Updated January 2023! Qdoba is a Mexican fast casual chain with locations throughout the United States and Canada. It’s also one of my personal favorites for dairy-free options. Their menu includes several dairy-free signature entrees, there are endless build-your-own possibilities, and they offer free guacamole with your order! Finally, dairy-free diners need not feel slighted when ordering no cheese and no sour cream. Our guide also includes allergen, gluten-free, and vegan options, because Qdoba is truly an all-inclusive place.
QDOBA Dairy-Free Menu Guide with Allergen Notes & Vegan Options
This menu guide includes dairy-free options first, followed by custom order components to build-your-own bowl, burrito, taco, or salad at Qdoba. 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.
Other Allergen & Dietary Notes: At the time of writing, Qdoba doesn’t use any peanut or tree nut containing ingredients. We’ve labeled the items below that contain egg, soy, or wheat. They have “may contain” warnings for these top allergens on their baked treats. There are some errors on their gluten-free chart, so we’re labeling for wheat from the allergen information. And like many other fast food restaurants, Qdoba doesn’t label for highly refined soybean oil, per the FDA. Be sure to ask if concerned about this ingredient. For vegan options, see the Vegan Menu Guide at the bottom of this post.
Entrees / Signature Eats
- Chicken Protein Bowl
- Fajita Vegan Bowl
- Impossible Fajita Bowl (contains soy)
- Low-Cal Chicken Grain Bowl
- Citrus Lime Chicken Salad
- Impossible Taco Salad (no cheese) (contains soy, wheat)
- Paleo Chicken Salad
- Impossible Fajita Burrito (contains soy, wheat)
- Southwest Steak Burrito (contains egg, wheat)
- Street-Style Chicken Tacos (no cheese)
- Street-Style Pork Tacos (no cheese)
Heads Up! The above are chef-crafted entrees from Qdoba that are either dairy-free as is, or just require saying “no cheese.” But you can also choose to Build-Your-Own using the menu items below.
Sides
- Guac & Chips
- Salsa & Chips
- Tortilla Soup (no cheese, no sour cream) (limited availability)
Desserts
- Apple Sauce
- Double Chocolate Brownie (contains egg, soy, wheat)
Taco Shells & Tortillas
- Flour Tortillas (all sizes) (contains wheat)
- Whole Wheat Flour Tortillas (contains wheat)
- Soft Corn Tortillas
- Crispy Taco Shell
- Crunchy Tortilla Shell (contains wheat)
- Tortilla Chips
- Tortilla Strips
Heads Up! All of the corn tortilla products do have a potential cross-contamination warning for wheat, but all food products are at some degree of potential cross-contamination risk.
Protein
- Bacon (select locations)
- Brisket Birria
- Cholula Hot & Sweet Chicken
- Chorizo
- Grilled Adobo Chicken
- Ground Beef
- Grilled Steak
- Pulled Pork
- Plant-Based Impossible (contains soy) (vegan)
Heads Up! The Eggs at Qdoba do contain milk. There is a “may contain” warning on the Ground Beef due to potential cross-contamination, but all food products are at some degree of potential cross-contamination risk.
Rice & Beans
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Seasoned Brown Rice
- Black Beans
- Pinto Beans
Vegetables
- Cilantro
- Fajita Veggies
- Lettuce
- Pickled Jalapenos
- Pickled Red Onion
- Seasoned Potatoes (contains wheat)
Sauces
- Chile Corn Salsa
- Chile Crema (contains egg)
- Citrus Lime Vinaigrette
- Guacamole
- Habanero Salsa
- Pico de Gallo
- Roasted Tomato Salsa
- Salsa Verde
- Salsa Roja
Heads Up! The Jalapeno Verde, Ranch Dressings, and Quesos at Qdoba contain milk.
Qdoba Vegan Menu Guide
- Fajita Vegan Bowl
- Impossible Fajita Bowl
- Impossible Fajita Burrito
- Impossible Taco Salad (no cheese)
- Guac & Chips
- Salsa & Chips
- Tortilla Soup (no cheese, no sour cream)
- All Taco Shells & Tortillas listed above
- All Rice & Beans listed above
- All Vegetables listed above
- Plant-Based Impossible “Meat”
- Chile Corn Salsa
- Citrus Lime Vinaigrette
- Guacamole
- Habanero Salsa
- Pico de Gallo
- Roasted Tomato Salsa
- Salsa Verde
- Salsa Roja
- Apple Sauce
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 Qdoba
There are around 750 Qdoba locations in the U.S. and Canada. See the website below for addresses, hours, and online ordering.
Website: www.qdoba.com
love this place
It’s my go to for lunch a few times a week. Portions are good at my location and have never had a problem. Very helpful and will get fresh toppings from the back on request.
Great for Dairy Free, Hit or Miss for Soy Free
On a road trip over the holidays our best option was to stop at Qdoba. Thankfully, one of the team members was very versed with their allergen menu, including which products contain soybean oil (my son reacts to oil).
If I remember correctly, their white rice and chicken both contain soybean oil, as do their tortillas and chips. It would be nice to see your list updated with a note on soybean oil as well, similar to your notes on some other restaurants.
Response from Go Dairy Free
That note has been added. But please be aware that soy oil is never required to be disclosed since highly refined oil is not considered allergenic by the FDA. If soy oil is a concern for you, always speak with the company / restauarant / producer to discuss ingredients and ingredient sources.
Favorite in town
This is our go to place. We have a Chipotle locally too, but they offer free guac at Qdoba and big portions! Great value and they’re always careful with my order.
Restaurant couldn’t safely feed my son
We tried to eat at QDoba today for the first time in about six months. When I told an employee about my son’s life threatening dairy allergy, I was told to wait for a manager. The manager quickly came out and told me that they wouldn’t be able to make anything safe for my son because of cross contact. I questioned her a little about the safe ingredients on their website and getting fresh ingredients from the back, because that’s what had been done in the past. But the manager didn’t feel she could make a safe meal, and as a rule we don’t even attempt to eat anywhere when the restaurant doesn’t think they can handle our allergy request. I was disappointed, but what really stunk was so were my boys.
A Favorite Fast Food Option
My husband and I go to Qdoba whenever we get a coupon. Their portion sizes are generous, and I love that they give us guacamole for no extra charge! Their food also isn’t quite as salty as Chipotle, which is nice.
For More Dairy-Free Guidance, Get Go Dairy Free!
3 Comments
Qdoba’s meat all contains dairy.. it shows that on their allergen list. Chipotle does not though!
I’m not sure where you are looking Rachel, but the Pulled Pork and Smoked Beef Brisket are made without dairy. See the milk column!
it only shows dairy on the pre made things unless you specify no cheese etc