The Complete Smokey Bones Gluten-Free Menu Guide For 2025
With a menu filled with BBQ-focused casual dining items that range from steaks to burgers and spicy wings, our Smokey Bones gluten-free guide is here to help!
Steakhouses and restaurants that have built their houses on BBQ-centric dishes or the grill can be quite hard to figure out as someone with celiac disease, and anyone with a gluten sensitivity and/or intolerance, too. 🥩🍖🔥🌶️
Smokey Bones is partly guilty of that, with tons of wheat-thickened sauces, breading, pastry items, batter, and fried items that share a common fryer, so it’s hard to escape getting hit in the face with a whirlwind of gluten in the air. 👉🚫🌾
Moreover, given the fact that you can’t even find a proper up-to-date allergen guide on the Smokey Bones website, it’s telling that it’s going to be an uphill battle trying to decipher which items are safe and which ones aren’t. ✍📑❌
A simple allergen guide ought to be a basic requirement for restaurants these days, so it’s a shame that Smokey Bones has somewhat forgotten that, but worry not, as we’ve done all the research for you to make choosing way easier. 🙌
In our Smokey Bones gluten-free guide below, we’ve found that there are quite a handful of salads, chicken wings, steaks, and simply grilled proteins, in addition to a couple of platters and combos that should be low-risk, and plenty more! 👀
Table of Contents
Disclaimer
That said, however, hold your horses for a second and approach Smokey Bones’ menu with an abundance of caution, as Smokey Bones cooks, prepares, and stores its ingredients and menu items in a shared kitchen environment. ⚠️🚫🌾
Owing to its heavy reliance on using common spaces, as well as shared cookware, utensils, and equipment, cross-contamination can occur during normal service, so remember to keep an eye out for cross-contamination, always! 🔎📑🍔
In other words, this means that even if you order something from the Smokey Bones menu that’s gluten-free by ingredient, there’s no guarantee that it won’t pick up or be exposed to trace gluten and/or wheat from nearby dishes or items.
This also includes other glutenous components that you need to be mindful of, such as rye, oats, barley, malt, and much more, which can be a very real hazard, as Smokey Bones does not operate a certified, gluten-free kitchen space. 🍽️🔪
As such, if you have celiac disease or a non-celiac gluten sensitivity and/or intolerance, it’s not a bad idea to treat even the safest items on Smokey Bones’ menu as potentially having been cross-contaminated unless confirmed otherwise.
Probably the best thing you can do if you’re dining in or ordering from Smokey Bones is to let the staff, server, or manager know that you have celiac disease and ask them to take a few extra precautions while preparing your meal. ❗❗❗
Smokey Bones Allergen Policy (Gluten-Free)
Now here’s where it gets tricky, because unlike most of the restaurants that I’ve covered in the past, Smokey Bones isn’t as easy or intuitive to help diners filter through their menu to figure out which items are safe, and which ones aren’t.
Typically, a lot of chain restaurants would feature an allergen guide, which includes the key allergens that anyone with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity and/or intolerance would have to avoid, most notably wheat and gluten.
With Smokey Bones, it’s a bit more complicated. For starters, if you end up on the Smokey Bones website and scroll all the way down to the website footer, you’ll find a bit of text that says “NUTRITIONAL INFO” down there. 🖥️⌨️🖱️
Clicking or tapping on that text would load up a PDF file that gives you a detailed rundown and breakdown of the nutritional data found in every single item on Smokey Bone’s menu, which is handy if you’re conscious about your diet.
Nevertheless, it’s not particularly helpful if you’re trying to identify allergens, and a Google search would yield the official Smokey Bones allergen guide, but it’s at least a year out of date, which I’d personally be skeptical about. ✍📝
Namely, within that gap of a year or more, not only has Smokey Bones added new items to their menu, but there might’ve been a change in suppliers, ingredients, recipes, or kitchen cleanliness and cross-contamination protocols. 📑
All of which could have a massive impact on whether a specific menu item carries a specific allergen that you’re trying to avoid, or whether there’s a high cross-contamination risk. But worry not, because we’ve researched this for you!
Starters, Soups, Salads & Salad Dressings
To start your meal the right way, be sure to check out Smokey Bones’ lineup of warm bowls, shared starter plates, and salads, but be warned, as most of their starters do rely on batter, breading, and fried items that contain gluten. On the other hand, salads are much lower risk, but watch out for croutons and crispy toppings. 🥗🥣🍲
❌ Onion Rings
⚠️ Mini Mag Nacho
❌ Pretzel Bones
❌ Fried Pickles
⚠️ Loaded Cheese Fries
⚠️ Korean BBQ Pork Belly Pops
❌ Cornbread with Pecan Butter
❌ Cornbread without Pecan Butter
⚠️ The BBQ Mag Nacho
❌ BBQ Crowd Pleaser
⚠️ Loaded Brisket Chili
⚠️ Brunswick Stew
✅ Salad – Bones (Plain)
✅ Salad – Bones with Chicken
❌ Salad – Bones with Fried Chicken
✅ Salad – Bones with Sirloin
✅ Salad – Bones with Grilled Shrimp
✅ Salad – Bones with Salmon
❌ Caesar with Chicken
❌ Caesar with Salmon
❌ Caesar with Steak
⚠️ Nutty Chicken Salad
✅ Side Salad
❌ Side Caesar Salad
✅ Ranch Dressing
✅ Bacon Vinaigrette Dressing
✅ Honey Mustard Dressing
✅ Caesar Dressing
✅ Blue Cheese Dressing
✅ Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
✅ Stacked Baked Potato & Salad
⚠️ Homemade Brunswick Stew
✅ Garden Salad Side
⚠️ Smoked Brisket Chili
Just to make sure that we didn’t miss any hidden gluten, let’s check out how they’re made:
Onion Rings: Onion rings are battered and deep-fried using wheat-containing coating, and they’re typically cooked in shared fryers. This is an ingredient-level gluten source and unsuitable for celiac disease. Ask staff whether a dedicated fryer is available before ordering.
Mini Mag Nacho: Mini nachos use corn chips but are often finished with sauced proteins, queso, and fried crunchy toppings that may be prepared in shared oil. This creates a cross-contamination risk. Request ingredient details for the sauces and confirm how the crunchy components are fried and handled.
Pretzel Bones: Large soft pretzels are made from wheat flour and are an obvious ingredient-level gluten source. Moreover, salt topping and shared serving boards can add cross-contamination risk. Ask staff about alternative bread-free starters if you need to avoid gluten.
Fried Pickles: Pickles are usually battered or breaded and deep-fried, which makes them an ingredient-level gluten source when wheat flour is used in the coating. Request confirmation of batter ingredients and avoid ordering unless a gluten-free batter is explicitly confirmed.
