Dining out with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can be a challenge, but Red Robin is considered one of the more reliable restaurant chains for gluten-free dining. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews was established in 1969 in Seattle, Washington, originally named “Sam’s Tavern,” located near the University of Washington. Today, Red Robin operates over 500 restaurants across the United States and Canada, and is best known for its variety of gourmet burgers with creative toppings, along with its “endless fries” policy that lets customers enjoy unlimited refills of steak fries.
So, does Red Robin have a gluten-free menu? Yes, Red Robin restaurant’s gluten-free menu covers a wide range of categories, including appetizers, burgers, salads, entrees, sides, kids’ items, beverages, and sauces. This guide breaks down everything available on the gluten-free Red Robin menu, plus tips, allergy protocols, and answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Does Red Robin Have a Gluten-Free Menu?
Yes. Red Robin has a good amount of gluten-free items on its menu, and the chain serves its popular gourmet burgers on a gluten-free bun upon request. So much of the Red Robin menu gluten free options can be customized that it has become a favorite among people in the gluten-free community for two main reasons:
- So much of Red Robin’s menu can be made gluten-free.
- Red Robin has a structured system for handling food allergies and celiac disease.
Red Robin offers an interactive online allergy menu where guests can select their specific allergies and dietary restrictions, and the tool will help navigate the menu accordingly. This interactive menu is also accessible in-restaurant on a device provided at the table. Because ingredients can vary by location, it’s recommended to choose your specific restaurant location when using the tool.
Disclaimer: Red Robin is not a dedicated gluten-free restaurant. While staff take significant measures to prevent cross-contamination, there is still some risk of gluten cross-contact when dining in a restaurant that isn’t exclusively gluten-free.
Red Robin’s Gluten-Allergy Protocols
Red Robin restaurants follow several allergy protocols designed to reduce cross-contact risk:
- Certified master allergen trainers manage the menu
- Employees receive allergy training and are tested on their knowledge multiple times a year
- Kitchen staff and servers are also quizzed by a third-party auditing company four times per year to verify allergen knowledge
- Managers visually inspect allergy tools and surfaces twice a day to confirm they are clean and in good condition
- Digital/interactive allergy menus provide the latest allergen information
- A “purple pick” is placed in your meal to confirm it was prepared according to allergy protocols
How Red Robin Handles a Gluten-Free Order
According to Red Robin’s allergen protocol, once an allergen order is placed, the following process happens:
- The server alerts kitchen staff of the allergen order.
- Kitchen staff use a designated purple allergen kit and dedicated tools to prepare the meal. The finished dish is marked with a purple pick so the server knows it was prepared using Red Robin’s allergen procedures.
- The entire kit and all tools are washed, rinsed, and sanitized before the next use.
Red Robin states it cannot guarantee that any menu item will be completely free of an allergen, since ingredients, suppliers, and preparation can change. Soybean oil is used in several menu items; according to the FDA, refined soybean oil is not considered an allergen.
Gluten-Free Bun Ingredients at Red Robin
Red Robin offers a gluten-free hamburger bun, meaning you can order almost any burger from the extensive burger menu by simply substituting the bun (some burgers require a few additional modifications to remove other gluten ingredients). According to Red Robin, the gluten-free buns come from Rotella’s Bakery and contain:
Water, food starch modified, corn starch, potato starch, long grain milled rice, stabilized rice bran, granulated sugar, egg whites, canola oil, yeast, salt, pea fiber, modified cellulose, tapioca starch, xanthan gum, psyllium husk powder, cultured brown rice, brown rice, and calcium sulfate.
This ingredient information was provided directly by Red Robin. Since suppliers and ingredients can change, it’s best to confirm with restaurant staff at the time of ordering if you have additional dietary needs. Some Red Robin locations will also sell individually packaged gluten-free buns to take home.
If you’d rather skip the bun altogether, burgers can also be ordered lettuce-wrapped as a gluten-free alternative.
Good News About Red Robin Favorites
A few standout Red Robin menu items are gluten-free as-is or with simple modifications:
- Red Robin’s signature seasoning is gluten-free and labeled as such on its container — you can ask to see the package for reassurance.
- Red Robin uses a separate, dedicated fryer for gluten-free fries and chips (always confirm this at your local restaurant, as some locations place the dedicated fryer close to the regular fryer, raising cross-contamination risk).
