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The Definitive BJ’s Gluten-Free Menu Guide For 2025

If you love deep-dish pizza, salads, and huge casual-dining portions, our BJ’s gluten-free guide is here to navigate you through all the gluten in their menu.

On paper, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse sounds like hell for the average celiac. Sure, they are famed for their generous portions, creative pizzas, and a pretty broad menu all around. 🥗

However, their casual-dining-focused menu is brimming with wheat-based components, be it pizza doughs, batters, gravies, breading, and croutons, too. Is nothing sacred anymore? 🍔

If you just briefly glance through their menu, it might seem like there are very few options to satiate a celiac like me, until you look closer and realize there’s more than meets the eye. 🍕

BJ’s has actually done a very good job at catering to celiacs, with their own dedicated gluten-sensitive menu section, which includes gluten-sensitive salads and gluten-free pizza crusts!

Sure, most of BJ’s menu is off-limits to celiacs, but with a handful of gluten-sensitive sides, as well as gluten-sensitive burgers that replace the buns with gluten-free ones, it’s quite good.

Nevertheless, navigating through their gargantuan menu is a lot tougher than it looks, which, thankfully, is where our BJ’s gluten-free guide comes in to walk you through which ones’s safe.

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Disclaimer

With this being said, it’s still worth noting that BJ’s, like most casual dining restaurants, doesn’t operate a fully gluten-free kitchen, with separate, dedicated spaces for gluten-free items. 🔪

Given that they rely heavily on shared kitchen spaces, utensils, equipment, ovens, fryers, and prep stations, this basically means that cross-contamination is an inevitable danger. 🧀🍅

In other words, even if you order something that doesn’t technically have gluten and wheat in it, there’s no guarantee that traces of gluten can’t affect it via cross-contact in a busy kitchen.

Moreover, restaurants rarely ever test complete dishes to meet the FDA’s very strict <20 ppm threshold for dishes to be considered “certified gluten-free”, so they’re never 100% safe. 🍴

As such, just to be on the safe side, you should treat all menu items, even those that might be marked as “gluten-free”, to be more like “gluten-sensitive” or “gluten-friendly”. 👉🚫🌾

The best thing you could do is tell your server that you have celiac disease or a severe gluten intolerance, and ask them to take precautions like using fresh gloves and separate plating.

Using clean utensils and cooking your order last might also help, too. Plus, to further drive the point home, here’s a disclaimer about cross-contamination on BJ’s official allergen guide:

While BJ’s emphasizes food safety, we cannot guarantee that a menu item will be completely allergen free. Our kitchen operations are dynamic and involve shared preparation areas, utensils and cooking equipment, including common fryer oil and cooking surfaces, and menu items, including items from our Allergen Menu, may come into contact with food allergens. Please notify your server if you have a food allergy or sensitivity.

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BJ’s Allergen Policy (Gluten-Free)

Speaking of, at least BJ’s makes it pretty easy for you to filter out their huge menu to pick out all the menu items that are hazardous to you, and it starts by heading over to their website.

Once you’re on the BJ’s homepage, scroll all the way down and click or tap on the button that says “Nutritional Guides”, which then loads up BJ’s official Allergen and Nutritional Guides.

Here, you’ll find 2 handy links that link out in a new tab to PDF files, and we start off with the first link, their Nutritional Guide, which isn’t useful to us right now, but it may come in handy.

• If you’re conscious about your dietary intake or being careful about what and how much you eat and drink, BJ’s Nutritional Guide has all the information you need to figure that out. ✍️
• This includes a detailed breakdown of all the nutritional data for every single menu item, like the number of total calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, fiber, protein, sugars, and more.

For now, the second link is far more useful, which is where we’ll find BJ’s Allergen Guide, and this gives you an in-depth breakdown of all the major allergens for each menu item. 📑✏️

• You could use this to filter out all the food and drinks that you can eat, based on what you’re allergic to or are sensitive to, such as milk, shellfish, nuts, eggs, and a bunch of other allergens.
• For celiacs, or if you’re severely gluten intolerant, pay close attention to the “Wheat” and the “Other Gluten” columns, and avoid any menu item that has either of those two allergens.

While you’re here, remember to check in every once in a while, as BJ’s would regularly update the allergen guide when there are changes to the menu, recipes, ingredients, or suppliers.

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Shareable Appetizers

BJ’s shareable appetizers, as tasty as they may be to regular people, are completely off-limits to celiacs, as they rely on breaded coatings, flatbread crusts, and other wheat items. 🍟🧀

❌ Garlic Shrimp with Parmesan Toast Appetizer
❌ Bone-In Wings
❌ Fryckle Fries
❌ Boneless Wings
❌ BJ’s Original Wings
❌ Bacon Jam Wings
❌ Avocado Egg Rolls
❌ Fried Couscous Mac & Cheese Balls
❌ Mozzarella Sticks
❌ Deep Dish Nachos
❌ Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
❌ Burger Sliders
❌ Burger Sliders with Fries
❌ Crispy Calamari
❌ Chicken Pot Stickers
❌ Chili Crunch Pot Stickers
❌ Ahi Poke
❌ Spinach and Artichoke Dip
❌ Big Twist Pretzel with Beer Cheese
❌ California Club Flatbread
❌ Pepperoni Extreme Flatbread
❌ Chips & Housemade Guacamole + Salsa
❌ Brewhouse Sampler

To figure out what went wrong here, let’s dive deep and take a closer look at each appetizer:

Garlic Shrimp with Parmesan Toast Appetizer: Sautéed shrimp served with slices of toasted bread topped with Parmesan. Because the dish includes toasted bread, it contains wheat, and shared prep or plating areas increase cross-contact risk, so it is not safe for celiacs.

Bone-In Wings: Chicken wings cooked with your choice of sauces, served with dipping sauce. These are often prepared in fryers or handled near breaded items and sauced preparations, which creates a significant wheat and cross-contamination risk, making them unsafe.

Fryckle Fries: Seasoned and tossed fries topped with various crunchy or sauced finishings. Since these fries are typically prepared and finished near battered and breaded items, and some toppings may include wheat-containing ingredients, they are considered unsafe.

Boneless Wings: Breaded, bite-size chicken pieces fried and sauced like wings. Because they are breaded with wheat-based coating and fried in shared oil, they present a high gluten risk and are not safe for celiacs and folks with severe gluten intolerance or sensitivity.

BJ’s Original Wings: BJ’s classic wing preparation served in signature sauces. These wings are handled in the same stations as other breaded or sauced items and may use wheat-containing ingredients in sauces, so they are flagged as unsafe.

Bacon Jam Wings: Wings finished with a bacon jam-style glaze and served with sides. The glaze and shared prep areas can contain wheat or be exposed to cross-contact from fried items, so this appetizer is not safe for celiacs, either.

Avocado Egg Rolls: Crispy fried rolls filled with avocado and other fillings. The wrappers are made from wheat flour, and they are deep-fried in shared fryers, so this item contains gluten and should be avoided if you’re gluten intolerant.

Fried Couscous Mac & Cheese Balls: Bite-sized mac and cheese spheres coated in breading and deep-fried. Because they are breaded with wheat-containing coatings and fried in shared oil, they are unsafe for gluten-free diners.

Mozzarella Sticks: Sticks of mozzarella cheese coated in breading and deep-fried. The breading contains wheat, and they share fryers with other battered items, so this appetizer is not safe for celiacs and anyone with a severe gluten intolerance.

Deep Dish Nachos: Layered chips topped with cheese, meats, beans, and other finishings. These nachos are often assembled with toppings that can include wheat-based ingredients or are prepared near flatbreads and fried items, so they carry a wheat and cross-contact risk.

Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts: Roasted or fried Brussels sprouts finished with a sweet-spicy glaze and crunchy toppings. The glaze or the crunchy topping may include wheat, and the item is often prepared near breaded foods, so treat it as unsafe.