Loaded Cheese Fries: Fries topped with cheese, bacon, and sauces are often prepared in kitchens that use shared fryers and seasoning mixes. This creates a meaningful cross-contamination risk even if the potato itself is gluten-free. Ask staff about fryer practices before ordering.
Korean BBQ Pork Belly Pops: Pork belly itself is gluten-free by ingredient, but Korean BBQ glazes frequently contain soy-based ingredients that may include wheat. Make sure that you confirm the glaze ingredients and request that the dish be prepared without any wheat-containing sauces if possible.
Cornbread with Pecan Butter: Cornbread commonly contains wheat flour in addition to cornmeal and is therefore an ingredient-level gluten source. Confirm the recipe before ordering and avoid this item if you need to strictly avoid gluten unless a verified gluten-free cornbread is available.
Cornbread without Pecan Butter: Removing the butter does not remove flour in the cornbread, which typically contains wheat. Confirm the cornbread ingredients and ask staff if a gluten-free alternative exists rather than assuming it is safe.
The BBQ Mag Nacho: Nachos use corn chips but are often finished with sauced proteins, gravy-like queso, or fried toppings that may include wheat. Request ingredient details for sauces and toppings, and confirm no cross-contaminated fry oil was used for crunchy components.
BBQ Crowd Pleaser: Sampler platters commonly combine breaded, fried, or sauced components, which creates multiple ingredient-level sources of gluten and extra points for cross-contamination. Ask staff to list all included components and request plain, unbreaded options if you need a lower-risk plate.
Loaded Brisket Chili: Chili is often gluten-free by ingredient, but some kitchens use flour or other thickeners. Make sure that you confirm whether the chili is thickened with wheat before ordering, and request toppings separately to reduce cross-contamination.
Brunswick Stew: Brunswick-style stew recipes can be thickened with wheat-based roux or prepared mixes, which would make them an ingredient-level gluten source. Ask the staff to confirm the recipe and avoid this item if the kitchen uses wheat thickeners.
Salad – Bones (Plain): A plain mixed-greens salad is typically gluten-free by ingredient. Confirm that no prepped toppings, dressings, or croutons were added and request dressing on the side to reduce cross-contamination during assembly.
Salad – Bones with Chicken: Grilled chicken on a salad is usually gluten-free by ingredient when the chicken is not breaded or marinated in a wheat-based sauce. Request plain grilled chicken and confirm any marinades or bastes are gluten-free.
Salad – Bones with Fried Chicken: Fried chicken uses a wheat-containing coating and is cooked in shared fryers, making this an ingredient-level gluten source with high cross-contamination risk. Do not order this salad if you must avoid gluten.
Salad – Bones with Sirloin: Sirloin steak served on greens is typically gluten-free by ingredient when simply seasoned. Ask staff to confirm that the steak is not basted with a wheat-containing sauce and request a cleared prep surface.
Salad – Bones with Grilled Shrimp: Grilled shrimp on a salad is usually gluten-free by ingredient when unbreaded. Confirm that the shrimp are not tossed in a soy-based or wheat-containing glaze and request dressing on the side to reduce risk.
Salad – Bones with Salmon: Grilled salmon is gluten-free by ingredient when plain. Make sure you confirm any finishings, glazes, or compound butters do not contain wheat and request them on the side if you want to lower cross-contamination risk.
Caesar with Chicken: Caesar salads typically include croutons, and some prepared dressings may contain wheat-based stabilizers. This default preparation is an ingredient-level gluten source, so ask for no croutons and confirm the dressing’s ingredients if you wish to order it safely.
Caesar with Salmon: The default Caesar Salad recipe includes croutons and a dressing that may contain wheat. Request that croutons be removed and confirm the dressing is gluten-free before ordering to reduce cross-contamination and ingredient-level risk.
Caesar with Steak: Caesar salad with steak follows the same pattern as the earlier version: croutons and possibly wheat-containing dressing make this a default gluten-containing dish. Ask the staff to omit croutons and verify the dressing ingredient list if you want to make it lower risk.
Nutty Chicken Salad: Nut-based salads often use grilled chicken, candied nuts, or crunchy toppings that may be coated with wheat-containing mixes. Confirm that toppings and any crunchy garnishes are gluten-free and request them to be left off to reduce cross-contamination.
Side Salad: A simple side salad of greens and vegetables is usually gluten-free by ingredient. Request dressing on the side, confirm no croutons are included, and ask staff to clear tongs and prep surfaces to minimize cross-contamination.
Side Caesar Salad: Side Caesar salad commonly includes croutons and Caesar dressing, which, in default form, introduce wheat. Ask for no croutons and confirm whether the dressing contains wheat-based additives if you need this side to be lower risk.
Ranch Dressing: Ranch dressings are commonly naturally gluten-free by ingredient. Confirm the specific formulation at your location and request the dressing in a sealed cup to avoid cross-contamination from shared ladles or dispensers.
Bacon Vinaigrette Dressing: Bacon vinaigrette usually contains oil, vinegar, and bacon flavor, and it’s often gluten-free by ingredient. Make sure you confirm that any prepared mixes or flavorings do not contain wheat and ask for the dressing on the side.
Honey Mustard Dressing: Honey mustard is typically gluten-free by ingredient, but recipes vary. Request that the staff confirm the ingredient list and serve the dressing in a sealed cup to reduce cross-contamination from shared dispensers.
Caesar Dressing: Caesar dressing ingredients often vary by supplier. Confirm that the dressing at your local Smokey Bones location contains no wheat-based stabilizers and request it on the side if you are concerned about cross-contamination in the service line.
Blue Cheese Dressing: Blue cheese dressings are generally gluten-free by ingredient. Once again, remember to ask the staff to verify the formulation and request a sealed cup to limit cross-contamination from shared utensils.
Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing: Straight balsamic vinaigrette is typically gluten-free by ingredient. Confirm there are no added flavor mixes or additives that include wheat and request the dressing on the side to reduce cross-contamination risk.
Stacked Baked Potato & Salad: A loaded baked potato paired with a side salad that can be gluten-free by ingredient when toppings are simple (butter, cheese, and bacon). Confirm that any sauces, gravies, or crispy toppings contain no wheat and request dressings in a sealed cup.
Homemade Brunswick Stew: Brunswick stew recipes are often thickened with roux or prepared mixes that contain wheat, creating an ingredient-level gluten risk. Ask staff to confirm the recipe and avoid ordering if wheat-based thickeners are used or if the kitchen cannot verify a gluten-free method.
Garden Salad Side: A plain garden side salad is typically gluten-free by ingredient when served without croutons or pre-made toppings. Request the dressing on the side and confirm that tongs and prep surfaces are cleared to reduce cross-contamination.
Smoked Brisket Chili: Chili with smoked brisket may be gluten-free by ingredient, but some kitchens use wheat-based thickeners or pre-mixed seasonings. Make sure that you confirm whether the chili contains wheat and request toppings separately to lower cross-contamination risk.