- Freckled Lemonade is gluten-free.
- The Impossible Burger patty is gluten-free, having been reformulated in January 2019 (Impossible Burger 2.0) to use soy protein instead of wheat protein.
Red Robin Gluten-Free Menu (Full List)
Below is a complete breakdown of the gluten free menu at Red Robin, organized by category. Always confirm gluten-free items with your server or manager when ordering, as availability can vary by location.
Appetizers
- Chili Con Queso (without white corn tortilla chips)
- Guac, Salsa, and Chips (without white corn tortilla chips)
- Heck-Yeah Hummus Plate (no cheesy bread crouton)
- Cheesy Bacon Truffle Fries (remove cheese sauce)
Gourmet & Signature Burgers
- Bacon Cheeseburger (swap bun, remove bacon for full gluten-free compliance)
- Banzai Burger (swap bun and teriyaki sauce, remove pineapple)
- Bleu Ribbon Burger (swap bun, remove onion straws and Heinz 57 sauce)
- Burnin’ Love Burger (swap bun and jalapeño coins, remove whole jalapeños)
- Burnin’ Love Chicken (swap bun and jalapeño coins, remove whole jalapeños)
- Chili Cheeseburger (no sesame bun)
- Grilled Turkey Burger (no whole-grain bun)
- Guacamole Bacon Burger (swap bun, remove bacon)
- Keep It Simple Burger – Beef, Chicken, or Veggie (swap bun)
- MadLove Burger (swap bun, remove cheddar parmesan mix and candied bacon)
- Prime Chophouse Burger (swap bun, remove steakhouse sauce, horseradish mushrooms, onion straws, onion ring garnish)
- Red Robin Gourmet Cheeseburger (swap bun)
- Royal Red Robin Burger (swap bun, remove bacon strips and fried egg)
- Scorpion Gourmet Burger (swap bun and jalapeño coins)
- Smoke & Pepper Burger (swap bun, remove bacon strips)
- Southern Charm Burger (swap bun, remove bacon strips, whisky BBQ sauce, and grilled onions)
- Tycoon Burger (swap bun, remove mushrooms and marinade)
Classic Burgers & More
- Monster Burger (swap bun)
- Sautéed ‘Shroom Burger (swap bun, remove mushrooms — essentially a regular Swiss burger)
- Impossible Burger or Impossible Cheeseburger (swap bun)
- The Wedgie Burger (no bun needed — wedge salad-style burger; remove bacon strips)
- Veggie Burger (swap bun)
- Haystack Double Burger (swap bun, remove mayo and onion straws)
- Red’s Double Burger (swap bun)
- The D.G.B. (no ciabatta bun)
- The Marco Polo (telera bun substitution required)
Taverns
- Nacho Crunch Tavern Burger (no sesame bun)
- Reds Tavern Burger (no sesame bun)
- Tavern Burger – Fiery Ghost (no sesame bun, no roasted jalapeño coins)
- Tavern Burger – Pig Out Style (no sesame bun, no smoked bacon sauce)
- Turbo-Q Tavern Burger (no sesame bun, no caramelized onions, no triple S sauce)
Sandwiches
- Arctic Cod Fish Sandwich (swap bun and breaded cod)
- Bruschetta Chicken Sandwich (no ciabatta bun)
- California Chicken Sandwich (swap bun, remove bacon strips)
- Crispy Chicken Sandwich (swap bun and crispy chicken)
- Simply Grilled Chicken Sandwich (no sesame bun)
Entrees
- Ensenada Chicken Platter
- Prime Rib Dip (cheesy baguette substitution, no caramelized onions)
Soups
- French Onion Soup (no croutons)
- Clamdiggers Clam Chowder
- Reds Chili Chili
Salads
- Avo-Cobb-O Salad (no bleu cheese crumbles, no croutons)
- Banzai Chicken Salad (no teriyaki sauce, no croutons, citrus ale dressing)
- Bottomless House Salad (no croutons)
- Crispy Chicken Tenders Salad (swap crispy chicken, no croutons)
- Insane Romaine (no croutons)
- Mighty Caesar Salad (no garlic bread, no croutons)
- Simply Grilled Chicken Salad (no croutons)
- Southwest Chicken Salad / Spicy Sombrero (no tostada, no jalapeño coins)
Sides & Subs
Important: Always request that fries or chips be fried in a dedicated gluten-free fryer to prevent cross-contact.