Burger Sliders: Small beef burgers served on mini buns with standard toppings. The slider buns contain wheat, and the assembly uses shared surfaces and utensils; therefore, this item is not safe by default, and unlike BJ’s regular burgers, you can’t swap the bun, either.

Burger Sliders with Fries: Mini burgers served with a side of fries. In addition to the wheat-containing slider buns, the fries are often cooked in shared fryer oil, which compounds the cross-contact concern and makes this combo unsafe.

Crispy Calamari: Rings of squid coated in batter and deep-fried until crisp. The batter contains wheat flour, and these are fried in shared oil, creating a high gluten exposure risk, so this is unsafe for celiacs, as well.

Chicken Pot Stickers: Pan-fried or steamed dumplings filled with chicken and vegetables. The wrappers are made from wheat flour, which means these dumplings contain gluten and are not safe, especially if you’re highly gluten intolerant.

Chili Crunch Pot Stickers: Spicy pot stickers tossed with chili crunch or sauce. Because the aforementioned wrappers are wheat-based and they are prepared near other wheat items, this variation is also unsafe, too.

Ahi Poke: Raw diced ahi tuna marinated and served with garnishes. Although poke is raw fish, BJ’s preparation is flagged as unsafe as per their allergen guide, likely due to their soy-based marinades or cross-contact in the prep area, so treat it as not safe.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip: Warm creamy dip blended with spinach and artichoke, typically served with bread, chips, or flatbread. This dip is commonly accompanied by wheat-containing dippers and may use thickeners or shared utensils that introduce wheat, so it is unsafe.

Big Twist Pretzel with Beer Cheese: Large soft pretzel served with a beer-cheese dipping sauce. The pretzel is made from wheat, and the beer cheese may contain gluten-derived ingredients, so this appetizer is not safe, either.

California Club Flatbread: Flatbread topped with turkey, bacon, cheese, and vegetables. The flatbread crust contains wheat flour, which makes this item unsuitable for gluten-free diners, and it’s also not available with a gluten-free crust.

Pepperoni Extreme Flatbread: Thin-crust flatbread loaded with pepperoni and cheese. Like other flatbreads, the crust is wheat-based and therefore unsafe for people who must avoid gluten, including celiacs like me.

Chips & Housemade Guacamole + Salsa: House chips served with guacamole and salsa. While chips and guac can sometimes be gluten-free, BJ’s particular version is unsafe, likely because the chips or the frying process include wheat cross-contamination, so avoid it if you can.

Brewhouse Sampler: Assortment platter that typically includes fried, breaded, and baked shareables. Because the sampler mixes several wheat-containing and fried components and uses shared fryers, it poses a high cross-contact risk and is not safe.

So far, this is not a good showing for BJ’s, as the entire appetizers menu is a no-go for celiacs, unless you’re eyeing a trip to the ER, given how much gluten and wheat there is. 🥙🍤🐓

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Soups, Salads & Bowls

If you’re looking for a quick, lightweight option at BJ’s, their soups, salads, and bowls are just what you need, including a few gluten-sensitive and celiac-safe options, as well! 🥗🍲🥣

⚠️ Enlightened Mediterranean Chicken Bowl
⚠️ Strawberry Fields Salad With Chicken
❌ Soup and Salad Combo
❌ Piranha Pale Ale Chili
❌ Chicken Tortilla Soup
❌ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
❌ Clam Chowder
❌ House Salad
⚠️ House Wedge Salad
❌ House Caesar Salad
⚠️ Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Salad
⚠️ Steakhouse Wedge
⚠️ Enlightened Strawberry Fields Salad
❌ Enlightened Seared Ahi Salad
❌ Santa Fe Salad
❌ Honey-Crisp Chicken Salad
❌ Enlightened Asian Chopped Salad
❌ Chicken Caesar Salad
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) Spinach and Artichoke Dip
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Salad
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) House Wedge Salad
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) House Salad
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) House Caesar Salad
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) Santa Fe Salad
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) Honey-Crisp Chicken Salad
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) Chicken Caesar Salad

For comparison, let’s break these dishes down one by one and see what they’re made of:

Enlightened Mediterranean Chicken Bowl: A bowl of grilled chicken over some greens with Mediterranean toppings such as olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, and a bright dressing. The enlightened variant is supposed to be a healthier, more flavorful version of BJ’s regular salads, but when it comes to gluten, approach with caution.

Strawberry Fields Salad With Chicken: Mixed greens topped with grilled chicken, some fresh strawberries, candied nuts, and a vinaigrette. This salad doesn’t feature any wheat or gluten ingredients naturally. However, you should ask for dressing on the side and request separate tossing to reduce cross-contact risk.

Soup and Salad Combo: A cup of soup paired with a side salad. Because many BJ’s soups and salad accompaniments contain wheat or are served with croutons and bread, the combo is flagged as containing wheat. Avoid this combo if you need to be strictly gluten-free.

Piranha Pale Ale Chili: Hearty chili made with BJ’s Piranha Pale Ale in the recipe. Because it uses beer, this chili contains gluten and should be avoided by celiacs and anyone on a strict gluten-free diet, as well as anyone with a severe gluten intolerance.

Chicken Tortilla Soup: Comforting soup with shredded chicken, tortillas, and toppings. The presence of wheat-containing tortilla pieces or wheat-thickened components flags this soup as containing gluten, so avoid it on a strict gluten-free diet.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup: Creamy broccoli soup finished with cheddar. Most versions of this soup use a flour-thickened base or other wheat-containing stabilizers, so it is flagged as containing gluten and thus, it’s not safe for celiacs.

Clam Chowder: Creamy chowder with clams, potatoes, and often a roux base. Most chowders commonly use flour thickeners, and BJ’s version is flagged as containing wheat, so avoid it if you must be strictly gluten-free.

House Salad: Mixed greens with standard vegetable toppings, often served with croutons and regular dressings. The default House Salad is flagged as containing wheat, primarily because of croutons and potential dressing stabilizers, so ask for a gluten-sensitive preparation or choose the gluten-sensitive variant further below.

House Wedge Salad: A wedge of iceberg with toppings such as tomato, bacon, and dressing. These ingredients don’t naturally come with wheat or gluten components, but still, request no croutons and ask for separate prep to further minimize the risk of cross-contact.

House Caesar Salad: Romaine with Caesar dressing and croutons. The standard Caesar salad contains wheat via croutons and possibly in the dressing, so this particular variation is flagged in the allergen guide as containing gluten. Consider the gluten-sensitive Caesar Salad variant if it’s available.

Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Salad: Sliced tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and basil, finished with olive oil and vinegar. This salad doesn’t naturally come with wheat or gluten components, and it’s safe by recipe, though confirm the dressings and request separate prep if you’re highly sensitive.

Steakhouse Wedge: A hearty wedge salad built to pair with steaks, often including bacon, blue cheese, and a dressing. This salad doesn’t contain any wheat components, making it generally safe by recipe, but cross-contamination remains a risk. So, check the dressings and toppings to be sure.

Enlightened Strawberry Fields Salad: A lighter take on Strawberry Fields with fruit, greens, and a lighter dressing. This enlightened version is made to be healthier and more flavorful, and it’s made without any wheat components. Still, ask for separate prep to minimize cross-contact.

Enlightened Seared Ahi Salad: Seared ahi tuna over greens with Asian-style toppings. This salad contains wheat, likely because of soy-based marinades or crispy toppings. Avoid this one if you need strict gluten avoidance or if you’re highly gluten intolerant.

Santa Fe Salad: Salad with southwestern-style toppings such as tortilla strips, spiced chicken, and southwestern dressing. The standard Santa Fe Salad contains wheat because of tortilla strips or dressings that contain wheat, so do not order the default version if you’re a celiac.

Honey-Crisp Chicken Salad: Salad featuring crispy chicken, apple or honey-crisp elements, nuts, and dressing. The standard variant is flagged as containing wheat due to the crispy or breaded chicken and crunchy toppings, so avoid the default version of this salad and order the gluten-sensitive alternative.