It’s safe to say that you should ideally skip most of Smokey Bones’ starters and warm bowls, as plenty of them are a bit too liberal with their use of wheat-forward breading, batter, or even wheat-thickened sauces or soups, but at least most of their salads and salad dressings are generally safe, so long as you omit those croutons! 🍟🧀
Jumbo Wings & Sauces
Another specialty of Smokey Bones is their jumbo chicken wings, which could be paired up with an endless number of sauces and dry rubs. For strict gluten avoidance, there’s some good news here, too, as the plain smoked and grilled wings are relatively low risk, and most of the sauces and dry rubs are also comparatively safe. 🍗🔥🌶️
⚠️ Traditional Jumbo Wings
❌ Boneless Wings
✅ Smoked Jumbo Wings
✅ Buffalo Mild
✅ Buffalo Medium
✅ Buffalo Hot
⚠️ KC BBQ
⚠️ Chipotle BBQ
⚠️ Mustard BBQ
⚠️ Carolina Mopping
✅ Garlic Parmesan
⚠️ Sweet Brown Sugar
⚠️ Buff-a-que
✅ Spicy Garlic Buffalo
⚠️ Buffalo Ranch
⚠️ Sweet Glaze
❌ Teriyaki
❌ Mango Habanero
❌ Korean BBQ
✅ Honey Hot
⚠️ Kurvball Glaze
✅ Dry Rub – Lemon Pepper
✅ Dry Rub – Memphis
✅ Dry Rub – Cajun
For context, let’s break these dishes down one by one to check out what they’re made of:
Traditional Jumbo Wings: Traditional wings are often unbreaded and can be lower risk by ingredient, though they’re frequently finished in sauces and sometimes fried in shared oil. Ask the staff which fryers are shared and request plain or smoked preparation if you need to limit cross-contamination.
Boneless Wings: Boneless wings are breaded or battered in most kitchens and are an ingredient-level gluten source, plus they are usually cooked in shared oil. Do not order these if you must strictly avoid gluten unless the restaurant confirms a verified gluten-free batter and dedicated fryer.
Smoked Jumbo Wings: Smoked wings are prepared without breading and are lower risk by ingredient when served plain. Make sure that you confirm no wheat-containing sauces or glazes are applied and ask for sauces on the side to reduce cross-contamination at the pass.
Buffalo Mild: Classic buffalo sauce is usually a vinegar- and pepper-based hot sauce with butter and is typically gluten-free by ingredient. Request the sauce in a sealed cup and confirm the preparation to avoid cross-contamination from shared ladles or fry stations.
Buffalo Medium: Medium buffalo follows the same ingredient profile as mild and is often gluten-free by ingredient. Ask staff to confirm the recipe and request the sauce on the side if you want to limit handling and cross-contamination.
Buffalo Hot: Hot buffalo sauce is generally made from hot sauce and butter and is usually gluten-free by ingredient. Confirm the specific sauce formulation at your location and request that it be served separately from shared sauce dispensers.
KC BBQ: Kansas City-style BBQ sauces can be gluten-free by ingredient, but formulations vary, and some contain gluten-containing additives. Ask staff to confirm whether the KC BBQ used at your location contains wheat and request a plain grilled or smoked wing as an alternative if unsure.
Chipotle BBQ: Chipotle BBQ sauces often include blended ingredients and prepared mixes that may contain gluten. Make sure that you confirm the sauce ingredients and request it on the side to reduce cross-contamination if you proceed.
Mustard BBQ: Mustard-based BBQ sauces sometimes include prepared mixes or stabilizers that can contain gluten. Ask the server to confirm the ingredient list and request a plain wing or sauce in a sealed cup if you need to lower risk.
Carolina Mopping: Carolina-style mop sauces vary and may include vinegar- or mustard-based blends. Confirm whether the mop contains any wheat-derived ingredients and request it on the side or omit it entirely to reduce cross-contamination.
Garlic Parmesan: Garlic Parmesan is typically a simple compound butter and grated cheese combination that is gluten-free by ingredient in many recipes. Request the sauce separately and confirm no added thickeners or prepared mixes were used to avoid hidden gluten.
Sweet Brown Sugar: Sweet brown sugar glazes may include prepared sauces or thickeners that can contain gluten. Make sure that you confirm the exact glaze ingredients and request the glaze on the side whenever possible.
Buff-a-que: Buff-a-que is a hybrid sauce combining buffalo and BBQ flavors and may include prepared mixes. Ask staff to confirm whether this proprietary blend contains wheat-based ingredients and request it separately if you plan to order sauced wings.
Spicy Garlic Buffalo: Spicy garlic buffalo combines hot sauce with garlic and is typically gluten-free by ingredient. Verify the assistant sauce recipe at your location and request the sauce in a sealed cup to reduce cross-contamination from shared ladles.
Buffalo Ranch: Buffalo ranch combines buffalo sauce with ranch dressing, and dressings sometimes include stabilizers or additives. Confirm both components are free from wheat and request them on the side to limit cross-contamination during service.
Sweet Glaze: Sweet glazes can be made from many bases and may include wheat-containing components or prepared mixes. Ask the server to confirm the glaze ingredients and request that it be applied after confirming it is gluten-free.
Teriyaki: Teriyaki sauce generally contains soy sauce, which often includes wheat unless a gluten-free soy or tamari is used. Treat teriyaki as an ingredient-level gluten source unless the restaurant explicitly confirms a gluten-free formulation.
Mango Habanero: Mango habanero glazes may use prepared sauces or mixes that contain wheat. As always, make sure to confirm the ingredient list and request the sauce on the side to reduce cross-contamination if you want to try it.
Korean BBQ: Korean BBQ sauces commonly include soy sauce with wheat unless a gluten-free substitute is used. This sauce should be considered an ingredient-level gluten source unless confirmed otherwise by staff.
Honey Hot: Honey hot usually combines honey and hot sauce and is often gluten-free by ingredient. Ask staff to verify there are no added wheat-containing stabilizers or mixes and request it in a sealed cup to limit cross-contamination.
Kurvball Glaze: Kurvball glaze is a proprietary finish that may include prepared mixes or thickeners. Confirm the glaze ingredients with the staff and request that it be served separately if you intend to order wings finished in this sauce.
Dry Rub – Lemon Pepper: Dry rubs such as lemon pepper are usually gluten-free by ingredient, since they are spice blends without wheat. Confirm there are no added flours or seasoning mixes that contain gluten and request the rub be applied on cleared surfaces.
Dry Rub – Memphis: Memphis-style dry rubs are typically salt, sugar, and spice blends and are lower risk by ingredient. Ask staff to confirm the rub contains no wheat-based anti-caking agents or prepared mixes that include gluten.
