Quick Answer
No, Red Robin’s gluten-free bun is not vegan. The gluten-free bun contains eggs and milk, which are animal products not permitted on a vegan diet.
Ingredients in Red Robin’s Gluten-Free Bun
According to Red Robin’s website, the ingredients in their gluten-free bun are:
- Water
- Rice Flour
- Potato Starch
- Tapioca Starch
- Sugar
- Yeast
- Salt
- Guar Gum
- Xanthan Gum
- Egg Whites
- Natural Flavors
- Nonfat Milk
- Enzymes
The key non-vegan ingredients are egg whites and nonfat milk. Vegans do not consume any animal products, including eggs and dairy. So while Red Robin’s gluten-free bun is dairy-free, egg-free, and nut-free, it is not considered vegan due to the egg and milk ingredients.
Why Vegans Do Not Eat Eggs and Dairy
Vegans avoid all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty. Here’s a brief overview of why vegans avoid eggs and dairy:
Eggs
– Commercial egg production involves immense suffering for hens. They are kept in small, crowded cages and often de-beaked without anesthesia. Male chicks are killed shortly after hatching since they cannot lay eggs.
– There are also health concerns around consuming eggs, including high cholesterol levels.
Dairy
– Cows used for dairy are kept constantly pregnant through artificial insemination to keep milk production high. Their calves are taken away shortly after birth so the milk can be collected for human consumption. This causes distress for both cow and calf.
– Large-scale dairy farming leads to diseases in cows which may require antibiotic treatment. Traces of the antibiotics and pus from infections can end up in the milk.
– There are also potential health issues related to dairy consumption, including lactose intolerance, allergies, and certain cancers.
So in summary, vegans avoid these foods due to ethical concerns over how animals are treated in factory farming systems. They believe eggs and dairy contribute to animal suffering.
Vegan Alternatives to Red Robin’s Gluten-Free Bun
If you follow a vegan diet and need a gluten-free bun option at Red Robin, you have a couple alternatives:
Bring Your Own Vegan Bun
Many vegan brands make gluten-free buns you can bring to the restaurant. Some popular options include:
– Canyon Bakehouse – They offer a few varieties of gluten-free vegan buns, including white, 7-grain, and Hawaiian sweet.
– Schar – Their gluten-free Artisan Baker Multigrain Vegan Buns are dairy, egg, nut, and soy free.
– Udi’s – Try their Gluten Free Vegan Hamburger Buns.
Call ahead to your local Red Robin to confirm they allow outside food. Some may have policies restricting bringing in your own ingredients.
Order a Lettuce Wrap
Another option is to order a lettuce wrap instead of a traditional bun. Simply request any burger be served in a lettuce wrap and the patty and toppings will be served wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves instead of a bun.
Just check the ingredients in the burger patty you select to ensure it is vegan as well. Most of Red Robin’s veggie burgers and the Impossible patty are vegan, but some may contain eggs or cheese so double check with your server.
Look for Vegan Certification
Some locations of Red Robin display vegan certification stickers on their windows. This indicates that the restaurant has vegan menu options confirmed by a vegan certification organization.
You’re more likely to find a vegan gluten-free bun at a certified location versus a non-certified one. But call ahead regardless to confirm buns on hand, as inventory can fluctuate.
Should You Request a Gluten-Contaminated Burger?
Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity absolutely must avoid any cross-contact with gluten.
But for vegans who simply want to avoid animal products, is it ok to request a regular bun that simply had contact with gluten buns in the kitchen?
There are differing viewpoints on this issue within the vegan community:
Yes – The Harm is Already Done
Some vegans argue that if the non-vegan bun is already made and going to be thrown out, the animal has suffered regardless. Eating it does not increase or contribute to further demand. So ethically, consuming it may be permissible in certain circumstances.
However, this should likely only apply if no other comparable vegan option is available and the food would go to waste otherwise.
No – Contributes to Normalization
Other vegans believe that we should not normalize the use of animal products, even if already prepared. By refusing to consume non-vegan items, it keeps the principle of compassion firm and does not excuse using animals.
Plus, restaurants track inventory and sales, so ordering a non-vegan item still indicates consumer demand, affecting future purchasing and preparation decisions.
Take Precautions If Choosing to Consume
If you personally decide that consuming already prepared non-vegan foods is acceptable to avoid waste, take precautions to minimize any harm:
– Ask the restaurant to not prepare new buns/items and only use what they have on hand and would discard.
– Limit it to rare circumstances where you cannot obtain a comparable vegan replacement.
– Consider offering to pay for the item anyway or leaving the restaurant a generous tip.
– Be discreet and avoid encouraging others to consume non-vegan items.
Overall this is a complex issue that requires personal reflection on morals and rationales. Some compromise may be necessary when dining out with limited vegan options. But in general, try to order fully vegan items when possible.
In Conclusion
Red Robin’s gluten-free bun contains egg and dairy ingredients, so it is not vegan. But diners who need a vegan and gluten-free option have a couple alternatives:
– Bring your own certified vegan and gluten-free bun to the restaurant.
– Order a lettuce wrap instead of a traditional bun.
– Look for Red Robin locations with vegan certification that may have vegan buns available.
– Consider the ethical implications if requesting a non-vegan bun that was gluten-contaminated. This is an issue up for debate within the vegan community.
Overall the best option is to contact your local Red Robin ahead of time to ask about vegan and gluten-free bun availability and policies. With some planning and flexibility, you can enjoy great vegan burgers and inclusive dining at Red Robin. Their commitment to allergy-friendly offerings makes it a solid choice for plant-based eaters with dietary restrictions.
