Jersey Mike’s is a popular submarine sandwich franchise with over 2,000 locations across the United States. They offer a variety of sub sandwiches on fresh baked bread. For customers with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, Jersey Mike’s provides gluten-free bread as an alternative to their regular bread options. Many customers wonder what type of gluten-free bread Jersey Mike’s uses and if it is safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. This article will provide an in-depth look at the gluten-free bread options at Jersey Mike’s and information on how their bread is prepared to be gluten-free.
What is gluten and celiac disease?
Before diving into the specifics on Jersey Mike’s gluten-free bread, it’s helpful to understand what gluten is and how it impacts those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It helps give elasticity to dough, which is why it’s found in so many bread and baked products. Gluten is also added to many processed foods as a stabilizing agent or thickening ingredient.
For most people, gluten doesn’t cause any issues when ingested. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten triggers an immune response in the body that attacks the small intestine. This attack causes inflammation and damage to the small intestine, leading to a variety of gastrointestinal and malabsorption symptoms.
Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population. The only treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a 100% gluten-free diet. Even trace or small amounts of gluten can trigger symptoms and further damage to the body.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a milder condition that also requires avoidance of gluten. Symptoms may include bloating, fatigue, headache, anxiety and more when gluten is ingested.
For both conditions, eating truly gluten-free foods and avoiding cross-contamination is critical to managing the disease and feeling well. This requires vigilance and care to find safe gluten-free options when dining out.
Does Jersey Mike’s offer gluten-free bread options?
The good news is that Jersey Mike’s does offer gluten-free bread for their submarine sandwiches. This allows those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to still enjoy the Jersey Mike’s experience.
Jersey Mike’s provides two options for gluten-free bread:
- Gluten Free Wrap
- Udi’s Gluten Free Bread
The gluten-free wrap option has been offered for many years. Jersey Mike’s more recently started carrying Udi’s gluten-free bread as well.
Having both a wrap and slice bread option is important, as wraps don’t mimic the traditional sub experience in the same way that sliced bread does. The addition of Udi’s allows gluten-free customers to enjoy a sub sandwich that looks and feels like the regular Jersey Mike’s subs prepared on fresh baked bread.
Are Jersey Mike’s gluten-free options really gluten-free?
An important question for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities is whether the gluten-free options at Jersey Mike’s truly are gluten-free and safe to eat.
First, let’s look at the gluten-free wrap option. Jersey Mike’s utilizes a 10-inch gluten-free flour tortilla for this option. The brand of the gluten-free wrap may vary by location. Some of the common brands used include Mission, Tumaro’s, La Tortilla Factory, and more. These are all established gluten-free brands in the marketplace. The gluten-free wraps Jersey Mike’s uses are certified gluten-free to less than 20 parts per million (ppm). This is the recognized safety standard for those requiring a gluten-free diet. So the gluten-free wraps can be considered a safe option.
The Udi’s gluten-free bread that Jersey Mike’s uses also meets the requirements for being deemed gluten-free. Udi’s is a very well known and reputable gluten-free food company. According to Udi’s, their gluten-free bread is certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO). This means it contains less than 10 ppm of gluten. The bread also carries the Certified Gluten-Free label from the Celiac Support Association. So consumers can be confident that the Udi’s bread at Jersey Mike’s is an authentic gluten-free option.
How are the gluten-free options prepared at Jersey Mike’s?
For gluten-free customers, it’s important that care is taken in preparing their food to avoid cross-contamination with gluten-containing ingredients. So how does Jersey Mike’s handle this?
Jersey Mike’s has specific procedures in place to prepare the gluten-free wraps and bread safely for gluten-free orders. Employees change their gloves before handling gluten-free wraps or bread. They also use foil or parchment paper to wrap the prepared sandwich. This avoids direct contact with the work surfaces. Additionally, Jersey Mike’s uses separate knives and preparation areas for gluten-free orders versus regular subs. Some locations even have designated gluten-free prep areas.
Overall, their procedures help reduce the chance for cross-contamination for gluten-free orders. However, as with any restaurant environment, there is always some minimal risk of cross-contact. Customers with celiac disease should consider this and make the personal decision on whether they feel comfortable ordering from Jersey Mike’s. Those with gluten sensitivities are generally less sensitive and can often tolerate minor cross-contact.
What sandwich fillings can be ordered on gluten-free subs?
In terms of sandwich fillings, most standard Jersey Mike’s meats, cheeses, and veggies are gluten-free. Some exceptions would potentially include:
- Breadcrumb coated chicken cutlet
- Meatballs containing breadcrumbs
- Falafel or breaded fried items
The best approach is to review the ingredients and identify items that either contain gluten directly or may have come into contact with gluten during processing.
Some of the more popular gluten-free Jersey Mike’s fillings include:
- Roast beef
- Turkey
- Ham
- Salami
- Pepperoni
- Provolone cheese
- Swiss cheese
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Pickles
- Peppers
- Vinegar
- Oil
- Oregano
- Salt and pepper
When ordering, customers can reference the fillings they want in their gluten-free sub. It’s also acceptable to ask Jersey Mike’s staff to switch gloves or use a new knife for gluten-free prep.
