TGI Fridays offers a variety of ribs on their menu, including baby back ribs, Memphis-style ribs, and whiskey glazed ribs. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, an important question is – are these ribs gluten-free?
Quick Answer
The short answer is – most of the ribs at TGI Fridays are not gluten-free. The ribs are cooked in a sauce that contains gluten, making them unsuitable for people who need to avoid gluten.
Detailed Answer
When reviewing the TGI Fridays menu, they do not identify any of their rib dishes as being gluten-free. Looking at the ingredient lists and allergen information confirms that the sauces used on the ribs contain gluten.
For example, here are the key details for a few of their popular rib dishes:
- Whiskey Glazed Ribs – Contains soy sauce in the glaze, soy sauce contains wheat
- Memphis-Style Pork Ribs – Sauce contains wheat flour
- Cowboy Baby Back Ribs – BBQ sauce contains wheat flour
The barbecue sauces, glazes, and seasonings used for the ribs contain ingredients derived from wheat, barley, rye or malt. This means they are not safe for people who need to be on a gluten-free diet.
What if you request gluten-free?
Some restaurants will substitute or adjust recipes if a gluten-free version is requested. However, this does not appear to be an option for ribs at TGI Fridays based on their menu and how the dishes are prepared.
The TGI Fridays website states that while they seek to accommodate guests with food allergies or sensitivities, they do not have dedicated equipment or prep areas for allergen-free menu items. So cross-contact with allergens can occur.
Even if they left off the sauce, the seasonings rubbed on the ribs could still contain gluten. So there is no easy way to make their ribs truly gluten-free.
Gluten-Free Alternatives
If you need to avoid gluten, there are some alternative menu items to consider at TGI Fridays:
- Grilled chicken breast
- Broiled salmon fillet
- Steamed veggies
- Baked potato or fries
- Garden salad with vinaigrette dressing
Look for grilled and steamed proteins, simple veggies, and potatoes or rice dishes. Stay away from breaded, fried, or sauced menu options as those likely contain gluten.
Also, be sure to confirm with your server that your meal is being prepared without any gluten-containing ingredients.
Is TGI Fridays gluten-free friendly overall?
In general, TGI Fridays provides limited gluten-free choices compared to many other chain restaurants. There are only a handful of meals marked gluten-free on their large menu.
Some positives for gluten-free dining include:
- They offer gluten-free hamburger buns and pasta
- They use dedicated fryers for french fries
- They have gluten-free salad dressings and sauces
- Managers receive allergen training
However, cross-contact is still a significant risk. TGI Fridays kitchens are not equipped with specific allergen-free prep areas or equipment. So gluten could be introduced during food preparation and cooking.
Key Takeaways
For those seeking gluten-free ribs, TGI Fridays is not the best option due to the sauces and seasonings used in their recipes. The ribs contain wheat, soy sauce, malt and other gluten sources.
Ask your server for alternative menu choices that are lower risk for gluten cross-contact. Stick with simple grilled meats, potatoes, veggies, and salads with gluten-free dressing.
While they offer some gluten-free dishes, their kitchen practices still present a high risk of cross-contact for those very sensitive to gluten. So dining there requires extra precautions.
The Bottom Line
In summary, the ribs served at TGI Fridays are typically not gluten-free due to containing barbecue sauce, marinades and seasonings made with gluten-based ingredients. Alternative lower-risk menu options do exist for gluten-free diners, but cross-contact is still a possibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the fries at TGI Fridays gluten-free?
Yes, TGI Fridays uses dedicated fryers for their french fries so they are considered gluten-free. However, those highly sensitive should note there is still a chance of cross-contact during preparation.
What kind of gluten-free buns do they offer?
TGI Fridays has confirmed they use Udi’s gluten-free hamburger buns at their locations. These buns are widely available in stores and made from gluten-free whole grains.
Can their ribs be made gluten-free?
