Gluten free sandwich shops

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Are you wondering which popular sub shops offer gluten free sub rolls? Or maybe you are looking for a sandwich shop that has gluten free bread available? Well either way, you are in the right place! In this article, we discuss the gluten free options that are available at some of the most popular sub shops and sandwich shops in the United States. In particular, we focus on large sub and sandwich chains that have locations across multiple regions.

For each sandwich shop that we discuss in this article, we will provide information on a specific set of characteristics to help you decide which sandwich shop best suits your preferences. We start this article out by discussing these characteristics. After that, we discuss the rating system that we will use to classify each of these sub and sandwich shops based on their gluten free offerings. Finally, we provide information on which sandwich shops do and do not offer gluten free sandwiches.

Characteristics of gluten free sandwich shops

What characteristics will we use to provide more information on each of the sub and sandwich shops we describe in this article? Here are the characteristics we will use.

Location. First, we will discuss the location of each sandwich shop. Some of these sandwich shops are national chains with locations across the country. Others are regional chains that primarily operate out of a few regions within the country.
Type of restaurant. After that, we will talk about the type of restaurant that each of these gluten free sandwich shops operates. Some of these sandwich shops are very casual fast food restaurants, whereas others are slightly nicer fast casual restaurants.
Type of sandwiches. Next, we will talk about the type of sandwiches that are served at each of these restaurants. Some of these restaurants are sub shops that primarily serve subs, whereas others are more traditional sandwich restaurants.
Allergen protocols. After that, we will describe the allergen protocols that are used when each sandwich shop makes gluten free sandwiches. Some of these sandwich shops take multiple measures to prevent cross contamination, whereas others do not.
Other dietary restrictions. Finally, we will discuss whether there are any other allergies or dietary restrictions that each sandwich shop caters to. Some of these sandwich shops cater to a range of food allergies and dietary preferences, whereas others only cater to gluten free patrons.

Ratings for gluten free sandwich shops

Now that we have laid out the characteristics that we will use to provide more information on each of these gluten free sandwich shops, we will discuss the rating system that we will use to categorize these gluten free sandwich shops. These ratings will be determined based on the availability of gluten free options and the allergen protocols that are employed to prevent cross contamination when making gluten free sandwiches.

Great. Great gluten free sandwich shops are sandwich shops that offer gluten free options and consistently take measures to prevent cross contamination when making gluten free sandwiches. These are sandwich shops where most locations are safe for people who are sensitive to cross contamination.
Good. Good gluten free sandwich shops are sandwich shops where some locations take measures to prevent cross contamination when making gluten free sandwiches, but other locations do not. That means that some locations will be safe for those who are sensitive to cross contamination and others will not.
Okay. Okay gluten free sandwich shops are sandwich shops that offer gluten free bread, but do not take measures to prevent cross contamination when they are preparing gluten free meals. These are sandwich shops that are not safe for people who are sensitive to cross contamination, but are a safe bet for people who eat gluten free as a preference or have a mild sensitivity.
Bad. Bad gluten free sandwich shops are sandwich shops that do not have gluten free bread at most locations. They may carry other options that are gluten free, such as salads.

Sandwich shops by rating

Now that we have discussed the rating system that we will use to categorize these gluten free sandwich shops, we will provide more information on individual sandwich shops. When we discuss these gluten free sandwich shops, we will order them roughly in terms of preference. That means that our favorite gluten free sandwich shops will appear earlier in the list.

Great gluten free sandwich shops

We will start out by talking about great gluten free sandwich shops. As a reminder, these are sandwich shops where most of their locations adhere to allergen protocols that reduce the risk of cross contamination when making gluten free sandwiches. All of these sandwich shops offer gluten free bread at most of their locations.

Jersey Mike’s

When it comes to gluten free subs and sandwiches, Jersey Mike’s is one of the best options out there. They are a national chain that employs strong allergen protocols to prevent cross contamination when making gluten free sandwiches. They are a fairly traditional sub shop that offers a range of hot and sold subs.

