Andy Montoya
Noodles & Company is a popular pasta-centric restaurant chain with over 400 locations across the US. The restaurant offers a customizable menu for various dietary needs, including gluten-free, paleo, keto, and vegetarian options. While Noodles & Company is not a dedicated gluten-free restaurant, it provides a gluten-sensitive menu with gluten-free substitutions and allergen information. However, there is a risk of cross-contamination, and some customers with gluten allergies have reported getting sick after dining at the restaurant. The gluten-free Wisconsin Mac & Cheese has been a popular choice among customers, with some conducting their own tests to confirm the absence of gluten. Overall, Noodles & Company provides a range of options for those looking to avoid gluten in their diets, but those with severe gluten allergies may need to exercise caution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gluten-free options | Mac & Cheese, Pad Thai, Pasta Fresca, Pipette Noodles, Zoodles (Zucchini Noodles), Grilled Chicken |
| Customizable menu | Noodles, toppings, sauces, proteins |
| Cross-contamination risk | High |
| Allergen information | Available on the company website, including an allergen calculator |
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What You'll Learn
Noodles & Company offers gluten-free pasta substitutions
Noodles & Company is a casual, pasta-centric restaurant chain with over 400 locations in the US. The chain offers a customizable menu for various dietary needs, including gluten-free options. While their gluten-free offerings have received mixed reviews, the restaurant does provide gluten-free pasta substitutions.
The restaurant offers gluten-free shells and zucchini noodles (zoodles) as substitutes for any entree. The zoodles, made from zucchini, are thin and praised for their texture. The gluten-free pipette noodles, in particular, are said to taste and feel just like regular noodles.
Noodles & Company also offers gluten-free rice noodles, which are used in their Pad Thai dish. The Pad Thai is a popular choice among gluten-intolerant customers, with many reporting no issues after consuming it. However, there are also reports of customers with celiac disease finding wheat noodles in their food.
While Noodles & Company offers gluten-free pasta substitutions, customers are advised to be cautious about potential cross-contamination. The restaurant's staff is reported to be knowledgeable about substitution options and allergies, taking special note of any gluten sensitivity or allergy. They offer to bake or grill certain items separately to avoid potential cross-contamination from shared cooking surfaces. However, there are still reports of gluten-containing noodles being served in gluten-free dishes.
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The signature Wisconsin Mac & Cheese is gluten-free
Noodles & Company is a casual pasta-centric restaurant chain with over 400 locations in the US. The chain offers a customizable menu to cater to various dietary needs, including gluten-free, keto, paleo, and vegetarian options. While the restaurant is not gluten-free, it provides a gluten-sensitive menu with a range of gluten-free alternatives.
One customer with Celiac disease reported almost being served a glutened item, highlighting the potential for cross-contamination in the kitchen. Noodles & Company acknowledges this risk on its website, stating that while they will try to accommodate gluten-free needs, they cannot guarantee no cross-contact with wheat. Therefore, those with a severe gluten allergy may want to refrain from dining at Noodles & Company.
For those who choose to dine at Noodles & Company, the staff is knowledgeable about substitutions and take special note of any gluten sensitivity or allergy. They offer a range of gluten-free alternatives, including grilled chicken, zucchini noodles, and gluten-free pasta. The restaurant's allergen chart and online nutrition and allergy information can also help customers make informed choices.
Overall, while Noodles & Company's signature Wisconsin Mac & Cheese is gluten-free, the restaurant may not be the best choice for those with severe gluten allergies due to the inherent risk of cross-contamination. However, for those with gluten sensitivity or dietary preferences, the restaurant offers a good selection of gluten-free options and is praised for its accommodating staff.
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The Pad Thai is gluten-free
Noodles & Company is a pasta-centric restaurant chain that offers a customizable menu for various dietary needs, including gluten-free options. While the restaurant is not entirely gluten-free, it provides alternatives for those who are gluten-sensitive or looking to reduce gluten in their diets. The Pad Thai at Noodles & Company is one such gluten-free option, made with rice noodles that are suitable for those avoiding gluten.
The Pad Thai dish has been specifically mentioned by customers as being gluten-free and a safe choice for those with gluten sensitivities. The restaurant offers a gluten-free noodle swap option, allowing customers to substitute regular noodles with gluten-free alternatives. This flexibility caters to those who want to enjoy Pad Thai without gluten.