Dry Rub – Cajun: Cajun dry rubs are usually composed of spices and are gluten-free by ingredient. Verify that the rub is a pure spice blend and request preparation on a cleared grill to reduce cross-contamination with breaded items.
In short, remember to pick the smoked or simply grilled wings, while breaded and boneless wings are off limits if you have celiac disease, and be mindful of cross-contamination at the sauce station. Most of the dry rubs and sauces are naturally gluten-free, except for a couple of unsafe ones, including teriyaki, Korean BBQ, and more. 🍯🥭
House Smoked Ribs, Steak, Seafood & Flavor Your Meat
For entrées, Smokey Bones has you covered with an extremely colorful variety of smoked ribs, steaks, seafood, as well as extra finishing sauces and sides that you could add to your already full plate! Plus, most of these are plain grilled or smoked proteins that are typically gluten-free by ingredient, making them a safer alternative. 🥩🍖
⚠️ Signature Ribs
⚠️ Imported Baby Back Ribs
✅ NY Steakhouse Strip
✅ Sirloin Steak
✅ Ribeye, Bone-in
✅ Filet Mignon Medallions
✅ Filet Mignon Medallions Surf and Turf with Shrimp
✅ Fire Grilled Shrimp
✅ Fire Grilled Salmon
✅ Steakhouse Butter
❌ Teriyaki Glaze
✅ Garlic Butter Sauce
⚠️ Kurvball Glaze
⚠️ Red Wine Sauce
✅ Sauteed Onions
✅ Roasted Mushrooms
✅ Onions and Mushrooms
To be certain that we didn’t miss any hidden gluten here, let’s break these down bit by bit:
Signature Ribs: Ribs are protein-forward and typically gluten-free by ingredient when served plain, but they are often finished with BBQ sauces or mops that may include wheat-containing ingredients. Make sure that you confirm the sauce and request that the ribs be served without sauced finishes to reduce cross-contamination.
Imported Baby Back Ribs: Baby back ribs are usually gluten-free by ingredient when unglazed. Verify whether the house glaze or mop contains wheat, and maybe even ask for the ribs plain or for sauce on the side if you want to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.
NY Steakhouse Strip: A NY strip grilled simply is gluten-free by ingredient when not basted with wheat-containing marinades. Ask staff to confirm the seasoning and request a cleared grill surface and sauces on the side to reduce cross-contamination.
Sirloin Steak: Sirloin is typically gluten-free by ingredient when prepared plainly. Request that no wheat-based marinades or bastes be used and confirm the grill and prep surfaces are cleared before cooking to limit cross-contamination.
Ribeye, Bone-in: Ribeye served plain is gluten-free by ingredient. Make sure that you confirm any compound butters or finishing sauces do not contain wheat and request them in a sealed cup if you prefer to avoid potential cross-contamination.
Filet Mignon Medallions: Filet medallions are gluten-free by ingredient when unglazed. Ask staff to confirm there are no wheat-containing sauces or breaded accompaniments included with your plate, and request plain preparation or sauces on the side to further reduce cross-contamination.
Filet Mignon Medallions Surf and Turf with Shrimp: Surf and turf can be lower risk if the shrimp are grilled and no battered components are included. Confirm shrimp are not breaded and request cleared prep surfaces and sauces on the side to limit cross-contamination.
Fire Grilled Shrimp: Grilled shrimp are gluten-free by ingredient when not breaded or sauced in soy-based mixes. Confirm any glaze or marinade ingredients and request plain preparation to minimize cross-contamination from shared utensils or sauce stations.
Fire Grilled Salmon: Grilled salmon is gluten-free by ingredient when served without glaze. Once again, remember to ask the staff to confirm that any finishing sauces do not contain wheat-based thickeners and request the sauce in a sealed cup to reduce cross-contamination risk.
Steakhouse Butter: Compound butter is often gluten-free by ingredient when made from butter, herbs, and seasonings. Confirm no prepared mixes or thickeners were added, and request the butter in a sealed container if you need to limit handling contamination.
Teriyaki Glaze: Teriyaki is typically made with soy sauce that contains wheat and is therefore an ingredient-level gluten source unless a gluten-free soy or tamari is used. Do not assume teriyaki is safe, and always confirm the formulation with the staff before ordering.
Garlic Butter Sauce: Garlic butter is usually gluten-free by ingredient when composed of butter, garlic, and lemon. Make sure that you confirm beforehand that no added prepared mixes or thickeners are included and request them on the side to reduce cross-contamination.
Kurvball Glaze: Kurvball is a proprietary glaze and can include prepared mixes or thickeners that may contain wheat. Ask the staff to confirm the ingredient list and request that the glaze be applied only after they verify it is gluten-free.
Red Wine Sauce: Red wine sauces can vary, and some are thickened with wheat-based roux or prepared mixes. Confirm whether a flour thickener is used and request the sauce on the side or omitted if the recipe is not verified as gluten-free.
Sauteed Onions: Sauteed onions are typically gluten-free by ingredient when cooked plainly in oil or butter. Confirm no wheat-based sauces or flavor mixes were added and request they be prepared on a cleared surface to reduce cross-contamination.
Roasted Mushrooms: Roasted mushrooms are generally gluten-free by ingredient when seasoned simply. Ask staff to confirm they were not finished in a sauce containing wheat and request separate handling if the kitchen also handles breaded items.
Onions and Mushrooms: A combined onions and mushrooms side is usually gluten-free by ingredient when prepared plainly. Make sure that you confirm no wheat-containing gravies or prepared mixes were used and request the side be served without added sauces to limit cross-contamination.
As you can see, most of Smokey Bones’ steaks, smoked proteins, and grilled seafood are lower risk by ingredient when they’re being served plain, but the glazes and sauces can introduce gluten or create cross-contamination into the mixture, including Teriyaki sauce and Smokey Bones’ proprietary in-house glazes, too! 🍤🍗🔥🌶️
Award-Winning BBQ Platters & Favorites
Alternatively, if you’re still not satisfied, there’s yet more meat to come, with Smokey Bones’ vast range of large BBQ platters and fan-favourite smoked proteins, and a few of these are also lower risk gluten-wise if you order them plain, but be wary of sauces, glazes, pastas, as well as stuffed sausages that feature unwanted gluten. 🥩🍖🍗
⚠️ BBQ Chicken
⚠️ BBQ Chicken Platter
✅ Pork Platter
⚠️ Brisket Platter
✅ Carved Turkey Platter
⚠️ Texas-Style Beef Brisket Platter
⚠️ Smokey Bones Signature Baby Back Ribs
❌ Smokehouse Mac & Cheese
❌ Smokehouse Mac & Cheese with Pulled Pork, Sausage, or Both
❌ Smokehouse Mac & Cheese with Brisket
✅ Pulled Pork
✅ Pulled Chicken
⚠️ Smoked Sausage
⚠️ Grilled BBQ Chicken Breast
⚠️ Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage
⚠️ 1/4 Chicken
⚠️ Half Rack of Ribs
⚠️ The Bone Fire
To compare these against the rest of Smokey Bones’ menu, let’s take a closer look at them:
BBQ Chicken: BBQ chicken can be gluten-free by ingredient when the poultry is grilled plain, but many BBQ sauces and glazes contain wheat or prepared mixes. Remember to ask the staff to confirm the sauce’s ingredients and request the chicken plain or with sauce on the side.
