The Official Stance on BWW Honey BBQ Sauce
For those on a gluten-free diet, checking ingredient lists is a critical step, and for restaurant dining, this often means consulting official allergen guides. In the most recent Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW) Allergen and Preparation Guide, the Honey BBQ sauce is not marked with a gluten-containing allergen symbol. This is a positive sign, suggesting the sauce itself does not have any wheat, barley, or rye derivatives. Furthermore, the bottled Buffalo Wild Wings Honey BBQ sauce sold at retailers like Walmart explicitly features a "Gluten-Free" statement.
However, this information is not a guarantee of safety for individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance. The official BWW guide contains a significant disclaimer: "Because of our reliance on suppliers for accurate information, shared cooking and preparation areas in our kitchens, and cooking procedures, we cannot eliminate the risk of cross-contact or guarantee that any item is free of any allergen and no items are certified gluten-free...". This means that while the sauce's ingredients might be gluten-free, the method of preparation in a restaurant environment introduces risk.
Navigating Cross-Contamination at BWW
Cross-contamination (CC) is the transfer of a food allergen to a food product intended for a specific diet. In a busy restaurant kitchen like BWW, where various items are cooked in the same space, this is a major concern. For celiac diners, even a small amount of gluten can cause a significant reaction. Here’s what you need to know to minimize risk:
- Communicate Clearly: Always inform your server about your gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. Ask to speak with a manager, who often has more detailed knowledge about kitchen practices.
- Dedicated Fryers: Some BWW locations maintain dedicated fryers for their traditional, non-breaded wings. This is a major benefit for safety, but it is not a corporate-wide guarantee. You must confirm this with a manager at your specific location. If they have a dedicated fryer, you can potentially get fries prepared there as well.
- Source Your Wings Carefully: For the lowest risk, request
Naked TendersorTraditional Wingstossed in the Honey BBQ sauce on the side. This prevents the sauce-tossing process from potentially contaminating other food items. - The Sauce Side: Ask for your Honey BBQ sauce on the side, rather than having it tossed with your wings. This allows you to control the application and ensures the main protein has not been tossed in a potentially shared bowl. For additional peace of mind, request a fresh, clean side cup.
Gluten-Free Menu Options: A Comparison
Beyond the Honey BBQ, BWW offers other sauce and dry rub choices that are also typically free of gluten-containing ingredients. However, the same cross-contamination warnings apply. This table provides a comparison of some popular gluten-free compatible options.
| Menu Item | Gluten-Free Ingredients? | Cross-Contamination Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honey BBQ Sauce | Yes | High | Great taste, but shared equipment is a risk. |
| Mango Habanero Sauce | Yes | High | Also a potent and popular GF sauce option. |
| Caribbean Jerk Sauce | Yes | High | A flavorful, spicy alternative to BBQ. |
| Traditional Wings | Yes (meat only) | Variable | Depends on the location's fryer policy. Confirm with a manager. |
| Naked Tenders | Yes (meat only) | Variable | Same fryer concerns as traditional wings; confirm locally. |
| French Fries | Yes (ingredients) | Variable | High risk due to shared fryer, but may be possible with dedicated fryer. |
| Asian Zing® Sauce | No | N/A | Contains gluten. Always avoid sauces with soy sauce. |
| Teriyaki Sauce | No | N/A | Contains gluten. Avoid completely. |
Examining Ingredients: Caramel Color and Maltodextrin
Online resources like the Fig App sometimes flag caramel color and maltodextrin as potentially containing gluten, creating confusion. It's important to clarify the sourcing of these ingredients in the North American context:
- Maltodextrin: In the US and Canada, maltodextrin is almost exclusively derived from corn or potato starch, not wheat. Even when derived from wheat, it is highly processed and considered gluten-free under FDA guidelines. Therefore, maltodextrin in BWW's sauce is not a gluten concern.
- Caramel Color: Similarly, caramel color in North America is almost always derived from corn syrup. It is only made from wheat in specific European regions, and such products would be labeled accordingly. The presence of caramel color is not a red flag for gluten in US products.
A Safer Gluten-Free Dining Strategy
For those with celiac disease, extreme caution is warranted when dining out, even with allergen menus. Here's a summary of best practices for ordering at BWW:
- Preparation is Key: Check the most current allergen guide before your visit. You can find the official BWW Allergen and Preparation Guide here.
- Speak to the Manager: Don't rely solely on the server. Ask to speak to a manager who can confirm kitchen procedures and a dedicated fryer, if available.
- Order Carefully: Choose non-breaded items like traditional wings or naked tenders. Ask for the Honey BBQ sauce on the side and ensure a clean cup and utensils are provided.
- Confirm the Fryer: Before ordering any fried items like wings or fries, confirm with the manager that they can be prepared in a dedicated, gluten-free fryer. If not, consider avoiding them.
Conclusion: Can you safely eat BWW Honey BBQ?
Yes, the Honey BBQ sauce at Buffalo Wild Wings is made without gluten-containing ingredients, making it safe from an ingredient standpoint. However, whether it is safe for someone with celiac disease is a more complex question. The significant risk of cross-contamination from shared cooking equipment means that no item can be guaranteed 100% gluten-free. A safe dining experience depends heavily on your communication with the staff and the specific kitchen practices of your local restaurant. By following a cautious approach—checking the latest allergen info, speaking with a manager, and requesting sauce on the side—you can significantly mitigate the risks associated with dining out with celiac disease.
