Chipotle
Last Verified 3/10
www.chipotle.com
Reminder: You must take the responsibility of being vigilant by always reconfirming the GF status of a menu item and addressing cross-contamination issues each and every time.
A fast-food style, simple Mexican menu that
the servers dish up for you in a
buffet style while you watch.
An allergen chart is provided in PDF from the Chipotle
website that includes a gluten category. Click on "View the PDF here" under "Where can I find your allergen information?"
"Most people wanting to avoid gluten can eat anything we serve except for our wheat burrito tortillas, our soft wheat taco tortillas, and possibly our hot red tomatillo salsa (there is a small amount of distilled vinegar in it which some gluten-oriented websites still say might be problematic, although most don't).
Everything else is fine to eat for most people wanting to avoid gluten, including our crispy corn tacos, our corn chips, and our burrito bowls (no tortilla). However, you should know that it's possible our corn may have a small amount of gluten from potentially co-mingling with gluten-containing grains in the field.
If you are highly sensitive and would like us to change our gloves, we would be happy to do that at your request. Additionally, because our folks work with wheat tortillas all day long, there may be the possibility of cross-contact in our restaurants. We encourage you to carefully consider your dining choices."
Patrick Kelly | Marketing Consultant, Chipotle Mexican Grill
Katherine to SillyYak site, 4/09
"I eat at Chipotle all the time, but I only go to a select few locations and have the workers pretty well trained. They change gloves before they touch anything, and I usually only eat the things that have been put out very recently. They even change the spoons for me. Sometimes they will go to the back of the house and pull the rice from the back so that I don't have to worry about just the issue you describe below! I usually get the burrito bowl and go early (11:30 for lunch to beat the crowd). There is usually less chance for cross-contamination at that time. "
Chandra to SillyYak site 4/09
"With Chipotle, you can talk to the manager and they will get a new whatever-it-is from the back, clean gloves, clean spoon, etc. to make your order. (Please, do NOT try this when they are busy. Go when it's off-hours and they can comply without holding up a long line of other customers.)"
Amy to SillyYak site, 4/09
"Chipotle is one of the most allergy/food sensitive safe restaurants out there! The only gluten is soft taco and burrito wrappers. All the food is organic, hormone free and even have dairy free cheese(for those allergic and vegans). Chipotle makes all organic from scratch fast food and they have the best guacamole! I eat at Chipotle several times a month and have never ever gotten glutened.
Normally Chipotle's employees take food sensitivities and CD very seriously. When I place my order tell them I have celiacs(only once I had to explain, the other times they knew exactly what to do). The employee washed hands, changed gloves and used clean serving spoons. Even if you go during lunch or dinner rush, you should get the same service."
Karen In KCMO, 1/09
"It is very easy to avoid the contaminated items at these places. Have them change gloves & then ask them to get the veggies/cheese etc from a NEW bin.
My non GF ds used to work at Subway & when his twin (my celiac ds) was dx'd he told him to do this. He is very sensitive to gluten & has never gotten sick from either place or even from other places when he asks them to do this.
Now, I would suggest that you not ask for this during their busiest times, or at least if you do...ask for the manager & have the manager do it for you. If it is a place you might frequesnt, get to know the employees & explain the situation. My son has never been turned down. BE NICE & patient & be sure to express your appreciation...even with a tip if possible. It's worth it!"
"I am certain that Chipotle's green sauce has gluten in it (they state it does not), I eat their everyday Mon. thru Fri. and have tested my theory numerous times, can you have some members test my theory so we can get Chipotle to change their gluten free statement before more celiacs are unwittingly are fooled that their food is gluten free. I quit eating it and although I never had small intestine pains, I did feel stagnet and zombie like after eating it and the following mornings. Now I get the bowl with no sauce and I have energy again and feel great! Hope this helps someone not to have to suffer unknowingly like I have for quite a while now." Jeremiah Smith Shawnee, KS., 10/08 RJ's note: Jeremiah wrote Chipotle and they confirmed that the green sauce is gluten free. Jeremiah still feels it is not.
"I love Chipotle, but, you must be aware of one thing. Besides the general cross-contact problem, there is another problem. When you go down the line, the workers scoop the cheese and lettuce out of the bin with their gloved hands. These same hands rolled up the burrito before you. Even if you asked the server to change gloves, the cheese and lettuce may already be contaminated.
Now, is that a problem? You make the choice. I choose to eat at Chipotle and I do have the cheese and lettuce but that is a risk I choose to take. You might want to skip the cheese and lettuce. Otherwise, I love the burrito bowl also. I use tortilla chips to scoop my food. Yum."
Denver Donna to SillyYaks site, 2/7/08
"I have asked the servers at Chipotle's to put on a new pair of gloves if they
have just handled a flour tortilla and will be fixing my food. They have been
glad to do this for me, especially if I go during a non-rush hour time."
Debbie, Poway, 4/10/05
"I've also had good experiences at Chipotle. . . I had a taco plate, and they were very happy to change their gloves and made sure they put the foil wrapper down on the counter so the corn tortillas didn't get contaminated".
Erica 8/05
"The gloved hands of the servers behind the counter definitely had gluten on
them, because they constantly touched flour tortillas making food for everyone,
but they spooned my food into bowls and their gloved hands never touched my food.
I asked that the chicken taco ingredients be also spooned into a bowl.. . What
a great, great dining experience!"
Unknown in Cupertino, CA 8/05
"Chipotle is the best fast food option for Celiacs. You can eat their chips
- the only thing they fry are the chips, so they're safe also.
Paul 8/05
"I always ask them to change their gloves prior to seving my food. They are very
accommodating. Since I eat there at least once a week, they know me and just
change their gloves when they see me walk in the door."
Christina 8/05
Back to Top
