If you live in the Midwest, you definitely know about Culver's. Known for their fried foods, frozen custard, and ButterBurgers (yes, they actually serve a dish called a ButterBurger), Culver's is just as delicious as it sounds.Culver's is basically a state fair open year-round, without the marked-up prices and super-sketchy rides. A midwestern dream come true, if you will.
If you have Celiac Disease or are avoiding gluten, it may seem as though Culver's indulgent menu is off-limits. With their main menu item being placed on a bun, it can be quite scary to dine here for anyone who doesn't eat gluten. Never fear, Culver's offers a variety of gluten-friendly meals, shakes, and sides.
With some simple modifications, almost everything on the menu can be a gluten-free option.Here's the full run-through of the gluten-free Culver's menu items.
#SpoonTip: Culver's has an entire gluten-free guidethat lists all its gluten-free menu items.
Burgers
Fantastic news: all the ButterBurgers at Culver's can be made gluten-free by asking for a gluten-free bun. There are several variations on the classic ButterBurger, but they all should be safe if you swap out the bun for a gluten-free one.
However, the Nutrient and Allergen Guideon their website warns that all of their meats are grilled on a surface that is also used to cook items with gluten, so you might want to steer clear if you have a serious allergy. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Salads
I know no one goes to Culver's for the salad. But here's the thing: all of their salads are gluten-free if you order them without croutons, and they come with the same grilled chicken that's served on their grilled chicken sandwiches.
If you're looking for a healthier option, their salads aren't a bad call. As far as fast-food salads go, they're pretty low in calories and have decently interesting flavor combinations. They do have a substantial amount of sodium, but that's to be expected from anything at a fast-food restaurant.To make them healthier, order the dressing on the side.
As with the burgers, the chicken is grilled on a surface that is also used to cook glutinous items, so proceed with caution if your allergy is severe.
#SpoonTip: The gluten-free salad dressings are bleu cheese, French, honey mustard, ranch, and raspberry vinaigrette.
Soups
As with the salads, it seems a little strange to order soup at a fast food restaurant. However, it gets pretty cold here in the Midwest during the winter, and sometimes a cozy bowl of soup is exactly what you need.If that's the case for you, there are four gluten-free Culver's soups: George's Chili, Baja Chicken Enchilada, Broccoli Cheese, and Potato Au Gratin. Just make sure you skip the crackers on the side.
Sides
Here's where things get sad. Some of the most enticing options on the Culver's menu – fries, cheese curds, onion rings – cannot be made gluten-free. The only gluten-free side options are green beans, mashed potatoes (without gravy), a side salad, applesauce, or coleslaw.
Personally, I wouldn't bother with any of these sides. Instead, supplement your meal with the next, more important item on this list.
Frozen Custard
Besides cheese curds and ButterBurgers, the most famous item on the Culver's menu is their frozen custard. A richer version of ice cream, this stuff is worth a trip to Culver's on its own. Let's be real, what's a trip to Culver's without a huge cup of creamy, thick custard?
All of the flavors are gluten-free, as are most of the toppings and mix-ins. Unfortunately, cookie dough and brownie bites are off the table, but there are still plenty of options. You can order a simple scoop, a shake, or one of their concrete mixers, which is comparable to aDQ blizzard. Arguably, this is the best gluten-free Culver's order.
#SpoonTip: Skip the cone when ordering your custard.
Overall, the Culver's menu is fairly gluten-free friendly. Although you can't get fries or curds, there's a pretty decent range of options that includes some of their most popular menu items.As long as you know how to work the menu, practically any restaurant can suit your food needs. It might just be my midwestern bias, but I'd say Culver's is one of the best fast food restaurants for people with dietary restrictions.
FAQs
Some of the most enticing options on the Culver's menu – fries, cheese curds, onion rings – cannot be made gluten-free. The only gluten-free side options are green beans, mashed potatoes (without gravy), a side salad, applesauce, or coleslaw.
Why are Culver's fries not gluten-free? ›
Because Culver's® restaurants are not gluten-free environments, we are unable to guarantee any menu item, including those listed below, are completely free of gluten. Cross-contact may occur during preparation and cooking procedures.
What are the ingredients in Culver's gluten-free buns? ›
CONTAINS EGG, MILK. Rotella's Gluten-Free Bun - Water, Modified Starch, Rice Flour and Rice Starch, Chickpea, Granulated Sugar, Faba Bean Protein, Canola Oil, Salt, Yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate, Ascorbic Acid, Pea Fiber, Modified Cellulose, Cultured Brown Rice, Brown Rice, Xanthan Gum, Psyllium Husk Powder.
