Taco Cabana Gluten Free Hidden Menu: 58 Items Ranked by Most Popular

The Taco Cabana gluten free menu is a hidden secret many don’t know about because they don’t publicly advertise it. 

Luckily though, we compiled all 58 of Taco Cabanas GF menu items and ordered them by most popular too so you simply choose an order below without having to dissect the menu yourself. 

In addition, we offer some insight on ensuring your meal is 100% gluten free, some example orders if you can’t decide, and other alternate restaurants you may want to consider. 

Is There a Taco Cabana Gluten Free Menu? Is Taco Cabana Gluten Free

Before discussing whether Taco Cabana has a gluten-free menu, it’s important to consider what it means for a meal to be gluten-free. A Taco Cabana gluten free meal would not contain gluten, a protein from grains such as wheat. Gluten can both be produced naturally or during food processing.

Since it’s a useful binding material, some manufacturers include it in their production process. 

People cut or reduce their gluten intake to improve their healthy eating plan, as studies show gluten-free diet has some health benefits.¹ However, some people consider carbohydrate reduction as going gluten-free. But this is not factual, as numerous carbohydrate food items such as rice and beans don’t contain gluten.

Source: Sheskokalov via Canva.com⁶

So if you have gluten sensitivity, you must know the gluten-free options Taco Cabana offers before going there. Although the restaurant has an extensive menu, they don’t have a specialized Taco Cabana gluten free menu, which may be due to the strict labeling regulations by the US government.²

However, customers can get some gluten-free options such as Chicken Breast fajita and Crispy Taco Beef. You only need to know enough about the restaurant’s menu and how to navigate your way.

Taco Cabana Gluten Free Menu Options and Nutrition Facts

Since Taco Cabana doesn’t have a specialized gluten-free menu, it’s difficult to categorize food items and their nutrition facts. Instead, we will show you the various gluten-free options you can get. 

You can also build your own gluten-free meal if you know the right food items to combine. 

Additionally, you’ll learn about the number of calories contained in each food item. This would help you make informed decisions that won’t adversely affect your weight journey, especially if you’re tired of being fat already. 

GF Food Items: Tacos & Flautas; and Cabana Bowls & Salads

GF Food Items: Nachos

GF Food Items: Sides/Add Ons

GF Food Items: Drinks

How To Order a Gluten Free Taco Cabana Meal (Tips to Ensure You Meal is GF)

Ordering a Taco Cabana meal can be challenging if you’re unfamiliar with the menu. If you’re gluten-sensitive, you need to practice some safety tips. Nonetheless, you can have a great dining experience if you know the right things to order. Knowing what to order also helps you watch your calorie intake, especially if you plan on eating 500 calories a day for a month.

Practice these three steps below when placing an order for a gluten-free meal.

Don’t Rush Your Order When Ordering a Taco Cabana Gluten Free Meal

You don’t want to be the customer that sends the attendant back and this can make the entire meal-ordering process even longer.

Your best bet is to allow other people to place their orders first. Then discuss with the staff the food items you don’t want in your meal. This allows you to speak freely without rushing through your order because someone else wants to place theirs. 

Source: LauriPatterson via Canva.com⁷

Placing your order last also provides you with some cover since most people would have already moved on to a different conversation while you order your meal. Engaging the staff with patience allows you to communicate your dietary needs without pressure.

If the staff doesn’t understand your concerns, you can politely ask to speak with a superior or the manager. It’s fine to seek additional assistance if you feel it’s important. You have a right to scrutinize the process of making your meal and ensure it complies with safety standards.

Try To Identify Gluten-Containing Items After Receiving Your Order

It’s not enough to communicate your needs with the staff; you must ensure to double-check your order when it arrives. Your food may still not be gluten-free even after extensive discussion with the servers and manager. 

Therefore, it’s essential that you can identify food items that contain gluten. So, check your meal thoroughly, especially if you have celiac disease.

Let the Staff Know You Have Celiacs Disease or a Gluten Intolerance 

You may have told the servers to avoid gluten in your meal. But it helps to tell them why. This would ensure they understand the importance of serving you gluten-free meals as requested. Sharing this important information with the servers ensures they take your concerns seriously, especially since gluten affects your health.³

Cross-contamination Risk in Taco Cabana Gluten Free Food

Cross-contamination is common across several restaurants. This occurrence is inevitable in any kitchen since different food items go through the same equipment. You can reduce the risk of cross-contamination by choosing food options that don’t require much sauce or require minimal contact with different utensils. Some good examples include veggies and meat.

Nevertheless, fast food chains like Taco Cabana face cross-contamination issues. For instance, servers could use a knife to cut through gluten-containing food items and their gluten-free counterpart. Errors like this cause cross-contamination and can adversely affect you as a gluten-sensitive customer. 

You can minimize your risk by refusing to patronize restaurants where this occurs frequently. Even when you visit any other restaurant, ensure you communicate your concerns about gluten. Second, consider ordering fresh meals and not pre-made food. This gives you some confidence in the food-making process. 

