Habit Burger Allergen Menu – Complete Guide 2026

The Habit Burger Allergen Menu is a helpful guide that shows which common food allergens — like dairy, wheat (gluten), egg, soy, nuts, and fish — may be present in specific menu items at Habit Burger & Grill. Many guests use this information to make safer choices when they have food sensitivities or allergies, especially since most of the food is cooked in the same kitchen where cross-contact can happen. While Habit Burger doesn’t guarantee that any item is completely allergen-free, they do provide clear details and customization options (like removing cheese or choosing lettuce wraps) to help people avoid ingredients that trigger their allergies. Always check the latest allergen chart before ordering and tell staff about your allergy so they can help prepare your meal more carefully.

What Is the Habit Burger Allergen Menu?

The Habit Burger Allergen Menu is a comprehensive guide designed to help customers identify specific ingredients in their food that might trigger allergic reactions. Unlike a standard menu, this guide breaks down every item—from their famous Charburgers to their hand-spun shakes—by highlighting the presence of common allergens like wheat, soy, milk, eggs, peanuts, and shellfish. It serves as a roadmap for anyone who needs to be extra careful about what goes into their body while dining out.

Purpose of the Allergen Menu The primary goal of this menu is safety and transparency. In a busy kitchen, many ingredients are used simultaneously, and for someone with a severe food allergy, knowing exactly what is in a sauce or a bun is a necessity, not a luxury. By providing this detailed breakdown, Habit Burger empowers customers to make informed decisions, request modifications (like swapping a flour bun for a lettuce wrap), and enjoy their meal without the fear of an unexpected allergic reaction.

Who Should Use It? This guide is an essential tool for a wide range of diners, including:

• People with Celiac Disease: Those who must strictly avoid gluten and need to know which items are prepared without wheat.
• Health-Conscious Diners: People following specific dietary lifestyles, such as dairy-free or plant-based diets.
• Parents and Caregivers: Those ordering for children who may have developing or known food sensitivities, ensuring their meal is 100% safe.
  

Common Allergens Found at Habit Burger

While Habit Burger is famous for its fresh, made-to-order meals, many of their signature ingredients contain common allergens. Understanding where these allergens hide is the first step to a safe dining experience. Here is a breakdown of the most frequent allergens you will encounter on their menu.

Milk & Dairy Products

Dairy is one of the most prevalent allergens at Habit Burger. It is primarily found in their cheese slices, buttered buns, and signature sauces. For those who enjoy desserts, their hand-spun shakes and malts are heavy in dairy. If you are lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy, you should opt for a “no cheese” order and request your bun be toasted without butter, or choose a lettuce wrap instead.

Wheat & Gluten

Wheat is found in almost all of Habit’s bread products, including their standard sesame seed buns, sourdough bread, and wheat buns. It is also present in breaded items like the crispy chicken and onion rings. For guests with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, the best alternative is the “Lettuce Wrap” (style: Protein Style), which replaces the bread entirely. However, be cautious of fried sides, as they may share a fryer with gluten-containing items.

Eggs

Eggs are a key ingredient in many of the “hidden” areas of the menu. Most notably, they are found in the creamy mayonnaise used on Charburgers and the house-made dressings for salads. Some of their specialty buns and dessert items also contain egg wash or egg ingredients. If you have an egg allergy, it is crucial to ask for your burger “plain” or substitute mayo with mustard or ketchup.

Soy

Soy is widely used at Habit Burger, often in the form of soybean oil for frying and as an emulsifier in their breads and sauces. The veggie burger, in particular, often contains soy-based proteins. Because soybean oil is the primary oil used in their kitchens, it can be difficult for those with a severe soy allergy to eat fried items. Always check if a specific sauce or patty contains soy lecithin or protein before ordering.

Peanuts & Tree Nuts

While Habit Burger doesn’t use many nuts in their main savory dishes, the risk is highest in the dessert and salad sections. Certain seasonal salads may feature glazed pecans or other tree nuts, and some shake flavors might involve peanut-based toppings or be processed on shared equipment. While they are careful about cross-contamination, those with severe nut allergies should always alert the staff so extra precautions can be taken with utensils.

Does Habit Burger Handle Cross-Contamination?

