Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people avoiding gluten for medical reasons or simply as a lifestyle choice. For those who follow a strict gluten-free diet, dining out can present challenges. Fast food restaurants often use wheat-based ingredients that contain gluten, especially in fried foods like french fries. This raises an important question for gluten-free diners: are Burgerville fries gluten-free?
About Burgerville
Burgerville is a fast food chain located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, Burgerville has over 40 locations throughout Oregon and southern Washington. The restaurant is known for using local, seasonal ingredients and emphasizes its sustainability efforts. Burgerville’s menu features burgers, sandwiches, salads, milkshakes, and of course, french fries.
As a regional favorite, Burgerville attracts many loyal regulars. Naturally, some of these customers follow gluten-free diets and want to know if they can safely eat Burgerville’s fries. So what’s the official word from Burgerville on whether their fries are gluten-free?
Are Burgerville Fries Gluten-Free?
According to Burgerville’s website, their standard french fries are not gluten-free. Burgerville uses a dusting of wheat flour on their fries during the cooking process. This added flour contains gluten, meaning Burgerville’s normal fries are off-limits for anyone trying to avoid gluten.
However, Burgerville does offer a gluten-free fry option. Customers can request gluten-free fries when ordering. For these fries, Burgerville uses a dedicated fryer and omit the wheat flour dusting. So by ordering the gluten-free preparation, you can enjoy Burgerville fries on a gluten-free diet.
Burgerville’s allergen information states that even the gluten-free fries are prepared in shared cooking oil. There is a risk of cross-contact with wheat flour from other foods cooked in the same fryer oil. The level of gluten from cross-contact may be acceptable for some gluten-free diners but not others. Individual sensitivity levels vary.
Cross-Contact Risks
When a restaurant uses shared cooking equipment and preparation areas for gluten-free and gluten-containing foods, cross-contact is likely. Even if Burgerville thoroughly cleans the fryer between cooking standard and gluten-free fries, trace amounts of wheat flour may get into the supposedly gluten-free fryer oil. Over time, these trace amounts can accumulate.
How much gluten cross-contact occurs depends on many factors:
- How frequently the restaurant filters and replaces the fryer oil
- How thoroughly employees clean equipment between gluten and gluten-free cooking
- How often food with wheat flour is cooked in the fryer
- How sensitive an individual is to small amounts of gluten
With deep-fried foods, gluten cross-contact is very likely in a shared fryer. Even the designated gluten-free fryer probably gets trace contamination built up over time. Someone who is highly sensitive may react, while others eating gluten-free Burgerville fries would be fine.
Making a Safe Choice
So can you eat Burgerville’s fries on a gluten-free diet? Here are some tips:
- Always order the gluten-free preparation of fries
- Know that some cross-contact is likely, but may be at safe levels
- Individuals with celiac disease or high sensitivity should exercise caution
- If in doubt, ask restaurant staff detailed questions about their prep methods
- Pay attention to how you feel afterwards when deciding to eat fries
Burgerville tries to accommodate gluten-free diets by offering a gluten-free fry option. But their kitchen protocols may not meet the standards needed for those highly sensitive. The small amounts of gluten through cross-contact could cause issues for some.
This is a common scenario at many restaurants trying to cater to gluten-free diners. Even when alternative preparations are available, they often fall short of being 100% gluten-free. Careful consideration of your individual needs and tolerance levels is required.
Other Gluten-Free Options at Burgerville
If Burgerville’s fries don’t work for your gluten-free diet, don’t despair. You have other options for safely eating at Burgerville. Their menu has a range of gluten-free choices beyond fries, including:
- Burgers without the bun
- Salads with gluten-free dressing
- Milkshakes made with ice cream containing no wheat ingredients
- Sides like raw veggies, fruit, cottage cheese
You can also inquire about gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps for burgers. Be aware that prep surfaces, toasters, etc may still cause cross-contact even with gluten-free buns. But for less sensitive individuals, gluten-free burger buns could work.
Many Burgerville menu items just require simple modifications, like no bun or no croutons, to fit a gluten-free diet. Their rotating seasonal ingredients even present unique gluten-free opportunities at different times of the year.
Tips for Eating at Burgerville
Here are some tips for safely eating gluten-free at Burgerville:
- Study the menu in advance and plan what to order
- Ask about current gluten-free options each visit
- Request food prep changes as needed for gluten-free
- Have burger without bun or use gluten-free bun
- Choose plain milkshakes with gluten-free ice cream
- Opt for salad with oil & vinegar dressing
- Stick to raw veggies and whole fruits as sides
- Always verify your order is prepared gluten-free
With the right choices and customizations, you have many tasty options for eating gluten-free at Burgerville. Just be cautious of potential cross-contact, even with items prepared gluten-free. And be sure to ask your server for help choosing safe menu items.
