Is the Teriyaki Sauce from Hawaiian Bros Gluten-Free?

December 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to numerous reviews from gluten-free diners, Hawaiian Bros is widely considered a safe dining option, with many reporting that most of the menu is gluten-free. However, navigating dietary restrictions in restaurants can be tricky, especially when it comes to sauces, which often contain hidden gluten ingredients like soy sauce. This guide will provide a clear answer on whether Hawaiian Bros' teriyaki sauce is gluten-free and outline the necessary precautions for a safe dining experience.

Quick Summary

Hawaiian Bros explicitly states they use gluten-free teriyaki sauce, but cross-contamination is a risk due to shared kitchen and grill spaces. Diners with severe gluten intolerance or celiac disease must take extra precautions to ensure a safe meal.

Key Points

Teriyaki Sauce is Gluten-Free: Hawaiian Bros explicitly confirms that their teriyaki sauce is gluten-free and suitable for many diners.
Cross-Contamination is a Risk: Due to shared kitchen space and grill surfaces, there is a risk of gluten exposure from other menu items, like the orange chicken sauce and wraps.
Communicate Your Needs: Diners with severe sensitivities, like Celiac disease, should inform staff of their gluten allergy to ensure extra care is taken.
Safe Menu Choices: Stick to the main chicken entrees (teriyaki, Molokai, Kilauea), and opt for sides like rice or pineapple instead of macaroni salad.
Not a Certified GF Kitchen: While the ingredients are often gluten-free, the overall kitchen is not a certified gluten-free environment, making it a high-risk location for Celiac diners.
Beware of Wraps and Mac Salad: The wraps and macaroni salad are specifically noted as containing gluten and should be avoided by all gluten-free diners.

The Definitive Answer: Hawaiian Bros Teriyaki is Gluten-Free

For those with gluten sensitivity, the good news is that Hawaiian Bros' teriyaki sauce is indeed gluten-free. In fact, the restaurant prides itself on offering many gluten-free options. However, being an informed diner is crucial, as is understanding the difference between gluten-free ingredients and a certified gluten-free cooking environment.

What Hawaiian Bros says about their sauces

On their official Facebook page, Hawaiian Bros directly addressed a customer inquiry about gluten content, clarifying their use of gluten-free teriyaki sauce. They specifically mentioned that the wraps, macaroni salad, and the sauce for the orange chicken contain gluten. This public statement is a strong reassurance for many customers with dietary needs. Several other gluten-free dining review sites also confirm the restaurant's commitment to using gluten-free sauces and ingredients for many of their dishes. This commitment helps many diners, but for those with Celiac disease, the conversation doesn't end there.

The Critical Issue of Cross-Contamination

While the sauce itself is gluten-free, the preparation process is a different matter. Hawaiian Bros has acknowledged that because all foods are prepared in the same kitchen and on the same grill surfaces, there is a risk of cross-contamination. The orange chicken sauce, which contains gluten, can contaminate surfaces used to prepare other items. This means that a diner with Celiac disease could potentially be exposed to gluten even when ordering a gluten-free dish. For someone with a mild sensitivity, this might not be an issue, but for a person with Celiac, this risk can be significant. It's always best to be vigilant and communicate your needs clearly when ordering.

Navigating the Menu: What to Order and What to Avoid

When dining at Hawaiian Bros, understanding which menu items contain gluten is essential for a safe meal. Here's a breakdown of common items:

Safe Bets: The teriyaki chicken, Molokai chicken, and Kilauea chicken are generally considered safe since their sauces are gluten-free. Opting for white rice or pineapple as a side instead of macaroni salad is also a safe choice. The Dole Whip is another gluten-free option for dessert.
High Risk: Items containing the non-gluten-free orange chicken sauce, macaroni salad, wraps, and potentially the Pacific Island Salad with noodles should be avoided. Even if you don't order these items, remember the cross-contamination risk.

Communicating with Staff and Ensuring a Safe Order

When you have a severe gluten intolerance, ordering is a proactive process. Here are some steps you can take:

Mention your allergy: Clearly state that you have a gluten allergy when placing your order, whether through a kiosk or with a cashier. Some diners recommend adding this to your name on kiosk orders, such as "[Your Name] - Gluten Allergy".
Ask about precautions: While Hawaiian Bros states they don't have dedicated gluten-free grills, asking the staff about their procedure for handling cross-contamination can be helpful. They may take extra care, like changing gloves or wiping down surfaces.
Choose lower-risk options: Stick to the sauces and meats known to be gluten-free and opt for sides like rice or veggies. Requesting individually packed gluten-free soy sauce is also an option.

A Comparison of Restaurant Policies


Feature	Hawaiian Bros (as of Oct 2025)	General Gluten-Free Restaurant	Home-cooked Meal (Celiac-safe)
Sauce Purity	Teriyaki sauce is GF; orange chicken sauce is not.	Varies greatly; must confirm with restaurant.	100% control over ingredients.
Preparation Area	Shared kitchen and grills create cross-contamination risk.	Dedicated gluten-free fryers, surfaces, or kitchens possible.	Full control over cookware and prep space.
Menu Items	Most entrees are GF-friendly; mac salad and wraps contain gluten.	Clearly marked GF menu, often certified.	Full control over recipe and ingredients.
Risk Level	Low to moderate for sensitive diners; high for Celiacs due to cross-contamination.	Low if certified GF; moderate if precautions are inconsistent.	Extremely low if proper care is taken.
Dining Experience	Convenient and fast, but requires vigilance and communication.	Can be relaxing and safe with proper precautions.	Complete peace of mind and customization.

Conclusion: A Cautious Yes

Is the teriyaki sauce from Hawaiian Bros gluten-free? Yes, it is. However, for anyone with Celiac disease or a severe gluten sensitivity, dining there should be approached with caution due to the risk of cross-contamination in the shared kitchen environment. For those with less severe sensitivities, or those who are simply avoiding gluten, Hawaiian Bros offers a variety of delicious, safe options. Clear communication with staff and making wise menu choices, such as avoiding the macaroni salad and orange chicken, are the keys to a safe and satisfying meal.

For additional support and resources regarding gluten-free living, consider visiting the Celiac Disease Foundation at [https://celiac.org/].

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Hawaiian Bros has confirmed on their Facebook page that they use gluten-free teriyaki sauce for their applicable menu items.

While many ingredients are gluten-free, Hawaiian Bros is not considered completely safe for Celiac diners due to the high risk of cross-contamination from shared kitchen and grill surfaces.

Items containing gluten include the macaroni salad, wraps, and the sauce used for the orange chicken.

Yes, it is recommended to inform staff of your gluten allergy when ordering and ask them to take extra care, such as changing gloves. Some diners also note their allergy when ordering through a kiosk.

Yes, the teriyaki chicken, Molokai chicken, and Kilauea chicken are all made with gluten-free sauces and are generally safe options, provided you consider the cross-contamination risk.

Safe gluten-free side options include the white rice and the pineapple skewer. The macaroni salad contains gluten and should be avoided.

The primary risk for Celiac diners is cross-contamination, as all food, including gluten-containing items, is prepared in a shared kitchen with common grill surfaces.