When eating at a busy restaurant like Habit Burger, the biggest concern for anyone with a food allergy isn’t just the ingredients in the dish, but the invisible risk of cross-contamination. This happens when an allergen is accidentally transferred from one food or surface to another during the cooking or preparation process.

Shared Kitchen Explanation

It is important to understand that Habit Burger operates with shared kitchen spaces. Unlike a specialized allergy-free facility, their kitchens use the same grills, fryers, and prep stations for a wide variety of menu items.

• The Grill: Your beef patty or chicken breast might be cooked on the same flat-top grill where buns containing wheat and dairy (butter) are toasted.
• The Fryer: Habit Burger typically uses shared fryers. This means your french fries are likely cooked in the same oil used for breaded items like onion rings or crispy chicken. Even if the fries themselves don’t contain gluten, the oil can carry “protein hitchhikers” from the breading.
• Assembly Lines: Ingredients like cheese, mayonnaise, and vegetables are stored in close proximity, and the same utensils or gloves may touch multiple ingredients during a rush.

Important Warnings 

Because of the fast-paced nature of their service and the layout of their kitchens, Habit Burger provides a few critical warnings for high-risk individuals:

• No “Guaranteed” Allergen-Free Zones: Habit Burger explicitly states that they cannot guarantee any menu item is 100% free of allergens. There is always a risk that trace amounts could be present.
• Notify the Manager: If you have a severe or life-threatening allergy, do not just rely on the menu. Always inform the cashier or a manager. They can often implement “Allergy Protocols,” such as changing gloves, using a cleaned utensil, or prepping your meal in a separate area if possible.
• Fried Item Risk: If you have a severe wheat, soy, or dairy allergy, it is generally recommended to avoid all fried sides due to the high probability of cross-contact in the shared fryer oil.

How to Order Safely at Habit Burger (Step-by-Step Guide)

Ordering with a food allergy doesn’t have to be stressful. By following a structured approach, you can significantly reduce risks and enjoy a delicious meal. Here is a step-by-step guide to navigating your visit to Habit Burger safely.

Check the Allergen Menu Before Visiting

Preparation starts at home. Before you even head to the restaurant, visit the official Habit Burger website or use a trusted online guide to review their latest Allergen Matrix. Because menus and ingredients can change due to supply chain shifts, checking the digital version ensures you have the most up-to-date information. Identify 2–3 “safe” options beforehand so you aren’t feeling rushed or pressured while standing at the counter.

Inform the Staff About Your Allergy

Once you arrive, communication is your best defense. Don’t just order a burger “without cheese”—explicitly tell the cashier: “I have a severe [Allergy Name] allergy.” When you mention an allergy specifically, it triggers a different protocol in the kitchen. The staff will often alert the manager, change their gloves, and use cleaned or separate utensils to prepare your specific tray, adding an extra layer of protection against cross-contact.

Customize Your Order Carefully

Habit Burger is famous for being “made-to-order,” which is a huge advantage for allergy sufferers. Use this to your benefit:

• The Bun: Swap the standard bun for a Lettuce Wrap (Protein Style) if you are avoiding gluten or dairy.
• The Sauce: Ask for no mayo or “secret sauce” and opt for individual packets of mustard or ketchup to avoid shared containers.
• The Sides: If you are sensitive to shared fryers, consider a side salad (without croutons or cheese) or apple slices instead of fries or onion rings.

Popular Habit Burger Items & Their Allergen Information

Navigating a menu can be tricky when you have food sensitivities. To make your next visit easier, here is a breakdown of the allergen profiles for some of the most popular items at Habit Burger.

Charburgers

The iconic Charburger is the heart of the menu, but it contains several key allergens in its standard form.

• Allergens: Standard Charburgers contain Wheat (Bun), Egg (Mayonnaise), and Soy (Oil/Bun). If you add a slice of cheese, it also includes Dairy.
• Safe Swaps: To make it gluten and dairy-free, order your Charburger “Protein Style” (wrapped in lettuce) and ask for no cheese and no mayo. The beef patties themselves are generally free of gluten and dairy, but they are cooked on a shared grill.

Sandwiches & Chicken Items

Habit’s sandwiches use various types of bread, each with its own allergen risks.