- Bottomless Steak Fries
- Bottomless Sweet Potato Fries
- Bottomless Yukon Chips
- Bottomless Steamed Broccoli
- Bottomless House Side Salad (no croutons)
- Coleslaw
- Apples / Apple Slices
- Carrots / Baby Carrots
- Freckled Fruit Salad
Kids’ Menu Favorites
- Chicken Stickers / Grilled Chicken Dip’ns
- Little Reds Burger – Beef, Chicken, or Turkey (no sesame bun)
- Red’s Cheeseburger – Beef, Chicken, Turkey, or Veggie (swap bun)
Kids’ Menu Side Options
- Apple Slices
- Baby Carrots
- Freckled Fruit Salad
- Mandarin Oranges
- Side Salad
- Steamed Broccoli
- Coleslaw
Desserts
- Kids Sundae
Beverages
- Angry Orchard Apple Cider Crisp
- Coke Products
- Cream Soda (orange and raspberry)
- Freckled Lemonade
- Groovy Smoothie
- Hawaiian Heartthrob Smoothie
- Iced Tea (plain, peach, pomegranate, raspberry)
- Minute Maid Lemonades (including raspberry, peach, sugar-free varieties)
- Omission Pale Ale
- Poppin’ Purple Lemonade
- Root Beer Float
- Strawberry Shortcake Milkshake (remove Doh! Ring; discuss preparation for cross-contact)
- Sunset Lemonade
- Sweet & Sour Mix Rocks
- Under 10 Calories Peach/Raspberry Iced Tea or Lemonade
- Very Berry Raspberry Limeade
Sauces & Dressings
- Au Jus
- Baja Ranch Dressing
- Balsamic Cream / Balsamic Dressing
- Berry Sauce
- Bleu Cheese Dressing
- Buzz Sauce
- Caesar Dressing
- Chipotle Aioli
- Chipotle Sauce
- Cocktail Sauce
- Coleslaw Dressing
- Creamy Horseradish Sauce
- Dijon Vinaigrette Dressing
- French Dressing (select locations)
- Ghost Chile Ketchup
- Guacamole
- Honey BBQ Sauce
- Honey Mustard Dressing / Honey Mustard Poppyseed Dressing
- House Made Salsa
- Island Heat Sauce
- Italian Dressing
- Lemony Oil Dressing
- Lite Ranch Dressing
- Marinara Sauce
- Mayonnaise / Premium Mayonnaise
- Olive Oil & Vinegar (select locations)
- Pesto Sauce
- Ranch Dressing
- Red’s Secret Tavern Sauce
- Roasted Garlic Aioli
- Scorpion Sauce
- Smoke & Pepper Ketchup
- Sweet and Spicy Ketchup
- Tartar Sauce
- Thai Chili Sauce
- Thousand Island Dressing
- Truffle Porcini Aioli
Note on entrees: Only a couple of full entrees are gluten-free at Red Robin — the Ensenada Chicken Platter and the Sear-ious Salmon (ordered without sides) — so most guests build their meal around burgers, salads, and sides instead.
5 Tips for Ordering Gluten-Free at Red Robin
- Use the interactive allergen menu on Red Robin’s website or in-restaurant device. Choose your specific location (ingredients can vary by restaurant), select gluten-free, and browse your options.
- Clearly disclose your dietary needs. Let staff know you have celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or are on a gluten-free diet. Using the word “allergy” or “severe allergy” tends to get more careful attention from restaurant staff than saying “gluten-free” or “celiac” alone — explain that you take your diet seriously and want everything prepared with clean hands in a gluten-free workspace.
- Ask for a manager, especially if you have celiac disease, to confirm that gluten-allergy protocols will be followed.
- Ask about cross-contact specifics, including whether a dedicated gluten-free fryer is used for fries, and whether grilled items (chicken, burgers) are cooked on a clean, separate surface.
- Look for the purple pick in your food when it’s served — this confirms gluten-allergy protocols were followed and that you received the correct meal.
Additional tips:
- Always check the in-store/digital menu before ordering, as the gluten-free menu can change.
- Confirm fries are cooked in a dedicated fryer, since this can vary by location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Red Robin have a gluten-free menu?
Sort of — Red Robin doesn’t have a separate printed gluten-free menu, but it offers an interactive allergy-friendly menu online and in-restaurant. Select your location and choose the gluten restriction, and the tool will show which items don’t contain gluten and how to modify your order to remove or avoid gluten ingredients.