Gluten-Free Dining Challenges
Trying to maintain a gluten-free diet while dining out comes with inherent challenges. Here are some of the main difficulties:
- Cross-contact with kitchen equipment and preparation areas
- Lack of training and knowledge among restaurant staff
- Language barriers when staff don’t understand requests
- Menu items prepared with wheat flour or gluten-containing sauces
- Risk of incorrect orders despite gluten-free requests
- Low awareness of hidden gluten sources like thickeners
- Restaurants making unsupported “gluten-free” claims
Because traditional restaurant kitchens aren’t designed to prevent cross-contact, truly gluten-free cooking is difficult for most eateries. Diners need proper training to identify pitfalls so they can make the best choices possible when eating out gluten-free.
Key Considerations
Those following a gluten-free diet have to weigh several factors when deciding whether a menu item works for them:
- Level of sensitivity and reaction to trace gluten
- Nutritional needs and impact of restrictive diet
- Risk profile of different menu items
- Willingness to accept some uncertainty
- Other conditions like food allergies or diabetes
- Dining companion preferences
With compromise and flexibility, most gluten-free eaters can find safe menu picks in many restaurants. Being well-informed about menu choices, transparent kitchen practices, and your own tolerance levels helps enable eating out with confidence.
Supporting Gluten-Free Diners
Restaurants can better accommodate gluten-free diners through steps like:
- Proper staff training on gluten and food prep
- Detailed ingredient lists for menu items
- Allergen-aware kitchen protocols
- Designated prep and cooking areas
- Clear labeling and warnings
Many chains now have detailed gluten-free menus and allergen guides. Specialized training helps staff understand the complexities of gluten cross-contact. These measures all support gluten-free patrons and help earn their trust and loyalty.
The Learning Curve
Both restaurants and gluten-free diners go through an education process around accommodating special diets safely. Through trial-and-error experiences, research, improved processes, and open communication, the restaurant experience for gluten-free eaters steadily improves.
While frustrations still happen, the general awareness and range of options today is light-years beyond the early days of specialized diets. Everyone benefits when food providers show understanding and a willingness to cater to diverse needs.
The Burgerville Verdict
So what’s the final word on Burgerville fries for gluten-free diets? The answer remains a qualified “yes” with careful consideration of factors like:
- Always ordering the gluten-free prep
- Assessing personal sensitivity levels
- Watching for symptoms afterwards
- Asking detailed questions to staff
Those newly diagnosed or highly sensitive should take a cautious approach. For others, Burgerville fries in moderation may be fine. In general, they try to accommodate gluten-free needs but don’t have dedicated facilities.
While not perfect, Burgerville does offer safe gluten-free menu choices. You can work with their staff to create satisfying meals by customizing orders. Understand the risks, make informed choices, and thoroughly enjoy the food that does work for your gluten-free diet.
The Bottom Line
Burgerville serves gluten-containing fries but provides a gluten-free option upon request. Individual sensitivity and tolerance levels dictate whether their gluten-free fries are safe for a particular diner. By knowing the risks and working with staff, you can find gluten-free success at Burgerville. Just have reasonable expectations, ask questions, and customize your order to steer clear of gluten. Then savor your meal while appreciating the efforts made to accommodate your dietary needs.
Conclusion
When dining out with food allergies or restrictions like gluten-free, being an informed advocate for yourself is key. Understand menu options, kitchen protocols, potential cross-contact risks, and your own tolerance levels. With flexibility and strategic ordering, those avoiding gluten can navigate nearly any restaurant. Burgerville aims to please all customers by offering gluten-free adaptations. While not entirely gluten-free facilities, they provide workable choices to accommodate most gluten-free eaters. Just plan ahead, communicate needs clearly, and enjoy your food while appreciating the efforts made.
Gluten-Free Dining Tips
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Study menus in advance | Helps identify safest options and plan questions to ask staff |
| Explain dietary needs | Clear communication ensures proper understanding of requirements |
| Ask about prep methods | Learn how they handle allergen cross-contact risks |
| Request sauces/dressings on the side | Avoids contaminated sauces or those with hidden gluten |
| Verify gluten-free orders | Double-check orders before eating anything |
| Tip graciously | Reward good efforts in accommodating specialty diets |
| Thank helpful staff | Being polite encourages further gluten-free awareness |