Location. Jersey Mike’s is a national chain that has locations across the United States and Canada.
Type of restaurant. Jersey Mike’s is a casual fast food restaurant that primarily serves takeout and delivery. That being said, most of their locations have a small seating area for those who would like to dine in.
Type of sandwiches. Jersey Mike’s is a sub shop that primarily focuses on subs.
Allergen protocols. Jersey Mike’s is not a dedicated gluten free facility. That being said, they do have gluten free buns available and they do take food allergies seriously. If you request your sub on a gluten free bun, they should ask you whether you eat gluten free as a preference or whether you have a food allergy. If you tell them that you have an allergy, they should change their gloves and prepare your food in a separate area with separate utensils.
Other dietary restrictions. Jersey Mike’s provides online tools that can be used to determine which items contain common food allergens like eggs, fish, dairy, nuts, soy, sesame, and wheat. They also mark items that are kosher and halal on their menu.

Good gluten free sandwich shops

Now that we have discussed sandwich shops that have a great rating, we will discuss some sandwich shops that have a good gluten free rating. As a reminder, good gluten free sandwich shops are sandwich shops that offer gluten free bread and take measures to prevent cross contamination at some locations. That means that some locations will be safe for people who are sensitive to cross contamination, but others may not.

Mendocino farms

Mendocino Farms is a regional sandwich chain that has locations in the western portion of the United States. This is an upscale sandwich shop that sells sandwiches with high quality toppings and unique flavor combinations. Their shops have a nice ambiance and modern decor, so this is a great place to go if you are looking to dine in. Mendocino Farms has gluten free bread available at most of their locations, but some locations follow better allergen protocols than others.

Location. Most Mendocino Farms locations are located on the west coast in either California or Washington. That being said, they also have a few locations in Texas.
Type of restaurant. Mendocino Farms is a fast casual restaurant that has a relatively nice atmosphere. This is a good place to go if you are looking for a nice spot to grab a more upscale sandwich that has high quality sauces and toppings.
Type of sandwiches. Mendocino Farms primarily sells sandwiches rather than subs. That being said, they do have a few items on their menu that resemble subs more than sandwiches. They sell upscale sandwiches that are made with fresh ingredients.
Allergen protocols. Mendocino Farms locations consistently have gluten free bread available, but the adherence to allergen protocols may vary based on location. Most of their locations have separate areas where they prep gluten free sandwiches and separate utensils that are used for gluten free sandwiches, but the exact protocols that are followed may vary based on location. This is still one of the better options out there when it comes to gluten free sandwiches, but we recommend looking into the allergy protocols that are followed at the specific location you plan to visit. The locations that adhere closely to these protocols are generally safe for those who are sensitive to cross contamination.
Other dietary restrictions. Vegan and vegetarian items are also labeled on their menu. There are not many pre-designed sandwiches that are vegan or vegetarian friendly, but there are many soups, salads, and sides that are vegan or vegetarian friendly. They also allow you to create your own topping combinations. Items that contain nuts are also clearly labeled on the menu.

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches

Ike’s is a fun sandwich shop that has lots of unique toppings and flavor combinations. It is a west coast chain that primarily has locations on the west coast. They consistently have gluten free bread available at most of their locations. That being said, the allergy protocols that are followed may vary from location to location.

Location. Ike’s is a regional sandwich shop that is located on the west coast. They have many locations across states like California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, and Utah.
Type of restaurant. Ike’s is a fast food restaurant and most people who grab food there take their sandwiches to go. Most of their locations also have seating available, but this is not necessarily true of all locations.
Type of sandwiches. Ike’s is a sandwich shop that sells unique sandwiches that can be made with an array of flavorful sauces and toppings. They have some really delicious sauces that really transform their sandwiches.
Allergen protocols. Ike’s locations consistently have gluten free bread available for their sandwiches. Many locations have a separate area in the back where they prepare gluten free sandwiches if you let them know you have an allergy. They will also change their gloves and use separate utensils. Some locations adhere more closely to allergy protocols than others, so we recommend looking into the specific location you plan to visit ahead of time.
Other dietary restrictions. Ike’s has vegan options available and labels sandwiches that can be made vegan friendly on their menu. They also have a tool online that shows which dishes contain common allergens like nuts, soy, fish, wheat, eggs, and dairy.

