Noodles & Company is one of my favorite fast sit down restaurants. They tout a fresh menu, fresh ingredients and no preservatives. Everything is made to order in an open kitchen, so you can watch them make your food if you desire. They use 14 fresh vegetables prepped the same day, cage-free eggs, organic milk, tofu, and tea, and naturally raised pork and bacon.
Since dishes are made to order, it’s fairly easy to customize each dish. They also have a “Nutrition & Allergy Guide” on their website, though if you ask in the restaurant, you will likely get a blank stare. I have it bookmarked on my phone so I can pull it up on demand!
The main selling point of Noodles & Co is the gluten free fusilli. It is very tasty and tastes like regular pasta. It’s not chewy or gritty at all. Most dishes can be modified to contain the GF fusilli, but you have to be careful with the sauces. My personal favorite is the Pad Thai. It’s GOOD and requires no modifications…so there’s less chance they will mess up your order (more on that later).
Menu Selection: 4/5
Service: 2/5. There isn’t any service after you order.
Cleanliness: 3/5. Usually it takes the staff too long to clear tables in my area. Also the bathrooms have frequently been out of toilet paper and/or paper towels.
Sensitivity: 4/5. The managers have to swipe their card in the register and ring up the order as a food allergy. Didn’t give this a 5 because sometimes the employees don’t bother to go find a manager. I have to request this if they don’t.
Atmosphere: 3/5. If it was cleaner it would be a higher score.
Cost: $$-$$$
Some of the gluten free menu options they list are:
| Options with gluten-free fusilli:
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Other options with modifications:
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