Best Gluten Free Food at Kings Island
Welcome to my post on the Beast gluten free food at Kings Island, I mean the BEST gluten free food at Kings Island. These posts are often a labor of love, and perhaps none more than this one!
My husband says I look giddy walking into Kings Island, and I am! Something about walking towards the Eiffel Tower in the late morning light, when you start to notice the sounds and smells…I’m suddenly about eight years old again.
I’m all about the pageantry and nostalgia when I go to Kings Island. The fact that my toddler and kindergartener are also starting to love it is an added bonus.
Something Else I Love About Kings Island is the GLUTEN FREE FOOD
Though watching my kids go on Planet Snoopy rides is fun, I don’t really get the opportunity to do the thrill rides anymore, so I also love to go to enjoy the gluten free food at Kings Island.
I have to admit I’m a little stuck in my ways with what I eat at Kings Island. We have our favorite foods that we look forward to eating and our typical route around the park, so I conducted a lot of research to write this post to supplement my own experiences.
After looking at King’s Island’s allergen guide, I was excited about gluten free options that I hadn’t known existed. However, there aren’t any details about cross contamination on the allergen guide, so I emailed Kings Island with specific questions and KI’s Chef responded.
I also enlisted the help and experience of fellow GF Cincinnatians in writing this post, and they were immensely helpful in providing personal experience and feedback.
During these conversations, it was requested that I also include dairy free options as well. Ask and you shall receive! At the bottom of each eatery are options that are both dairy free and gluten free.
I’ve learned about a lot of gluten free options in researching this post, so I’m excited for new gluten free adventures at Kings Island.
Just be aware that ingredients are always subject to change, so be sure to also review King Island’s allergen guide before your visit, and always make the KI team aware of your dietary restrictions when ordering food.
So let’s embrace the kids in us and enjoy some theme park food! Just remember not to go on the Scrambler right after, wink wink.
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Best of the Best Gluten Free Food at Kings Island
POTATO WORKS
I know there are gluten free people out there who go to Kings Island just for Potato Works. When another day in Planet Snoopy sounds less than appealing, I’m one of them!
The Gluten Free Chicken Tender Basket, which includes fries, is perhaps the best and safest gluten free meal in the park. You get three chicken fingers and a large helping of potato skin steak fries. And yes, both go in a gluten free fryer. I’m in love with the chicken tenders. The crispy coating is so good. I’ve had this meal MANY times and never gotten sick (celiac).
Even gluten-eating people love these tenders—IT CAN BE DONE!
The BBQ sauce at Potato Works is now gluten free so NOW ALL OF POTATO WORKS IS GLUTEN FREE!
Also, Potato Works uses peanut oil for frying FYI.
I sometimes get a side of buffalo or cheese sauce for dipping my tenders and fries, but usually go with Heinz Honey Mustard. I much more enjoy the Tender and Fry Basket to the other entrees with additional toppings.
Last time, I deviated from my usual chicken tender and fry meal for the sake of research, and got the Buffalo Crispy Chicken Ranch Fries. It was so disappointing! There was only one cut up tender in there, and it was cold as if it had been made hours ago. The whole tenders in my usual Gluten Free Chicken Tender Basket are always fresh and yummy, so it was pretty disappointing.
I would have taken it back if I hadn’t have already walked to the other end of River Town to to eat with my gluten family who were eating Rivertown LaRosa’s. Rivertown LaRosa’s only has that’s GF is a salad. You’ll need to go to Festhaus for a gluten free LaRosa’s pizza, as discussed next!
Dairy Free + Gluten Free at Potato Works – Fresh Cut Fries, Gluten Free Chicken Tenders, and a Side of Bacon
FESTHAUS LAROSA’S GLUTEN FREE PIZZA
Cool Fact – Kings Island was the first theme park in the industry to sell pizza! Buddy LaRosa’s dough, sauce, cheese and toppings were even used at KI’s very first pizza locations. LaRosa’s is about as Kings Island as Kings Island gets, right up there with the Eiffel Tower.
