Pei Wei is a popular Asian fast-casual restaurant chain known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients and customizable menu. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, dining out can be challenging. Pei Wei offers a variety of gluten-free menu options, but are they truly safe for those who need to avoid gluten? Here’s a detailed look at Pei Wei’s gluten-free practices and how safe their gluten-free dishes really are.
What is gluten and why must some people avoid it?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. For most people, consuming gluten is not a problem. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten triggers an autoimmune reaction that damages the small intestine. Even small amounts of gluten can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, fatigue, headache, and skin rashes. The only treatment is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet.
People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity must be very careful to avoid cross-contact with gluten. Even crumbs or traces of gluten can make them sick. This makes dining out very high risk.
What is Pei Wei’s gluten-free menu?
Pei Wei labels a variety of menu items as gluten-free, including:
- Gluten-Free Chicken
- Gluten-Free Steak
- Gluten-Free Shrimp
- Gluten-Free Tofu
- Mixed Greens Side Salad
- Edamame
- Cucumber Salad
- Brown Rice
- Vegetable Fried Rice
These items are modified to remove the gluten-containing ingredients and sauces. Pei Wei also offers gluten-free soy sauce.
However, just because a menu item is labeled gluten-free does not guarantee it is safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Cross-contact is still a major risk.
Is cross-contact a risk at Pei Wei?
Yes, cross-contact with gluten is likely at Pei Wei, even if you order a gluten-free menu item. Here are some of the risks:
- All food is prepared in the same open kitchen with shared equipment and surfaces.
- Many wheat-based dishes like noodles and breaded items are prepared alongside the gluten-free dishes.
- Unsure if separate fryers are used for gluten-free items.
- Risk of cross-contact with gluten-containing sauces and seasonings.
- Commons scoops used between gluten and gluten-free ingredients.
With so many gluten-containing menu items, the chance of cross-contact is very high in Pei Wei’s open kitchen environment.
What do food sensitivity organizations say about Pei Wei’s gluten-free safety?
Gluten sensitivity non-profits like Beyond Celiac recommend avoiding Pei Wei if you need to follow a gluten-free diet:
- Beyond Celiac gives Pei Wei a “poor” rating for gluten-free safety based on the high risk of cross-contact.
- The Celiac Disease Foundation also says those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should steer clear of Pei Wei due to cross-contamination concerns.
- GlutenFreeWatchdog tested gluten-free dishes at Pei Wei in 2013 and found detectable levels of gluten, indicating cross-contact.
These organizations advise eating only at 100% gluten-free restaurants when you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, not chains like Pei Wei where cross-contact is likely.
What do customers say about getting “glutened” at Pei Wei?
There are concerning reports from Pei Wei customers getting sick from eating gluten-free dishes:
- A Reddit user reported getting severely ill multiple times from Pei Wei’s gluten-free offerings.
- A review site warns of cross-contamination at Pei Wei making their gluten-free dishes unsafe.
- Several people on Celiac.com reported reactions and stomach issues after eating Pei Wei gluten-free meals.
While Pei Wei advertises gluten-free options, many customers report reacting to the supposed “gluten-free” food. This indicates likely cross-contact with gluten.
Does Pei Wei take any precautions to reduce gluten cross-contact?
Pei Wei does seem aware of the risk of cross-contact for their gluten-free guests. On their website they state:
- Employees change gloves when preparing gluten-free orders.
- Gluten-free dishes are placed on new sheets of tin foil.
- Gluten-free woks are used when available.
However, these limited precautions do not eliminate the risk considering the high amount of gluten used in their open kitchen. Based on customer reactions, these measures are likely not sufficient to prevent cross-contact.
Should you trust Pei Wei’s gluten-free menu items?
While Pei Wei tries to cater to gluten-free diners, their open kitchen design and lack of strong protocols make cross-contact very likely. Their gluten-free dishes cannot be considered truly gluten-free.
For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity who get sick from small traces of gluten, Pei Wei is simply too high-risk to trust. The many customer reports of reactions to Pei Wei’s gluten-free food reinforce this risk.
Safer dining options for gluten-free eaters
Instead of taking a chance at Pei Wei, here are safer options for gluten-free dining:
- Dedicated gluten-free restaurants that only serve gluten-free food.
- Restaurants with separate gluten-free preparation areas and protocols.
- Naturally gluten-free cuisine types like sushi, Thai, or Mediterranean dishes.
- Checking FindMeGlutenFree.com for safe gluten-free restaurant reviews in your area.
With precautions like calling ahead, being selective with dishes, and carefully questioning staff, some chain restaurants may also be possible for gluten-free diners. But Pei Wei’s high risk makes it an uncertain option at best.
The verdict on Pei Wei’s gluten-free safety
In summary, while Pei Wei advertises gluten-free menu options, the safety for celiac disease and gluten sensitivity is questionable. Their open kitchen, likelihood of cross-contact, and numerous customer reactions make their “gluten-free” dishes extremely risky. For those who need to strictly avoid gluten, it is safest to eat elsewhere until Pei Wei can demonstrate major improvements in their gluten-free handling. Sticking to certified gluten-free restaurants is a better option for anyone sensitive to gluten.
Other precautions for eating gluten-free at restaurants
If you do choose to eat at restaurants with gluten on the menu, here are some extra precautions to take:
- Call ahead to alert them to your gluten-free needs.
- Ask detailed questions about their prep methods and risk of cross-contact.
- Stick to naturally gluten-free foods like grilled chicken and vegetables.
- Request clean pots, pans, utensils, and isolated prep areas.
- Tell servers about your gluten intolerance each time a new one takes over.
- Send back dishes if you notice cross-contaminated toppings or ingredients.
- Avoid busy meal times when kitchen staff is rushed and more prone to mistakes.
- Thank restaurants who are accommodating so they continue to take gluten issues seriously.
While problematic at a restaurant like Pei Wei, being cautious, asking questions, and knowing your risks can help you navigate gluten-free eating at less risky establishments. Over time, the right questions and actions can train restaurant staff to improve their gluten-free practices.
Should you try Pei Wei’s gluten-free menu?
At the end of the day, whether to eat from Pei Wei’s gluten-free menu comes down to your comfort level with risk and your sensitivity level to gluten cross-contact.
If you have celiac disease or react strongly to trace gluten, it is wisest to avoid Pei Wei and opt for a certified gluten-free restaurant instead. The many reports of reactions show their gluten-free dishes are far from safe.
If you have milder non-celiac gluten sensitivity and are not as reactive, you may decide to give them a try, but take all the recommended precautions. Listen to your body and discontinue eating there if you have any adverse reactions.
Ultimately you must weigh the convenience and enjoyment of eating Pei Wei’s food against the likelihood of getting sick from cross-contact. For those highly sensitive, when it comes to gluten, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