Enlightened Asian Chopped Salad: Chopped greens with Asian-style toppings and dressing, often including marinated proteins and crunchy elements. BJ’s allergen guide flags the default enlightened Asian chopped salad as containing wheat, probably from soy-based marinades or crunchy wheat toppings; therefore, it’s not safe by default.

Chicken Caesar Salad: Grilled or crispy chicken on Caesar salad. The Chicken Caesar is flagged as containing wheat because of croutons and sometimes the chicken coating or dressing. If you want a Caesar, choose the gluten-sensitive Chicken Caesar variant further below.

(Gluten-Sensitive) Spinach and Artichoke Dip: A version of the classic warm dip that BJ’s marks as gluten-sensitive. This variant is prepared without wheat-containing dippers or with safe accommodations by the kitchen. It is considered safe by recipe, but confirm that your server will avoid bread or pretzel dippers.

(Gluten-Sensitive) Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Salad: The gluten-sensitive variant of the fresh mozzarella and tomato salad is prepared without any wheat-containing add-ons. It is safe by ingredient, and you can ask for dressing on the side to further minimize cross-contact.

(Gluten-Sensitive) House Wedge Salad: A gluten-sensitive wedge with no wheat-containing toppings and with precautions taken during prep. This variant is safe by recipe, though ask staff to assemble it separately, and double-check for cross-contamination.

(Gluten-Sensitive) House Salad: The gluten-sensitive House Salad is prepared without croutons and with greater attention paid to minimize cross-contact. It is listed as safe in BJ’s allergen guide, but request dressing on the side and separate tossing.

(Gluten-Sensitive) House Caesar Salad: Caesar salad prepared without croutons and with gluten-aware prep. This gluten-sensitive version is considered safe by recipe, but confirm that the dressing contains no hidden wheat stabilizers.

(Gluten-Sensitive) Santa Fe Salad: The gluten-sensitive Santa Fe removes tortilla strips and other wheat elements. Since it’s a gluten-sensitive option, this is safe by default, though you should double-check the dressing and proteins.

(Gluten-Sensitive) Honey-Crisp Chicken Salad: The gluten-sensitive variant here removes crispy breading and any wheat-based crunchy toppings. As such, it’s safe by recipe, but remember to ask for separate prep and confirmation about any glazes.

(Gluten-Sensitive) Chicken Caesar Salad: The gluten-sensitive Chicken Caesar Salad version comes without croutons and with extra precautions in the kitchen. Nevertheless, you should still confirm the dressing ingredients and request separate assembly.

To make things easy, and especially if you’re a celiac or are severely gluten-intolerant, all you need to do is skip ahead and order those gluten-sensitive salad variations to be safe. 🍅🧀

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Pizzas

One of BJ’s specialties is pizzas, with a big menu famed for its deep-dish pies and creative toppings, and even a great selection of pizzas that come with a gluten-free thin crust! 🍕🥧

❌ Build Your Own Pizza
❌ Half & Half Deep Dish
❌ BJ’s Favorite Pizza
❌ Pepperoni Extreme Pizza
❌ Barbeque Chicken Pizza
❌ Vegetarian Pizza
❌ Sweet Pig Pizza
❌ Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
❌ BJ’s Classic Combo Pizza
❌ Great White Pizza
❌ Buffalo Chicken Pizza
❌ Gourmet Five-Meat Pizza
❌ BJ’s Brewhouse Classic Pizza
❌ Spicy Pig Pizza
✅ (Gluten-Free) Thin Crust Cheese Pizza
✅ (Gluten-Free) Pepperoni Extreme
✅ (Gluten-Free) Vegetarian
✅ (Gluten-Free) Sweet Pig
✅ (Gluten-Free) BJ’s Classic Combo
✅ (Gluten-Free) Chicken Bacon Ranch
✅ (Gluten-Free) Barbeque Chicken

Let’s take a closer look at these delectable pizzas by dissecting each one bit by bit:

Build Your Own Pizza: Create your own pie with a choice of crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings. The standard crusts at BJ’s are wheat-based, so this item contains gluten. If you want pizza at BJ’s, consider choosing a gluten-free thin-crust variant instead, and be sure to confirm separate prep and baking to limit cross-contact.

Half & Half Deep Dish: Two different toppings baked together in BJ’s signature deep-dish pan. The deep-dish crust is a wheat-based dough, which makes this unsafe for celiacs and strict gluten-free diners. The shared pans and ovens also increase the chance of cross-contamination.

BJ’s Favorite Pizza: A classic combination pizza with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and olives. This signature pie uses wheat crust and traditional toppings, so it is not safe for those avoiding gluten.

Pepperoni Extreme Pizza: Extra pepperoni and bold seasoning on a wheat-based crust. The crust contains wheat flour, so this pizza is unsafe by default. If you love pepperoni, order the gluten-free pepperoni pizza and request careful handling.

Barbeque Chicken Pizza: Grilled chicken, barbecue sauce, red onion, and cheese on BJ’s wheat crust. Barbecue sauces sometimes use thickening agents that could include gluten, and the crust contains wheat. Instead, opt for the gluten-free Barbeque Chicken pizza if it’s available, and ask staff to avoid cross-contact.

Vegetarian Pizza: A mix of seasonal vegetables and cheese on a wheat crust. The vegetable toppings themselves are naturally wheat-free, but the standard crust contains gluten, so this item is not suitable for celiacs unless you order the gluten-free thin crust version.

Sweet Pig Pizza: A sweeter-savory pizza with pork, barbecue-like flavors, and cheese on a wheat crust. Because the crust contains wheat, the standard Sweet Pig is not safe for gluten-free diets. Choose the gluten-free Sweet Pig variant and confirm separate prep.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza: Grilled chicken, bacon, and ranch dressing on BJ’s wheat crust. The crust and possible dressing thickeners mean this default pizza contains gluten. The gluten-free Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza is the safer recipe choice, but confirm the preparation details with staff.

BJ’s Classic Combo Pizza: A loaded combo of meats and vegetables on BJ’s traditional crust. The usual crust is wheat-based, so this pizza is unsafe for anyone avoiding gluten. If you want the toppings, order the gluten-free Classic Combo and request very careful handling to further minimize cross-contamination.

Great White Pizza: Garlic oil, alfredo or white sauce, spinach, and chicken or ricotta on a wheat crust. The white sauce may contain wheat thickeners, and the crust contains wheat; therefore, this pie is unsafe by default, even if you swap it to the gluten-free crust.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza: Spicy buffalo-sauced chicken with cheese and sometimes a drizzle of ranch. The crust is wheat-based, and some sauces may include hidden gluten, so avoid this if you’re trying to maintain a strict gluten-free diet.

Gourmet Five-Meat Pizza: Pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon, and meatballs on a wheat crust. Multiple processed meats can also carry a risk of additives, and the crust contains wheat, so this is unsafe for celiacs. Sadly, at this time, there’s no gluten-free crust available for this pizza.

BJ’s Brewhouse Classic Pizza: BJ’s house-style pizza with classic toppings on a wheat crust. Because BJ’s standard crust contains wheat, this pizza isn’t safe for strict gluten-free diners, either. Also, it seems as though the gluten-free crust isn’t available for this pizza, either.

Spicy Pig Pizza: Spicy pork, peppers, and savory sauce on a wheat crust. The crust contains wheat, making this pizza unsafe by default. Unfortunately, as per BJ’s menu as of writing, you can’t order this pizza with the gluten-free crust, which suggests hidden gluten elsewhere.

(Gluten-Free) Thin Crust Cheese Pizza: BJ’s gluten-free thin crust topped with tomato sauce and cheese. This pizza is made with a dedicated gluten-free crust recipe, so it’s free from any gluten or wheat ingredients. However, there is still a moderate risk of cross-contact in pizza ovens, on prep surfaces, and when toppings are handled. Ask staff to use a clean cutter, fresh gloves, and, if possible, a separate oven or a clean baking surface.