It’s common knowledge in Cincinnati that LaRosa’s at King’s Island tastes better than Larosa’s anywhere else. Is it because KI LaRosa’s uses 30% more cheese and sauce? Let me know what you think in the comments.
The Gluten Free Pizza at Festhaus is even more treasured now that LaRosa’s has announced that they are no longer taking cross contamination precautions for us gluten free folk at their other locations. Thanks again for that one, LaRosa’s!
Though I’m still very sore at them, I can’t deny that this KI gluten free LaRosa’s pizza is delicious. Also, according to KI’s Chef, the GF Pizza has it’s own cooler and a separate work station, and the team is very strict about keeping it separate, though it does go into the same oven.
Dairy Free + Gluten Free at Festhaus – Unfortunately, just gluten free pizza without cheese.
More Gluten Free Meal Options at King’s Island
CONEY BAR-B-QUE
Gluten free options at Coney Bar-B-Que include Rotisserie Chicken, Smoked Sausage, Corn on the Cob, Coleslaw, Ranch Potatoes, and Carolina Sauce—all of these are also dairy free. I’ve heard reports of people with celiacs eating here safely. The KI Chef says workers will change gloves if the guest notifies the manager of a concern, but the food will have the possibility of encountering gluten as a separate area is not used for items like sausage and chicken.
Coney Bar-B-Que also has Blue Mousse and Chocolate Mousse, which are gluten free on the KI Allergen Guide, but is not processed in a GF environment.
Dairy Free + Gluten Free at Coney Bar-B-Que – Rotisserie Chicken, Smoked Sausage, Corn on the Cob, Coleslaw, Ranch Potatoes, and Carolina Sauce, but cross contamination is possible.
ENRIQUE’S CANTINA
Enrique’s Cantina is in the new Adventure Port area, which is a fun addition to the park. My daughter loves the new barrel ride—Cargo Loco. It’s exciting to be somewhere other than Planet Snoopy, and I can’t wait til she’ll go on the Viking Ship with me!
Back to Enrique’s—at the time of this post (June 2024) ALL of the possible Burrito Bowl ingredients are gluten free!! I’ve spoken to fellow GF eaters on Facebook who have had good luck eating here safely and one person that felt sick after. The KI Chef says the team will change gloves and handle your food separately.
Just beware of the chips as they are NOT gluten free.
Dairy Free + Gluten Free at Enrique’s Cantina – ALL of the Burrito Bowl ingredients minus the Queso, Shredded Cheese, and Sour Cream.
GRAIN & GRILL INTERNATIONAL KITCHEN
Grain & Grill is a fairly new dining option at KI and is located by the fountains at the very front of the park. It’s definitely one of the healthier choices as their gluten free offerings include Grilled Shrimp Skewers, Greek Salad, Garlic Potatoes, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, and House Salad.
The KI Chef says that upon request the team will change gloves and handle your food separately to prevent cross contamination. I’ve received feedback from many fellow GF Cincinnatians that they’ve had good experiences eating here in the past (did not get sick) and enjoyed the food! Some have even reported that it’s their favorite in the park!
Dairy Free + Gluten Free at Grain & Grill – Grilled Shrimp Skewers, Garlic Potatoes, and Brussel Sprouts.
SKYLINE CHILI
I hesitated to include Skyline on this list as it’s probably among one of the biggest risks for cross contamination given all the hot dog buns from gluten Coneys being made. The team will change gloves and handle your food separately if you want to get a Walking Taco, but the risk of cross contamination is still high as your food is coming from the same place where gloves that are handling hot dog buns are reaching in.
Not in the area, but want a taste of Cincy? Order some Skyline Chili right to your door. Or what about some Skyline Hot Sauce?
Dairy Free + Gluten Free – Walking Taco, without cheese, beware of cross contamination.