Okay gluten free sandwich shops

Now, we will discuss sandwich shops with a rating of okay. These are sandwich shops that offer gluten free buns, but do not take many measures to prevent cross contamination when making gluten free sandwiches. These sandwich shops are great for people who have a mild gluten sensitivity or people who eat gluten free as a preference. They may not be safe for people who have celiac disease or a strong gluten sensitivity.

Schlotzsky’s

Schlotzsky’s is another fast casual sandwich spot that has more carefully curated and trendy decor. They generally have gluten free bread available at most of their locations, but their gluten free sandwiches are made in the same area as their regular sandwiches. That means that the chances of cross contamination are high.

Location. Schlotzsky’s is a national chain that has locations across many regions in the United States. That being said, most of their locations are situated in the south and the southwest.
Type of restaurant. Schlotzsky’s is a fast casual spot that generally has a nicer ambiance than the average sandwich spot. Their locations are nicely decorated with modern accents.
Type of sandwiches. Schlotzsky’s is a sandwich shop that sells all sorts of sandwiches.
Allergen protocols. Schlotzsky’s has gluten free bread available at most of their locations. That being said, gluten free sandwiches are generally made in the same area as regular sandwiches so there is a high chance of cross contamination. There are some locations where the staff will make gluten free items in a separate area with separate utensils, but this is not the norm.
Other dietary restrictions. Schlotzsky’s has an allergen matrix available that labels items that contain common allergens like wheat, nuts, fish, eggs, dairy, and soy. They also label items that contain MSG. They also label vegetarian options on their menu.

Firehouse Subs

Firehouse Subs is a national sub chain that has gluten free bread available at all of their locations. This is a fast casual spot that generally has an ample amount of seating available. While they consistently stock gluten free sub rolls, they generally prepare all of their subs in the same area. That means that they may not be safe for those who are sensitive to cross contamination.

Location. Firehouse Subs is a national chain that has locations across the United States. They also have some international locations in Canada.
Type of restaurant. Firehouse Subs is a fast casual chain that has a larger dine in business than many of the other national sub chains that we mention in this article. Most of their locations have fairly large seating areas available.
Type of sandwiches. Firehouse Subs is a sub shop that primarily sells subs.
Allergen protocols. Firehouse Subs has gluten free rolls available at all of their locations in the United States and Canada. That being said, they caution that most of their subs are made in the same area and therefore their subs may not be safe for those who are sensitive to cross contamination.
Other dietary restrictions. Firehouse Subs has an allergen tool that can be used to identify items that contain common allergens like wheat, egg, dairy, nuts, soy, and seeds. They also label dishes that contain ingredients like MSG, sulfites, and nitrates.

Subway

Subway is a casual sub chain that has locations all across the United States. They have gluten free sub rolls available in many locations, but there are some regions where gluten free subs are not available. They generally say that most of their ingredients are prepared in the same space and are therefore likely to have been exposed to wheat and gluten.

Location. Subway is a national chain that has locations across the United States.
Type of restaurant. Subway is a fast food restaurant and most of the people who grab subs there take their food to go. Their locations usually have some seating for anyone who is looking to dine in, but the availability of seating may vary from location to location. This is a very casual spot.
Type of sandwiches. Subway primarily sells subs.
Allergen protocols. Subway has gluten free bread available in many regions, but there are some areas that may not have gluten free bread available. They generally prepare gluten free subs in the same location where they prepare regular subs and use the same utensils. That means that their gluten free subs are not safe for those who are sensitive to cross contamination.
Other dietary restrictions. Subway has an allergen matrix available that labels its that contain common allergens like eggs, wheat, sesame, dairy, fish, and nuts. They also label items that contain ingredients like sulfites and nitrates. They have separate labels for items that may contain an ingredient due to cross contamination and items that do contain an ingredient.

Bad gluten free sandwich shops

Finally, we will discuss sandwich shops that have a bad rating. As a reminder, these are sandwich shops that do not offer gluten free bread at most of their locations. They may have other gluten free offerings, but most of their sandwiches cannot be made gluten free.

Jimmy John’s

Jimmy John’s is a casual fast food chain that offers a mixture of subs and sandwiches. They are a national chain that has locations across the United States. While they do not offer gluten free bread for their subs and sandwiches, some of their sandwiches can be made as lettuce wraps instead. That being said, they do not take precautions to prevent cross contamination so their lettuce wraps are not suitable for those who are sensitive to cross contamination.

Location. Jimmy John’s is a national chain that has locations across the United States.
Type of restaurant. Jimmy John’s is a casual fast food restaurant that does a large amount of takeout. Some of their locations have a decent amount of seating, but others do not have much seating at all.
Type of sandwiches. Most Jimmy John’s locations sell a mixture of subs and sandwiches.
Allergen protocols. Jimmy John’s does not offer gluten free sandwich bread, but they will make their sandwiches with lettuce wraps rather than bread. Jimmy John’s has an allergen matrix that labels items that contain wheat and items that contain gluten. That being said, their kitchens are covered in gluten and they do not have separate food prep areas for gluten free foods. That means that the chances of cross continuation are high (even if you do not get a sandwich).
Other dietary restrictions. Jimmy John’s has an allergen matrix available that labels items that are made with common allergens like milk, soy, wheat, eggs, fish, nuts, and sesame. They use separate labels for items that contain common allergens and items that may be exposed to common allergens via cross contamination.

Panera Bread

Panera Bread is a fast casual chain that is on the nice side of the spectrum. While they may have a few items on their menu that are made without gluten, they do not carry gluten free bread and the vast majority of the items they carry are made with gluten.

Location. Panera is a national chain that has locations across the United States.
Type of restaurant. Panera is a fast casual restaurant that runs a large dine in business. Their restaurants generally have a large amount of seating available and a more carefully curated atmosphere than most of the other restaurants we mention in this article.
Type of sandwiches. Panera primarily sells sandwiches. They carry some unique sandwiches that are made with creative flavor combinations.
Allergen protocols. Panera does not carry gluten free bread. That being said, they do have some soups, salads, and rice bows that are made without gluten. Their kitchens are also covered in breadcrumbs and they do not take many precautions to prevent cross continuation when preparing gluten free meals. They do not recommend that people with celiac disease eat at their restaurants.
Other dietary restrictions. Panera has an allergen matrix that labels items that are made with common allergens like wheat, egg, dairy, nuts, fish, and soy. They have separate labels for items that do contain allergens and labels that may contain allergens due to cross contamination.

Quizno’s

Quizno’s is another casual fast food restaurant that has locations across the United States. They do not offer gluten free bread for their sandwiches and they do not offer lettuce wraps like some other restaurants do. That means that there are not many options for gluten free diners.

Location. Quizno’s is a national chain that has locations across the United States.
Type of restaurant. Quizno’s is a casual fast food restaurant that runs a large takeout business. Most of their locations also have some seating available for those who would like to dine in.
Type of sandwiches. Quizno’s primarily sells subs.
Allergen protocols. Quizno’s does not offer gluten free bread for their sandwiches. They may carry some salads and sides that can be made gluten free, but there are no sandwich options available. They do not take precautions to prevent cross contamination so none of the items that they sell should be consumed by those with celiac disease or severe sensitivities.
Other dietary restrictions. Quizno’s has an allergen matrix available that labels items that contain common allergens like eggs, dairy, wheat, fish, nuts, soy, seeds, and shellfish. Their allergen matrix also labels items that contain ingredients like MSG, sulfites, food colorings, and unrefined oils.

Blimpie

Blimpie is another national chain that serves subs. They do not have gluten free bread, nor do they offer lettuce wrap sandwiches. They also do not have many sides or salads that are gluten free. The options here are very limited, even for those who are not sensitive to cross contamination.

Location. Blimpie is a national restaurant that has locations across the United States.
Type of restaurant. Blimpie is a fast food restaurant that runs a large takeout business. Most of their locations have some seating available for those who would like to dine in.
Type of sandwiches. Blimpie primarily sells subs.
Allergen protocols. Blimpie does not offer gluten free bread or lettuce wrap sandwiches, so there are not many options available for those who maintain a gluten free diet. They also do not have many sides or salads that are gluten free.
Other dietary restrictions. Blimpie has an allergen matrix available that labels items that contain common allergens like soy, egg, milk, nuts, fish, and wheat.