Knowing what people say about gluten food options across various restaurants is also essential. Word of mouth is a great way to know which restaurants to avoid.

Taco Cabana Gluten-Free Example Order

The gluten-free list above can help you have a pleasant meal at Taco Cabana. It would be helpful to request the restaurant’s allergen menu when you get there. Customers say the restaurants provide you with that on request. 

Source: vm2002 via Canva.com⁸

The goal is for you to feel comfortable and have a great meal. You can consider some sample orders below if you’re unsure what to have. 

Sample Order 1: You can have the bean and cheese tacos with corn tortillas. You can choose from a wide range of drinks, including Sweet Tea With Ice and Orange.

Sample Order 2: You can order the steak fajita nachos. This order comes with spices, melted queso, tortilla chips, and a lot of fajita meat.

Sample Order 3: The Crispy Beef Taco is an exciting sample order on Taco Cabana gluten free menu. The order is made with plenty of ground beef. You can add lettuce and cheese to improve the tasty experience.

It’s important you emphasize you’re eating gluten-free even after making these orders. Don’t assume you’re safe from gluten because you ordered from the gluten-free menu. 

People also wrongly assume that gluten-free diets are useful in their weight loss journey. Aside from not being one of the top weight loss solutions, there’s also no conclusive evidence indicating that it contributes towards shedding off some weight.⁴ Its primary function is to help celiac patients alleviate their condition. 

Instead, you can consider the restaurant’s meals under 400 calories. You’ll find this helpful if you’re contemplating weight loss diets. Taco Cabana would also be a great fit on days you’re considering how many calories on a cheat day. The servers would let you know about the available options you can choose. 

Gluten-Free Alternatives Instead of Taco Cabana 

The Taco Cabana gluten free menu may be your first restaurant choice for different reasons. However, when contemplating Taco Cabana gluten free alternatives, it’s important to know the next best places that could serve your needs.

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK)

With more than 200 locations across over 8 countries, California Pizza Kitchen has a global presence for its extensive menu. The chain specializes in non-traditional and innovative food items. Its barbecue and Thai chicken options have also contributed to its popularity.

Its menu also covers pasta, soups, desserts, sandwiches and salads. Although CPK serves gluten-sensitive restaurants, it’s not a specialized gluten-free brand. Therefore, there’s a high risk of cross-contamination happening. 

When ordering your meals, ensure they are GIG-approved. You’d also want to inform the manager of your special dietary concerns. Suppose you’re on a 1000-calorie deficit a day, you’ll want to ensure the servers understand your calorie intake requirements before serving your meal.

Wildfire Restaurant

Wildfire introduces something special to the dining scene through its decor, music, and impressive menu. The restaurant offers a wide selection of sandwiches, seafood, fresh salad, steaks, and gluten-free food options. 

The restaurant offers Prime Ribs, Filet Mignon, and Baby Back Ribs as gluten-free options. Something fascinating and calming about Wildfire is its warmth and style. This, alongside its incredible food service, is why it’s one of the top food chains in Chicago. 

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

When Johnny Carrabba founded Carrabba’s Italian Grill in 1986, his goal was to establish the next best place for special meals. The restaurant has since then expanded into different markets and locations. This is one restaurant with designated gluten-free options on the menu. These include entrees, pizzas, desserts, salads, and more.

Carrabba is safe for celiac and gluten-sensitive people since the brand prioritizes gluten sensitivity. This reduces the risk of cross-contamination, as the restaurant has high food preparation standards for gluten-free meals.

Asides from the safety precautions it offers, the restaurant also has delicious meals. You can rest assured that eating gluten-free doesn’t diminish the quality of your meal.

Chipotle

Although Chipotle set out as an American-Mexican restaurant chain, the brand now offers various dishes. After one month of launch, the company had sold more than it estimated, speeding up its growth process. 

The restaurant allows customers to build their bowls with tacos, burritos, or any food option they want. This makes it easy for gluten-free customers to build their meal bowls seamlessly. 

While you can eat tacos as a gluten-sensitive customer, avoid burritos since gluten is part of its components. If you must eat burritos, build your meal bowl from scratch and replace flour tortillas with corn tortillas because flour tortillas contain gluten.⁵

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Another great place to consider for gluten-free meal options is Moe’s Southwest Grill. Asides from its extensive delicious toppings, the restaurant also gives customers free salsa and chips. 

Nevertheless, you must be careful when placing your order. Reports say the restaurant fries with the same fryers, whether for gluten-free food or otherwise. This means you may risk cross-contamination if you order fried food. 

Final Thoughts

Contemplating where to get a fine gluten-free meal? Taco Cabana gluten free menu ranks top among the options to consider. You can order gluten-free food items based on the restaurant’s menu or your customized order.

Remember to always inform the server that you’re eating gluten-free. Additionally, always cross-check your food for gluten-containing items. This way, you can have a fascinating meal without compromising your health.