Unfortunately no. Even if they left off the sauce, the dry rub and marinade applied to the ribs contain gluten-based components. There is no simple way to make them gluten-free without significant changes to their core recipes.
Is the sauce on the baby back ribs gluten-free?
No, the barbecue sauce and seasonings used on the baby back ribs at TGI Fridays contain gluten ingredients such as wheat flour or soy sauce. They are not safe for those with celiac or gluten sensitivity.
Can they make a meal gluten-free if requested?
While they will attempt to accommodate gluten-free requests, TGI Fridays cautions that there is a high risk of cross-contact. They do not have separate equipment or prep areas for gluten-free orders. Modifications may be possible, but gluten exposure could still occur.
The Evidence on TGI Fridays Ribs
When assessing if a restaurant menu item is gluten-free, it’s important to look at the direct evidence within the company’s published allergen information. Here is a summary of the key evidence:
TGI Fridays Rib Descriptions
- “Whiskey glazed ribs with Jack Daniel’s whiskey glaze, roasted and grilled”
- “Smokey Memphis dry rub ribs, barbeque sauce”
- “Half rack of signature, slow cooked, fall-off-the-bone ribs”
The ribs are promoted as containing barbecue sauce, marinades, glazes and seasonings. These types of ingredients commonly contain gluten.
Allergen Information
On their allergen information pages, TGI Fridays confirms the presence of wheat, soy sauce, and malt in the rib dishes:
- Whiskey Glazed Ribs – soy sauce (wheat)
- Cowboy Baby Back Ribs – barbecue sauce (wheat flour)
- Memphis Dry Rub Ribs – barbecue sauce (wheat flour, malt)
These are clearly identified as containing gluten.
Menu Markings
TGI Fridays marks menu items with common allergens like shellfish, peanuts, milk, etc. However, none of the ribs are marked as gluten-free. This signals that gluten is present.
Staff Comments
On various forums, TGI Fridays staff have commented that their ribs contain gluten and cannot easily be made gluten-free when asked by customers.
The evidence overwhelmingly points to the ribs containing gluten. Patrons with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid them.
Table: Gluten Details for TGI Fridays Ribs
| Rib Dish | Sauces | Reason Ribs Contain Gluten |
|---|---|---|
| Whiskey Glazed Ribs | Whiskey glaze | Soy sauce in glaze contains wheat |
| Cowboy Baby Back Ribs | Barbecue sauce | Sauce contains wheat flour |
| Memphis-Style Ribs | Dry rub and barbecue sauce | Sauce contains wheat flour and malt |
This table summarizes the key gluten-containing ingredients for the most popular rib dishes at TGI Fridays based on the company’s published allergen information.
Guidelines for Eating Gluten-Free at TGI Fridays
If you need to maintain a gluten-free diet, consider the following tips when dining at TGI Fridays:
- Review the menu online first and identify gluten-free choices
- Avoid breaded, fried and sauced menu items where gluten is commonly added
- Stick to basic grilled, broiled, steamed or roasted proteins and produce
- Request plain potatoes or rice instead of pilaf or seasoned versions
- Ask for salad dressings and sauces on the side
- Confirm your menu items are being prepared without gluten sources
- Check that gluten-free orders are served on clean plates after cooking
- Consider the risk of cross-contact from shared surfaces and fryers
While challenging, dining gluten-free at TGI Fridays is possible by customizing menu items. Understanding potential sources of gluten and working closely with staff is key.
Conclusion
Ribs from TGI Fridays should typically be avoided if you are gluten-free. The barbecue sauce, marinades and seasonings contain gluten, making them unsafe if you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Alternative menu choices exist, like grilled chicken, steak or salmon with veggies and potatoes. But even with modifications, the risk of cross-contact at TGI Fridays may still be high for those highly sensitive.
In general, easier and safer gluten-free choices will exist at other restaurants that offer dedicated gluten-free menus and preparation areas. But with planning and communication, even meals at Fridays can potentially be worked into your gluten-free lifestyle.