BBQ Chicken Platter: Platters often combine chicken with sides that may contain wheat, such as mac and cheese or biscuits. Make sure to confirm every included component and request substitutions or sauces on the side to reduce cross-contamination when ordering a platter.
Pork Platter: A plain pork platter (for example, pulled pork) is often gluten-free by ingredient. Confirm whether the pork is finished in a sauce that contains wheat and request sauces on the side or a garden or Caesar salad side as a lower-risk accompaniment instead.
Brisket Platter: Brisket itself is typically gluten-free by ingredient when smoked without a wheat-based glaze. Make sure that you confirm any finishing sauce or rub contains no wheat and request the sauce separately to limit cross-contamination.
Carved Turkey Platter: Carved turkey is frequently gluten-free by ingredient when prepared plainly. Ask staff to confirm whether gravy, stuffing, or sauces contain wheat and request plain turkey with cleared prep surfaces to reduce cross-contamination risk.
Texas-Style Beef Brisket Platter: Texas-style brisket is usually smoked and lower risk by ingredient when unglazed. Verify that any accompanying sauces, mops, or rubs do not contain wheat and request sauces on the side if you need to limit gluten exposure.
Smokey Bones Signature Baby Back Ribs: Signature ribs are protein-forward when plain, but house glazes and mops sometimes include wheat-containing ingredients. Ask whether the ribs are finished in a wheat-containing glaze and request plain ribs or sauce on the side if necessary.
Smokehouse Mac & Cheese: Macaroni is made from wheat by ingredient, and the dish is an ingredient-level gluten source. Do not order this item if you must avoid gluten unless the restaurant explicitly confirms a verified gluten-free pasta alternative.
Smokehouse Mac & Cheese with Pulled Pork, Sausage, or Both: Any mac & cheese base contains wheat pasta, and adding proteins does not remove that ingredient-level gluten. Confirm preparation only if a verified gluten-free pasta substitute and separate handling are available.
Smokehouse Mac & Cheese with Brisket: The presence of wheat pasta makes this an ingredient-level gluten source. Even when plated with brisket, this dish is unsuitable for strict gluten avoidance unless a certified gluten-free pasta replacement is confirmed.
Pulled Pork: Pulled pork is often gluten-free by ingredient, especially when prepared without a wheat-thickened sauce. Confirm the sauce or finishing glaze beforehand and request it on the side to further lower the cross-contamination risk from shared prep areas.
Pulled Chicken: Pulled chicken can be gluten-free by ingredient if not sauced or breaded. Make sure to ask the staff to confirm whether any premade sauces or seasonings include wheat and request plain preparation or sauce in a sealed cup.
Smoked Sausage: Sausages sometimes contain binders or fillers that include wheat. Confirm the sausage’s ingredient list at your location and request information about fillers, and omit the sausage if the kitchen cannot confirm it is gluten-free.
Grilled BBQ Chicken Breast: A plain grilled chicken breast is lower risk by ingredient, but BBQ glazes or pre-basted marinades can contain wheat. Request the chicken plain, ask for sauces on the side, and confirm the grill was cleared if possible.
Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage: Flavored sausages frequently contain fillers, dairy, and seasoning mixes that may include wheat. Verify the sausage ingredient list first and foremost with the staff before ordering, and request an alternative protein if the sausage cannot be confirmed gluten-free.
1/4 Chicken: A quarter chicken served plain is typically gluten-free by ingredient. Confirm that it is not basted in a wheat-containing mop or glaze and request plain preparation with separate utensils to minimize cross-contamination.
Half Rack of Ribs: Half racks follow the same guidance as full racks: plain ribs are lower risk by ingredient, but glazes, mops, and shared fryers or brushes can introduce wheat. Ask staff to confirm the glaze and request it on the side.
The Bone Fire: Mixed or combo platters, such as Smokey Bones’ special The Bone Fire dish, often include multiple proteins and sides with varying risk levels. Ask for a full list of included components, confirm which contain wheat, and request plain proteins or safe side swaps if needed.
While we can see that most of Smokey Bones’ proteins, BBQ-style or smoked, are naturally gluten-free by ingredient when they’re served plain, the same can’t be said with the mac & cheese sides, stuffed and flavored sausages, or even the wheat-thickened gravies, too, and that’s before you account for cross-contamination! 🥓🧀🌶️🔥
Burgers, Sandwiches, Bowls & Lunch Specials
For those who need a quick bite to eat or if you’re having it on the go, then be sure to check out Smokey Bones’ handhelds, bowls, burgers, sandwiches, and lunch combos! Of course, a massive portion of this menu is off-limits if you have celiac disease, as breaded proteins, sandwich buns, and hoagie rolls commonly use gluten. 🥪🍔
❌ Mushroom Swiss Burger
❌ Signature BBQ Burger
❌ Morning Glory Burger
❌ Bacon Cheeseburger
❌ The Double Stack Burger
❌ Bare Bones Burger
❌ Turkey BLT
❌ Pulled Pork Sammy
❌ BBQ Chicken Sandwich
❌ Crispy Buffalo Chicken
❌ Crispy Chicken Sandwich
❌ Brisket Stuffed Grilled Cheese
⚠️ Ultimate BBQ Bowl
⚠️ Chipotle Chicken Bowl
⚠️ OG Bowl
❌ Buffalo Chicken Bowl
❌ Fried Chicken Salad Bowl
✅ Stacked Baked Potato and Salad
To ensure that we’ve identified all possible gluten from this menu, let’s take a closer look:
Mushroom Swiss Burger: A burger served on a wheat-based bun and topped with sautéed mushrooms and Swiss cheese. The bun is an ingredient-level gluten source, and assembly areas can cause cross-contamination, so ask staff if a gluten-free bun option exists and confirm separate handling.
Signature BBQ Burger: This burger comes on a wheat roll and may include BBQ sauces applied at the pass. The bun and any sauce mixes are gluten risks, so request a gluten-free bun if available and confirm how toppings and grill surfaces are cleaned.
Morning Glory Burger: Breakfast-style burger served on a wheat bun with egg and other toppings. The bun is an ingredient-level gluten source, and shared toasters or prep counters can add cross-contamination. Ask for a gluten-free bread option if available, and request cleared prep surfaces.