(Gluten-Free) Pepperoni Extreme: Pepperoni on BJ’s gluten-free thin crust. The gluten-free crust and the toppings are safe by recipe, and this is a straightforward gluten-free pizza choice. You should still request separate prep, a clean cutter, and clear staff instructions to minimize cross-contact in the kitchen.

(Gluten-Free) Vegetarian: Seasonal vegetables and cheese on the gluten-free thin crust. The toppings are naturally wheat-free, and the gluten-free crust removes the primary cause of concern. As always, ask that the vegetables be plated and handled separately from wheat-based dough, and that staff assemble the pizza with fresh utensils.

(Gluten-Free) Sweet Pig: Sweet Pig toppings on the gluten-free thin crust. This specific variant is safe by recipe, though be careful with any sauces or processed meats that might be handled around wheat products. Once again, request a separate assembly and a clean bake surface.

(Gluten-Free) BJ’s Classic Combo: Classic combo toppings on BJ’s gluten-free crust. The gluten-free variant removes wheat from the crust, making it safe with recipe and ingredient. To further reduce cross-contamination risks, ask for the pizza to be prepared apart from regular pies and for separate cutting tools.

(Gluten-Free) Chicken Bacon Ranch: Chicken, bacon, and ranch on BJ’s gluten-free thin crust. This makes the pizza wheat-free by recipe. Nevertheless, you should still double-check that the ranch dressing and any marinades are gluten-free, and request separate prep and serving utensils.

(Gluten-Free) Barbeque Chicken: Barbecue chicken toppings on BJ’s gluten-free thin crust. By recipe, this pizza is wheat-free. Moreover, double-check that the barbecue sauce used is gluten-free, and tell staff to bake and cut the pizza away from wheat pizzas to reduce cross-contact risks.

Your options aren’t as limiting as they would seem at first, thanks to that gluten-free crust, even though most of their regular pies are made with wheat in the crust or the toppings. 🍅🧀🥓

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Pastas & Meal Deals

As much as I’d love to try out some of BJ’s classic comfort dishes, sadly, every single pasta dish here is made with wheat pastas, paired with creamy sauces, and breaded proteins. 🍝🔥🍜

❌ Italian Chicken Parmigiana Pasta Lunch Sized
❌ Mini Deep Dish Pizza & House Salad Combo
❌ Chicken Alfredo
❌ Shrimp Scampi
❌ Deep Dish Ziti
❌ Jumbo Spaghetti and Meatballs
❌ Italian Chicken Parmigiana Pasta

To figure out what about these pasta dishes is unsafe for celiacs, let’s take a closer look:

Italian Chicken Parmigiana Pasta Lunch Sized: Breaded chicken topped with marinara and melted cheese, served over a bed of spaghetti. The chicken is breaded in wheat flour, and the pasta is made from wheat, so this lunch portion contains gluten and is unsafe for celiacs.

Mini Deep Dish Pizza & House Salad Combo: A small deep-dish pizza paired with a side salad. The pizza crust is wheat-based, and the combo usually includes pizza baked in shared ovens, so the entire combo contains gluten and is unsafe for anyone with gluten intolerance.

Chicken Alfredo: Fettuccine tossed in a creamy Alfredo sauce and topped with grilled or breaded chicken. The pasta is made from wheat, and many Alfredo sauces use thickeners or are prepared on shared equipment, making this dish unsafe for strict gluten-free diets.

Shrimp Scampi: Shrimp sautéed in a garlic-butter sauce served over spaghetti or linguine. The noodles are wheat-based, and the dish is prepared on shared surfaces, so this classic entree contains gluten by default, and it’s downright dangerous if you’re a celiac.

Deep Dish Ziti: Ziti pasta baked in a rich tomato and cheese sauce, often with meat or some vegetables. The ziti and any breadcrumb topping contain wheat, and the baking pans are shared, causing this dish to contain gluten in abundance.

Jumbo Spaghetti and Meatballs: A large serving of spaghetti with marinara and meatballs. The spaghetti is made from wheat, and the meatballs may include breadcrumbs as a binder, so avoid this dish completely if you need to be gluten-free.

Italian Chicken Parmigiana Pasta: Full-size version of the breaded chicken with marinara and cheese over spaghetti. As with the lunch-sized portion from earlier, the breaded chicken and wheat pasta make this item unsafe for those avoiding gluten.

If you love Italian food, I’d recommend checking out some of BJ’s gluten-sensitive salads, and maybe even consider their plain protein-and-veg plates instead, as they’re way safer. 🍅🧀

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Specialty Entrees, Slow-Roasted Entrees & Steaks

On the other hand, among BJ’s main entrees, you can find a pretty sizeable variety of gluten-sensitive dishes, including their Brewhouse Bowls and slow-roasted proteins, too. 🥩🍖🥓

❌ Chicken Bacon Ranch Piadina
❌ Southern Fried Chicken
❌ New Orleans Jambalaya+
❌ Atlantic Salmon
❌ Parmesan-Crusted Chicken
❌ BJ’s Brewhouse Blonde Fish ‘N’ Chips
❌ Spicy Peanut Chicken with Soba Noodles
❌ Sal’s Brewhouse Chicken
❌ Enlightened Cherry Chipotle Glazed Salmon
✅ BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl
✅ BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl with Salmon
✅ BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl with Shrimp
✅ BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl with Chicken
✅ BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl with Sirloin
❌ Prime Rib
⚠️ Double Bone-In Pork Chop Weekend Special
⚠️ BJ’s Classic Rib-Eye
⚠️ Slow-Roasted Sirloin
❌ Baby Back Pork Ribs – Full
❌ Baby Back Pork Ribs – Half
❌ Slow-Roasted Sirloin and Baby Back Ribs
⚠️ Slow-Roasted Sirloin and Shrimp Scampi
⚠️ Slow-Roasted Sirloin and Chicken
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) BJ’s Classic Rib-Eye
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) Fresh Atlantic Salmon
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl with Chicken
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl with Shrimp
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl with Salmon

For context, and to make sure we got this right, let’s take a closer look at each entree:

Chicken Bacon Ranch Piadina: Flatbread-style sandwich folded with chicken, bacon, ranch, and cheese. The Piadina uses wheat-based flatbread, so it is flagged as containing gluten and is unsafe for celiacs and for folks with gluten intolerance.

Southern Fried Chicken: Crispy chicken pieces that are hand-breaded and deep-fried. Because the coating contains wheat flour and the item is fried in shared oil, this dish is not safe for strict gluten-free diets, either.

New Orleans Jambalaya+: A spicy rice dish with sausage, shrimp, and chicken in a Creole-style mix. The BJ’s allergen guide flags this item as containing wheat, likely due to added sauces or seasoning blends, so avoid this dish if you have a strict gluten-free diet.

Atlantic Salmon: Oven-seared or grilled salmon often finished with a glaze or sauce. BJ’s official allergen guide flags this dish as containing wheat, so confirm the preparation with the staff, or choose the gluten-sensitive salmon variant further below instead.

Parmesan-Crusted Chicken: Chicken breast coated with a crispy parmesan breadcrumb crust and baked. The breadcrumb crust contains wheat, and therefore, this entree is unsafe for celiacs and for folks with severe gluten sensitivities.

BJ’s Brewhouse Blonde Fish ‘N’ Chips: Beer-battered fish served with fries. The beer batter contains wheat, and the fried pieces are prepared in shared fryers, making this classic dish unsafe for celiacs, as well.

Spicy Peanut Chicken with Soba Noodles: Stir-fried or sauced chicken with soba noodles and spicy peanut sauce. The soba here contains wheat, and many peanut sauces include soy or other wheat-containing ingredients, so this plate is not gluten-free.

