How to Eat Pancheros Gluten Free (Plus Custom Meal Calculator)

Hey there! As a foodie and a huge fan of Mexican food, I spend a lot of time looking at menus and testing out different restaurants. I absolutely love Pancheros Mexican Grill—the fresh ingredients and huge flavors always keep me coming back.

But if you are avoiding gluten, walking into a place famous for fresh-pressed flour tortillas can feel a little scary. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here is exactly how you can enjoy a safe, delicious, and gluten-free meal at Pancheros, without the stress.

1. The Golden Rule: Skip the Tortilla

Because Pancheros makes their dough from scratch and presses their tortillas right in front of you, the tortillas are full of gluten. If you want to eat gluten-free, you will need to order a Burrito Bowl or a Salad. You still get all the amazing fillings, just without the wrap.

2. Talk to the Staff (They Are Ready to Help!)

When a restaurant makes dough in the kitchen, flour dust can get in the air or on the counters. This is called cross-contamination.

If you have Celiac disease or are highly sensitive to gluten, just tell the person taking your order. They are trained for this! They will wash their hands, put on fresh gloves, and build your entire meal before they touch any tortillas or serve the next person. It is a simple step that keeps your food safe.

3. What to Eat: Your Gluten-Free Menu Options

Building your bowl is the fun part, and almost all of the fresh ingredients are naturally gluten-free:

• The Base: Start with the Cilantro Lime Rice, Black Beans, or Pinto Beans.
• The Protein: All the main meats are safe! You can choose Steak, Chicken, Carnitas (pork), or even the Tofusada (tofu) if you want a vegetarian option.
• The Toppings: Go ahead and pile on the Sautéed Veggies, Cheese, Queso, Sour Cream, Guacamole, and Lettuce.
• The Salsas: The Mild Ancho, Medium Verde, Hot Tomatillo, and Pico de Gallo are all good to go.

A Quick Warning About Corn:

Pancheros puts out a warning that their Roasted Corn Salsa and Blue Corn Chips might have tiny amounts of gluten. This happens because the corn might have mixed with wheat in the farm fields. If you are super sensitive, it is safest to skip the corn chips and corn salsa.

My Go-To Gluten-Free Order

Want to know what I order when I go?

I start with half rice and half black beans. Then, I add the juicy grilled chicken and a big scoop of sautéed veggies. I top it off with fresh pico de gallo, a drizzle of their amazing warm queso, and a little guacamole. It is super filling, packed with protein and flavor, and completely gluten-free.

Build It Your Way

Want to play around with the menu and see exactly what goes into your perfect bowl? Use our custom Pancheros calories calculator! It is a great, easy-to-use tool to help you build and calculate your custom gluten-free food or order. You can mix and match your favorite ingredients, check the nutrition facts, and make sure your meal fits your diet perfectly before you even step foot in the restaurant.

FAQs

Conclusion

Eating gluten-free at Pancheros doesn’t mean missing out on big, delicious flavors. By swapping out the flour tortilla for a bowl or salad, speaking up about your dietary needs so the staff can take extra precautions, and sticking to naturally gluten-free toppings, you can enjoy a completely stress-free meal. Before you head out, be sure to plug your favorite ingredients into our custom Pancheros calories calculator to design your ideal gluten-free order, track your nutrition, and know exactly what you’re getting before you take your first bite!