Starbird Chicken

Came here because they advertise gluten free fried chicken.

I asked the staff about the menu as I noticed that their chicken wings aren't marked as gluten free nor are their churros, but their chicken nuggets, tenders and fries are marked as gluten free. I have Celiac and depend on accurate information to make safe choices when eating as I can consume NO gluten whatsoever. Not even a crumb.

The staff completely struggled through answering if they used a shared fryer or not. The fries are cooked in a shared fryer with churros. Cooking fries in the same fryer with the oil that has been used to cook churros is like claiming that cooking pasta in water used to boil shellfish is safe for people with a shellfish allergy. The staff member said if he had Celiac he wouldn't risk it.

This same staff member said that they use a shared fryer but the chefs do something to make it gluten free, which is simply not possible unless they're changing the oil and scrubbing down the fryer between orders, which isn't a thing.

Another staff member chimed in saying that they use a shared fryer for the wings and the tenders, but that it's okay because they cook the wings in the morning first. What? Not only would that guarantee that the oil is contaminated, they're precooking wings?

Either this restaurant is falsely advertising gluten free items (people who can't consume aren't "friendly" to gluten) putting people who need to eat gluten free for medical reasons at serious risk of injury, or this restaurant has completely failed in training their staff how to explain their product and their safety protocols to customers.

Either way, 1 star.

Visited: October 2023

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

BEST GLUTEN FREE FRIED CHICKEN EVER! I frequent this location because the quality of the food is so amazing. The chicken is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. I always get the chicken strips and fries. (skip the slaw, it’s gf just gross haha) Their sauces are also all gluten free - the star sauce and ranch are my favorites! I never get sick and that’s a miracle considering how tasty this chicken is. Ooh and try the prickly pear limeade! Add this to your list of places to try, you certainly won’t regret it!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Probably fine but avoid the salad! We've eaten here 3x with no problems: wings with classic Buffalo, ranch dip, fries, all fine. Tonight we had the same, but also chicken chop salad (marked GF) but my celiac partner got very sick 2 hrs later.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Delicious gf tenders and fries. Items are clearly marked as GF on the menu board and staff was able to answer my questions knowledgeably. Would definitely go again. (I always post my reviews the day after visiting just in case I have a late reaction)

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Amazing gf fried chicken! Crispy on outside moist and hot (temperature) on the inside. Slaw was also excellent! I also enjoyed the brewed peach iced tea!

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers delivery
• Offers outdoor seating

Food is delicious. The fried chicken and french fries are gf!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Celiac no problems with chicken tenders and fries.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Update from April-23: celiac friendly again, safe fries, well marked menu. No reaction after eating here 3 times in the last couple of weeks.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

All we need are gluten free buns and then it’ll be PERFECT

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

This is the best gf chicken! Love getting the lettuce wrap sandwich. Not fancy ambiance as it’s fast casual but really tasty and I never get sick here.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

It appears that the “waffle sticks” are off the menu and the fryers are safe again. The chicken is quite good.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

A lot of reviews say this place has a contaminated fryer, but at least as of asking in 2021, nothing containing gluten is fried together with the gluten free offerings and the one item that seemed to present a problem before is no longer on the menu. I eat here on at least a weekly basis and have never been sick. The tenders are delicious, I just wish they would offer a bread option for the sandwiches.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Safe and tasty.

Is ALL the food in this establishment gluten-free?

— Yes, the establishment is dedicated gluten-free

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Allergy information online and verbal from the restaurant confirms the tenders, fries and tortillas are all gluten friendly. I have eaten here a couple times and not gotten sick. I don’t think anything goes in the fryer that has gluten based on my investigations. Very good chicken and the star sauce is yummy. It’s my go to when I want chicken tenders.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Nothing on the menu is gluten free anymore including the chicken

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for takeout

A Starbird employee confirmed they sent their oil to a lab to test and is certified gluten free!! There is under 5 ppm in their oil.

Their tender boxes with fries, slaw and sauces are completely free of gluten! Celiac safe. Their tacos with corn tortillas are also safe and delicious.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

No longer safe for celiac!!!! Major cross contamination issues...

I used to love this place and eat here weekly. Now I get sick from the food because of cross contamination. Would be nice if they had a dedicated gluten free fryer.

Celiac friendly?

No

No longer gluten free. Too bad, because I loved it, but no longer safe!

No longer GF due to shared fryer with waffle sticks. Don't risk it.

Celiac friendly?

