Gluten-Free at Caribou Coffee

I go to Caribou a lot and am very specific about cross contamination in my diet. Their blended drinks arent safe because the blenders are contaminated. If you look on their app though it'll tell you the allergens of each drink. I'm pretty sure the coolers are all also not safe. I always get turtle mochas and am fine.

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?

— Excellent

Some of the buns there are GF and Vegan but I looked up and saw that they use the same blender for there drinks and I can’t drink there any more and it was my favorite and my favorite drink was “Hot Chocolate”.

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

They discontinued the GF spinach, artichoke, and egg white sandwich and ONLY have the Bacon & egg soufflés, disappointing as a person who is also allergic to pork. Sad is an understatement…

Good if you’re only going for a beverage!

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?

— Poor

This location is inside of the Cashwise grocery store. Many of their drinks can be made GF. The staff at this location is usually really helpful checking with ingredients but the ingredients are also available on their app or website. Make sure you check ingredients for drink toppings too. They have a very delicious GF breakfast sandwich. It’s spinach, artichoke, egg, and provolone cheese on a GF English muffin style bread. They also have a bacon and Gouda egg soufflé that is gf. (I like the sandwich best though). The sandwich and soufflé are usually pre-wrapped in individual packages and warmed in the same package so they don’t touch the surface where other items are warmed.

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast
• Good for brunch
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers online ordering

Sometimes hit or miss depending on the staff but often times staff is knowledgable on their drinks. Most times they are willing to show/read packaging and ingredients in their beverage mixes. Like all places, chance of cross contamination since they do use cookie crumb toppers on some beverages. They also have complete allergen list on website menu.

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

— Somewhat

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

As a chain they have changed thier practices so it is not celiac safe. Very disappointing.

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

— Not at all

They have great gluten free coffee and stuff! the gf soufflés are no longer celiac safe

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?

— Some

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

— Excellent

Their GF items are no longer cooked in a package and gets cooked on the same surface as everything else. There was nothing advertising this change so Celiacs take caution. I got very sick.

Update:Caribou has changed their packaging options on their gluten free breakfast sandwiches. They are no longer sealed to prevent contamination when they are warmed in the oven, which is also used to warm gluten containing items. Unfortunately, these products are no longer safe for people who are sensitive to cross contamination, so I will not be eating these again:(. As for drinks, many can be made gluten free. Milk foamers and blenders are washed after each drink, but there is still a risk of cross contamination as Caribou does serve gluten containing items in house. These drinks are not labeled on the menu, but an allergen information book can be provided if you ask for it. The staff are also quite knowledgeable about gluten free items and cross contamination issues.

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

— Not at all

Safety Feature Ratings

• 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?

— Not Much/None

Gluten-free breakfast sandwich option but it is no longer packaged sealed or labeled as gluten-free

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

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

— Average

They have a prepackaged GF breakfast sandwich which is actually pretty good! It’s on an English muffin with egg, artichokes, and cheese. They also have little frittata egg bites that are GF but in comparison to the sandwich they weren’t great. I’d definitely recommend the sandwich over the egg bites. They have quite a few hot drink options but be careful of the cold/blended ones. They are not gluten free.

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

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

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

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch

I’d ordered a black coffee and was waiting while a fresh batch was being brewed. The person helping me began slicing bagels so I told her I had celiac and asked if she could change gloves or wash her hands before getting my coffee. The shift lead or manager stepped in and said he couldn’t guarantee it would be safe. I told him I’d ordered a plain coffee and simply needed someone with clean hands or new gloves to get it for me. Instead of agreeing to help, he again told me he couldn’t guarantee it would be safe. By now everyone behind the counter had stopped working to observe our exchange. I told him I understood, I simply wanted to know if someone with clean hands could pour it - finally the girl cutting bagels said she had no problem putting on another pair of gloves. The lead/manager made me feel humiliated instead offering to help. As a newly diagnosed celiac with a long history at Caribou, this was deeply disappointing. I won’t be back.

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

— Not very

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

They have a few gf breakfast options, I really wish they would get some gf baked goods. Drinks are great, never been sick from here.

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?

— Excellent

I have celiac. Ordered a decaf coffee and one of the gluten free breakfast. When I inquired about syrups being gluten free, no one knew what would contain gluten. The gluten free meal I got was mushy. However, it did come in a sealed package.

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

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

— Below Average

Two gluten-free breakfast options served all day and marked on their menu: 1) spinach artichoke egg and provolone and 2) bacon gouda souffle.

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

Love the gluten free breakfast sandwich! It comes packaged separately in a sealed packet so there’s no risk of cc! Drip coffee and plain iced lattes are generally safe since there’s no contact with steamers/blenders etc. Not sure about flavor syrups.

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?

— Not Much

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

— Good

Holy moly, caribou has gluten free breakfast!!! They have an egg spinach sandwich and two soufflés. The sandwich is delicious, just ate it - it comes wrapped in its own wrapped they heat it in. Thank you, so much better than Starbucks!!

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?

— Not Much

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

— Excellent

They have 3 breakfast items served all day long. I ordered a sandwich and no one touches the sandwich as it’s sealed. This is in the subway under the Mayo and Gonda buildings at Mayo Clinic.

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

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

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

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout

They have gluten free breakfast items that are prepared in a certified facility, prepackaged, and delivered to the store. They heat it up in the paper wrapper, so there's almost no chance of contamination. I tried the chicken chorizo sandwich; it was a little dry but pretty good. They had a vegetarian sandwich as well, plus 2 soufflee options. Unfortunately, none of the options are dairy free. Most Caribou drinks are gluten free also, but I don't believe the frozen drinks are, and be careful with anything with a topping like crushed peppermint. I stick to iced lattes and don't have any issues.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

4 gluten free breakfast options. They come prepackaged, so no cross-contamination. 2 different types of egg soufflés and 2 breakfast sandwiches.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Great option for a quick breakfast. In bridge between MOA and Radisson hotel. Coffee shop with pre-made breakfast sandwiches. They have a Gluten Free menu which includes 2 sandwiches (on GF bread) and 2 souffles. Standard “not a GF kitchen” disclaimer but the GF items are each individually wrapped and warmed in wrapper, which customer opens so minimum risk of CC it appears. I had the Chicken Chorizo and Muenster sandwich, quite tasty. Soft bread with egg, cheese and chicken sausage.

We we're staying at a local water park hotel that wasn't able to prevent CC with gluten for their food options, so we found that THIS Caribou was not only fully stocked with 4 different GF breakfast options (2 breakfast sandwiches and 2 quiches), but the worker who took our order (Tony) was super knowledgeable about CC. we ordered a hot chocolate, and he was very helpful in stating that the hot chocolate was GF, but it used some shared containers for making it, so it'd take an extra second to wash that out so it wouldn't be CC...this without me having to ask. It was a super great experience! my kids wanted to go back for breakfast the next morning, too ( so we did!!). LOVE the transparency!

Staff had no idea what would be gluten free. They use the same blender for all blended drinks so ingredients are often gluten free but cross contamination risk is very high

Celiac friendly?

No