Additionally, Noodles & Company is praised for its allergen menu and staff knowledge. The company's website provides detailed nutrition and allergy information, including an allergen calculator, to help customers make informed choices. This transparency ensures that customers with gluten sensitivities can confidently select gluten-free options like the Pad Thai.
However, it is important to note that there is still a risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen, as the restaurant handles a lot of gluten-containing foods. While Noodles & Company takes precautions, some customers with gluten allergies have reported getting sick or encountering gluten in their gluten-free orders. Therefore, it is recommended to exercise caution and consult the allergen menu and staff advice when ordering the Pad Thai or any other gluten-free options.
In conclusion, the Pad Thai at Noodles & Company is indeed gluten-free, offering a tasty and safe option for those seeking to avoid gluten. The restaurant's customizable menu, allergen resources, and staff awareness contribute to a positive dining experience for customers with gluten sensitivities. Nevertheless, due to the potential for cross-contamination, those with severe gluten allergies should carefully consider their options and take the necessary precautions when dining at Noodles & Company.
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The possibility of cross-contamination exists
Noodles & Company is a popular pasta-centric restaurant chain with over 400 locations in the US. The restaurant offers a customizable menu for various dietary needs, including gluten-free, paleo, keto, and vegetarian options. While the restaurant provides gluten-free alternatives, it is important to note that the possibility of cross-contamination exists.
Noodles & Company explicitly acknowledges the risk of cross-contamination on its website, stating: "We'll try hard to accommodate your needs, but please consider that we do have wheat in our restaurant, and we can't guarantee no cross-contact." This transparency is essential for customers to make informed decisions, especially those with gluten allergies or celiac disease.
The restaurant's gluten-sensitive menu aims to cater to those who are gluten-sensitive or looking to reduce gluten intake. However, due to the presence of gluten-containing ingredients and the use of shared preparation surfaces, there is a definite possibility of cross-contamination across all menu items. This risk is heightened for dishes like the grilled chicken, which is cooked on the same surface as the parmesan-crusted chicken containing gluten.
To minimize the risk of cross-contamination, customers can request specific preparations. For instance, asking the staff to bake the chicken instead of grilling it can help avoid potential gluten exposure from shared grill surfaces. Additionally, opting for gluten-free noodle substitutions, such as zucchini noodles or gluten-free pipette noodles, can further reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
While Noodles & Company provides gluten-free options and allergen information, it is not a dedicated gluten-free restaurant. Therefore, customers with gluten allergies or celiac disease should carefully consider the inherent risk of cross-contamination. The restaurant's transparency about this risk empowers customers to make informed choices, and the availability of gluten-sensitive options ensures that those looking to reduce gluten intake can still enjoy their meals.
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The allergen menu is available in-store
Noodles & Company is a popular pasta-centric restaurant chain with over 400 locations across the US. The restaurant offers a customizable menu to cater to various dietary needs, including gluten-free options. While the restaurant is not entirely gluten-free, it provides a “gluten-sensitive" menu with a range of gluten-free choices.
Noodles & Company has one type of gluten-free pasta that can be substituted in most dishes. This allows customers to enjoy a variety of flavors and toppings, making it a good option for those who are gluten-sensitive or looking to reduce gluten intake. However, it is important to note that the restaurant deals with a lot of gluten-containing foods, and there is a high risk of cross-contamination.
Some popular gluten-free options at Noodles & Company include the Pad Thai, which can be made with rice noodles, and the Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, which has been confirmed as gluten-free by customers using Nima Sensors. The restaurant also offers gluten-free pipette noodles, grilled chicken, and zucchini noodles (zoodles).
While Noodles & Company provides a range of gluten-free options, it is important to remain cautious due to the possibility of cross-contamination. The staff are knowledgeable about substitutions and allergies, and customers can specify their dietary restrictions when ordering. However, those with severe gluten allergies may want to consider other dining options to eliminate the risk of gluten exposure.
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Frequently asked questions
Noodles and Company is not a dedicated gluten-free restaurant, and there is a high risk of cross-contamination. However, they offer a gluten-sensitive menu and gluten-free pasta substitutions.
Noodles and Company offers a customizable menu for various dietary needs. In addition to gluten-free pasta substitutions, they offer grilled chicken and salads that can be made gluten-free by excluding certain ingredients. Their Pad Thai and Pasta Fresca have been reported as gluten-free options.
The Mac & Cheese at Noodles and Company has been reported to be gluten-free when made with gluten-free pasta. The Wisconsin Mac & Cheese has also been reported to be gluten-free. However, it is essential to be cautious due to the risk of cross-contamination.