Sal’s Brewhouse Chicken: Signature chicken entrée with a special coating or sauce. The item is flagged as containing wheat in BJ’s official allergen guide, so it should be avoided on a strict gluten-free diet or if you’re a celiac.

Enlightened Cherry Chipotle Glazed Salmon: Salmon finished with a cherry-chipotle glaze. The glaze is flagged for containing wheat ingredients, so this particular flavored salmon is not safe unless you order the plain, gluten-sensitive salmon variant further below.

BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl: Grain-and-greens bowl with proteins and assorted toppings. The base Brewhouse Bowl is listed as safe by BJ’s when prepared as their gluten-sensitive option, so ask for the gluten-sensitive preparation and confirm toppings and sauces.

BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl with Salmon: The Brewhouse Bowl topped with salmon. This bowl is available as a gluten-sensitive variant. To be extra safe, ask for the gluten-sensitive version, and check that the salmon is grilled plain with no wheat-containing glaze.

BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl with Shrimp: The Brewhouse Bowl topped with shrimp. When ordered as the gluten-sensitive variant like below, this bowl is safe by recipe, assuming that the shrimp are grilled and sauces are omitted or confirmed to be 100% wheat-free.

BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl with Chicken: The bowl is topped with grilled chicken. The gluten-sensitive version removes any wheat-containing toppings or sauces, so it is considered safe by recipe if you request that specific preparation.

BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl with Sirloin: Brewhouse Bowl served with sliced sirloin. This variation is listed as safe as a gluten-sensitive option, but once again, request the gluten-sensitive prep and double-check all of the sauces.

Prime Rib: Slow-roasted prime rib served with au jus or horseradish. The prime rib is flagged as containing wheat on BJ’s allergen guide, so avoid this entrée unless you can confirm the au jus or any gravy is wheat-free.

Double Bone-In Pork Chop Weekend Special: Large double pork chop with a choice of finishing sauce. This dish can be gluten-sensitive with the Honey Dijon Mustard option, but it contains wheat when served with the Mandarin Orange Glaze + Bacon Onion Jam. If you want this, ask for the Honey Dijon Mustard and confirm no other wheat-containing toppings.

BJ’s Classic Rib-Eye: Hand-cut rib-eye grilled to order. The standard preparation is available as a gluten-sensitive option, and it’s safe by recipe when ordered as the gluten-sensitive variant. Once again, request minimal saucing and separate prep to reduce cross-contact risk.

Slow-Roasted Sirloin: Tender sirloin slow-roasted and served plain or with a simple jus. This entree is listed as safe by recipe, but check that any finishing sauces or gravies are wheat-free, or served on the side.

Baby Back Pork Ribs – Full: Full rack of pork ribs finished with barbecue glaze. BJ’s flags the ribs as containing wheat, typically because many barbecue sauces or glazes include malt, soy, or wheat flour thickeners, so avoid this unless you can confirm a wheat-free sauce.

Baby Back Pork Ribs – Half: Half-rack of ribs with the same glaze issues as the full rack. Because the default sauces contain wheat, this is not safe for celiacs without explicit modification and confirmation, which is normally not an option.

Slow-Roasted Sirloin and Baby Back Ribs: Combination plate with sirloin and ribs. The ribs are prepared with wheat-containing glaze, so the combo is flagged as containing wheat and is not safe unless the ribs are ordered with a confirmed wheat-free sauce.

Slow-Roasted Sirloin and Shrimp Scampi: Sirloin paired with shrimp scampi. The scampi is typically served over pasta in some versions; however, BJ’s lists this combo as a safe option when prepared without wheat-containing sides. Again, double-check that the shrimp are grilled plain, and the sauces are wheat-free.

Slow-Roasted Sirloin and Chicken: Sirloin served alongside a grilled chicken breast. This tasty combination is listed as safe by recipe, provided the chicken is grilled plain and any sauces are confirmed wheat-free, as well.

(Gluten-Sensitive) BJ’s Classic Rib-Eye: The gluten-sensitive variant of the rib-eye is prepared without wheat-containing sauces and with extra cross-contact precautions. This version is safe by recipe, but ask the staff to confirm separate prep.

(Gluten-Sensitive) Fresh Atlantic Salmon: The gluten-sensitive salmon is served plain, without wheat-containing glazes and with attention to cross-contact. If you want salmon, request this variant and double-check the sauce and the finishing ingredients.

(Gluten-Sensitive) BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl: The gluten-sensitive Brewhouse Bowl omits wheat-containing toppings and uses confirmed gluten-free dressings. It is safe by recipe when the kitchen staff follows the indicated precautions.

(Gluten-Sensitive) BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl with Chicken: Same as the Brewhouse Bowl but topped with grilled chicken and prepared under gluten-sensitive procedures. This variant is considered safe by recipe, assuming that the sauces and toppings have been verified.

(Gluten-Sensitive) BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl with Shrimp: The shrimp-topped gluten-sensitive bowl is prepared without wheat-containing sauces or toppings. As usual, confirm how the shrimp are cooked and that no wheat-based marinades were used.

(Gluten-Sensitive) BJ’s Brewhouse Bowl with Salmon: Salmon-topped gluten-sensitive bowl prepared without glazes and with precautions to reduce cross-contact. This item is safe by recipe if it’s been ordered as the gluten-sensitive variant, too.

Nonetheless, while there are quite a few gluten-sensitive entrees at BJ’s, even more so than most of their menu thus far, you should still be on the lookout for cross-contamination. 🎣

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Sandwiches, Burgers & Tacos

If you thought BJ’s menu wasn’t diverse enough already, there’s their handheld menu, with a mouthwatering selection of crispy sandwiches, juicy burgers, and tasty tacos, too. 🥪🍔🌮

However, whether it’s chicken sandwiches or their half-pound burgers, most of these rely on wheat-based buns, tortillas, or breading, but gluten-free bread and buns are available! 🥙

❌ BJ’s Classic Crispy Chicken Sandwich
⚠️ California Chicken Club Sandwich
❌ BJ’s Kickin’ Chicken Sandwich
❌ Mahi-Mahi or Shrimp Tacos
❌ Enlightened Mediterranean Chicken Pita Tacos
⚠️ BJ’s Slow-Roasted Beef Dip
⚠️ Hickory Brisket and Bacon Burger
⚠️ Classic Cheeseburger
⚠️ BJ’s Smokehouse Burger
❌ Crispy Jalapeno Burger
⚠️ Bacon-Guacamole Deluxe Burger
⚠️ All-American Smash Burger
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) Hickory Brisket and Bacon Burger
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) Bacon-Guacamole Deluxe Burger
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) Classic Burger

To figure out how you could modify some of these burgers to be celiac-safe, let’s check it out:

BJ’s Classic Crispy Chicken Sandwich: Breaded and fried chicken breast served on a bun with lettuce, tomato, and sauce. Because the chicken patty is breaded, this sandwich has wheat in the coating, so swapping the wheat bun for the gluten-free options doesn’t remove the wheat in the breading.

California Chicken Club Sandwich: Grilled or crispy chicken stacked with avocado, bacon, and greens on a bun. The default sandwich uses a wheat bun and may use breaded chicken if you order the crispy version. You can request the gluten-free bun or ask for grilled chicken, and be sure to double-check all the sauces and cross-contact procedures.

BJ’s Kickin’ Chicken Sandwich: Spicy-seasoned chicken breast, typically served crispy on a bun with toppings and sauce. The crispy preparation contains wheat in the coating of the chicken patty, thus making this sandwich unsafe as standard, even if you’re able to swap the regular wheat burger bun for the gluten-free bun.

Mahi-Mahi or Shrimp Tacos: Tacos filled with either mahi-mahi or shrimp, served in tortillas with slaw and sauce. These tacos are flagged as containing wheat, usually because the tortillas are wheat-based or the seafood is breaded, but either way, avoid this at all costs.

