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Firehouse Subs Gluten-Free – A Safe Bet For Celiacs?

Are you looking for Firehouse Subs gluten-free options that are safe for celiacs? Well, let’s take a closer look at which subs, salads, and sides are safe!

As someone who’s navigated through celiac disease for more than three decades, I know just how much fear and anxiety come to mind when you’re eating out, especially with fast food chains.

Ah, but what about Firehouse Subs, with its hearty portions and firefighter-themed décor, which on paper seems inviting, but does it even cater to gluten-free folks like us?

Today, I’ll be guiding you as we explore Firehouse Subs’ menu, allergen policies, hidden risks when you’re ordering, and we’ll be taking a closer look at how much of their menu is gluten-free.

Typically, in the old days, Firehouse Subs would be like tip‑toeing through a minefield for any celiac, as they lacked many gluten-free and celiac-friendly options, but not anymore! 😁

Today, Firehouse Subs has stepped up massively to cater to celiacs by offering their awesome Schär gluten‑free ciabatta rolls and a host of naturally gluten‑free menu items, although you’ll have to pay a little extra for that perfect sub.

So, let’s take a closer look at which parts of their menu are safe.💲🥪

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Disclaimer

Firehouse Subs provides pretty detailed allergen information online, which they update every quarter. The Firehouse Subs gluten-free disclaimer clearly states here:

While we identify ingredients containing major allergens, shared preparation areas and equipment pose cross-contact risks. Gluten-free guests should consult managers and review allergen guides before ordering.

In other words, if you’re planning on eating at Firehouse Subs and you’re a celiac peeking through their gluten-free menu items, make 100% sure that you double-check their allergen policy (more on that later!).

As I mentioned earlier, there aren’t a whole lot of menu options that satisfy celiacs by default, without paying extra for those Schär gluten‑free ciabatta rolls, but there are a couple of other delectable items that you could safely order. 🥗

Also, as always, I’d always suggest speaking to the staff and making it clear that you’re a celiac, and hopefully, they’ll make some adjustments to prevent cross-contamination risks.

Remember that despite strict kitchen controls (i.e., using separate utensils, distinct storage areas, and the proper cleaning protocols), cross-contamination risks will persist in any deli environment.

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate their transparency, but I do wish they offered dedicated prep zones like some competitors. And, always confirm ingredients with the staff, as recipes change. 🔄

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Firehouse Subs Allergen Policy (Gluten-Free)

Here’s a quick lowdown on what you need to look out for with these celiac-safe Firehouse Subs gluten-free menu options:

• No gluten-free bread: All sub rolls from Firehouse Subs contain wheat, with no gluten-free alternatives on the menu.
• Meats/cheeses: Most are gluten-free, but they’ve been sliced on shared equipment, with a risk of cross-contamination.
• Condiments: Many sauces and dressings are safe, but make sure to check the labels. For example, Firehouse Subs makes it clear its Garlic Mayonnaise contains some gluten!
• Cross-contact: Subs are prepared on common and shared prep surfaces, but their salad options avoid this risk.

For reference, I’d consider taking a peek at Firehouse Subs’ up-to-date menu on their official website here.

Alternatively, you could also check out Firehouse Subs’ nutritional information portal here, where you could find a ton of useful tools, like a handy-dandy nutrition calculator, and even a pretty cool interactive nutrition menu.

However, for celiacs like us, what you’re really looking for is their Special Diets Wizard, where you could pick and choose which allergens you’d like to avoid.

This clever wizard would then show you all the menu items that do and don’t contain said allergens, which I’ve found to be pretty awesome if you need to quickly see what you can and can’t order at Firehouse Subs. ❌

To save you a bit of time, I’ve already configured Firehouse Subs’ Special Diets Wizard to mark ‘gluten’ as something I’m keen to avoid, so take note of all the 🛑 and 🟢 icons, which you can check out here.

Plus, you could even print it out if you need to save an offline copy on your phone!

