A Celiac’s Guide to Ben’s Fast Food
"As a celiac, it’s so rare to eat out and actually feel safe. I didn’t have to ask 10 questions or explain my allergy — just ordered and ate. Zero symptoms. Huge win." — Erika D., Santa Monica
Designed with Celiac Customers in Mind
If you’re navigating celiac disease, you know how hard it is to eat out with confidence. Hidden ingredients, poorly trained staff, cross-contact — it’s enough to make you want to cook at home forever. At Ben’s Fast Food, we get it. Many of our team members, families, and customers live with gluten-related conditions. That’s why we built our menu and kitchen from the ground up with people like you in mind.
While no restaurant, including ours, can eliminate every trace risk, every meal is made using naturally gluten-free ingredients, prepared in a 100% gluten-free kitchen — not as a label, but as a foundational standard, designed to support people living with celiac and gluten-related conditions. And we’re committed to full transparency so you can make informed choices for your health.
Understanding Risk and How We Manage It
Where Risk Can Come From:
If you live with celiac disease, you already know that risk can come from places most restaurants don’t think about — from airborne flour, shared prep tools, and mislabeled ingredients to poorly trained staff or cross-contact in storage. While we’ve built our kitchen to eliminate many of these risks, others — like how vendors handle ingredients or what happens during third-party delivery — are simply outside our control. We know how important having all the information is — and we want you to feel fully informed, empowered, and confident when making choices about your food. That’s why we’re sharing the full picture, not just the highlights.
What We Control at Ben’s:
Dedicated gluten-free kitchen: No flour, no wheat, no fryers. Our kitchen is used exclusively by our team for gluten-free prep.
Cross-contact protocols: All tools, surfaces, and equipment are designated gluten-free and sanitized frequently.
Ingredient integrity: We use whole, naturally gluten-free foods — millet, brown rice, legumes, fresh produce. No imitation products. No hidden ingredients.
Transparent labeling: All items on the menu are gluten-free by default. Review our allergen guide before ordering.
Shared Building Context:
We operate in modern restaurant takeout and delivery hubs (often called cloud kitchens), where several restaurant brands operate under one roof — each in their own dedicated kitchen suite. Our kitchen space where we do all of our food prep is used exclusively by Ben’s and is never shared with other teams.
We do share a central food storage area, which creates some risk of airborne or incidental gluten exposure. We manage this by using clearly labeled, dedicated shelving for Ben’s items only, and auditing it regularly.
Supplier and Delivery Risk:
Some of our food suppliers carry both gluten-free and gluten-containing ingredients. We rely on well-known, reputable vendors, but we can’t monitor their storage and handling before ingredients arrive.
We also can't control conditions during third-party delivery. We pack securely, but please inspect your order if your condition is severe.
Our Promise:
We’ve built our operation to eliminate or reduce every gluten-related risk we reasonably can, based on current best practices and operational controls. While no restaurant can offer a guarantee of absolute zero risk (us included), we are fully committed to transparency so that you can make informed choices about whether our food is right for your needs.
How to Order with Confidence When You Have Celiac
Mention your condition in the delivery notes or online order — we’ll always take extra care.
Ask questions: We’re always happy to explain our prep process. While our team isn’t celiac-certified, we do everything we can to make safe meals accessible.
Concerned about sensitivity? If you’re especially sensitive or newly diagnosed, consider using tools like the Nima gluten sensor — a portable device that tests food for gluten — to help you feel more confident when trying new meals, including ours. While our kitchen is 100% gluten-free and built to support gluten-sensitive customers, these tools can provide added reassurance based on your personal needs.
Why Our Founder Built It This Way (And How It Supports Celiac Customers)
Our commitment to gluten-free food began at home, from the very beginning when Ben was still testing the menu. Ben, our founder, designed the original Ben’s Fast Food menu around his wife’s gluten allergy — making sure every version of every dish he made could be tried by her and their gluten-free friends. No separate menu, no substitutions, just one standard: a gluten-free foundation from the start.