Enlightened Mediterranean Chicken Pita Tacos: Lighter Mediterranean-style chicken served in pita bread with veggies and dressing. Pita bread contains wheat, so this menu item is not safe for celiacs in its standard form, and unlike the burgers, there’s no gluten-free pita bread.

BJ’s Slow-Roasted Beef Dip: Thin-sliced slow-roasted beef served with au jus and a roll for dipping. The roll is a wheat product, and the au jus or any dipping sauces may contain hidden wheat, so it’s unsafe by default. If you want this flavor profile, ask whether it could be served with a gluten-free bun or as a plate without the roll, and confirm the au jus ingredients.

Hickory Brisket and Bacon Burger: Smoked brisket-style burger topped with bacon and BBQ flavors on a bun. The standard item comes on a wheat bun, and the BBQ sauce may contain wheat-based ingredients. You can order the gluten-sensitive variant to get this burger with a gluten-free bun and with extra precautions taken during prep.

Classic Cheeseburger: Beef patty with cheese and classic toppings on a bun. The bun is wheat-based by default. Order the (Gluten-Sensitive) Classic Burger variant or request the gluten-free bun, and double-check all of the sauces and the seasoning for hidden gluten.

BJ’s Smokehouse Burger: Burger topped with smoked cheese, onions, and a smoky sauce on a bun. The bun and sauce can include wheat. To reduce risk, order the gluten-sensitive version or request a gluten-free bun and ask that sauces be left off or confirmed wheat-free.

Crispy Jalapeno Burger: Burger with crispy jalapeño rings, cheese, and sauce on a bun. The crispy jalapeño rings are typically breaded and contain wheat, so swapping to a gluten-free bun does not by itself make this safe. Ask if the jalapeños can be omitted or replaced with fresh jalapeño slices and request the gluten-sensitive preparation.

Bacon-Guacamole Deluxe Burger: Burger with bacon, guacamole, and toppings served on a bun. The bun contains wheat, but BJ’s lists a gluten-sensitive variant that uses a gluten-free bun and extra kitchen precautions. Ask for that gluten-sensitive version instead, and be sure that you verify all of the toppings and sauces.

All-American Smash Burger: Classic smashed beef patty with cheese and pickles on a bun. The bun contains wheat, though you can ask for a gluten-free bun or the gluten-sensitive version. Plus, confirm with the staff that the patty and the prep area have avoided contamination.

(Gluten-Sensitive) Hickory Brisket and Bacon Burger: This is BJ’s gluten-sensitive take on the brisket burger, prepared without wheat buns and with attention to cross-contact. It’s safe by recipe when prepared as the gluten-sensitive variant, but always verify sauces and finishing ingredients.

(Gluten-Sensitive) Bacon-Guacamole Deluxe Burger: The gluten-sensitive version removes wheat-based buns and uses confirmed gluten-free toppings and prep methods. Order this variant to minimize gluten risk, and double-check the kitchen’s handling steps.

(Gluten-Sensitive) Classic Burger: The gluten-sensitive classic burger is served without a wheat bun and with precautions to reduce cross-contact. It’s a safe option by recipe if you order the gluten-sensitive preparation and confirm any condiments are wheat-free.

With the exception of their soft tacos, it’s nice to see that BJ’s not only offers gluten-sensitive burgers, but also the option to swap out the wheat burger buns for gluten-free buns. 🥯🍟

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Kid’s Menu

For the young’uns dining out at BJ’s, they also have a kids’ menu, and while the selection isn’t as varied as the rest of their menu, it’s still decent, though most of the items are unsafe. 🍔

❌ Kids’ Create-Your-Own-Pasta
❌ Kids’ Chicken Tenders
❌ Kids’ Mini Corn Dogs
✅ Kids’ Chicken Breast
❌ Kids’ Mini Burgers
❌ Kids’ Mac ‘N’ Cheese
❌ Kids’ Mini Deep Dish Pizza
❌ Kids’ Boneless Wings With Root Beer BBQ Sauce
❌ Kids’ Mini Pizookie
✅ Kids’ Sundae

Just so we’re extra sure, let’s break these kids’ meals down and see what they’re made of:

Kids’ Create-Your-Own-Pasta: Kid-sized pasta that they could customize with different sauces and toppings. The pasta is wheat-based, so this dish contains gluten and isn’t safe for celiacs, with no gluten-friendly substitute available.

Kids’ Chicken Tenders: Breaded, deep-fried chicken strips served with a kid-friendly dipping sauce. The breading contains wheat, and they are fried in shared oil, so avoid this item on a strict gluten-free diet.

Kids’ Mini Corn Dogs: Bite-size hot dogs coated in cornmeal batter and fried. The batter typically includes wheat or is cross-contaminated during frying, which makes this unsafe for strict gluten-free diets.

Kids’ Chicken Breast: A plain grilled chicken breast served with simple sides. The protein itself is gluten-free by recipe, so this is one of the safer kids’ options here, but remember to ask staff to prepare it separately and use clean utensils to reduce cross-contact risk.

Kids’ Mini Burgers: Small burger patties served on mini wheat buns by default. The buns contain wheat, so the default version is not safe. Moreover, unlike the regular adult-sized burgers, these wheat-based burger buns can’t be easily replaced with gluten-free buns.

Kids’ Mac ‘N’ Cheese: Elbow pasta in a creamy cheese sauce. The pasta is made from wheat flour, so this dish contains gluten and should be avoided on a strict gluten-free diet and for folks with a severe gluten intolerance.

Kids’ Mini Deep Dish Pizza: Small deep-dish pizza made with BJ’s signature dough. The crust contains wheat, and deep-dish preparation often involves shared surfaces and ovens, so this is unsafe for celiacs, as well.

Kids’ Boneless Wings With Root Beer BBQ Sauce: Bite-size breaded wings tossed in sauce. The boneless wings are breaded and fried, making them gluten-containing and high risk for cross-contact from shared fryers.

Kids’ Mini Pizookie: Individual warm cookie skillet dessert. The cookie base is made with wheat flour, so this dessert contains gluten and is not safe for strict gluten-free diners. So, remember to omit this sweet treat from your order.

Kids’ Sundae: Soft-serve ice cream with toppings. The ice cream itself is gluten-free by recipe and ingredient, making this one of the safer dessert choices, though avoid any cookie, brownie, or crunchy bakery mix-ins and ask staff to prepare it away from the dessert prep area to limit cross-contact.

It’s worth bearing in mind, however, that while there are a couple of safer options here, they aren’t entirely immune from cross-contamination, so be very careful when you order. 🍕🍗

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Sides

BJ’s dedicated gluten-sensitive menu also encompasses a few sides, but otherwise, be careful, especially with the fries and fried sides, where using shared fryers is commonplace. 🍟🥔🍠

❌ Fries
❌ Sweet Potato Fries
⚠️ White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes
⚠️ Loaded Mashed Potatoes
⚠️ Loaded Baked Potato
⚠️ Broccoli
❌ Rice Pilaf
❌ Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
⚠️ Asparagus
✅ Garlic-Roasted Vegetables
✅ (Gluten-Free) Baked Potato
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) Asparagus
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes
✅ (Gluten-Sensitive) Garlic-roasted Vegetables

Let’s break these dishes apart and see what they’re made of to figure out if they’re fully safe:

Fries: Classic cut fries served hot. These are flagged as containing wheat on BJ’s allergen guide, and are also commonly cooked in shared fryers, so they’re not safe for strict gluten-free diets.

Sweet Potato Fries: Sweet potato fries with a crisp coating. BJ’s lists these as containing wheat, and they’re often handled in the same fryers as breaded items, so avoid them completely if you need to maintain a strict gluten-free diet.

White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes blended with white cheddar. This side is considered safe by BJ’s ingredient listing and is a good gluten-sensitive option, though make sure to ask staff to serve without any gravy to keep it safer.