Does Red Robin have a gluten-free bun?
Yes. Red Robin offers gluten-free hamburger buns made by Rotella’s Bakery, containing water, food starch modified, corn starch, potato starch, long grain milled rice, stabilized rice bran, granulated sugar, egg whites, canola oil, yeast, salt, pea fiber, modified cellulose, tapioca starch, xanthan gum, psyllium husk powder, cultured brown rice, brown rice, and calcium sulfate.
Are Red Robin’s fries gluten-free?
Yes. Red Robin’s steak fries and sweet potato fries have no gluten ingredients and are cooked fresh in a dedicated gluten-free fryer. Always confirm at your local Red Robin that the dedicated fryer is used exclusively for gluten-free items and isn’t positioned right next to the regular fryer, since there is some cross-contamination risk.
Is Red Robin’s seasoning gluten-free?
Yes. The popular Red Robin seasoning that comes on steak fries (and sits on the table) is gluten-free and labeled as such on the container.
Is Red Robin’s Campfire Sauce gluten-free?
No. Red Robin’s Campfire Sauce is not gluten-free — it contains wheat flour.
Which Red Robin sauces and dressings are gluten-free?
Most of Red Robin’s sauces and dressings are gluten-free, including Baja Ranch Dressing, Balsamic Dressing, Bleu Cheese Dressing, Buzz Sauce, Chipotle Aioli, French Dressing (select locations), Guacamole, Honey Mustard Poppyseed Dressing, House Made Salsa, Island Heat Sauce, Italian Dressing, Marinara Sauce, Olive Oil & Vinegar (select locations), Premium Mayonnaise, Ranch Dressing, Red’s Secret Tavern Sauce, Roasted Garlic Aioli, Scorpion Sauce, Smoke ‘n Pepper Ketchup, Sweet & Spicy Ketchup, Tartar Sauce, Thousand Island Dressing, and Truffle Porcini Aioli.
What is Red Robin’s allergen promise?
Red Robin states it strives to ensure every guest has a great dining experience, including guests with special dietary needs. Its Certified Master Allergen Trainers continually enhance the allergy program and provide current data, kitchens are alerted of every allergen request so dedicated tools can be used to prevent cross-contact, and the purple pick identifies each allergen-accommodated meal.
Does Red Robin have a gluten and dairy-free menu?
Red Robin’s interactive allergen menu allows you to filter by multiple restrictions at once, including gluten and dairy, so you can identify items and modifications that work for both needs simultaneously. As with all allergen requests, confirm specific modifications with your server.
Red Robin Gluten-Free Menu: Nima Sensor Test Results
Several Red Robin gluten-free menu items have been tested with the Nima Sensor, a portable gluten-detecting device, with the following results:
- Impossible Burger (both the patty and the gluten-free bun, tested separately) — tested gluten-free
- Wedgie Burger — tested gluten-free
- Red Robin Seasoning — tested gluten-free
- French Fries (when specified as gluten-free and cooked in the dedicated fryer) — tested gluten-free
Tips for Gluten-Free Dining Out in General
- Always disclose your dietary needs clearly and explain the seriousness of your condition rather than assuming staff understand what “gluten-free” requires.
- Look for visual cues (like Red Robin’s purple pick) that confirm allergy protocols were followed.
- Check the in-store or digital allergen menu at the time of your visit, since menus and suppliers can change.
- Ask specifically about dedicated fryers and cooking surfaces to reduce cross-contact risk.
- Consider a gluten-detecting device, such as the Nima Sensor, ALLIS Sensor, or Allergy Amulet, for additional peace of mind when dining out.
Conclusion
Red Robin stands out among chain restaurants for its structured allergen protocols, gluten-free bun option, dedicated fryer for fries, and interactive allergy menu making the Red Robin gluten-free menu one of the more accessible options for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. From gourmet burgers and salads to sides, kids’ meals, and a long list of gluten-free sauces, there’s no shortage of choices. Just remember to always confirm with your server, ask about cross-contact protocols, and look for that reassuring purple pick before you dig in.
Sarah Mitchell is an experienced food critic known for her honest, approachable reviews of restaurants, gourmet burgers, and seasonal menu items. She shares trusted insights to help readers discover the best dining experiences, with work featured in top food magazines and online culinary guides.