Quick Answer
Jimmy John’s Unwich is not guaranteed to be 100% gluten-free. While the lettuce wrap itself is gluten-free, cross-contamination with bread crumbs is possible in the restaurant environment. Those with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity should exercise caution when ordering an Unwich.
What is Jimmy John’s Unwich?
The Jimmy John’s Unwich is a sandwich option featuring lettuce leaves or a lettuce wrap instead of bread. Customers can order any of the Jimmy John’s sandwiches as an Unwich, allowing you to enjoy the fillings and toppings without the bread.
Some examples of Jimmy John’s Unwich options include:
- Turkey Tom Unwich – Turkey, provolone, avocado, sprouts, cucumbers, lettuce, tomato, and mayo in a lettuce wrap.
- Vito Unwich – Genoa salami, capicola, provolone, onion, lettuce, tomato, oil & vinegar, and oregano-basil in a lettuce wrap.
- Club Tuna Unwich – Tuna salad, provolone, sprouts, cucumber, lettuce, and tomato in a lettuce wrap.
- Hunter’s Club Unwich – Roast beef, ham, provolone, lettuce, tomato, and mayo in a lettuce wrap.
The Unwich was created as a low-carb alternative to Jimmy John’s regular bread sandwiches. By replacing the bread with lettuce, the Unwich removes a significant source of carbohydrates and calories from the sandwich.
Is Lettuce Gluten-Free?
Lettuce, in its pure form, does not contain any gluten. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. As a leafy green vegetable, lettuce does not contain any gluten.
The lettuce wrap used for the Jimmy John’s Unwich is simply lettuce leaves or a sheet of lettuce in place of bread. Therefore, the lettuce wrap itself is naturally gluten-free.
Risk of Cross-Contamination
While lettuce is gluten-free, there is a risk of cross-contamination with gluten-containing ingredients at Jimmy John’s. Cross-contamination occurs when gluten is accidentally transferred from a gluten-containing food to a gluten-free food.
Some potential sources of cross-contamination include:
- Bread crumbs spreading from regular sandwiches onto the Unwich preparation area or lettuce.
- Using the same gloves or utensils to handle both gluten-containing bread and the gluten-free lettuce wrap without changing gloves or proper cleaning in between.
- Preparing the Unwich and regular sandwiches close together so ingredients like lettuce or fillings become contaminated.
- Toasters used for regular sandwiches also toasting gluten-free sandwich options, spreading airborne crumbs.
The amount of gluten that gets transferred through cross-contamination can vary and may be low. However, for those with celiac disease or sensitivities, even small amounts can trigger symptoms and damage to the small intestine.
Jimmy John’s Precautions
Jimmy John’s training emphasizes avoiding cross-contamination when preparing Unwiches. Employees are instructed to:
- Use fresh gloves when handling Unwich lettuce wraps.
- Use different utensils and preparation areas than those used for bread.
- Wash hands and change gloves after handling bread before preparing Unwich.
- Keep a distance between Unwich prep and regular sandwich prep areas.
However, the degree to which these precautions are implemented likely varies between different Jimmy John’s locations and employees. Human error can also lead to accidental cross-contamination.
Jimmy John’s does not claim its Unwiches are 100% gluten-free or safe for celiac disease. On its website, their gluten-free disclaimer states:
“Jimmy John’s does not guarantee that menu items are 100% gluten-free. We do not have separate equipment or designated prep areas for gluten-free items. Those with Celiac or other dietary needs should exercise judgment in consuming our products.”
So while they aim to avoid cross-contamination, it remains a possibility in their restaurants.
Is the Unwich Safe for Celiac Disease?
For those with celiac disease, the Unwich carries a high risk of gluten cross-contamination. Celiac patients must maintain a strict 100% gluten-free diet, with no exceptions. Even small traces of gluten can trigger intestinal damage and symptoms.
Many celiacs avoid the Unwich and other menu items at Jimmy John’s due to the cross-contamination risk. The Celiac Disease Foundation warns:
“Individuals with celiac disease should NOT consume the JJ Unwich due to significant risk of cross-contact with gluten during the sandwich making process. The JJ’s disclaimers make clear there are no procedures in place to prevent cross-contact for gluten-free orders.”
Celiacs who decide to consume an Unwich from Jimmy John’s are playing “gluten roulette” and risk inadvertent exposure. It is not considered a safe option for those requiring a strict gluten-free diet.