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Hot Specialty Subs

These are some of the hottest sandwiches that Firehouse Subs is known for, but are they safe for celiacs and gluten-free? By default, no, as the regular sandwich bread contains wheat and gluten. However, you can finally now swap any medium sub onto a brand-new Schär‑made gluten‑free ciabatta roll for an additional fee! 🍞🥪

Be warned, however, that the availability of Firehouse Subs’ hugely popular Schär gluten‑free ciabatta roll is widespread, but not universal. Some locations might not stock it, so you might want to check your local Firehouse Subs branch and call ahead beforehand to make sure they have it stocked. For now, they’re only available at Firehouse Subs’ US and Canada locations.

Also, if you’re curious, those crispy and crunchy gluten-free rolls clock about 190 calories, are dairy-free, and hold up well beneath steaming meats. Once you include that Schär roll, most of Firehouse Subs’ signature Hot Specialty Subs are celiac-safe and gluten-free, except those with breadcrumb‑based fillings, such as meatballs and their famous pizza meatball.

⚠️ Firehouse Captain’s Club
❌ Pepperoni Pizza Meatball Sub
⚠️ Hook & Ladder
❌ Firehouse Meatball
❌ Sweet & Spicy Meatball
⚠️ New York Steamer
⚠️ Italian
⚠️ Firehouse Steak & Cheese
⚠️ Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar
⚠️ Engineer
⚠️ Club on a Sub
⚠️ Turkey Bacon Ranch
⚠️ Firehouse Hero
⚠️ Spicy Cajun Chicken
⚠️ Jamaican Jerk Turkey

Now, let’s break this down a bit more:

Firehouse Captain’s Club: Turkey, ham, bacon, and Monterey Jack cheese are all gluten‑free, but make sure to opt for that gluten-free Schär roll.

Pepperoni Pizza Meatball Sub: It contains pizza sauce and meatballs with wheat flour, making it off‑limits for celiacs, even if you order it with the gluten-free roll.

Hook & Ladder: Turkey and ham with Monterey Jack cheese are steamed together, and all the core ingredients are gluten‑free, so swapping in that Schär roll keeps it celiac-safe!

Firehouse Meatball: The meatballs are coated in a breadcrumb batter containing wheat flour, making these otherwise delectable subs unsafe, even with the Schär roll.

Sweet & Spicy Meatball: Just like the Firehouse Meatball, the meatballs here are coated in a breadcrumb batter containing wheat flour, making them unsafe, even with the Schär roll.

New York Steamer: Corned beef and pastrami that are then steamed with provolone, which contains no gluten ingredients, and it’s safe on that gluten-free Schär roll.

Italian: Genoa salami, pepperoni, ham, and provolone are naturally gluten‑free, but remember to swap out the regular wheat bread for a gluten-free roll.

Firehouse Steak & Cheese: ‘USDA Choice’ steak and American cheese are steamed without any wheat‑based fillers, so all you need to do now is swap out that wheat bread for the gluten-free roll, and you get a safe sub!

Smokehouse Beef & Cheddar Brisket: Smoked brisket and cheddar have no gluten‑containing additives, and it’s perfectly safe for the celiac-friendly and gluten-free Schär roll.

Engineer: Smoked turkey, Swiss, sautéed peppers & onions; all these elements are gluten‑free when ordered on the gluten-free roll.

Club on a Sub: Turkey, Virginia honey ham, and Swiss cheese contain no gluten, and swapping out the regular wheat bread for the gluten-free roll makes it celiac‑friendly.

Turkey Bacon Ranch: Turkey breast, bacon, and ranch dressing are gluten‑free, but make sure you don’t forget to opt for the gluten-free Schär ciabatta roll.

Firehouse Hero: Ham, roast beef, turkey, and provolone are all gluten‑free, but only when you order them with that Schär gluten-free roll for a safe meal.

Spicy Cajun Chicken: Grilled chicken tossed in Cajun seasonings contains no wheat, and it’s safe for celiacs with that gluten-free roll.