Bacon Cheeseburger: Beef patty with bacon and cheese on a wheat bun. The bun is a primary gluten source, and shared assembly tools create cross-contamination risk. Request a gluten-free bun where available and confirm that the patty and toppings are prepared on a cleared surface.
The Double Stack Burger: Two patties stacked on a wheat bun make this an ingredient-level gluten item by default. Make sure that you request a verified gluten-free bun, assuming it’s available at your location, and ask staff to confirm separate handling to lower cross-contamination risk.
Bare Bones Burger: A stripped-back burger served on a wheat roll by default. The bun introduces gluten, and shared toasters or plates can cross-contaminate. Ask whether a gluten-free bun is available, which might vary from one location to another, and request that the kitchen clear prep areas.
Turkey BLT: Turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato on wheat bread are an ingredient-level gluten source in the default build. Confirm whether a gluten-free bread option exists at all and request no shared toasting or handling with wheat items.
Pulled Pork Sammy: Pulled pork served on a sandwich roll is an ingredient-level gluten source due to the bun and possible wheat-containing sauces. Ask staff to serve the pork without bread or on a gluten-free alternative and confirm sauce ingredients.
BBQ Chicken Sandwich: Grilled or sauced chicken on a wheat bun makes this an ingredient-level gluten item by default. Confirm whether the barbecue glaze contains wheat and ask for the sandwich without the bun or with a verified gluten-free option, if it’s at all available.
Crispy Buffalo Chicken: Breaded and fried chicken tossed in buffalo sauce is coated with wheat-containing batter and is usually fried in shared oil. This is unsuitable for strict gluten avoidance unless the kitchen verifies a dedicated gluten-free batter and fryer.
Crispy Chicken Sandwich: Breaded chicken served on a wheat bun and cooked in shared oil. Both the coating and the bun are ingredient-level gluten sources. Request a grilled chicken alternative or verify a gluten-free coating and fryer before ordering.
Brisket Stuffed Grilled Cheese: A grilled sandwich made with wheat bread and melted cheese stuffed with brisket. The bread is an ingredient-level gluten source, and shared griddles increase cross-contamination risk. Ask if a gluten-free bread option exists or choose a plain protein instead.
Ultimate BBQ Bowl: Bowls typically include rice or greens and sauced proteins. This bowl can be lower risk by ingredient, but glazes, queso, and fried toppings may contain wheat. Ask staff to confirm all sauces and request plain grilled protein and sealed dressings to reduce cross-contamination.
Chipotle Chicken Bowl: A bowl built around seasoned chicken and grains that may include a chipotle-laced sauce. Confirm whether the seasoning or sauce contains wheat, and request all sauces on the side and no crispy toppings to keep the bowl lower risk.
OG Bowl: The OG bowl often pairs starches with seasoned proteins and dressings. Verify each component, as certain dressings or prepared mixes may contain wheat. Request plain grilled protein, sealed dressings, and cleared prep surfaces to reduce cross-contamination.
Buffalo Chicken Bowl: If the bowl uses breaded buffalo chicken or crispy chicken bites, it is an ingredient-level gluten source. Confirm whether grilled chicken can be used instead as a substitute, and ask the staff to prepare the bowl without any fried components or wheat-containing sauces.
Fried Chicken Salad Bowl: Fried chicken on a bed of greens uses a wheat-based coating and is usually fried in shared oil, making this unsuitable for celiac disease unless the restaurant can verify a dedicated gluten-free batter and fryer. Ask for grilled chicken instead if it’s available as an option.
Stacked Baked Potato and Salad: A loaded baked potato paired with a side salad is usually gluten-free by ingredient when toppings are simple. Make sure that you confirm toppings, dressings, and any finishing sauces are free from wheat and request dressings in a sealed cup.
Pretty much all of Smokey Bones’ handhelds and sandwiches rely heavily on gluten because of wheat-based buns or breaded proteins, though the bowls can be workable when they’re built from plain grilled proteins and sealed dressings. Just make sure to double-check all the seasoning mixes and sauces for any hidden gluten! 🥗🥣🍲
Sides, Kid’s Meal & Dessert
Additionally, for something a bit more lightweight, you can sample some of Smokey Bones’ extensive selection of sides, desserts, and their kids’ plates, too! Most of the starch-based items and veggies here are gluten-free by ingredient, but breaded proteins, pasta, dessert crusts, and shared fryers pose a major hazard. 🌽🍟🥦🍗
❌ Chicken Tender Platter
✅ BBQ Baked Beans
⚠️ Creamy Coleslaw
✅ Fire Roasted Corn
⚠️ Natural Cut Fries
✅ Fresh Steamed Broccoli
❌ Mashed Potatoes with Brown Gravy
✅ Baked Potato
⚠️ Potato Wedges
⚠️ Loaded Baked Potato
⚠️ Loaded Mashed Potatoes
⚠️ Sweet Potato Fries
⚠️ French Fries
❌ Mac & Cheese
❌ Cornbread (with Honey Pecan Butter)
❌ Kid’s Pork Sammy
❌ Kid’s Mac & Cheese
✅ Kid’s 1/4 BBQ Chicken
❌ Kid’s 3 Bones
❌ Kid’s Cheeseburger
❌ Kid’s Chicken Bites
✅ Kid’s Chicken Breast
❌ Kid’s Grilled Cheese
✅ Kid’s Sirloin
❌ Hot Bag O’ Donuts
❌ Chocolate Cake
❌ Roasted Banana Pudding
❌ Brownie Sundae
❌ NY Style Cheesecake
To learn more about what’s inside each of these dishes, let’s break them down one by one:
Chicken Tender Platter: Breaded, battered chicken tenders contain wheat in the coating and are usually fried in shared oil. This item is an ingredient-level gluten source and unsuitable for celiac disease unless a dedicated gluten-free batter and fryer are explicitly confirmed. You can always ask the staff to confirm and check this for you.
BBQ Baked Beans: Baked beans are often gluten-free by ingredient, but some recipes use prepared mixes or flavorings that include wheat. Request the ingredient list and confirm that there are no wheat-containing additives before ordering to reduce any cross-contamination risk.
Creamy Coleslaw: Coleslaw is frequently gluten-free by ingredient, though some dressings or premade mixes include wheat-based stabilizers. Ask the staff to confirm the dressing ingredients and request that it be prepared with clean utensils if you need to minimise risk.
Fire Roasted Corn: Plain fire-roasted corn is gluten-free by ingredient and low cross-contamination risk when prepared simply. Request that it be prepared without seasoned butter or added sauces that may contain wheat, and confirm separate handling if needed.
Natural Cut Fries: Potatoes themselves are gluten-free, but fries are commonly cooked in shared fryers and sometimes seasoned with wheat-containing mixes. Ask whether a dedicated fryer is used and request plain preparation or an alternative side if fryer sharing cannot be verified.
