On the Border is a popular Tex-Mex restaurant chain known for its chips and salsa. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, a common question is whether On the Border’s chips are gluten-free. The quick answer is yes, On the Border chips are gluten-free according to the company.
On the Border states on its website that its chips, as well as tortillas and taco shells, are made with corn, which does not contain gluten. The chips are fried in canola oil in a dedicated fryer that only fries gluten-free items. The company also notes that cross-contamination is possible in the restaurant kitchens, so those highly sensitive should notify their server of their dietary needs.
Are corn tortilla chips naturally gluten-free?
Corn tortilla chips are naturally gluten-free, as corn does not contain gluten. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. It helps baked goods maintain their shape and texture. Corn does not contain gluten naturally, so corn tortilla chips made from just corn, water and lime are gluten-free.
Some chip brands or restaurants do add other ingredients to their corn chips that may contain gluten, such as wheat flour. So you always need to check the ingredients list and ask questions to confirm if a restaurant’s corn chips are gluten-free. But corn chips made purely from corn are gluten-free by nature.
What ingredients are in On the Border chips?
According to On the Border’s website, their chips contain just a few simple gluten-free ingredients:
– Stone ground yellow corn
– Water
– Lime
– Salt
The corn is nixtamalized, meaning it has been soaked and cooked in an alkaline solution using lime. This helps release nutrients and allows the corn to be ground into masa for chips.
On the Border’s chips do not contain any gluten-containing additives like wheat flour. The simple gluten-free ingredients make them a good option for gluten-free and celiac diets.
Why are On the Border’s chips fried in a dedicated fryer?
On the Border uses a dedicated fryer just for gluten-free menu items like their chips, taco shells and corn tortillas. This helps avoid any cross-contamination with gluten that could occur if they shared fryers with other menu items.
If the chips were fried in the same oil as flour tortillas, chicken tenders, or other gluten containing foods, it could introduce gluten into the oil. Then the gluten residue in the oil could get onto the corn chips, making them unsafe for celiacs.
Using an independent fryer is a best practice that restaurants employ to help avoid cross-contamination when frying gluten-free menu options. It provides an extra level of assurance to gluten-free guests.
Are On the Border’s salsa and dipping sauces gluten-free?
On the Border offers several salsa and dipping sauce options to pair with their gluten-free chips:
– Fire-roasted salsa – gluten-free
– Housemade guacamole – gluten-free
– Queso – gluten-free
– Chili con queso – gluten-free
– Creamy jalapeño dip – gluten-free
These sauces and salsas do not contain wheat, barley, rye or gluten-containing ingredients. However, On the Border does note they use shared equipment to prepare them, so cross-contamination is possible.
Those highly sensitive should check for any allergen warnings posted for these dipping sauces on the restaurant menus and inform their server of their dietary needs. But the sauces are gluten-free based on ingredients.
What cross-contamination risks are present?
On the Border states on its website that while they take steps to avoid cross-contamination with gluten, some risks may still exist in their kitchens and restaurant operations.
Even though the chips are fried in dedicated fryers and gluten-free ingredients are used, they do not have fully gluten-free kitchens. So there could be risk of cross-contact with gluten while sharing cooking and prep areas.
Those with celiac disease or who are highly gluten-sensitive should advise their server they need to avoid any gluten cross-contamination. Risks could include:
– Shared surfaces in the kitchen for prep
– Shared cooking tools and equipment
– Airborne flour particles in the kitchen environment
– Employee hand washing between preparing different menu items
While On the Border tries to follow best practices for gluten-free preparation, they cannot guarantee 100% avoidance of cross-contact for those highly gluten-sensitive. Advising your server of your needs can help mitigate any risks.
What menu items are definitely not gluten-free?
While the corn chips, salsas and some sauces are gluten-free, there are many On the Border menu items that definitely contain gluten. Those with celiac or gluten intolerance should avoid:
– Flour tortillas
– Empanadas
– Chicken tenders
– Cheesy beef enchiladas with flour tortillas
– Fajitas that use flour tortillas
– Chimichangas fried in the same oil as flour tortillas
– Sizzling platters with grilled chicken or steak on flour tortillas
– Tacos made with flour tortillas
Essentially all menu items made with flour tortillas should be avoided on a gluten-free diet. There are also risks of cross-contamination if corn tortillas or taco shells are served on the same plate or with fillings that may have had contact with flour tortillas in the kitchen.
How to order gluten-free at On the Border
Here are some tips for ordering gluten-free meals at On the Border if you have celiac disease or a food sensitivity:
– Ask for corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas
– Order corn tortilla tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas or chili rellenos
– Substitute house salad or rice for flour tortillas in fajitas
– Enjoy corn chips and salsas as appetizers
– Stick to grilled meats, veggies, beans, rice and corn dishes
– Request no sauces or toppings with wheat flour
– Ask for food prep change, fresh gloves and clean tools to reduce cross-contact
– Confirm chips were fried in their dedicated gluten-free fryer
– Check if corn tortillas were warmed on the same surface as flour versions
– Ask if flour tortillas are used in cooking other menu item fillings
– Avoid empanadas, breaded items and anything fried with flour tortillas
Being proactive with questions helps ensure gluten-free results when ordering at On the Border. Staff should be knowledgeable of menu items and preparation.
Should you trust On the Border for celiac disease?
Those with celiac disease need to adhere to a strict 100% gluten-free diet with no cheating to avoid intestinal damage and symptoms. While On the Border states they have gluten-free menu options and procedures in place, some risks still remain.
It comes down to your personal risk comfort level on how sensitive you are. On the Border may be a reasonably safe option for those less sensitive to small amounts of cross-contact. But the potential in the kitchen means there are no guarantees.
Those with celiac may want to call ahead, ask detailed questions, or focus on naturally gluten-free produce, rice and meat entrees. While you can likely eat safely at On the Border, the highest level of precautions are needed for those highly gluten-sensitive.
Key takeaways on On the Border chips
To recap the key facts on whether On the Border tortilla chips are gluten-free:
– They state their chips are gluten-free on menus and websites
– Ingredients contain only corn, water, lime and salt
– Chips are fried in dedicated fryers separate from flour tortillas
– Salsas and dips are gluten-free based on ingredients
– Some risk of cross-contact with wheat flour exists in kitchens
– Those highly gluten-sensitive should take extra precautions
While not 100% guaranteed gluten-free, the information suggests On the Border chips are a reasonably safe gluten-free option for most diners. As always, advise your server of dietary needs and use your best judgment deciding if the menu works for your specific celiac or gluten intolerance.
The bottom line
Yes, On the Border tortilla chips appear to be gluten-free according to the ingredients, preparation practices, and information shared by the company. Those with celiac disease or a wheat allergy need to individually assess the potential risk of cross-contamination at On the Border restaurants based on their personal sensitivity levels. While the chips seem a reasonably safe gluten-free menu option, exercise caution and ask questions to make the best dining decisions for your individual needs and comfort level. When in doubt, there are always naturally gluten-free choices like salsa and guacamole without the chips.
