Quick Answer
Yes, Hooters does offer some gluten-free menu options for guests with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. While their menu is not completely gluten-free, they do have certain dishes and preparations that accommodate gluten-free diets.
Do Hooters Have Gluten-Free Options?
Hooters recognizes that many of their guests may require gluten-free menu options due to medical conditions like celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. For this reason, they offer some gluten-free dishes and preparations. Their gluten-free offerings include:
- Grilled chicken breast
- Salads with grilled chicken
- Naked wings (grilled without breading)
- Most burger options without the bun
So while their full menu is not gluten-free, they do make an effort to provide gluten-free guests with protein options like grilled chicken and burgers, as well as salad options. All fried menu items are breaded and therefore not gluten-free.
What Gluten-Free Sauces and Dressings Do Hooters Offer?
In addition to the gluten-free menu options, Hooters also offers some gluten-free sauces and dressings that guests can request to accompany their meal. These include:
- BBQ Sauce
- Buffalo Sauce
- Garlic Habanero Sauce
- Honey Mustard Sauce
- Parmesan Peppercorn Dressing
- Ranch Dressing
- Oil and Vinegar Dressing
So those requiring gluten-free meals can choose grilled poultry or burgers and pair them with Hooters’ BBQ, Buffalo, or other gluten-free sauces and dressings. This provides more options and flavor. However, those with celiac disease should still exercise caution and alert their server to prevent any cross-contamination.
What Steps Does Hooters Take for Gluten-Free Safety?
Those with celiac disease know that preventing cross-contamination is key when dining out at restaurants that offer gluten meals. While Hooters makes an effort to accommodate gluten-free guests, they do use wheat flour in their kitchen for breaded items. So there is a possibility of cross-contamination if staff are not careful.
To help mitigate risk, guests with celiac can:
- Alert the server of the need for gluten-free
- Request that grilled items be prepared separately from breaded items
- Ask for sanitized cooking surfaces and utensils
- Verify ingredients with management if needed
While Hooters cannot guarantee a 100% gluten-free environment, they do their best to accommodate these requests when alerted ahead of time. Checking in advance about their gluten-free practices can also give those with celiac disease peace of mind.
What Gluten-Free Side Dishes Can You Order?
In addition to gluten-free entrées and dressings, Hooters also offers some side dishes that those avoiding gluten can enjoy. Gluten-free side options include:
- Fresh green bean fries
- Steamed broccoli
- Carrot sticks
- Celery sticks
- Apple slices
- Fruit cup
- Fresh salad with gluten-free dressing
- Coleslaw (without croutons)
While the menu is limited, there are still some delicious gluten-free sides to choose from to accompany your meal. Salads, veggies, and fresh fruit make for tasty options. Just be sure to request no croutons on the coleslaw.
Does Hooters Have Gluten-Free Buns or Bread?
Unfortunately, Hooters locations do not currently offer gluten-free buns or bread options. While they accommodate gluten-free guests, their kitchen is not fully gluten-free. So items like buns and rolls pose a cross-contamination risk from shared cooking surfaces, prep areas, and toasters.
Those with celiac disease or sensitivity should avoid the regular burger buns, breads, and croutons at Hooters. Some locations may be willing to toast a gluten-free bun brought in by the guest, but policies can vary by restaurant. Check ahead to see if this is an option at your local Hooters.
Is Hooters Grilled Chicken Breast Gluten-Free?
Yes, the grilled chicken breast entrée at Hooters is gluten-free. The plain grilled chicken contains no breading or gluten ingredients. But those with celiac should still take precautions:
- Verify with the manager that it will be prepared separately from breaded chicken
- Ensure fresh gloves are worn by staff handling the grilled chicken
- Request a sanitized cooking surface since other breaded chicken was likely prepared on the same grill
- Ask that care is taken to avoid cross-contamination from utensils and prep areas
With proper protocols in place, the grilled chicken can be enjoyed gluten-free. But some due diligence is required by the guest when ordering to reduce the risk of exposure for those highly sensitive.