Fresh Steamed Broccoli: Steamed broccoli is gluten-free by ingredient and usually low risk. Request that it be steamed separately and confirm that no wheat-containing sauces or seasonings were added to reduce cross-contamination during plating.
Mashed Potatoes with Brown Gravy: Mashed potatoes may be gluten-free, but brown gravy is frequently thickened with wheat-based roux or mixes. This combination is therefore an ingredient-level gluten source, so ask staff to confirm gravy ingredients or request mashed potatoes plain.
Baked Potato: A plain baked potato is gluten-free by ingredient when served without wheat-containing toppings. Request toppings in sealed cups and confirm no gravy or prepared mixes were used to keep this a lower-risk choice.
Potato Wedges: Potato wedges can be safe by ingredient, but are sometimes coated or seasoned with wheat-containing mixes and often cooked in shared fryers. Ask staff to confirm seasoning ingredients and fryer practices before ordering.
Loaded Baked Potato: Topped baked potatoes may include bacon, cheese, and sauces that are typically gluten-free, but gravy or prepared toppings can add wheat. Request toppings in sealed cups and confirm no wheat-containing gravies or mixes were used.
Loaded Mashed Potatoes: Loaded mash often includes gravy, bacon, and other toppings, and the gravy may contain wheat-based thickeners. Make sure to ask the staff to confirm every topping’s ingredients and request plain mash with sealed toppings if you need to reduce gluten exposure.
Sweet Potato Fries: Sweet potato fries are frequently cooked in shared fryers and may be seasoned with prepared mixes. Confirm fryer practices and seasoning ingredients, and request a dedicated fryer if you must avoid cross-contamination.
French Fries: Standard fries are often fried in oil shared with breaded items, creating cross-contamination risk. Ask staff whether fries are cooked in a dedicated fryer and request plain fries only if the location can verify safe fryer practices.
Mac & Cheese: Macaroni and cheese is prepared with wheat pasta and is a major source of gluten in the ingredients list. This item is unsuitable for anyone with celiac disease unless the restaurant explicitly confirms a verified gluten-free pasta substitute and separate handling.
Cornbread (with Honey Pecan Butter): Cornbread nearly always contains wheat flour and is an ingredient-level gluten source, even with pecan butter. Do not order this if you must avoid gluten unless a certified gluten-free cornbread is available and confirmed by staff.
Kid’s Pork Sammy: Sandwiches use wheat-based rolls by default and are ingredient-level gluten sources due to the bun. Request the pork served without bread or confirm a verified gluten-free bread option and separate handling before ordering.
Kid’s Mac & Cheese: Kid’s mac and cheese contains wheat pasta and is an ingredient-level gluten source. Confirm availability of a gluten-free pasta substitute and dedicated prep if you require a safe alternative.
Kid’s 1/4 BBQ Chicken: A plain quarter chicken is typically gluten-free by ingredient when not basted in a wheat-thickened sauce. Request plain preparation, confirm that no wheat-containing mops were used, and ask staff to clear prep surfaces.
Kid’s 3 Bones: Ribs are protein-forward but often finished with sauces that may contain wheat. Ask staff whether the ribs are sauced with a wheat-containing glaze and request the ribs plain or with sauce on the side to reduce cross-contamination.
Kid’s Cheeseburger: Children’s cheeseburgers come on wheat buns and are ingredient-level gluten sources by default. Ask whether a gluten-free bun is available first, and confirm separate handling of the bun and patty to limit cross-contamination.
Kid’s Chicken Bites: Breaded chicken bites are coated with wheat-containing batter and cooked in shared oil. This item is an ingredient-level gluten source and unsuitable for strict gluten avoidance unless the restaurant confirms a gluten-free batter and dedicated fryer.
Kid’s Chicken Breast: A plain grilled chicken breast is usually gluten-free by ingredient when not marinated or basted with wheat-containing sauces. Request plain preparation and confirm the grill was cleared to reduce cross-contamination.
Kid’s Grilled Cheese: Grilled cheese uses wheat bread and a griddle that may be shared with other wheat items. This is an ingredient-level gluten source unless the restaurant provides verified gluten-free bread and separate cooking surfaces.
Kid’s Sirloin: A small sirloin cooked plain is gluten-free by ingredient when not sauced or basted with wheat-containing ingredients. Ask the staff first to confirm seasoning and request sauces on the side to reduce cross-contamination.
Hot Bag O’ Donuts: Donuts are baked or fried from wheat-based dough and are an ingredient-level gluten source. This dessert is unsuitable for celiac disease unless a certified gluten-free donut is offered and handling is verified.
Chocolate Cake: Layer cakes are made with wheat flour, and they’re a major source of gluten in the ingredients list. Confirm whether a certified gluten-free cake is available before ordering to avoid gluten exposure.
Roasted Banana Pudding: Banana pudding often includes cookie or wafer layers made from wheat (for example, vanilla wafers), making it an ingredient-level gluten source. Ask staff to confirm the recipe and request a verified gluten-free alternative if available.
Brownie Sundae: Brownies are typically made with wheat flour and used in sundaes, creating an ingredient-level gluten source. This item is unsuitable for celiac disease unless a verified gluten-free brownie is confirmed.
NY Style Cheesecake: Classic cheesecake usually includes a wheat-based crust and is listed as containing wheat in many allergen guides. Avoid this dessert unless a certified gluten-free cheesecake option is explicitly available and confirmed.
Taking into account the cross-contamination risk, some of the safer options here include the plain vegetables, the baked potato, and some of Smokey Bones’ beans. Otherwise, be sure to avoid the breaded items, pasta, cornbread, and most desserts, which contain gluten, and keep an eye out for the fries, as they share a fryer. 🥔🍠🍔
Drinks
As with most restaurants, beverages are among the lowest-risk menu items for gluten-free diners, given the fact that most drinks come factory-sealed in bottles or cans, or they might be made from simple ingredients. Nonetheless, be on the lookout for flavoured syrups, pumps, and shared dispensers for cross-contamination. ☕🍵
✅ Coke
✅ Diet Coke
✅ Coke Zero
✅ Dr Pepper
✅ Sprite
✅ Root Beer
✅ Hi-C
✅ Lemonade
✅ Tea (Unsweet)
✅ Tea (Sweet)
✅ Dasani Bottle Water
✅ Liquid Death Sparkling Water
✅ Red Bull
✅ Red Bull Sugar Free
✅ Tropical Red Bull
Just to be sure that we didn’t miss any hidden traces of gluten in here, let’s double-check:
Coke: Packaged cola is gluten-free by ingredient and poses minimal cross-contamination risk when poured from a fountain or served from a can. Make sure that no flavoured pumps or mix-ins are added to your drink.