We wanted to create a menu that puts people with celiac and gluten-related conditions at ease the moment they order — no second-guessing, no scanning for a gf symbol, or asking about substitutions. Just clear ingredients and built-in peace of mind. We know all too well the experience of eating out and trying to identify which items are gluten free, how the kitchen processes ingredients, and if any substitutions can be made. We wanted to build a different kind of eating experience where gluten sensitive customers could simply pick whatever looked most delicious on the menu, and enjoy.
That’s why we rely on whole, naturally gluten-free ingredients like millet, brown rice, legumes, and fresh vegetables. We’ve said no to white flour, breaded fillers, and complex processing — and yes to transparency, nutrient density, and craveable meals that don’t feel like compromises.
👉 Read more about our mission →
Designed to Taste Great — Not Just “Safe”
We believe gluten-free food should be joyful, not just safe. That’s why every meal is flavor-forward, filling, and made with care. No sad substitutions. No “just like the real thing” gimmicks. Just real food that’s naturally gluten-free — and actually craveable.
Try the Chicken Hearty Bowl: roasted chicken, brown rice, veggies, and creamy chipotle sauce.
Or the Chickpea & Potato Mixed Bowl: satisfying, plant-based, and totally celiac-safe.
Celiac Community Reviews
We're proud to serve many celiac customers daily — and to earn their trust over and over again. Here’s what a few of them have said. Individual experiences may vary. We encourage customers with celiac to review our full risk statement above.
"I am in Denver for a weekend trip and I found Ben's through DoorDash. Being someone with a potato allergy on top of having celiac disease, it is nearly impossible to find an affordable meal that is not home cooked…This was the first time in years I have been able to eat a satisfying meal under $20 with my dietary restrictions. I have never once felt called to write a food review, but this experience brought me a lot of hope for a food industry that has always been extremely difficult for me to navigate while still being affordable with my allergies. I just wanted to get on here and show my support because it is rare to stumble across a restaurant that I feel is whole heartedly interested in their customers well being both nutritionally and financially. I am excited to see this company grow!" — Alex G., Denver
"This food is incredible, especially if you are vegan and celiac (a near-impossible combo to find options for in this area!). To top it off, it’s affordable. Thanks for providing delicious, healthy food on a budget. Can’t wait to come back.” - Stephanie K., San Mateo
“I had takeout and usually proceed with caution as I have celiac disease and a vinegar allergy. I was so happy to see the handwritten note letting me know the sauces had vinegar and felt completely confident that my dish was allergy free for me. Definitely will be ordering again and again. Thanks so much for providing a healthy and delicious, AFFORDABLE super clean meal! Might just have to drop in!” - Maria B., Sacramento
Fast Facts About Celiac Disease
1% of the U.S. population has celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion (NIH).
Celiac disease is not the same as gluten intolerance — it can cause long-term damage to the small intestine if untreated (Celiac Disease Foundation).
Celiac can affect anyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, or health background. It’s often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed (Johns Hopkins).
Symptoms range from digestive discomfort to fatigue, abdominal pain, nutrient malabsorption, and more (Mayo Clinic).
There is no cure for celiac disease — the only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet (Harvard Health).
Celiac FAQs
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Many do! While we can’t guarantee the absence of trace gluten due to factors like vendor handling or shared storage rooms, we’ve designed our kitchen and processes to minimize every risk we can control. We recommend reviewing our risk details above to decide what’s right for you.
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We’re not certified by a third party, but our kitchen is 100% gluten-free and exclusively used by our team. We never use flour, wheat, or gluten-containing ingredients in anything we make.
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Yes — every component of every meal is gluten-free by default, including sauces, toppings, and sides.
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Nope. All our bowls are made gluten-free without any substitutions or modifications needed.
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We’re a takeout and delivery-focused business, but you’re always welcome to reach out via email if you have specific questions. We’re happy to walk you through how we prepare your food.
Part of a Gluten-Free Family of Brands
Ben’s Fast Food is part of a family of restaurants that are fully gluten-free — including Palmita and Umami Express. All brands follow the same high standards and food safety practices as BFF, with dedicated gluten-free kitchens, simple whole ingredients, and a strong commitment to transparency. If you're ordering for a group or want to explore more gluten-free options, check them out!