Jamaican Jerk Turkey Sub: Deli turkey seasoned with jerk spices contains no wheat, so long as you remember to order it with that Schär roll for a fully gluten‑free experience.

While I’m at it, bear in mind that even though these meats and toppings are gluten‑free, they steam items on shared equipment. So, kindly ask the staff for fresh gloves, wipe down surfaces, and order off‑peak if possible. ✍

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Build Your Own Sub

Now, if those Hot Specialty Subs just aren’t custom-made enough for you, then worry not, as Firehouse Subs offers their ‘Build Your Own Sub’ menu, offering you loads of customization! Here, you could pick and choose between different meats, cheeses, toppings, and more. But, and there is a big but, like the other subs here, the regular bread contains gluten. 💢

On the bright side, like Firehouse Subs’ other subs, you could swap out the bread for our dear old friend, those Schär gluten‑free ciabatta rolls. This should make them celiac-friendly. Still, like their other subs here, I’d advise a bit of caution if you’re too sensitive, as Firehouse Subs will prep your subs in shared spaces, with some risk of cross-contamination:

⚠️ Smoked Turkey & Provolone
⚠️ Honey Ham
⚠️ Corned Beef
⚠️ Pastrami
⚠️ Roast Beef
⚠️ Grilled Chicken Breast
⚠️ Veggie

Let’s break each sub down in more detail:

Smoked Turkey & Provolone: Deli‑style smoked turkey breast and provolone cheese contain no gluten ingredients, but remember to swap to the gluten-free ciabatta roll for a safe sub!

Honey Ham: Virginia honey‑cured ham and provolone are both naturally gluten‑free, but you’ll have to order the gluten-free roll to keep it celiac‑friendly.

Corned Beef: Tender corned beef brisket and provolone contain no wheat or any barley–based ingredients, so it’s safe, so long as it’s paired with that Schär roll.

Pastrami: Pepper‑corned pastrami and provolone are free of gluten, and you could enjoy this safely on that gluten-free ciabatta roll for a worry-free and celiac-friendly meal.

Roast Beef: ‘USDA Choice’ roast beef and provolone are inherently gluten‑free, but ensure that you choose the gluten-free roll at checkout!

Grilled Chicken Breast: Plain grilled chicken breast and provolone have no gluten‑containing additives, though don’t forget to request a gluten-free roll.

Veggie: Sautéed peppers, mushrooms, and a three‑cheese blend contain no gluten, and it’s safe when paired with that gluten-free ciabatta roll to keep everything wheat‑free.

Before you forget, let me remind you of that cross-contamination risk I mentioned earlier. It’s pretty nice to know that the ingredients used here for these DIY subs, when you swap out the regular bread for the gluten-free rolls, are celiac-friendly. Nevertheless, they are prepped in shared spaces, so you still have to worry about the risk of cross-contamination. 😨

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Cold Subs

While Firehouse Subs are known for their steaming hot buns, toppings, and dressings, if you’re in the mood for something nice and chilly, they have a (note: singular!) cold sub. It’s a shame they’ve pretty much cut down what used to be two different cold subs, but hey, one is better than nothing, I guess:

⚠️ Tuna Salad

Tuna Salad: House-made tuna salad uses mayo (regular mayo, unlike Firehouse Subs’ garlic mayo, which isn’t gluten-free!) and seasonings without any wheat, and it’s celiac-safe when assembled on the gluten-free roll.