Are Hooters Wings Gluten-Free?
No, Hooters does not offer gluten-free wings. All of their bone-in and boneless wings are breaded, and the breading contains wheat flour. However, they do offer “naked” wings that can be prepared without breading:
- Traditional naked wings
- Naked boneless wings
- Naked Daytona wings
The naked grilled wings avoid the gluten-containing breading. But guests should still check on prep protocols to prevent cross-contamination from shared fryers and prep areas. With proper procedures, the naked wings can be a good gluten-free choice.
What Gluten-Free Salad Dressings and Toppings Does Hooters Offer?
When ordering a fresh salad at Hooters, there are several gluten-free dressing and topping options:
- Ranch dressing
- Parmesan Peppercorn dressing
- Oil and Vinegar dressing
- Grilled Chicken
- Hard Boiled Egg
- Bacon
- Cheese
- Fresh Veggies
- Avocado
Just request no croutons on the salad, and it can be customized with gluten-free ingredients. Oil and vinegar or ranch make tasty gluten-free dressing choices to complement the fresh greens.
Does Hooters Have a Dedicated Gluten-Free Menu?
At this time, Hooters does not have a specific gluten-free menu available in their restaurants. They accommodate gluten-free requests on a case-by-case basis but do not have a standard gluten-free menu printed and available.
Guests with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should ask their server which menu items can be made gluten-free. The server can then explain which preparations and ingredients may contain gluten. Checking the main menu online in advance can also help identify items likely to be gluten-free, like grilled chicken and salads.
What Gluten-Free Side Salad Options Are Available?
In place of fries or rolls which contain gluten, Hooters guests opting for gluten-free can supplement their meal with a side salad. Their side salad options that can be prepared gluten-free include:
- Small Garden Salad
- Small Caesar Salad without croutons
- Fresh Fruit Cup
The green and Caesar salads contain lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other fresh vegetables. When ordered without croutons and with gluten-free dressing, they make for tasty gluten-free side options. The fresh fruit also gives a lighter complement to balance out wings, chicken, or burgers.
Should You Notify Your Hooters Server About Gluten Restrictions?
Definitely yes – it is important to inform your server at Hooters about any gluten restrictions or sensitivities. Even though they offer some gluten-free choices, their kitchen does utilize wheat flour and breading. Knowing about your needs allows them to take steps to prevent cross-contamination:
- Change gloves and sanitize prep areas
- Ensure grilled items use separate, clean cooking surfaces
- Omit croutons from salads
- Verify ingredients on dressings and sauces
- Take extra care handling your meal throughout kitchen prep
Being upfront about gluten restrictions allows the kitchen staff to be aware and take precautions. The server may also be able to provide suggestions on the safest menu items to order. Clear communication is key to an enjoyable gluten-free dining experience.
Does Hooters Fry Their Fries in the Same Oil as Breaded Items?
Yes, Hooters does use shared fryers for french fries and other fried menu items. This means that gluten-containing breading residue can contaminate the fry oil, putting plain fries at risk for gluten exposure.
For this reason, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid the french fries and other fried sides at Hooters. Even though plain fries do not contain gluten ingredients, the shared fryer oil makes cross-contact likely.
Sticking to grilled items, salads, and fresh fruit are your safest gluten-free options when dining at Hooters locations that use communal fryers.
Conclusion
In summary, those avoiding gluten for medical reasons can dine at Hooters but need to be cautious and thoughtful in ordering. They accommodate gluten-free guests by offering menu items like grilled chicken, naked wings, salad, and some sauces and dressings. However, their kitchen does handle breaded items containing wheat, so cross-contamination is possible.
Being clear with your server about gluten restrictions allows them to take safety steps regarding prep and cooking surfaces. Checking on their practices and menu options in advance provides peace of mind as well. While not a fully gluten-free restaurant, Hooters does make efforts to provide tasty gluten-free menu options upon request. With smart ordering and clear communication, you can safely enjoy their wings, burgers, chicken, and salads while maintaining your gluten-free diet when dining at Hooters.