Is the Unwich Safe for Gluten Sensitivity?
For those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) or a wheat allergy, the Unwich may be tolerated but it depends on the individual.
NCGS is less severe than celiac disease. Some people may experience symptoms from trace gluten while others can tolerate small amounts. Factors like the person’s sensitivity levels and if other trigger foods were consumed also come into play.
The amount of cross-contamination at any given Jimmy John’s location is unpredictable. Those with moderate gluten issues may gamble and eat an Unwich without reacting. But it could also trigger symptoms in sensitive individuals if enough contaminating gluten is present.
People with NCGS need to weigh the risks and their own tolerance levels. Being vigilant about cross-contamination when ordering and handling the Unwich helps lower risk. But gluten exposure is still possible so caution is advised.
Tips for Ordering an Unwich with Gluten Issues
If you wish to try an Unwich despite having gluten issues, here are some tips to lower the risk of exposure:
- Ask if they can use newly opened or uncontaminated lettuce.
- Request they change gloves and wash equipment before preparing.
- Avoid peak hours when gluten cross-contamination is more likely.
- Specify no croutons or bread-ish seasoning that could spread crumbs.
- Ask them to cut and serve it away from regular sandwich prep areas.
- Wipe down the table or tray it’s served on to remove any bread crumbs.
- Use a napkin as a barrier when picking it up to prevent finger contact with contaminated areas.
There is still a chance of gluten transfer even with precautions. But being proactive helps minimize potential cross-contamination.
Safer Gluten-Free Options at Jimmy John’s
For a lower-risk gluten-free meal at Jimmy John’s, some better options include:
- The J.J. BLT – Bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Easy to keep gluten-free.
- Brother Jimmy’s Burger – Beef patty with toppings prepared separately from bread. Lower cross-contamination risk.
- Garden Veggie Salad – Fresh produce salad with vinaigrette dressing. Make sure croutons are left off.
- Oven-baked Chips – Potato chips cooked separately from bread. But verify they are unseasoned as some chip flavors contain gluten.
These menu items minimize exposure chances compared to the Unwich. But gluten could still be present, so caution should still be used if highly sensitive.
Is Jimmy John’s a Good Option for Gluten-Free Diners?
Jimmy John’s is not the most ideal choice for those with celiac disease or gluten issues. While they offer some gluten-free alternatives like the Unwich and salads, the risk of cross-contamination throughout the restaurant remains.
Those highly sensitive are better off choosing a 100% dedicated gluten-free restaurant. Some aspects to weigh when considering dining at Jimmy John’s with gluten issues include:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Unwich and salad options for avoiding gluten ingredients | – Risk of cross-contamination from bread is high |
| – Employees trained on gluten-free prep | – Not all employees rigorously follow protocols |
| – Lower risk items like salads available | – No separate prep or gluten-free kitchen areas |
| – Aware of gluten allergies as a common request | – Gluten-free not their speciality or top priority |
| – Can customize orders to be gluten-free | – Menu limited compared to dedicated gluten-free spots |
| – Offers convenience if limited GF options nearby | – Potential for human mistakes with serious consequences |
Weighing these factors helps determine if the limited gluten-free choices are worth the contamination risks. Those with celiac disease may want to avoid it altogether, while those with gluten sensitivity can decide based on their comfort level.
The Verdict on Jimmy John’s Unwich
While the lettuce wrap itself is gluten-free, cross-contamination with bread crumbs remains a possibility at Jimmy John locations. The environment and preparation practices are not 100% gluten-free.
Celiacs and those highly sensitive should use extreme caution or avoid Unwich and Jimmy John’s altogether. The risk of inadvertent gluten exposure is too high.
Those with gluten sensitivities can potentially tolerate an Unwich, but reactions will vary person-to-person. Precautions when ordering can help reduce the risk. Overall, Jimmy John’s is not an ideal place for gluten-free diners but does offer some limited options.
The Bottom Line:
Jimmy John’s does not guarantee a gluten-free Unwich. Those with celiac disease or who are highly sensitive should avoid consuming the Unwich due to the risk of cross-contamination. People with gluten sensitivities may potentially tolerate it, but should use caution. Overall, Jimmy John’s has limited appeal for strict gluten-free diners.
