Pollo Tropical Gluten Free Hidden Menu Options (View Special Menu)

Eating Pollo Tropical gluten free is possible by using the GF special menu seen below, but it’s important to review the hidden food options thoroughly to assess any risks for yourself.¹² 

The full list of GF items at Pollo Tropical is right before your eyes so instead of scouring the internet, take advantage of all the food and drinks compiled below that are free from added gluten.

Is There a Pollo Tropical Gluten Free Menu?

There is no Pollo Tropical gluten free menu, however the restaurant is conscious of this popular need and has included in their nutrition facts whether there is added gluten for each menu item. Gluten is naturally occurring in grains and many people can have allergies or sensitivities which require complete avoidance of the ingredient.¹

Many restaurants are hesitant to label things as gluten free because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has buckled down on the labeling requirements.² While a majority of restaurants, such as Pollo Tropical, have a vast array of menu items that have no gluten added, they aren’t labeled as such due to the small chance of cross contamination of allergens. 

For the purpose of this article, the term “gluten free” refers to menu items with no added gluten, but it is important to be cognizant that contamination from wheat products have a small chance of occurring.

Pollo Tropical Gluten Free Options (GF Nutrition Facts)

Pollo Tropical gluten free options are abundant; due to the style of restaurant, there are minimal battered or gluten heavy foods, so finding things to fit within dietary limitations should be easy.

Source: aizram18 via Canva.com⁹

Not only is this good news for the gluten free crowd, it also bodes well for those who are tired of being fat or are simply keeping an eye on other nutrition facts. Pollo Tropical calories for platters, bowls, sides, and more are listed below next to all the menu items with no added gluten.

Gluten Friendly Entrees

Walking into a restaurant and knowing there are several gluten friendly entrees is a huge relief, especially if the tuna diet or pickle diet are getting old. In fact, it might even be hard to choose which delicious main course item to settle on between chicken, pork, sausage, and steak!

Side Dishes Without Gluten

Pollo Tropical gluten free diners don’t have to be restricted to just entrees; there are a wide variety of side dishes to accompany a majority of tastes and calorie needs. Veggies, rice, and beans along with other tasty accompaniments are amazing options that allergen and health conscious patrons can enjoy. 

Pollo Tropical Gluten Free Bowls, Soups, and Salads

If diners prefer to eat their meal in bowl form, there are several ways to accomplish this at Pollo Tropical. Whether this takes the form as a soup, salad, or bowl, even the pickiest of eaters should be able to find something that fits their caloric or dietary requirements.

Gluten Friendly Pollo Tropical Sauces, Toppings, and Desserts

A meal at Pollo Tropical is not complete if it doesn’t include condiments from the salsa bar. Luckily, a myriad of sauces and dressings that will perfectly accompany a platter or bowl are included in the below gluten friendly list. Much to the gluten free diners delight, there is also a dessert option that has no added wheat!

Drinks Without Gluten at Pollo Tropical

Sitting down for a delicious meal isn’t the same without a refreshing drink; thankfully, all the beverages at Pollo Tropical, whether it be soda or tea, are gluten free and listed below along with their calories so everyone, including those figuring out how to give up junk food and sugar, can find their perfect combo.

But if you’re following a keto lifestyle, you might want to opt for Diet Dr Pepper instead of the regular one. Not only is Diet Dr Pepper keto friendly, but it also tastes almost the same as the regular version.

How To Order Gluten Free (GF) at Pollo Tropical + Example Order

For those who have gluten allergies or Celiac disease, ingesting gluten doesn’t just cause stomach upset or bloating, it can cause serious damage to the small intestines. So, ordering food is serious business to guarantee the health and safety of gluten intolerant diners.³

Source: ildipapp via Canva.com¹⁰

Following the below tips and tricks can help ensure success when placing a Pollo Tropical gluten free order.

• Ask to speak to the shift supervisor or manager and have them oversee the order from placement to preparation. Studies show that there is a higher chance that employees filling those positions will take allergen needs more seriously.⁴
• Although it may feel like private information, it is important for diners to communicate with restaurant staff that they have a serious allergy or disease that is affected by gluten. This will help convey the gravity of the issue and reduce the chances a mishap could occur.
• If ordering for family members or friends, place separate orders to avoid cross contamination during preparation and in to-go bags and containers.

When placing an order, consider using this template to make certain everything is done to avert gluten consumption.

