On the Border is a well-known and vibrant restaurant chain for countless food enthusiasts across the United States. Best remembered for their mouthwatering Tex-Mex cuisine, On the Border offers a delightful fusion of Mexican and American flavors at affordable prices.
Whether you’re a fan of sizzling fajitas, cheesy enchiladas, or freshly made guacamole, On the Border aims to satisfy your cravings with its extensive menu and warm, inviting atmosphere. With a commitment to delivering high-quality ingredients, exceptional service, and a lively ambiance, On the Border has become a go-to destination for individuals and families seeking a flavorful escape that transports them to the borderlands of Mexico. From its humble beginnings to its widespread success, On the Border continues to serve up delicious, authentic Tex-Mex dishes that celebrate the rich culinary heritage of the region.
On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina has over 150 locations spread throughout the United States, with some additional locations in South Korea.
Let’s find out if this popular Tex-Mex chain has gluten free options…
Related: El Pollo Loco Gluten Free Menu Items and Options
What is gluten free at On the Border?
In this article and guide, we’ll highlight all the gluten free menu items, sides, and other gf options available at On the Border.
The company shares the following allergy warning on their Gluten-Friendly Menu:
For our guest with gluten sensitivity, we have prepared the following menu which list items that are made without gluten containing ingredients. Please be aware that during normal kitchen operations involving shared cooking and preparation areas, including common fryer oil, the possibility exists for food items to come in contact with gluten containing food products.
Due to these circumstances, we are unable to guarantee that any menu items can be completely free of gluten.
On the Border Gluten Free Menu
These are all the gluten free options we could find at On the Border. Note all items listed below do not contain wheat or gluten, based on information we found from their Allergen Guide PDF.
Notice anything missing or incorrect? Leave a comment below. This article was last updated: July 18, 2023
Bold Starters
These are all of the bold starter options at On the Border that are free from wheat/gluten ingredients. Dips listed without tortilla chips*
- Guacamole
- Guacamole/Queso Duo
- Border-Style Queso
- Signature Queso
- Signature Queso-Primo Style
- Chicken Flautas*
* Tortilla Chips, Flautas, and other items denoted with an asterisk cooked in shared fryers.
Salads & Soup
These are all of the salad and soup options at On the Border that are free from wheat/gluten ingredients.
- Chicken tortilla soup, without tortilla strips*
- Fajita Salad, listed without onions** (Chicken or Steak)
- Grande Taco Salad, without tortilla shell (Chicken Tinga or Ground Beef)
Dressings
- Spicy Avocado Ranch
- Lime Vinaigrette
- Ranch
- House-made Salsa
- Smoked Jalapeño Vinaigrette
** Contains soy sauce.
Sizzling Fajitas
These are all of the sizzling fajita options at On the Border that are free from wheat/gluten ingredients. Items are free from gluten/wheat when listed without onions** and without flour tortillas.
- Classic Fajitas
- Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Steak
- Carnitas
- Portobello & Vegetables
- Add-on Shrimp Skewer
- The Ultimate Fajita
- Monterey Ranch Chicken
From the Mesquite Grill
These are all of the from the mesquite grill options at On the Border that are free from wheat/gluten ingredients.
- Grilled Queso Chicken
- Mexican Grilled Chicken
- Carne Asada
Bolder Border Bowls
These are all of the bolder border bowl options at On the Border that are free from wheat/gluten ingredients.
- Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Steak
- Grilled Shrimp
- Grilled Portobello
Border-Style Tacos
These are all of the border-style taco options at On the Border that are free from wheat/gluten ingredients.
- Tacos Al Carbon (chicken or steak)
Signature Sides & Add-Ons
These are all of the signature side and add-on options at On the Border that are free from wheat/gluten ingredients.
- Black Beans
- Refried Beans
- Mexican Rice
- House Salad (without tortilla strips)
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Avocado Slices
- Mexican Slaw
- Guacamole
- Grilled Shrimp Skewer
- Sauteed Vegetables
- Pico de Gallo
- Mixed Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Corn Tortillas
Sauces to Savor
These are all of the sauce options at On the Border that are free from wheat/gluten ingredients.
- Salsa Verde
- Signature Questo
- House-Made Salsa
- Jalapeño-BBQ
- Honey-Chipotle
- Spicy Avocado Ranch
- Lime-Cilantro Chimichurri
- Roasted Red Chile-Tomatillo Salsa
Kids
These are all of the kids’ options at On the Border that are free from wheat/gluten ingredients. All items listed without sides.
- Soft Corn Taco (chicken)
- Black Beans
- Mexican Rice
- Refried Beans
Drinks
- Blue Raspberry Border Blast
- Cherry Border Blast
Desserts
- Chocolate Sundae
- Strawberry Sundae
Drinks
These are all of the drink options at On the Border that are free from wheat/gluten ingredients.
- Pepsi
- Pepsi Zero
- Dr Pepper
- Sierra Mist
- Mountain Dew
- Tropicana Fruit Punch
- Unsweet Iced Tea
- Regular Iced Tea
- Mango Iced Tea
- Peach Iced Tea
Alcoholic Drinks
These are all of the alcoholic drink options at On the Border that are free from wheat/gluten ingredients.
- Angry Orchard
- Margaritas
- Sangria
- Blue Island Cooler
- Toporita
- Liberita
- Tequila
- Wine
- Rum
- Other Cocktails/Options
Photo: On the Border Facebook page
Items to Avoid at On the Border
- All fryers are shared so the chips and tortilla strips are not safe.
- Watch out for flour shells and taco bowls, etc.
- The nachos are also cooked in the same shared fryers.
- All desserts outside of the sundaes contain gluten.
Summary of Gluten Free Menu Options at On the Border
Pro tips and a quick summary of everything gluten free at On the Border.
- When you order at the restaurant or online/in the app for delivery/pickup, tell them you have an allergy or Celiac Disease so they take precautions with your food.
- On the Border has some gluten free options including starters, main taco entrees, bowls, and sides/sauces. They also have lots of drinks and alcoholic beverages available that are gluten free.
- On the Border as a 3.5 star rating with over 50+ ratings on Find Me Gluten Free. This indicates an average experience for most customers. The reviews varied, but most said the staff did their best to assist and explain the options.
- Personal experiences here are unknown! I haven’t been to On the Border before, but will definitely update this article if I get the chance to try it out soon.
Photo: On the Border Facebook page
More Information about On the Border
Looking for additional information about On the Border, their foods, and nutritional/ingredients facts? Here are some resources we’ve found:
- Official On the Border Menu: https://www.ontheborder.com/menu/
- Official On the Border Allergen Menu: https://s36131.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/OTB-ALLERGEN_0623.pdf
- Official On the Border Gluten-Friendly Menu: https://s36131.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/OTB-GLUTEN_FRIENDLY_0623.pdf