So, just like those hot subs, Firehouse Subs’ cold subs come by default with not-celiac-friendly bread. However, as an optional extra, you could once again—if it’s in stock near you—swap it out for those new Schär gluten‑free ciabatta rolls. 🧊

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Firehouse Snackers

Remember how earlier, I mentioned that you could swap any ‘medium’ sub onto those Schär-made gluten‑free ciabatta rolls for an extra fee? Well, keep an eye out for Firehouse Subs and their smaller buns, because you, unfortunately, can’t get gluten-free bread for these compact subs. So, if you’re wondering about ordering their Firehouse Snackers, think again:

❌ BLT
❌ Sweet & Spicy Ham
❌ Cordon Bleu
❌ Turkey Jalapeño

Now, let’s see why these don’t fit into Firehouse Subs’ gluten-free menu:

BLT: Served on a small wheat-based sub roll, this classic bacon‑lettuce‑tomato snack is totally off-limits for celiacs, as gluten-free rolls are only offered for medium subs.

Sweet & Spicy Ham: Honey ham with pickles and peppercorn mayo all ride on that mini-sized wheat roll, so it can’t be ordered with gluten‑free rolls.

Cordon Bleu: Ham & chicken with Swiss and mustard come on a small wheat roll, so again, no gluten-free bread substitutes are available at that size.

Turkey Jalapeño: Spicy turkey and jalapeños on a small wheat snack roll remain unsafe, as the gluten-free roll option doesn’t extend to these Firehouse Snackers.

Alas, if you’re looking for subs with at least the option to turn them into celiac-friendly, gluten-free meals, Firehouse Subs doesn’t extend that same courtesy to these Firehouse Snackers, with their smaller rolls. If you’re a celiac, like me, then Firehouse Subs’ medium-sized subs are your only safe, gluten-free option. 🥪

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Hot Sauce Bottles

Every Firehouse Subs bottled hot sauce is made from peppers, vinegar, and a variety of spices, with no wheat-based thickeners. So, great news if you’re looking to add a bit of spice to your crispy subs, as these are all gluten-free:

✅ Captain Sorensen’s Datil Pepper Hot Sauce
✅ Gator Hammock Gator Sauce
✅ CHA! by Texas Pete Sriracha
✅ Hot N Saucy Carrot N Chipotle
✅ Deep Canyon Co. Sizzlin’ Scorpion
✅ Backdraft Fire Sauce
✅ Fat Cat Peach Maple Bourbon
✅ Florida Man’s Lunacy
✅ Bee Sting Honey n’ Habanero

Let’s break them down one by one, just to make sure:

Captain Sorensen’s Datil Pepper Hot Sauce: A sweet‑heat blend of datil peppers, vinegar, and spices, with no wheat thickeners.

Gator Hammock Gator Sauce: Cayenne‑pepper & a bit of garlic sauce in vinegar, and they list zero carbs, fats, or proteins.

CHA! by Texas Pete Sriracha: Bold chili‑vinegar‑garlic sauce, and “Texas Pete” style srirachas use only peppers, vinegar, salt, and xanthan gum.

Hot N Saucy Carrot N Chipotle: Carrot‑chipotle vinegar sauce, which is made from veggies, peppers, vinegar, and spices, with no wheat ingredients.

Deep Canyon Co. Sizzlin’ Scorpion: Scorpion & habanero pepper blend in vinegar, and most hot‑pepper sauces contain only chiles and vinegar, making them gluten-free.

Backdraft Fire Sauce: Mustard‑based hot sauce with vinegar & spices, and since mustard sauces don’t use wheat flour, they’re celiac-friendly!

Fat Cat Peach Maple Bourbon: Fruit‑vinegar‑bourbon sauce with sweeteners, with no wheat and barley being added, so it’s gluten-free.

Florida Man’s Lunacy: Pineapple‑lime vinegar sauce with Carolina Reaper, and like earlier, all fruit-vinegar-pepper combos are celiac-safe.

Bee Sting Honey n’ Habanero: Honey‑habanero syrup‑style sauce, which contains only honey, peppers, and spices.

All these hot sauces fit into Firehouse Subs’ gluten-free menu, and they’re celiac-safe, as they contain no flour, wheat, or barley ingredients.