No

Celiac friendly?

Yes

NOT FOR CELIACS OR GLUTEN INTOLERANCE. Have come here a couple times and had the chicken and fries with no issues, however the staff was not very good about knowing what gluten free is and about cross contamination. Went back and asked about the status of their fryers, staff said they have a fryer for fries but they filter the oil together from both fryers and can no longer say the fries are gluten free. Only the chicken and some sauces are gluten free, the staff I spoke with wasn't even sure the slaw is still gluten free. I ordered the chicken tenders with the ranch. Still tasty but what a boring lunch.

Celiac friendly?

No

Wonderful, quick food! They really seem to get the gluten free thing.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The food at this place was REALLY good and my celiac daughter did not get sick eating the chicken strips...and she was still talking about how good they were this morning. However, I took one star off because the cashier and other staff had NO idea what we were talking about when we asked our clarifying questions. We kept asking different people behind the counter (in the cook area) until we finally found one person that knew what we were talking about. He knew what was and wasn't GF and understood the precautions needed. He changed his gloves on the first order and when we made a 2nd order for more chicken he grabbed the cooked chicken with a napkin so as not to touch it. The sauces are gluten free except for the Spicey Soel sauce. The breads are not GF nor are the desserts. They don't fry anything that isn't GF in the fryer. The waffle sticks that they sell for dessert are made in a waffle iron. We would go there again. Just be prepared to explain the glove change...don't assume they understand.

Best chicken strips and amazing kale slaw. Everything on their menu is gluten free except the buns. Lots of yummy chicken choices. And they are very conscientious if you tell them you need it to be gluten free the cooks will change gloves and use designated prep area and utensils

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Hadn't eaten fried chicken since my celiac diagnosis 12 years ago. The chicken was amazing. Had to buy more to take home to my family so they could try it too.

Oh wow, chicken tenders on point, fries are in a dedicated fryer. Staff knows their ingredients and menu. Gluten free tortillas for the tacos. A few salads you have to subtract a few ingredients. Sauces are good. Sandwiches of course are off limits because of the bread. This is gluten free fast food at its best!

This place is so yummy! Like, so yummy you are nervous eating it because it can't possibly be GF. But it is. Never been sick, and always get a big smiley face on my Nima sensor. Definitely try this place if you have a chance.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

This is the first time my daughter could eat chicken fingers and she loved them. The server is highly knowledgeable. Wish there were more places like this. It is more of a fast food place.

The fried chicken strips are great! I've eaten there several times with no issues. The staff I have come in contact with were very uneducated about gluten-free/celiacs. Wish they had gluten free rolls as an option!

They have basically everything gluten free except for the deserts and the burger buns. But they have some amazing wraps and battered chicken. The staff are very knowledgeable of everything on the gluten free, but the only downside is that the portions are a bit small for the price.

I ordered the gluten-free chicken tenders and french fries and I was gluten. I asked the employee about cross contamination and he said I would be fine! I called when my symptoms started and they said the French fries are NO longer gluten free….

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Lots of gf options - chicken strips and fries are delicious. It’s one of our go-to options for take out.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Amending my review because of some mixed messaging I just discovered. The GF on their menus and allergy list only means (the unhelpfully vague term) "gluten friendly" despite staff refering to it "gluten free"... Conversely, my server had also told me the fries contain 5% gluten... Head office now tells me they meant they contain 5 parts per millions in regular testing, well below the standard to be considered gluten free (20ppm), so they should be safe for celiacs after all. So staff not as knowledgeable as I first thought... Confusing!Proceed with caution! 🥴

My original review: Great variety of GF chicken options marked on menu - BUT despite the fries being marked GF on menu and allergy info, they are actually a cross contamination risk because they are fried in same fryer as gluten-containing churros. Always an annoyance that they mark such things as GF!! But helpful and knowledgeable staff... Like, surprisingly knowledgeable for a fast food chain.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

My absolute favorite chicken ever!!! And the breading is gluten free flour. It satisfies my chicken tender craving every time. Watch out for the Thai sauce as it has gluten.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

This place is fantastic. Their chicken tenders are fried in a dedicated fryer and all their sauces are gluten-free. They fry their French fries in a shared fryer with churros. They regularly test the oil and say it’s at 4ppm gluten (the fda requirements for food you buy labeled gf is 20ppm so technically this could be safer than foods you regularly eat weird enough) but I ordered slaw just to be safe and because the tenders are huge. Get the Nashville hot ones.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent