Is Culver’s Custard Gluten Free? Your Guide to Gluten-Free Options

Is Culver’s Custard Gluten Free?

As the summer prompts many of us to crave ice cream, many wonder, Is Culver’s custard gluten free? In this guide, we’ll explore Culver’s menu, revealing gluten-free options and covering allergy-friendly choices. This ensures that, like us, you can enjoy their frozen custard and food options with peace of mind.

Culver’s Restaurant, known for its mouthwatering ‘Butter Burgers’, fresh frozen custard, and genuine Wisconsin cheese curds, has gained popularity with its blue and white branding, Recognizing the importance of catering to food allergies and dietary restrictions, Culver’s is committed to providing a safe dining experience.

Culver’s Allergy Friendly Dining Experience:

Upon relocating from NYC to the Midwest, Culver’s menu captivated me instantly. In a previous post, Top 10 Allergy-Friendly Fast Food & Casual Restaurants, I highlighted Culver’s for families with allergies.  Going beyond the norm, Culver’s prevents cross-contamination, ensuring a safe and enjoyable dining experience for individuals with food allergies.

Visiting Culver’s brings the excitement of discovering the ever-changing Flavor of the Day, a daily delight. Whether it’s freezing cold or scorching hot outside, it’s always the perfect time to swing by their drive-thru. 

Exploring Culver’s Menu Beyond Frozen Custard

But there’s much more to explore! We’ll dive into Culver’s menu to answer“Is Culver’s Custard gluten free?” and explore other gluten-free options. Let’s uncover delectable choices catering to diverse dietary needs for a delightful dining experience at Culver’s.  

Culver’s Menu and Allergen Guide

Culver’s, a fast-food restaurant, understands the importance of catering to food allergies and providing a safe dining experience. My personal experience with Culver’s staff highlights their commitment to safety. Although Culver’s lacks a specific gluten-free menu, gluten-free options are detailed in their nutrition and allergen guide. Notably, Culver’s includes information about all 9 common allergens in their guide. This valuable resource provides detailed information on ingredients, helping those with specific dietary requirements. 

Special Care at Culver’s For Those With Food Allergies

Culver’s, a fast-food haven, prioritizes customers with food allergies for a safe dining experience. Every interaction with Culver’s staff reassures me of their dedication, crucial for my fearless foodie with allergies. Placing an order at Culver’s involves special attention to allergies, with marked orders and receipts ensuring the entire team is aware. 

During a recent road trip to the “World’s Largest Culvers” in Edgerton, WI Culver’s handling of orders was evident on the standard receipt. Red text and two red exclamation points indicate the gluten-free bun, visually reminding staff to handle the order with caution and prevent cross-contamination. On multiple occasions, the restaurant manager came to our table or car, personally assuring us they were taking excellent care of us.

Gluten-Free Options:

Culver’s  caters to those following a gluten free diet with a diverse range of menu items. Explore these gluten-free mains, sides, sauces, and desserts: 

Culver’s Gluten Free Mains/Sides/Sauces:

• ButterBurgers: Choose from The Original, Cheese, Bacon Deluxe, and Deluxe. Opt for a gluten-free bun (Culver’s uses Rotella’s gluten-free buns).
• Chicken Sandwich: Try the Grilled Chicken Sandwich with a gluten-free bun.
• Condiments: Various gluten-free condiments including American Cheese, Bacon, BBQ Sauce, Honey Mustard Dressing, and more.
• Sides: Enjoy gluten-free sides like Coleslaw, Crinkle Cut Fries (cooked in a shared fryer), and Steamed Broccoli.
• Salads: Indulge in gluten-free salads like Chicken Cashew Salad with Grilled Chicken, Cranberry Bacon Bleu Salad with Grilled Chicken, and Strawberry Fields Salad with Grilled Chicken. Pair them with gluten-free dressings like Chunky Bleu Cheese, French, Honey Mustard, Ranch, and Raspberry Vinaigrette.

