How to Eat Gluten-Free at Texas Roadhouse
Good news and a caveat. The good news: a steakhouse is one of the easier places to eat gluten-free, because the star of the menu — a plain grilled steak — has no gluten in it. The caveat, which matters a lot for celiac diners: Texas Roadhouse does not operate a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, and cross-contact can happen on shared grills, fryers, and prep surfaces. This guide covers what's generally safe, what to avoid, and exactly how to order to lower your risk.
What's generally safe
These items are typically free of gluten-containing ingredients when ordered carefully and plain:
- Hand-cut steaks, plain and grilled — sirloin, filet, ribeye, strip, T-bone.
- Grilled chicken (without breading or gluten-heavy marinade) and grilled salmon, plain.
- Baked potato and sweet potato (plain, mindful of toppings).
- Steamed vegetables, green beans, seasoned corn.
- House salad without croutons, with a gluten-free-friendly dressing.
What to avoid
- The fresh-baked rolls — wheat, and they're the centerpiece, so this one stings.
- Anything breaded or fried — Chicken Critters, fried catfish, Cactus Blossom, fried pickles, country fried items.
- Gravies and many sauces, which can contain flour or gluten.
- Croutons on salads.
- Shared-fryer items — even naturally gluten-free foods cooked in shared oil carry cross-contact risk.
The cross-contact reality
This is the part guides often gloss over. Even a plain steak can pick up gluten if it's grilled next to a marinated item or handled with shared utensils. Fries are often gluten-free by ingredient but cooked in oil shared with breaded foods. For a mild sensitivity, the safe items above are usually fine. For celiac disease, you'll want to be more cautious — and accept that no large steakhouse without a dedicated GF kitchen can guarantee zero exposure.
The exact order to give your server
The reliable gluten-free plate
If you want a single safe default: a plain grilled sirloin or grilled chicken, a plain baked potato, and steamed vegetables, allergy flagged, no rolls. It's satisfying, it's on every menu, and it minimizes the moving parts that introduce risk.
Gluten-free FAQ
Is Texas Roadhouse safe for celiac disease?
There's no dedicated gluten-free kitchen and cross-contact is possible, so celiac diners should be cautious, order plain grilled items, disclose the allergy, and request the allergen guide. It is not certified gluten-free.
Are the steaks gluten-free?
Plain grilled steaks are generally free of gluten-containing ingredients, but confirm no gluten-containing seasoning is used and ask about grill cross-contact.
Are the fries gluten-free?
Often gluten-free by ingredient, but they're typically cooked in oil shared with breaded items, which is a cross-contact risk. Confirm with your server.
Where's the official allergen info?
Texas Roadhouse publishes allergen data through a nutrition portal linked from its official site. Ask staff for the current allergen guide too.
For approximate calories and macros on the gluten-friendly picks, see our nutrition & allergen guide.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have celiac disease or a serious food allergy, consult your healthcare provider about dining out.