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Salads

All chopped salads over at Firehouse Subs are wheat‑free and thus gluten-free by default. Just make sure you remember to skip the croutons (they’re never included as standard):

✅ Hook & Ladder Salad
✅ Italian with Grilled Chicken Salad
✅ Firehouse Salad with Ham / Turkey / Grilled Chicken
✅ Firehouse Salad

Now, let’s break it down in more detail:

Hook & Ladder Salad: Turkey, ham, cheese, and some garden veggies tossed in oil & vinegar, without any croutons or wheat ingredients.

Italian with Grilled Chicken Salad: Salami, provolone, and chicken breast, and none of these contain any gluten, but be sure to just skip the croutons.

Firehouse Salad with Ham / Turkey / Grilled Chicken: Add gluten-free grilled chicken breast, ham, or turkey to the chopped mix, with some cheese.

Firehouse Salad: Veggies and cheese only, without any meat, using gluten-free dressings, and it’s naturally celiac‑friendly!

Overall, this is an easy win if you’re a celiac and you’re looking for gluten-free options over at Firehouse Subs, as their salads are all gluten-free! 🥗

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Sides And Desserts

When it comes to finishing off or complementing your crispy and crunchy subs with some sides or desserts, you’re going to have to be very careful, as only a couple of sides—French Fries and the Side Salad—are inherently gluten‑free. 🍟

Most of the soups that you can get from Firehouse Subs—including Chili, Loaded Potato, and Chicken & Dumpling—as well as their garlic bread and all other dessert items, contain wheat or gluten‑based ingredients. So, for celiacs like you and me, they’re to be avoided:

✅ French Fries
✅ Side Salad
❌ Garlic Bread
❌ Firehouse Chili
❌ Loaded Potato Soup
❌ Chicken & Dumpling Soup
❌ Five Cheese Mac & Cheese
❌ Cookies
❌ Brownie

Let me explain more on why most of these aren’t celiac-safe:

French Fries: Made from potatoes, oil, and some salt, with no wheat ingredients. However, it’s a good idea for you to watch out for shared fryers if you’re super‑sensitive.

Side Salad: Romaine & fresh veggies with gluten-free mozzarella (with no croutons by default), and as you’d expect, pure produce is naturally safe for celiacs.

Garlic Bread: A toasted (not gluten-free) sub roll brushed with garlic butter, which contains some wheat flour, so this is off‑limits for celiacs like us.

Firehouse Chili: Their signature beef & bean chili uses tomato‑bean roux with wheat‑based thickeners, and thus, it contains gluten, per the brand’s official allergen chart.

Loaded Potato Soup: Creamy soup thickened with flour and loaded with toppings, with wheat-based thickeners, thus making it unsafe for celiacs.

Chicken & Dumpling Soup: Dumplings are made from wheat flour, so this entire dish is pretty much off‑limits for celiacs.

Five Cheese Mac & Cheese: It uses wheat pasta as its base, which contains gluten.

Cookies / Brownie: All bakery items use wheat flour, so it’s wise to avoid all desserts. 🍪

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Drinks

While Firehouse Subs’ drinks contain no gluten ingredients, there’s always that omnipresent risk of cross-contamination. I know this might sound like extreme paranoia, but for folks with super-sensitive celiacs, it’s a worry worth worrying about. 🥛

So, stuff like shared ice machines, beverage dispensers, or refill stations could introduce tiny gluten particles. It might help to request the staff for no ice or fresh ice when you’re ordering, particularly for those of you who are highly sensitive:

✅ Freshly Brewed Iced Tea
✅ Sweet Tea
✅ Bottled Sodas
✅ Bottled Water

Let’s break down each one:

Freshly Brewed Iced Tea: Brewed black tea poured over ice, and made from tea leaves and water only, with no gluten involved.

Sweet Tea: The same brewed tea mixed with sugar syrup, which equally contains no wheat or gluten sources, so it’s celiac-safe.

Bottled Sodas: This includes Coca‑Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta, and Powerade. These sodas are gluten‑free as they’re composed of carbonated water, sweeteners, and flavours without gluten ingredients.