Culver’s Gluten Free Sweets/Desserts:

• Handcrafted Beverages: Quench your thirst with gluten-free options such as Chocolate Shake, Culver’s Root Beer Float, Lemon Ice Cooler, Lemon Ice Smoothie, Mint Chip Shake, Mint Shake, Peanut Butter Shake, Raspberry Shake, Salted Caramel Shake, Strawberry Shake, and Vanilla Shake.
• Fresh Frozen Custard: Indulge in gluten-free custard flavors like their classics: Culver’s Vanilla Fresh Frozen Custard or Culver’s Chocolate Fresh Frozen Custard
• Cones and Dishes: Enjoy gluten-free dessert options such as Chocolate Dish, Lemon Ice, Vanilla Dish, Lemon Ice Cooler, and Lemon Ice Smoothies.
• Sundaes: Treat yourself to gluten-free sundaes like Banana Split, Caramel Cashew Sundae, and Turtle Sundae.
• Dessert Toppings: Enhance your frozen treats with gluten-free dessert toppings including Andes® Creme De Menthe Thins, Banana, Blackberry, Blueberry, Butterfinger®, Cashew, Creme® De Menthe, Culver’s® Chocolate Syrup, Culver’s® Hot Caramel, Culver’s® Hot Fudge, Espresso, Heath® Toffee Chunks, M&M® Minis, Mango Fruit Infusion, Maraschino Cherry, Marshmallow Creme, Peach, Peanut Butter, Pecan Halves, Raspberry, Reese’s® Peanut Butter Cups, Salted Caramel Topping, Snickers® Candy Bar Pieces, Sprinkles (Blue and White), Strawberry (Sliced), Whipped Topping (Extra Creamy), and Wild Cherries.

Items to Avoid at Culver’s:

While Culver’s strives to offere gluten-free options, there are certain items to avoid:

• Sauces may contain gluten in their ingredients (Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Sauce).
• The Garden Fresco Salad and Side Salad, as they contain gluten-containing ingredients.
• Steer clear of soups unless they are explicitly listed as gluten-free.
• Take precautions with burgers and sandwiches by requesting sauce packets to minimize cross-contamination and request the Rotella gluten-free bun,
• Please note that anything made in the shared fryer and all Concrete Mixers has a high risk of cross-contamination.

                                 Photo Credit: Lily

Ensuring Food Safety and Cross-Contamination Prevention

Culver’s prioritizes the safety of guests with gluten allergies or sensitivities. They have implemented protocols to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and maintain food safety standards. When ordering, it’s crucial to communicate your gluten allergy or dietary restrictions. This ensures that the Culver’s team to take appropriate measures to prevent cross-contamination.

Additionally, Culver’s provides individually sealed gluten-free buns from Rotella’s to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. These buns are an excellent choice for those who prefer or require a gluten-free option.

While Culver’s strives to offer accurate information and safe dining experiences, it’s important to acknowledge the possibility of traces of gluten or cross-contamination in their kitchen. Individuals with severe gluten allergies or Celiac disease should exercise discretion and consider personal tolerance levels.

Culver’s Signature Items for Allergy-Friendly Choices

Culver’s boasts a selection of signature menu items that are not only delectable but also accommodating to various dietary restrictions and allergies. Here are some standout options:

1. ButterBurgers: A true delight made with fresh, never-frozen beef, Culver’s ButterBurgers can be customized to accommodate different dietary restrictions. Simply request a gluten free bun and inform the staff about any specific allergies for proper preparation.
2. Grilled Chicken Sandwich: For those who prefer chicken, the Grilled Chicken Sandwich is a tender and juicy choice. Enjoy it with a gluten-free bun for those with gluten sensitivities. 
3. Fresh Frozen Custard: Culver’s is renowned for its delectable fresh frozen custard. To answer the question, “Is Culver’s custard gluten free?” the answer is yes, depending on the flavor you choose.While not all flavors may be suitable for everyone, options like chocolate and vanilla are often safe choices for those with gluten and peanut/tree-nut restrictions. Always check specific ingredients and consult the allergen guide for compatibility with your dietary needs.
4. Salads: Culver’s diverse salad option, such as the Chicken Cashew Salad, Cranberry Bacon Bleu Salad, and Strawberry Fields Salad are delicious choices for those seeking gluten-free and nut-free options. You can add Grilled Chicken to each of these salads. Make sure to verify the ingredients and dressings to ensure they align with your dietary restrictions.

