Years ago, we received recommendations for Chuy’s from two different readers, Jenny and Andrea. Both raved about the detailed dairy-free menu at this “fine” Tex Mex chain. Chuy’s doesn’t publish their allergen menus online, and some readers complained that their local restaurant didn’t have the dairy-free menu. So we inquired with Chuy’s, and they sent it to us. They recently updated their menu, so we contacted them again. Once again, they were happy to oblige with a copy of the dairy-free menu below.
Dairy-Free Menu Guide to Chuy’s Tex Mex Restaurants
They call it a “Dairy Friendly Menu,” which is a little misleading. If you’re on this page, you probably don’t feel very friendly toward dairy! This is Chuy’s Dairy-Free Menu, but they like to make it clear that they aren’t a dairy-free establishment, and like any kitchen environment, potential cross-contamination with an allergen is possible.
Please keep in mind, we do not have separate cooking surfaces or fryers for special foods so there is a risk of cross-contamination. We also use butter on our cook tops so you might want to keep that in consideration.
They might be able to clean the cook top before preparing your meal, if needed. But you will need to check with the manager or cook at the location you are visiting. Also, your location might not have this menu on hand. Chuy’s corporate sent this message with the menu:
Below I have attached our dairy friendly menu. Most of our stores do not carry these menus, but the manager on duty will be able to help you out in picking some menu choices that suit your diet. Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Chuy’s Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Menus
As a heads up, Chuy’s also has a gluten-free menu and a vegetarian menu, but you do need to contact them directly for these. They do not publish them online, and not every location keeps copies of special diet menus available.
This Post is for Informational Purposes Only
Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, and restaurants are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure that they can accommodate your situation. This post is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as advice.
There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.
Where to Find Chuy’s Restaurants
This Mexican restaurant chain is based in Austin, Texas, but they’ve rapidly expanded over the past ten years. You can find locations throughout the Southern, Central, and Eastern U.S. See their website below for addresses and hours.
Website: www.chuys.com
10 Comments
Thanks, it is updated!
Looks like the dairy free menu has changed! Email them for the latest one.
I found your site on my phone before we went to the restaurant. The waitress seemed confused when I asked for the dairy free menu. When she brought it to me I noticed that they could not guarantee that the dairy free food did not come into contact with traces of dairy since the food is cooked and prepared in the same place. Unfortunately, this meant we could not order as our son is anaphylactic. I notice now that your site shows the disclaimer at the bottom of your attached menu. I was not able to pull that up on my phone last night. That is our problem with going dairy free….it ALL has to be dairy free including no cross contamination.
Hi Angie, I’m so sorry that you had a negative experience at that restaurant and appreciate you sharing. Since allergen cross-contamination is a potential risk in any commercial kitchen, it is something that only the diner can assess themselves in terms of safety. When dealing with a severe food allergy, it’s essential to speak with the restaurant manager at the location (even with franchises, how they enforce allergen policies can differ from location to location) to ensure that you are comfortable with their processes. I almost always call ahead myself. It would be impossible for an outside party to determine if a particular restaurant might be safe for another diner’s needs. We’re not affiliated with Chuy’s, and that menu was provided to us and I share it here for informational purposes only. The fact that some of their restaurants do not provide this menu, and the disclaimer are both included in this post (I have no idea why you couldn’t fully scroll down on your phone! This is a mobile-friendly site). Nonetheless, I am so glad that your son is safe, and I’m sure that many people will appreciate this feedback!
I just called the Chuy’s in Round Rock, and they said I could order anything without cheese or milk… which IMHO does not warrant them being touted as having a “dairy free menu”. That’s the same as any other restaurant…
Hi Jessica, no that doesn’t, but unlike other restaurants, they do actually have a dairy-free menu – https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/55/02/e6/5502e6582639dc3819806e3e01a2699f.jpg
I called the Chuy’s in Orland Park, IL and they didn’t even understand what a dairy free menu was! They said everything is listed on the regular menu, but all of us lactose intolerant people know that is not really the case. It will be a pain ordering.
Hi Kathy, I contacted Chuy’s corporate and they cleared the issue up! See the updated post above, with dairy-free menu, and be sure to ask for the manager!
I just tried the Chuy’s in Austin on N Lamar and when I asked for a dairy-free menu, the hostess and server both looked at me like I was crazy. The manager came over and said something like they used to provide those menus but because they couldn’t guarantee no cross-contamination, they stopped.
Perhaps this differs by location?
In any case, I got the chicken tortilla soup without cheese which as delicious but I couldn’t be absolutely sure it was dairy-free.
Thanks for sharing your experience Johanna!