Loaded Mashed Potatoes: Mashed potatoes topped with cheese, bacon, and green onions. By recipe, this is marked as not containing any wheat, but the presence of some toppings means you should confirm that there’s no gravy or wheat-containing garnish.

Loaded Baked Potato: A baked potato piled with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and chives. The base potato and toppings are free of wheat by recipe, so this is a solid choice, but just double-check that no chili or gravy (which may contain wheat) has been added.

Broccoli: Steamed or simply prepared broccoli florets. This vegetable side is naturally wheat-free, and it’s one of the lower-risk choices here, but request fresh utensils and separate plating to further minimize cross-contamination.

Rice Pilaf: Seasoned rice with aromatic vegetables and stock. BJ’s allergen guide mentions that this dish contains wheat, likely due to the stock or seasoning blends, so avoid it if you must be strictly gluten-free.

Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts: Roasted or tossed Brussels sprouts finished with a honey-sriracha glaze. BJ’s allergen guide also lists this as containing wheat, so it’s not safe for folks with severe gluten intolerance, as well as celiacs.

Asparagus: Grilled or roasted asparagus spears. This is a naturally gluten-free vegetable side and is a good option when prepared plainly, though ask for separate prep to minimize cross-contact.

Garlic-Roasted Vegetables: Seasonal vegetables roasted with garlic and herbs. The veggies themselves are wheat-free by recipe and are considered gluten-sensitive friendly, though confirm they are not finished with a wheat-containing glaze.

(Gluten-Free) Baked Potato: Baked potato prepared and labeled gluten-free. This is BJ’s explicitly gluten-free variant and one of the safest, lowest-risk side choices you can order.

(Gluten-Sensitive) Asparagus: Asparagus prepared under BJ’s gluten-sensitive processes. This version of their asparagus is handled with extra care to reduce cross-contact, and it’s safe by recipe when the staff follows the protocol.

(Gluten-Sensitive) White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes: Mashed potatoes with white cheddar prepared under the gluten-sensitive guidelines. This gluten-sensitive variant removes any wheat-containing thickeners and follows extra-prep steps to reduce cross-contact.

(Gluten-Sensitive) Garlic-roasted Vegetables: Garlic-roasted veggies prepared following BJ’s gluten-sensitive procedures. The recipe is wheat-free, and staff should take additional steps to avoid cross-contact while assembling this side.

For a safe complement to your main entrees, and if you’re trying to make this process simpler for yourself, order straight from BJ’s gluten-sensitive menu to munch on some safe sides. 🍚

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Desserts

To end your trip down to BJ’s with a sweet treat, maybe check their desserts, with their skillet cookies, ice cream cups, and even root beer floats, though approach with caution! 🍦🍧🍨

❌ Graham Cracker S’mores Pizookie
❌ Chocolate Chunk Pizookie
❌ Strawberry Shortcake Pizookie
❌ Cookies ‘n’ Cream Pizookie
❌ Triple Chocolate Pizookie Made With Ghirardelli
❌ Salted Caramel Pizookie
❌ Sugar Cookie Pizookie
❌ Pizookie Trio
✅ Ice Cream Cup
✅ BJ’s Handcrafted Root Beer Float
✅ BJ’s Handcrafted Black Cherry Float
✅ BJ’s Handcrafted Orange Cream Float
✅ BJ’s Handcrafted Vanilla Cream Float
✅ (Gluten-Free) Chocolate Chip Pizookie

To compare these against the rest of BJ’s huge menu, let’s look at them with more detail:

Graham Cracker S’mores Pizookie: Warm cookie skillet topped with marshmallows and graham cracker pieces. This dessert contains wheat via the cookie base and the graham cracker pieces, so it is not safe for celiacs.

Chocolate Chunk Pizookie: Large cookie baked in a skillet with gooey chocolate chunks. Since the cookie dough uses wheat flour, this item contains gluten and should be avoided on a strict gluten-free diet.

Strawberry Shortcake Pizookie: Cookie base topped with strawberry compote and cream. The shortcake-style cookie is made from wheat flour; therefore, this Pizookie contains gluten and is unsafe for celiacs.

Cookies ‘n’ Cream Pizookie: Cookie skillet mixed with cookie pieces and cream. This dessert relies on a wheat-based cookie dough and additional cookie mix-ins, making it unsuitable for gluten-free diners.

Triple Chocolate Pizookie Made With Ghirardelli: Ultra-chocolate cookie skillet with premium chocolate. The triple-chocolate dough contains wheat flour, so this Pizookie is not safe for anyone avoiding gluten, as well.

Salted Caramel Pizookie: Cookie skillet swirled with salted caramel topping. The cookie itself contains wheat flour, and the topping may be prepared near bakery items, so it is not celiac-safe, as well for folks with severe gluten intolerance.

Sugar Cookie Pizookie: Classic sugar-cookie skillet served warm. This dessert uses a wheat-based sugar cookie, once again, which means it contains gluten and should be avoided by celiacs, too.

Pizookie Trio: Three mini Pizookies or a sampler of cookie skillets. Since it includes multiple wheat-based cookie varieties, this sampler is unsafe for strict gluten-free diets, and there are no gluten-free substitutes available for these.

Ice Cream Cup: Single-serve cup of ice cream. The ice cream itself is typically free of wheat ingredients, making this one of the safer dessert options, but confirm there are no cookie or brownie mix-ins before ordering.

BJ’s Handcrafted Root Beer Float: Root beer poured over ice cream. The float ingredients do not contain wheat by recipe, so this is a safe dessert-style beverage if no cookie crumbles are added, that is.

BJ’s Handcrafted Black Cherry Float: Black cherry soda or syrup with ice cream. This float is gluten-free by ingredient, though avoid any cookie or brownie toppings that could introduce gluten into the mix.

BJ’s Handcrafted Orange Cream Float: Orange soda with ice cream. The core ingredients do not contain wheat, like the other floats here, making this another low-risk dessert option so long as no bakery mix-ins are included.

BJ’s Handcrafted Vanilla Cream Float: Vanilla soda or cream soda with ice cream. This is also gluten-free by recipe, but double-check that the ice cream or any topping hasn’t been cross-contaminated with cookie crumbs.

(Gluten-Free) Chocolate Chip Pizookie: BJ’s gluten-free Pizookie is made with a certified gluten-free cookie dough. This is the safest Pizookie option by recipe; however, cross-contact still can occur in the kitchen. Ask staff whether they follow a gluten-free prep protocol and request no shared utensils or cookie crumbles on top.

For strict celiacs and anyone with a severe gluten intolerance, there’s only a single gluten-free dessert here, though a few more of these desserts pass as being relatively safe enough. 🍪🍺

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Beverages

Like most restaurants, BJ’s drinks menu is a safe space for celiacs, and all of their drinks here are gluten-free, be it root beer, soda, lemonade, tea, juices, coffee, and lots more. 🧃🥤🍻

✅ BJ’s Handcrafted Root Beer
✅ BJ’s Handcrafted Vanilla Cream Soda
✅ BJ’s Handcrafted Orange Cream Soda
✅ BJ’s Handcrafted Black Cherry Soda
✅ BJ’s Handcrafted Ginger Beer
✅ BJ’s Root Beer
✅ BJ’s Ginger Beer
✅ Pepsi
✅ Diet Pepsi
✅ Dr Pepper
✅ Diet Dr Pepper
✅ Starry
✅ Mountain Dew
✅ Shirley Temple
✅ Club Soda
✅ Bottled Water
✅ Strawberry Lemonade
✅ Lemonade
✅ San Pellegrino
✅ Unsweetened Black Iced Tea
✅ Sweet Tea
✅ Arnold Palmer
✅ Hot Chocolate
✅ Chocolate Milk
✅ Milk
✅ Pineapple Juice
✅ Orange Juice
✅ Cranberry Juice
✅ Apple Juice
✅ Grapefruit Juice

Don’t forget, you still have to deal with the risk of cross-contamination, so let’s check it out:

BJ’s Handcrafted Root Beer: House-made root beer served on tap or fountain style. The syrup contains no wheat ingredients, so it is gluten-free by recipe. As always, ask the server to wipe the nozzle if it’s a shared fountain.

