Updated January 2023! A&W is an iconic restaurant chain best known for its root beer. They serve classic fast food burger fare in the U.S. and in several countries throughout the world. However, their Canadian restaurants have been run as a separate, unaffiliated chain since 1972. For that reason, and because their menus do differ significantly, we have a separate A&W Canada listing. The listing below is for the U.S. restaurants and might carry over to some other international locations.
A&W United States Dairy-Free Menu Guide with Vegan Options
Be aware of special order requirements in parentheses () next to the menu items, and see the Heads Up notes to help fill in the blanks. Please note that this guide is for the U.S. locations. Options may vary in other countries. See our A&W Canada Dairy-Free Menu Guide for Canada specifically.
A&W Errors! A&W’s allergen page takes you to current allergen charts, but an ingredient file that is several years old. The two obviously do not match up. We’ve used the current chart along with additional inquiries to put this guide together. But since A&W (U.S.) is so inconsistent, make sure to double check the items before ordering.
Butter Note: The Liquid “Butter” used seasonally and at some locations is not dairy butter. It does appear to be made without milk, but verify at your location that no dairy is used to butter the buns for your order.
Other Allergen & Dietary Notes: For vegan options, see the Vegan Menu Guide at the bottom of this post.
Burgers
- Hamburger
- Papa Burger (no cheese)
- Bacon Burger (no cheese)
- Bacon Double Burger (no cheese)
Chicken
- Crispy Chicken Sandwich (select locations)
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich (select locations)
- Freezer to Fryer Chicken Tenders (NOT the Hand-Breaded) (select locations)
Heads Up! The Hand-Breaded Chicken Patties and Chicken Tenders at A&W do contain milk. Make sure to check which tenders and patties are served at your location. The Slider Buns do appear to be made without milk.
Hot Dogs
- Coney Dog (see note below)
- Footlong Coney Dog (see note below)
- Footlong Hot Dog (see note below)
- Hot Dog (see note below)
Heads Up! The Corn Dog Nuggets at A&W do contain milk. Some locations serve Johnsonville Brats – the Original variety is dairy-free. Their Allergen Guide lists the Hot Dogs as milk-free, but online, they state “contains milk.” Be sure to check at your location to verify the ingredients used.
Seasonal Baskets & Sandwiches
Heads Up! The fried Fish and Shrimp items do contain milk. The Pork Sandwiches served in winter also contain milk.
Sides
- French Fries
- Chili Fries
- Cole Slaw
- Mott’s Applesauce
Heads Up! For years, the Onion Rings at A&W were made without milk, but now they do contain milk.
Dipping Sauces
- BBQ Sauce
- Cocktail Sauce (seasonal)
- Honey Mustard
- Spicy Papa Sauce
- Tartar Sauce (seasonal)
Heads Up! The Dipping Sauce info on their allergen chart is incomplete. The Ranch does contain milk.
Kids
- Kids’ Hamburger Meal (with water) (see note below)
- Kids’ Hot Dog Meal (with water) (see note below)
Heads Up! Their information is very conflicting on these items. The 2022 nutrition guide states no milk for these items, while online states contains milk (possibly due to the milk option). Verify in store.
Specialty Drinks
- Root Beer
- Diet Root Beer
- Slushees (Cherry, Seasonal Flavors)
Vegan Menu Guide
- French Fries
- Mott’s Applesauce
- BBQ Sauce
- Cocktail Sauce (seasonal)
- Root Beer
- Diet Root Beer
- Slushees (Cherry, Seasonal Flavors)
This Post is for Informational Purposes Only
Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, food sourcing, and restaurant protocols are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure 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.
Each location of a chain restaurant has different management and staff, and some might have different owners. This means differences in processes, ingredients used, menu options, and food sourcing can occur. Always verify the safety of your order for your needs at your current location.
Where to Find A&W U.S. Restaurants
There are over 500 A&W Restaurants in the U.S. See the website below for addresses, hours, and online ordering.
Website: www.awrestaurants.com
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What Others Are Saying ...
fries were great chili fries were great coney dog was great
we got fries chili fries and coney dogs and they were great so yea
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1 Comment
Which foods have gluten and also the drinks.