Beware of Fried Food from Everywhere BUT Potato Works
Don’t get excited about the possibilities of gluten free fried food when you read King’s Isand’s allergy menu. Potato Works seems to be the only option with a dedicated GF fryer. I checked with KI’s Chef about the chips for Nachos from Coconut Cove Cafe, fries from Festhaus, Cajun Chips from French Corner, Wings and Tots from Miami River Brewhouse, and Saratoga Chips from Wishbone Grill, and all go into a fryer WITH GLUTEN CONTAINING ITEMS, even though they say gluten free on KI’s allergen guide.
In short, stick to Potato Works for your fried gluten free food.
Gluten Free Snacks Around the Park
PIG PEN’S MESS HALL
I don’t think there’s enough exciting gluten free food at Pig Pen’s Mess Hall to want to make a meal out of it, but if you really can’t drag your kids away from Camp Snoopy, the Roasted Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Fruit Cup, and Veggie Cup are gluten free. Beware of the Saratoga Chips which don’t go in a GF fryer.
Dairy Free + Gluten Free at Pig Pen’s- Coleslaw, Fruit Cup, and Veggie Cup
STARBUCKS
Starbuck’s can be another good place for gluten free snacks, even ones that are pre-packaged, so you can feel extra safe! Gluten free menu items can include certain drinks, Gluten Free Marshmallow Dream Bars, and other snacks labeled gluten free.
WISHBONE GRILL
The KI Allergen Guide shows that the Bacon on a Stick is gluten free. I’ve heard it’s delicious! Also, the Bacon on a Stick is produced separately from the Turkey, which is not gluten free.
Dairy Free + Gluten Free at Wishbone Grill – Bacon on a Stick
Let’s Talk About Gluten Free Dessert at King’s Island
GRAETER’S
Usually ice cream parlors are a huge gluten free no-no because of cross contamination, but at KI you can get gluten free flavors out of fresh containers, with a fresh scooper upon request. If you want to see the full list of gluten free Graeter’s flavors click here. My favorite is the Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, of course!
The gluten free flavors certainly aren’t certified GF, I will update as soon as I get details about cross contamination during icecream production. I’m celiac and have not reacted to eating Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, but there could be risk of course.
PLANET SNOOPY ICECREAM
KI’s famous soft serve blueberry icecream is gluten free! It’s so yummy and it melts sooo fast. Better hurry! The sprinkles are also gluten free. We typically can’t leave the park without getting one, so I can’t believe I don’t have a picture of it. Last time, my kids and husband ate it before I could get one!
KI TIP – If you have kids that are nursing or in diapers, or you just want to use the largest, cleanest family restroom in the park, I recommend a pit stop at Fischer Homes Family Care Center which is right next to Planet Snoopy Icecream. It’s a real gem when attending the park with babies and toddlers.
OTHER NOTES ON DESSERTS
There are items denoted as gluten free on King’s Island allergen guide at the Sweet Spot, but these are not made in areas separate from gluten ingredients. I’ve heard an instance of someone getting sick from this candy.
There is also popcorn, kettle corn, mousse, and cotton candy at different locations across the park, see the allergen guide for specific locations. But, the KI Chef did say that these are not produced in a gluten free environment, so you are trying them at your own risk.
What About Adult Gluten Free Beverages?
There’s nothing like walking around the park with an ice cold bevy on a nice, sunny day. Luckily, KI has a selection of adult gluten free beverages throughout the park (eat your heart out Magic Kingdom). From White Claws and Titos at Miami River Brewhouse, to Topos Chicos at Festhaus, to High Noons at a stand across from the ball in a cup game, you never have to walk far to find a drink. Just don’t expect them to be cheap!!!
Looking for More Gluten Free Adventures?
Are you looking for more gluten free adventures? Check out my posts on Gatlinburg and Disney! But, if you’re looking to kick back somewhere a little more relaxing, but no less delicious, Hilton Head may be the place for you!
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