BJ’s Handcrafted Vanilla Cream Soda: A crafted vanilla soda with a creamy mouthfeel. There are no wheat-based ingredients used in the recipe, making it safe by ingredient, but avoid any cookie or pastry garnishes.

BJ’s Handcrafted Orange Cream Soda: Orange cream soda made with vanilla and orange syrup. It is gluten-free by recipe, but just to be safe, request that no bakery mix-ins be added to avoid cross-contamination risks.

BJ’s Handcrafted Black Cherry Soda: Black cherry flavored soda prepared like all of the other handcrafted sodas here. The syrup does not contain wheat, making it wheat-free by ingredient and recipe. But, double-check the toppings before ordering.

BJ’s Handcrafted Ginger Beer: A spicy, nonalcoholic ginger beer. There are no wheat or gluten ingredients in the standard preparation, and it’s pretty safe by recipe.

BJ’s Root Beer: Bottled or fountain root beer using standard syrup bases. The core ingredients are wheat-free, so this is a low-risk choice for celiacs and folks with gluten intolerance.

BJ’s Ginger Beer: Another ginger beer option, usually bottled. Bottled formats reduce cross-contact risk, as they’re sealed and pre-packed from the factory, and they’re gluten-free, too.

Pepsi / Diet Pepsi / Dr Pepper / Diet Dr Pepper / Starry / Mountain Dew: Standard fountain sodas, and the added syrups do not contain wheat ingredients, so they are gluten-free by recipe. If these drinks are dispensed from a fountain, ask the staff to wipe the nozzle first.

Shirley Temple: Nonalcoholic cherry-lime mocktail made with grenadine and lemon-lime soda. No wheat ingredients are used, so it is gluten-free by recipe, too.

Club Soda: Plain carbonated water. It’s naturally gluten-free, and this makes it one of the safest beverage choices on BJ’s menu today.

Bottled Water: Factory-sealed water is effectively zero-risk for gluten cross-contact, making it probably the safest option of all.

Strawberry Lemonade / Lemonade / San Pellegrino: Lemonade and fruit-flavored variants generally use fruit syrups or purees with no wheat. San Pellegrino sparkling juices are bottled and gluten-free by ingredient. For on-tap lemonade, ask for a clean pour.

Unsweetened Black Iced Tea / Sweet Tea / Arnold Palmer: Brewed teas and tea-lemonade mixes do not contain wheat ingredients. They are safe by recipe, but request a clean dispenser or fresh pour if you are worried about nozzle contamination.

Hot Chocolate: Steamed milk with cocoa mix. The typical mix has no wheat ingredients, but avoid cookie or brownie add-ins and ask that the cup be prepared away from pastry stations.

Chocolate Milk / Milk: Dairy milks and flavored milks are gluten-free by ingredient when not mixed with cookie crumbs or pastry bits. Also, confirm that there are no added bakery mix-ins.

Pineapple Juice / Orange Juice / Cranberry Juice / Apple Juice / Grapefruit Juice: Factory-sealed or freshly poured juices are gluten-free by ingredient, and they carry extremely low cross-contact risk.

As per usual, while these beverages are naturally wheat-free, that doesn’t mean they are not immune to cross-contact risks, so be wary of the drinks dispensers, nozzles, and spigots. ☕️

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To Sum Up

At first glance, it might seem like BJ’s is just another glutenous trapdoor that we celiacs have always fallen for, lured in by the sweet, savory scent of their pizzas and specialty entrees. 🍕

And yes, a huge chunk of their *regular* menu is practically off-limits to celiacs, unless you’d be willing to take an ambulance trip down to the ER, with a belly full of gluten. 👉🚫🌾

Whether it’s wheat-based breading, batter, or coating on their appetizers, or wheat buns and breads for their handhelds, or wheat-filled pizza crusts and sauce thickeners, it’s not worth it.

But then, the server hands you BJ’s dedicated gluten-sensitive menu, and it’s a surprise to see BJ’s going above and beyond the call of duty, even compared to many other restaurants. 🥗

Gluten-sensitive salads, pizza crusts, protein bowls, burgers, and gluten-sensitive sides, all of which have now opened up the selection of celiac-safe foods and drinks that you could order. 🍔🍟

While cross-contamination always remains a worry when you’re dining out, the presence of a gluten-sensitive menu alone is more than enough for me to give BJ’s a double thumbs up!

In the meantime, if you want recommendations on other restaurants with plenty of gluten-free items, make sure to stay tuned to us here at Great Without Gluten for even more celiac-friendly and gluten-free eating out guides! ✍📝

And, while you’re here, you might also want to check out my other eating out guides and some tasty gluten‑free recipes!

If you’re craving other fast-food or casual dining chains and gourmet meals, do check out my other celiac-friendly, gluten-free dining out guides to PF Chang’s, First Watch, Potbelly, Red Lobster, Yard House, LongHorn, Pei Wei, Wendy’s, Cheddar’s, Bob Evans, Maggiano’s, Carrabba’s, and more! 🍔🍟🍗

Stay safe and gluten‑aware, my celiac friends! 💖🥗

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Frequently Asked Questions

While working on this BJ’s gluten-free guide, I came across a few pretty interesting questions floating around forums and social media, so I thought I’d try and answer them here:

Does BJ’s have a gluten-free menu or gluten-free options?

Yes, but also no. Technically, BJ’s has a gluten-sensitive menu, not fully gluten-free, and this is naturally going to come paired with a huge variety of gluten-sensitive options, too (and some gluten-free ones, as well).

Some of BJ’s gluten-sensitive menu items include their protein bowl offerings, pizza crusts, salads, sides, burgers, and more, all of which have been made specially to cater to celiacs, but remember, since it’s not 100% gluten-free, be wary of cross-contact.

Which BJ’s pizzas are gluten-free?

For pizza lovers and fans of Italian food, BJ’s provides a gluten-free thin crust option, and a lot of their cheeses, pizza toppings, sauces, and BJ’s signature pizzas are also available with that gluten-free crust.

However, remember that not all of BJ’s regular pizzas can be paired with a gluten-free thin crust, and equally, some of the toppings and sauces contain wheat. With that in mind, make sure you order your gluten-sensitive BJ’s pizzas and combos very carefully.

Are BJ’s fried and beer-battered items gluten-free?

No. Beer-battered, breaded, and deep-fried menu items, such as fish and chips, breaded fried chicken, and all of BJ’s appetizers menu contain wheat, and as a result, they’re unsafe for any celiac, not to mention folks who are highly gluten intolerant.

Plus, there’s also the risk of cross-contamination that comes from frying something within shared fryer oil, which might’ve come into contact with wheat-filled components, further compounding the danger to us celiacs.

What about salads, sides, and desserts? Are any of them safe at BJ’s?

Most of BJ’s regular sides, salads, and desserts are hazardous to celiacs due to how much wheat they contain.

However, on the bright side, some of BJ’s salads, sides, and desserts could be had as gluten-sensitive items, with special modifications made to remove all the wheat-based and glutenous components, including extra precautions taken during the prep process. Still, make sure you watch out for croutons, fried toppings, gravy, and any wheat-containing dressings.

How can I reduce the cross-contamination risk when eating at BJ’s?

There’s no better way to go about this than being upfront with your server and informing the staff that you have celiac disease, a severe gluten intolerance, or other dietary restrictions. It would also help to remind them to show you BJ’s dedicated gluten-sensitive menu and order from among all these gluten-sensitive items instead, just to be safe.

While you’re here, you could also ask for extra precautions to be taken while preparing your order to further reduce cross-contamination risks, such as using clean gloves, fresh utensils, and a wiped-down prep area.

Photo Credit

Senapa, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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