chains Have The Most Allergy-Friendly Menu Options
If you or someone in your family has food allergies, eating at a restaurant can be stressful. I see it anytime we go out to eat with my sister-in-law. She…
Chipotle restaurant workers fill orders for customers on the day that the company announced it will only use non-GMO ingredients in its food on April 27, 2015 in Miami, Florida. The company announced, that the Denver-based chain would not use the GMO’s, which is an organism whose genome has been altered via genetic engineering in the food served at Chipotle Mexican Grills. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesIf you or someone in your family has food allergies, eating at a restaurant can be stressful. I see it anytime we go out to eat with my sister-in-law. She has to be very careful about exposure to shellfish. Even if a restaurant says their food is free of an allergen, you worry about cross contamination, hidden ingredients, and if the person taking your order really takes your concerns seriously.
Fortunately, some restaurants do a really good job at taking care of people with food allergies. More specifically, large restaurant chains are the businesses that are stepping up for their customers' safety. According to The Takeout, these are the top five allergy-friendly fast food and casual dining chains, recommended by those who feel safe eating there.
Top 5 Allergy-Friendly Restaurant Chains (The Takeout)
- Red Robin - Thanks to their allergy-friendly menu, this causal dining chain tops a lot of people’s list. A reviewer on the food allergy app Spokin praises Red Robin staff for explaining their procedures and says the food even came with a little flag indicating it was gluten-free and handled with allergy protocol. Red Robin restaurants use dedicated gluten-free fryers, have gluten-free seasoning and a gluten-free bun.
- Mellow Mushroom - Founded in Georgia, this pizza chain now has more than 170 locations. People with food allergies love Mellow Mushroom for their vegan and gluten-free options.
- Chipotle - You can customize each order and watch your food being prepared for added peace of mind. On top of that, Chipotle's menu contains no peanuts, mustard, sesame, shellfish, fish or eggs, except at the locations that serve breakfast.
- MOD Pizza - Fans of this chain love their “super helpful” online allergen chart that includes a full list of their ingredients. MOD Pizza also offer two gluten-free crust options, one of which is free of the top nine allergens.
- In-N-Out Burger - This California-based chain doesn't have any locations in the Carolinas yet, but they're heading to Tennessee in the next couple of years. In the meantime, if you travel out west, know that In-N-Out Burger's allergen information says their food doesn’t contain peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, shellfish or fish. While they don’t have a gluten-free bun yet, they do have a dedicated fryer used for fries, which are cooked in 100% sunflower oil.
America’s Top 6 Fast Food French Fries
Times may change. Diets may change. However, one thing remains the same. People love French fries, even if they were invented in Belgium. I don't know a single person who can resist popping at least one French fry into their mouth. Carnivores, omnivores, pescetarians, flexitarians, vegetarians, vegans...fries work for everyone. And if you get them from a fast food joint, they don't cost much! French fries truly are the food of the people.
Most people have opinions about which fast food chain serves the best fries. TastingTable has ranked 25 of them from worst to best. Personally, I feel that local favorite Bojangles was disrespected. Their perfectly-seasoned fries are much better than 18th in the nation. You can see the entire list HERE. Check out the top six choices that are available in the Charlotte area below.
America's Top 6 Fast Food French Fries (TastingTable)
6. Burger King
BK has definitely stepped up its French fry game. Their standard natural-cut fries that are crisp on the outside and pillowy on the inside. They also offer chicken fries as an option.
A container of Burger King french fries sit on a tray at a Burger King restaurant August 21, 2008 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
5. Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A's famous waffle-cut fries are crisp on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. Their shape helps them hold a lot of ketchup.
Workers at a Chick-fil-A deliver meals to customers in their vehicles at the drive-up window on March 20, 2020 in Pembroke Pines, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
4. Five Guys
Their natural-cut, boardwalk-style fries come in regular and Cajun versions with very large portions.
Five Guys Burger Restaurant is known for its boardwalk-style fries. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
3. Arby’s
They have the meats and the fries. Arby's seasoned and crispy curly fries are perfect for those want something out of the ordinary.
General view of Arby's Restaurant on January 25, 2018 in Dawsonville, Georgia. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Arby's)
2. McDonald’s
America's most iconic fries are consistently delicious and usually rank at the top of the list. Looks like we have an upset!
French fries are shown in a McDonald's restaurant on First Avenue in New York City. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
1. Wendy’s
Whoa! According to this poll, Wendy’s has knocked McDonald’s from the number one spot. Wendy's fresh and salty natural-cut fries have a pleasing soft interior and crispy exterior.
Leslie Campbell eats french fries as she leaves a Wendys restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