Diet Coke: Diet Coke is gluten-free by ingredient in bottled or fountain form. Request no added flavor shots and confirm staff use a clean cup and dispenser to avoid surface-based contamination.
Coke Zero: Coke Zero is formulated without any gluten-containing ingredients and is low-risk by ingredient. Ask staff to confirm that no additional syrups or flavourings are used for your pour.
Dr Pepper: Dr Pepper does not contain gluten ingredients in standard formulations. Make sure that the dispenser is used only for the product and request a fresh pour if you are concerned about shared nozzles.
Sprite: Lemon-lime soda is gluten-free by ingredient. Request no added flavours and confirm the dispenser or can is handled cleanly to reduce any remote cross-contamination risk.
Root Beer: Root beer in bottled or fountain form is gluten-free by ingredient. If served from a shared dispenser, ask staff to verify that no flavour pumps were engaged for your drink.
Hi-C: Hi-C fruit-style drink is a packaged mixer and is gluten-free by ingredient. Confirm that it is served without added mix-ins and request a sealed or freshly poured drink where possible.
Lemonade: Lemonade made from a basic mix or bottled product is gluten-free by ingredient. Ask that no flavored syrups be added and request a clean cup to avoid cross-contamination from shared stations.
Tea (Unsweet): Plain brewed iced tea is gluten-free by ingredient. Request no added flavour shots or syrups and confirm that ice scoops and dispensers are clean to reduce handling-based contamination.
Tea (Sweet): Sweetened iced tea is gluten-free by ingredient when only sugar is added. Make sure that no flavoured syrups or bottled mixers are included, and ask for the sugar to be added from a clean source.
Dasani Bottle Water: Sealed bottled water is the lowest-risk beverage option and is naturally gluten-free. Prefer unopened bottles when you want the maximum protection against cross-contamination.
Liquid Death Sparkling Water: Canned sparkling water is gluten-free by ingredient and carries minimal cross-contamination risk. Request it unopened or ask staff to open it in front of you if you want to avoid handling concerns.
Red Bull: Canned energy drinks are formulated without gluten-containing ingredients and are very low risk. Confirm the drink is served from a sealed can rather than a mixed fountain pour to minimise exposure.
Red Bull Sugar Free: The sugar-free Red Bull variant is also gluten-free by ingredient. For extra safety, you can ask for a sealed can if possible and request no added mixers or syrups.
Tropical Red Bull: Flavoured Red Bull is produced without gluten-containing ingredients and is safe by ingredient when served from a sealed can. Make sure no additional syrups or fountain mix-ins are added.
Nearly all of Smokey Bones’ bottled drinks and fountain beverages are naturally gluten-free at the ingredient level, making them quite safe. However, if you’re ordering any drinks from the fountain dispenser or mixed drinks, remember to confirm that there are no added flavor shots and syrups, and check for contaminated dispensers. 🧃🥤
To Sum Up
On the whole, Smokey Bones could certainly work if you have celiac disease or a non-celiac gluten sensitivity and/or intolerance, especially if you stick to the plainly prepared proteins and simple sides, among a few other dishes, but it’s not easy. 🤔
Based on what I can find, a lot of the salads are safe, as are some of the chicken wings (and some of the accompanying sauces and dry rubs, of course), a few of their steaks, in addition to the simply grilled proteins, some of which are safe. 🍗🥗🥩
With that said, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, even with those safer dishes in mind. You might’ve noticed by now that much of Smokey Bones’ menu is wheat-forward and relies on breading, pasta, and wheat-thickened glazes and sauces. 🍝🌾
The long list of no-go dishes would include plenty of staples like mac & cheese, cornbread, breaded tenders, sandwiches, and many desserts, and this is made more challenging given the lack of an up-to-date allergen guide on their website. 🥔🍟
Plus, there’s cross-contamination, which can be difficult to spot, so if you want to stay safe while dining out at Smokey Bones, stick to the plain smoked or grilled ribs, unglazed steaks, grilled shrimp, steamed vegetables, jasmine rice, and a baked potato!
In the meantime, would you like to discover other restaurants with a hearty selection of gluten-free items? Then, 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 gluten-free menu guides and some tasty gluten‑free recipes, too!
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 Smashburger, Golden Corral, Perkins, Dave and Buster’s, Buca di Beppo, Dutch Bros, White Castle, Hooters, On the Border, TGI Fridays, Bahama Breeze, Ruby Tuesday, Bonefish Grill, and more! 🍔🍟🍗
Stay safe and gluten‑aware, my celiac friends! 💖🥗
Frequently Asked Questions
While working on this Smokey Bones gluten-free menu guide, I came across some rather interesting questions floating around social media and some foodie forums, particularly on Reddit, so I thought I’d try and answer those burning questions here:
Is Smokey Bones gluten-free?
Smokey Bones is not a certified gluten-free kitchen, even though it has menu items that are naturally gluten-free by ingredient. Therefore, you have to be wary of cross-contamination, though filtering through their menu for safe and unsafe items is made a bit challenging due to the lack of an up-to-date allergen guide on their website.
Can people with celiac disease safely eat at Smokey Bones?
People with celiac disease can sometimes find safe choices here, but caution is required due to shared fryers, grills, and prep areas, thus posing a major risk of cross-contamination. Be sure to speak with the manager or staff, ask them to take extra precautions in the kitchen when preparing your meal, and avoid breaded or sauced dishes.
Does Smokey Bones have a gluten-friendly menu or gluten-free substitutions?
It’s tough to tell if Smokey Bones has a gluten-friendly menu or gluten-free substitutes, as it doesn’t currently (as of writing) publish or disclose either of them, not even an up-to-date allergen guide, on the official website. As such, you can’t assume that substitutions are available, and for gluten-friendly dishes, it’s best to ask their staff.
Which Smokey Bones menu items are generally lower risk for gluten-free diners?
Lower-risk choices by ingredient typically include plain smoked or grilled proteins (unglazed ribs, grilled steak, and grilled shrimp), steamed vegetables, jasmine rice, and plain baked potatoes. Make sure to request sauces on the side, ask that prep surfaces be cleaned, and confirm that no wheat-containing marinades or thickeners were used.
What should I say or ask for when ordering to reduce gluten exposure at Smokey Bones?
Firstly, remember to let the staff or manager know that you have celiac disease, and ask which fryers, grills, or toasters are shared, whether a dish is finished in a wheat-thickened sauce, and whether breaded components can be omitted. While you’re doing that, you can also ask them to take extra precautions when preparing your meal.
Photo Credit
Eddie Maloney from North Las Vegas, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Becky ✍️
Hi, I am Becky. I am a passionate recipe maker and having been a coeliac (celiac) for 30+ years I focus on gluten-free recipes. My blog is my online cookbook of gluten-free tasty recipes. You can follow me on X: @beckygwg
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