Your First Step: Communicate Your Allergy
Inform the staff about your gluten allergy or celiac disease. This is crucial for prompting allergen protocols like changing gloves and using clean utensils, which helps reduce cross-contamination risk.
Customizing Your Burger or Hot Dog
To order a safe burger or hot dog, modifications are necessary as standard potato buns contain gluten. Alternatives are available, and the beef patties, most cheeses, bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes are generally gluten-free.
The Gluten-Free Bun Option
Many U.S. Shake Shack locations offer a certified gluten-free bun for an extra charge. If you have celiac disease, requesting the bun not be toasted on the shared grill helps avoid cross-contamination.
The Lettuce Wrap Alternative
A lettuce wrap is a naturally gluten-free option for any burger or flat-top dog and can reduce risks associated with shared toasting surfaces.
Understanding Cross-Contamination Risks
Shake Shack kitchens are not gluten-free environments, posing risks for those with celiac disease. Concerns include the shared fryer, shared grill, and shake station.
The Shared Fryer
Crinkle-cut fries are cooked in the same fryer as gluten items like the 'Shroom Burger and Chicken Bites, making them unsafe due to cross-contamination. Avoid fries and cheese fries.
Shared Grill
The grill is used for both burger patties and regular buns, creating a potential risk even with cleaning. Requesting a separate cooking area or choosing a lettuce wrap can help.
The Shake and Custard Station
While many shakes and custards are gluten-free by ingredients, cross-contamination from shared equipment, especially with concretes containing gluten mix-ins, is a risk. Avoid concretes. For a standard shake, specify your allergy to ensure cleaned equipment.
Safe Drink and Side Options
Consider these naturally gluten-free choices:
- Plain beef patties and flat-top dogs
- American cheese, Swiss cheese
- Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles
- Bacon
- Soda, fresh lemonade, and some iced teas
- Vanilla and Chocolate custard cups (with caution regarding station cleanliness)
A Quick Gluten-Free Ordering Comparison
Here's a comparison for ordering:
| Feature | Standard ShackBurger Order | Gluten-Free Safe Order |
|---|---|---|
| Bun | Potato bun (contains gluten) | Gluten-free bun OR Lettuce wrap |
| Patty | Beef patty | Beef patty |
| Sauce | ShackSauce (potential cross-contact) | Skip ShackSauce, use ketchup or mustard |
| Sides | Crinkle-Cut Fries (shared fryer) | Skip fries |
| Drinks | Any beverage | Soda, lemonade, iced tea, or standard shakes/custard cups (with caution) |
Items to Strictly Avoid
Avoid these items for safety:
- Breaded items:
'Shroom Burger,Chicken Shack,Chick'n Bites. - Fries: Due to the shared fryer.
- Concretes and Malted Shakes: High risk of cross-contamination.
- ShackSauce: Potential for cross-contact.
Conclusion: Your Plan for a Safe Meal
Eating gluten-free at Shake Shack is possible by communicating your allergy and selecting options like a gluten-free bun or lettuce wrap, while requesting precautions. Avoid fries, concretes, and ShackSauce to minimize major risks. Always check Shake Shack's official website for the latest allergen information.