                            Photo Credit: Culvers.com

7 Tips To Following a Gluten Free Diet at Culver’s

When dining at Culver’s fast food chains, consider these additional tips to enhance your experience, especially if you have specific dietary needs:

1. Customization is Key:

   Culver’s is known for its flexibility in customizing orders. Don’t hesitate to make special requests or modifications to meet your dietary requirements. Whether it’s substituting ingredients, adjusting portion sizes, or omitting certain toppings, the friendly staff at Culver’s will do their best to accommodate your needs.

2. Communicate Your Allergies:

   When placing your order, communicate any allergies or dietary restrictions you have. Inform the team members about your requirements, and they will take the necessary precautions to prepare your meal safely. Culver’s takes allergies seriously and uses prominent allergy labels and notations on orders and receipts to raise awareness and ensure safety.

3. Consult the Allergen Grid:

   Culver’s provides an Allergen Grid on their website with ingredient information. This grid lists detailed information about allergens present in each menu item, making it easier for you to identify safe options and avoid potential allergens. They even have a specific drop-down option if you’re avoiding gluten.

4. Ask for Assistance:

   If you have questions or concerns about ingredients or preparation methods of a particular menu item, ask the staff for assistance. They are knowledgeable and well-trained to provide you with the necessary information and guidance to make informed choices.

5. Be Mindful of Cross-Contamination:

   While Culver’s takes precautions to avoid cross-contamination, note that the risk cannot be completely eliminated. If you have severe allergies, exercise caution and inform the staff about the severity of your condition. They can take additional steps to minimize the chances of cross-contact.

6. Stay Updated on Flavor of the Day:

   Culver’s is famous for its rotating “Flavor of the Day” frozen custard. Stay updated on the flavors and check whether the flavor you desire is gluten-free. Indulging in a delicious frozen treat is a fantastic way to complete your Culver’s experience.

7. Leave Feedback:

   Culver’s values customer feedback. If you have any feedback or suggestions regarding their allergen-friendly options or any aspect of your visit, share it with them. Your input can help them further improve their offerings and accommodate the needs of customers with allergies.

In Conclusion

Eating out with allergies or dietary restrictions can still be enjoyable and hassle-free when you visit Culver’s. With their wide array of allergy-friendly options, commitment to food safety precautions, and dedication to creating a delightful dining experience, Culver’s is a top choice adventurous food enthusiasts like us.

Remember to prioritize your health and safety by staying informed and communicating your needs to the staff. By following the earlier shared  tips and taking advantage of Culver’s allergy friendly menu options, you can confidently indulge in the juice ButterBurgers on a gluten-free bun (or BYOB!), savor their grilled chicken salads, and delight in the assortment of their famous fresh frozen custard gluten-free!

So, go ahead and enjoy a worry-free and satisfying dining experience at Culver’s! We hope this post was helpful to you, and we hope you enjoy the custard as much as we do!

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Pat S

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Hello! I'm Pat, and I'm thrilled you've visited our site! Here we honor the many kids facing food allergies fearlessly. Alongside my foodie teen, Lily, who deals with multiple food allergies, we share our exciting food discoveries from travels and everyday life. Join us as we navigate life with food allergies, providing resources and promoting safe dining options. Let's inspire a new generation to make informed choices for our health, well-being, and communities, while having fun along the way!

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