Bottled Water: Bottled water is naturally gluten‑free and may carry a “gluten-free” label under FDA rules, but if you’re highly sensitive, it’s not a bad idea to double-check.

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To Sum Up

In a nutshell, I’m beyond impressed at the real strides in offering gluten‑free options made by Firehouse Subs, from those Schär-made gluten-free ciabatta rolls for medium subs to naturally GF chopped salads, select soups, and even their hot sauces!

Nevertheless, like most fast-food chains and restaurants, the risk of cross‑contact in a busy deli kitchen remains significant!

So, for super-sensitive celiacs, some caution is a good idea. ⚠️

I’d also highly recommend checking Firehouse Subs’ allergen portal that I linked earlier, before you order, as they do update it regularly with allergen labels and warnings for each menu item.

If you want some tips on how we fellow celiacs can keep our meals as safe as possible, here are some of my life hacks:

• Try ordering in person or calling ahead during non-busy hours! This ought to give you a chance to politely explain to your local Firehouse Subs about your specific needs, tell them that you’re a celiac, and maybe even confirm if they have those gluten-free rolls in stock.
• Ask for fresh gloves and a wiped‑down prep area. Personally, I always let the staff know that I have celiac disease, so they can change gloves and clean surfaces before making my sub. This should help reduce any risk of cross-contamination.
• Stick to simpler ingredient combinations. As a general rule of thumb, while you’re eating out as someone with celiac, fewer components mean less handling and lower cross‑contact risk.

While I do love a good gluten-free and celiac-friendly sub when I’m in a bind, I’ll often opt for dedicated gluten‑free spots when I can.

After all, your health and wellbeing aren’t something to take chances with, though in a pinch, Firehouse Subs can work if you manoeuvre carefully. 🥬💪

In the meantime, stay tuned to Great Without Gluten for even more eating out guides and some tasty gluten‑free recipes!

And, if you’re craving other fast‑food chains, check out my celiac-friendly guides to Jimmy John’s, Subway, Pizza Hut, KFC, McDonald’s, Outback Steakhouse, Burger King, The Cheesecake Factory, Panda Express, Applebee’s, Chick-fil-A, Krispy Kreme, IHOP, Taco Bell, Buffalo Wild Wings, Olive Garden, Panera Bread, Denny’s, Sonic, Popeyes, Dunkin Donuts, Texas Roadhouse, Five Guys, Chipotle, Starbucks and more! 🍔🍟

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

For a bit more insight into researching Firehouse Subs gluten-free menu options, here are some of the most popular and pressing questions I’ve found while researching their menu:

Does Firehouse Subs offer gluten‑free rolls?

Yes—most of their U.S. and Canada locations stock a Schär‑made gluten‑free ciabatta roll for any medium sub at an extra charge. Availability does vary, so it’s best to confirm with a quick phone call before you go.

Are Firehouse Subs’ meats and cheeses certified gluten‑free?

The deli meats and cheeses contain no gluten ingredients, but they’re prepared in facilities that handle wheat, and they’re steamed on shared equipment. So, make sure that you always check the online allergen portal for the latest gluten-free labels and cross‑contact warnings.

Should celiacs eat at Firehouse Subs?

It depends on how sensitive you are. If you’re comfortable with a small cross‑contact risk and take enough precautions, there are enough safe options at Firehouse Subs to make it workable. For highly reactive celiacs, however, dedicated gluten-free venues are probably a better choice.

Which ingredients should I avoid at Firehouse Subs?

Always steer clear of wheat‑based rolls (other than those Schär medium gluten-free ciabatta rolls), meatball subs, wraps, garlic bread, and baked desserts. These contain wheat flour and are absolutely off‑limits for someone with celiac.

How can I minimize cross‑contamination when ordering?

Order off‑peak and call ahead, and you could also ask staff to change gloves and clean prep areas, and opt for simpler builds with fewer toppings. Let your server know you have celiac disease so they can take extra care when prepping and serving your subs.

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