What about the chips and drinks at Jersey Mike’s?
In addition to subs, Jersey Mike’s offers chips and drinks to complete your meal. Are these gluten-free as well?
Many of the chip brands that Jersey Mike’s carries are gluten-free. This includes basic potato chips and tortilla chips from brands like Lay’s, Doritos, Tostitos, and more. However, flavorings on chips could potentially contain gluten so check the ingredients before ordering.
For drinks, soda is gluten-free at Jersey Mike’s. Most Jersey Mike’s locations also carry Izze brand sparkling juices which are gluten-free. Bottled water is another safe gluten-free drink option.
Ultimately, gluten-free customers have many sandwich, chip and drink choices at Jersey Mike’s. With some modifications and special handling, the menu can be just as diverse for those requiring a gluten-free meal.
What do experts and celiacs say about eating at Jersey Mike’s?
To further evaluate the gluten-free safety of Jersey Mike’s, we can look at recommendations from experts and first-hand experiences from those with celiac disease who have eaten at Jersey Mike’s:
- VeryWell fit recommends Jersey Mike’s a better option for those with celiac disease compared to some other sandwich chains. They highlight that Jersey Mike’s gluten-free practices reduce cross-contact risk.
- GlutenFreely, a gluten-free food blog, shares positive feedback from someone with celiac who regularly eats at Jersey Mike’s without issue.
- Celiac.com, a reputable source for celiac information, features predominantly favorable reviews of Jersey Mike’s from members who are able to safely eat there.
- The Celiac Disease Foundation shares that while there is always some risk to gluten-free meals prepared at restaurants, reports indicate Jersey Mike’s provides relatively safe options.
This positive feedback indicates that for many celiacs, Jersey Mike’s is deemed one of the safer restaurant chains to trust when seeking gluten-free options. While individual reactions may vary, many find they can eat both the wraps and Udi’s bread at Jersey Mike’s without reaction. It’s important to note that those most sensitive need to weigh risks versus benefits before choosing to eat out at any restaurant.
Tips for ordering gluten-free at Jersey Mike’s
Based on all this information, here are some top tips when ordering gluten-free at Jersey Mike’s:
- Ask which gluten-free wrap or Udi’s bread is available. Go with whichever option you prefer.
- Choose sandwich fillings that are less likely to have cross-contact with gluten.
- Request that new gloves are worn and separate prep tools used.
- Have the sandwich wrapped in foil instead of being placed directly on the counter or paper.
- For chips, verify if they are gluten-free by checking ingredients.
- Stick to basic gluten-free beverage choices like soda, Izze drinks or water.
- Be aware that salads could have croutons or other gluten ingredients added.
Following these tips will help customers with celiac disease or gluten intolerance enjoy delicious subs that are as low in gluten as possible considering it’s a restaurant environment.
Does Jersey Mike’s offer any other gluten-free options besides subs?
In addition to sub sandwiches on gluten-free bread or wraps, there are a few other menu items at Jersey Mike’s that may be gluten-free:
- Salads and Garden Veggie Wraps without croutons or other gluten ingredients
- Meat and cheese platters containing only gluten-free items
- Gluten-free chips as a side item
- Fresh cut and whole fruit options
- Yogurts, depending on the brand and flavor
So there are some additional choices beyond subs and you can potentially create a gluten-free salad or veggie wrap as well. However, the subs likely remain the most popular order for gluten-free customers.
Should you tell Jersey Mike’s you need gluten-free?
Definitely! It’s imperative that you clearly tell the staff you require gluten-free options if you have celiac disease or an intolerance. This ensures:
- Only gluten-free bread/wraps are used
- Care is taken to avoid cross-contact
- Staff change gloves and prep area
- Your specific dietary needs are understood
Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions to the staff either. They are accustomed to accommodating gluten-free requests. The more information they have on the sensitivity and your needs, the better they can serve you.
Some also choose to access Jersey Mike’s gluten-free menu options online or on their app when available. This makes it simple for staff to follow your order specifications.
Being clear, direct and gracious goes a long way towards having a positive gluten-free experience at Jersey Mike’s.
In Conclusion
Jersey Mike’s makes enjoying classic submarine sandwiches possible for those avoiding gluten by offering both gluten-free wraps and Udi’s gluten-free bread options. For most menu items, you can choose whichever form of “bun” you prefer.
Their gluten-free bread and wraps are certified gluten-free to under 20ppm, meeting safety standards. Additionally, Jersey Mike’s follows dedicated procedures to reduce cross-contamination when preparing gluten-free subs.
While celiacs must weigh the potential risks eating out with any restaurant, many experts and individuals with celiac disease say Jersey Mike’s is one of the safer chains for gluten-free options. Using caution and communicating needs clearly when ordering can further mitigate risks.
Overall, Jersey Mike’s presents a nice option for gluten-free diners. You can enjoy delicious subs similar to those your family or friends are eating thanks to ingredients and choices tailored specifically for gluten intolerance and celiac disease needs.