Example when placing an order with the manager or supervisor at Pollo Tropical:

“Hello, I need to place my order with you because I have celiac disease and it is imperative that my food does not contain gluten or is contaminated with food that contains gluten because it will make me very ill. I will be ordering food that I have found listed on the Pollo Tropical nutrition facts as not containing added gluten, can you confirm that to be true?”

Once it is confirmed that the no gluten added items on the menu are correct, conclude placing the order and enjoy!

Can I Order a Gluten Free Pollo Tropical TropiChop Bowl?

Ordering a gluten free Pollo Tropical Tropichop bowl couldn’t be easier, assuming diners follow the advice from this article! After ensuring restaurant staff knows the importance of the gluten free order they are taking, proceeding with a GF order should be a breeze.

The following combinations of the signature Tropichop along with their calorie counts are a great place to start, but there are many beyond the below variations.

Regular Chicken and Yellow Rice Tropichop: Yellow rice with veggies, black beans, diced tomatoes, sauteed onions, sauteed peppers, and Mojo Sauce – 740 Calories

Regular Mojo Roast Pork, Lettuce, and White Rice Tropichop: Romaine Lettuce with white rice, red beans, kernel corn, diced onion, fresh salsa, and guava bbq sauce – 465 Calories

Large Churrasco Steak with Chimichurri and Lettuce Tropichop: Churrasco Steak with Chimichurri, romaine lettuce, sauteed peppers, fresh salsa, jalapeno slices, and chipotle ranch dressing – 490 Calories

Does Pollo Tropical Have a Menu That Caters to Other Dietary & Allergen Needs?

Pollo Tropical is a well rounded restaurant that caters to a multitude of dietary and allergen needs. While there is no dedicated menu for each category, their nutrition facts listed on their website gives a multitude of information and serves as a clear guide to diners who require specific foods.⁵

Source: Richard Ernest Yap via Canva.com¹¹

For those on keto, low fat, or any other various forms of trending diets, the nutrition facts listed at Pollo Tropical cover all the below items:

• Calories
• Calories from Fat
• Fat
• Saturated Fat
• Trans Fat
• Cholesterol
• Sodium
• Carbohydrates
• Dietary Fiber
• Sugar
• Protein

Providing access to this array of information allows patrons to be well informed before placing their order and, ultimately, succeed in their dietary plans or weight loss solutions.

Not only does Pollo Tropical make their nutrition data readily available, they also make their allergen information easily accessible. Many restaurants may have gluten and nut allergen information published, but a majority don’t go into quite as much detail as Pollo Tropical. Each menu item in their nutrition facts are also labeled with whether they contain the following ingredients:

• Dairy
• Eggs
• Wheat
• Peanuts
• Soy
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Tree Nuts
• Gluten
• Meat products

Having access to this amount of allergen knowledge allows most customers to have faith that the food they order fits their needs and will not make them ill. Because of the nature of allergens and the risk they pose, it is still advised to use the tips from ordering gluten free that are broken down above if a diner has allergy restrictions.

Pollo Tropical Restaurants Alternatives That Have a Gluten Free Menu

Eating out a Pollo Tropical may be tasty, but those wanting a variety of restaurants that are either more convenient or have a slightly different offering may be interested to know there are several other gluten friendly hotspots that can satiate their desire to dine out.

Chipotle: With locations across the United States and Canada, Chipotle is a well known chain that serves burritos, bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. While there is no posted gluten free menu, Chipotle is very clear on the allergens page of their website that those who are avoiding gluten should:

• Avoid their tortillas because they contain wheat.
• Steer clear of menu items that contain corn, because they may have trace amounts of gluten. 
• Ask their staff to change their gloves before preparing a meal to avoid cross contamination.⁶

Qdoba: Like Chipotle, Qdoba has locations across North America and serves burritos, bowls, salads, and more. Qdoba does not have a dedicated gluten free menu, but does offer a detailed chart which, not only includes which menu items contain gluten, but also which menu items are prepared with equipment that has potentially been contaminated with gluten.⁷

Moe’s Southwest Grill: Moe’s is located across the U.S., and similar to most restaurants, does not have a gluten free menu. They do, however, have a feature on their website which allows patrons to sort the nutrition facts by allergy need. Instead of gluten free, Moe’s provides the option to show gluten friendly foods and has a disclaimer that states they can’t guarantee that foods will not be cross-contaminated.⁸

Having allergen needs can be stressful, so knowing what and how to order is essential for those wanting to dine out. Thankfully, the Pollo Tropical gluten free hidden menu options, along with the tips listed above, takes a majority of the guesswork out of ordering and allows patrons to sit back and enjoy their meal.