I normally do not share a lot about chain restaurants, but I have to tell you about the experience I had at Jersey Mike’s!

Long before I ever found out I needed to eat gluten-free, I came across Shake Shack in New York City and fell in love. The burgers were amazing. The fries were delightful. The milkshakes were heavenly. It didn’t matter what I had, it was excellent.

Fast forward some time and now I find myself facing the same dilemma as most others eating gluten free. How can you enjoy some of these things with family who may not need to eat gluten free? Thankfully, Shake Shack does not ignore those who need gluten free!

In fact, on their website they have an FAQ dedicated to how they will work to accommodate gluten-free requests. They share the concerns about cross contamination and how to order some of their items to enjoy them gluten-free.

They also have an excellent allergen menu, which shares items that are gluten free and items that are susceptible to cross contamination. You can find that allergen menu here.

I have had their gluten-free bun on several occasions. It is not my favorite bun to be honest. I find it dry and not very appetizing. But if you want to enjoy safe, gluten-free bread, perhaps it is worth trying. The other option is a lettuce wrap. You can even do this for the hotdogs!

Sure, it isn’t perfect, but it sure beats many other places without options! You’ll find several Shake Shack locations around central Florida and all of them have been extremely accommodating during my visits!

Chicken Salad Chick is a popular fast casual restaurant that is focused on all things chicken salad. They have several locations in central Florida, but remember that according to the website each location can have some minor differences in the menu. In our experience, that hasn’t been the case in the local ones.

Their menu is nice because it clearly lists the different allergens that are present in their food. Here’s a link to the allergen menu. It starts with the nutrition guide, but below that is the allergen information.

As you will see, most of the chicken salad items are gluten free. Several of the sides are gluten free as well. You do have to watch the salads, as a couple contain soy or gluten in the salad or dressing. At least the menu calls that out!

On some of the hottest days, Chicken Salad Chick is an excellent option as you can just cool off a bit with some nice refreshing chicken salad. You can even grab some to go if you like!

There are many Del Taco locations throughout Central Florida. The chain has been growing in popularity, as several new locations are opening across the country. Central Florida is no different, with new locations opening for convenience.

For those who need gluten-free, BEWARE! Del Taco does not offer specific gluten-free options. In fact, if you review their allergen menu, they include gluten in many of their protein options, with very few things available to enjoy. There are a few options, however, but cross contamination is a significant issue at Del Taco. You can see the full allergen list at this link.

Pei Wei has become one of my favorite places to grab a fast food gluten-free meal. Pei Wei is quick casual Asian cuisine with numerous gluten free options.  The Bourbon Chicken is a delicious and you even have the option to double the protein if you want to increase your protein intake.

There are several locations throughout central Florida to enjoy Pei Wei. You can check out their menu ahead of your visit by visiting this link! Items that are gluten-free are marked on the menu. As always, you want to be mindful of potential cross-contamination as this is not a dedicated gluten-free restaurant.

Noodles and Company serve up global cuisine with the ability to customize any order.  There are several locations throughout central Florida where you can enjoy a gluten-free meal. Be sure to speak to an employee because many item can be made gluten free simply by swapping out varieties of noodles.

You can explore their items that are gluten-free by visiting this link.