What is the unhealthiest food at Culvers? ›
The Bratwurst Pub Burger at Culver's is considered unhealthy due to its high calorie and fat content, as well as its high sodium content, Chun comments. "One serving of the Bratwurst Pub Burger contains 1,010 calories, 65 grams of fat (28 grams of saturated fat), and 2,100 milligrams of sodium.
What to look for if you are gluten-free? ›
1) Read the ingredient label. Avoid all products with wheat, rye, barley, malt, or triticale in the ingredient label. Even if a packaged food product is labeled "gluten-free," you should check for these ingredients as mistakes in labeling can happen. The only exception for this is wheat starch.
Are battered French fries gluten-free? ›
Fries are now commonly breaded, giving them a crispier texture. These fries cannot be consumed by someone who is gluten intolerant. Fries that are cooked in a shared fryer with other products may have cross contamination even if they don't have any ingredients containing gluten.
Do Culvers cheese curds have gluten? ›
Some of the most enticing options on the Culver's menu – fries, cheese curds, onion rings – cannot be made gluten-free. The only gluten-free side options are green beans, mashed potatoes (without gravy), a side salad, applesauce, or coleslaw. Personally, I wouldn't bother with any of these sides.
Is Chick Fil A gluten free bun really gluten-free? ›
The bun arrives at our restaurants pre-packaged to prevent gluten cross-contact. However, once the bun is removed from its packaging it is no longer considered gluten-free because it may come into contact with ingredients in our kitchens that do contain gluten.
Are Mcdonald's buns gluten-free? ›
McDonalds UK have explained that the reason they do not offer gluten free buns is that their kitchens here are not big enough to accommodate a separate gluten free area. Fair enough and even more excuse to go on holiday to one of the following places!
Can you get gluten-free buns? ›
Thanks to our Gluten-Free and Vegan gourmet buns, you can be sure to have options for everyone the next time you BBQ. Pair with our selection of gluten-free burgers to grill delicious gluten-free feasts all summer long! *Trademark of Celiac Canada.
MINNEAPOLIS – R & G Endeavors, Inc., a fast-food franchisee doing business as Culver's Restaurants of Cottage Grove, violated federal law when it subjected employees to a hostile work environment based on race, sex, sexual orientation, and disability, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in ...
What is the healthiest option at Culvers? ›
The healthiest food on the menu at Culver's will always be a salad with raw vegetables, grilled chicken, and water. But, there are also decent alternative options at Culver's if you are not in the mood for that. The Chicken Cashew Salad has 460 calories, 870 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, and a generous 46 g protein.
Is Culvers custard better for you than ice cream? ›
Brands vary, but vanilla ice-cream typically has about 10 per cent more calories than custard, as well as twice the saturated fat, less protein and half the calcium and potassium. However, ice-cream usually has less sugar and salt, too.
Do people with celiac gain weight after going gluten-free? ›
People with celiac disease may experience weight gain after starting a gluten-free diet; this initial weight gain indicates that their intestinal health is improving and they are more effectively absorbing nutrients. However, gaining too much weight can lead to multiple health problems.
What happens when you stop eating gluten? ›
Some people report feeling dizziness, nausea, extreme hunger and even anxiety and depression when they suddenly go from eating a lot of gluten to being gluten-free. These symptoms usually go away after a few weeks on a gluten-free diet, but talk to your health care provider if they persist.
What are some gluten-free snacks? ›
Don't forget that some naturally nutritious gluten-free snacks include fruits, vegetables, nuts and nut butters, yogurt, cottage cheese, popcorn, hardboiled eggs, hummus and guacamole.
Why would French fries not be gluten-free? ›
It is easy to believe that the fries are gluten-free because potatoes are on your safe list. However, restaurants often have only one fryer, and once your French fries have been deep fried in the oil they also used to fry the chicken nuggets, well, I hate to break it to you, but your fries are no longer gluten-free.
Why are McDonald's fries not gluten-free? ›
On its website, McDonald's says its fries contain potatoes, vegetable oil, dextrose, a food additive to “maintain color” in the finished fries, and another additive listed as “Natural Beef Flavor.” That ingredient comes with an asterisk noting that the flavoring contains both hydrolyzed milk and hydrolyzed wheat.
Why are sweet potato fries not gluten-free? ›
Sweet potatoes are naturally gluten-free. The only problem that arises is in how they are prepared. For example, are they prepared in an area or on a surface that is shared with gluten-containing ingredients? Are they fried in a deep fryer that also fries foods that contain gluten?
What are the ingredients in Culver's French fries? ›
Crinkle Cut Fries - Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (May contain one or more of the following: Canola, Oil, Sunflower Oil, Palm Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil), Modified Food Starch (Potato, Corn, Tapioca), Rice Flour, Dextrin, Salt, Leavening (Disodium Dihydrogen Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Dextrose, Xanthan Gum.
