Olive Garden Gluten Free Menu

If you were hoping you could check out the Olive Garden gluten free menu options and roll in there and eat your bodyweight in gluten free pasta, you will be sadly disappointed!

When I was in high school, the Olive Garden was the spot for our pregame meals for soccer. Our whole team would head in there after school and devour those breadsticks and endless pasta bowls before evening games. We ended up winning multiple North Carolina State Championships, it was probably because of Olive Garden… okay maybe not.

Well my high school soccer days are looooooong gone, but my love for Olive Garden is still there. Unfortunately, on a gluten free diet, your options at Olive Garden are limited. Let’s take a deeper dive into their restaurant procedures and menu!

Olive Garden Gluten Free Menu Position

Olive Garden does make an attempt to cater to folk who are eating a gluten free diet. Would I say Olive Garden is Celiac safe? it would be tough to say, but I would lean towards no. There are some positive actions though that Olive Garden says the take.

Their website says they do try to avoid cross contaminations. They say “When you tell your server that you have a food allergy, they will add this information to your order. This will alert the kitchen that you have a food allergy and will trigger several processes, including changing their gloves and serving utensils. Each of our managers has completed a food safety course, which includes basic information about food allergies, in addition to safe food handling practices.” 

“Even with processes and procedures in place, we are mindful that we are not an allergen-free facility. As such, we cannot guarantee that any item is free of any allergen. While we regret that this may disappoint some guests, we feel strongly about being transparent about what we can and cannot guarantee.”

When you are making your decision, keep this in mind. It appears they will do their best assist you.

Does Olive Garden Have Separate Fryers?

No. Anything you get fried there will be fried with everything else. They do clearly state that on their website which helps eliminate any confusion.

Olive Garden Gluten Free Menu Options

What you are really here for… the food! The following are the items on the Olive Garden Menu that you can get gluten free. Keep in mind there is always concerns for cross contamination. Do what is best for your health and arm yourself with as much information as possible!

Olive Garden Gluten Free Salads

• Famous House Salad without croutons

Olive Garden Gluten Free Soup

• Zuppa Toscana

Olive Garden Gluten Free Entrees

• Rotini with Marinara
• Rotini with Meat Sauce
• Tuscan Sirloin
• Herb-Grilled Salmon

Olive Garden Gluten Free Kids Entrees

• Grilled Chicken
• Rotini with Marinara
• Rotini with Meat Sauce

Gluten Free Dad’s Thought’s

Would Olive Garden be my first choice for a gluten free dinner? Probably not, but if I’m with a group of friends who want to eat there, there are at least some options for me.

I think there are better places to eat gluten free food, but do appreciate Olive Garden’s attempt at explaining their procedures and being more transparent out it than most restaurants.

If you are not in the mood for the limited gluten free options at Olive Garden, then here are a few other places I’ve taken a deeper look at:

• Red Robin
• Carrabba’s
• Cheesecake Factory
• The Melting Pot

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! Would love to hear about your experiences!

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for more restaurant reviews as I continue to grow!