• Chicken Club & Crispy Chicken: These are high-risk for multiple allergens. The Crispy Chicken is breaded (Wheat) and deep-fried (Shared oil/Soy). Even the grilled chicken options often contain Dairy if the bun is buttered.
• Veggie Burger: Surprisingly, the Veggie Burger is not always allergen-friendly. It contains Soy, Wheat, and Egg. It is a great vegetarian option but is not suitable for those with gluten or soy allergies.
• Breads: The Sourdough, Ciabatta, and Wheat buns all contain Wheat and Gluten.

Sides & Fries

The biggest risk with sides at Habit Burger is the shared fryer.

• French Fries & Sweet Potato Fries: While the potatoes themselves are gluten-free, they are fried in the same oil as breaded items like Onion Rings and Chicken Bites. This means they are likely cross-contaminated with Wheat and Gluten.
• Tempura Green Beans: These contain Wheat and Soy due to the batter.
• Side Salads: These are the safest side bet, provided you ask for no croutons (Wheat) and no cheese (Dairy).

Sauces & Dressings

Allergens are often hidden in the liquids.

• Mayonnaise & House Spread: Both contain Egg and Soy.
• Teriyaki Sauce: This contains Soy and Wheat.
• Salad Dressings: Creamy dressings like Ranch and Blue Cheese are heavy on Dairy and Egg. If you need a safer option, the Fat-Free Balsamic Vinaigrette or simple oil and vinegar are usually the best choices.
• Safe Bets: Plain Ketchup and Yellow Mustard are generally free of common allergens like dairy, nuts, and gluten.

Is Habit Burger Safe for People With Severe Allergies?

When you have a life-threatening food allergy, the decision of where to eat is a serious one. While Habit Burger provides a lot of information, it’s important to look at the reality of their kitchen environment to decide if it’s the right choice for you.

Honest Risk Explanation

The honest answer is that Habit Burger is not a 100% allergen-free environment. Like most fast-casual restaurants, they operate with an “open kitchen” concept. This means that even if a specific ingredient isn’t in your burger, it is likely present just inches away.

• Airborne Risks: In a high-volume kitchen, particles of flour (wheat) or splashes of milk and oil can move through the air or across prep surfaces.
• Shared Equipment: The most significant risk comes from the shared grills and fryers. While staff can clean a spatula or change gloves, the deep fryer oil is shared across the entire menu. If you have a severe allergy to wheat or soy, the “cross-contact” in the fryer oil is almost guaranteed.
• Human Error: During a busy lunch rush, mistakes can happen. Even with the best intentions, a stray piece of cheese or a crumb from a bun can end up in a salad or on a patty.

When to Avoid Eating Out

For some individuals, the safest choice might be to skip dining out at high-volume burger chains altogether. You should consider avoiding Habit Burger (or similar establishments) if:

• Anaphylactic Sensitivity: If your reaction is triggered by even trace amounts or “cross-contact” levels of an allergen, a shared kitchen is a high-risk zone.
• Severe Fryer Allergies: If you cannot consume anything cooked in oil that has touched wheat, dairy, or soy, you will have very few options, as almost all sides are cooked in shared fryers.
• Peak Hours: If you cannot speak directly with a manager to ensure your order is handled with “clean-room” protocols, it is safer to eat elsewhere or visit during very slow hours when the staff can give your meal undivided attention.

Ultimately, Habit Burger provides the tools for you to make an informed choice, but the “final call” rests on your comfort level with their shared kitchen setup.

My Experience Using the Habit Burger Allergen Menu

When I first started using the Habit Burger Allergen Menu, I was impressed by how much detail they actually provide. It isn’t just a simple “yes/no” list; it is a full Allergen Matrix that covers everything from their flame-grilled meats to the specific oils used in their fryers. In my experience, the biggest takeaway is that while the menu is very clear, the physical restaurant experience is where you have to be the most proactive.

I found that the most reliable way to use the guide is to check it on their official website just before walking in. Since ingredients can change due to seasonal supply shifts, having the digital version ensures you aren’t looking at an outdated printed chart. For example, knowing that their Veggie Burger actually contains egg and wheat saved me from a major ordering mistake that I wouldn’t have caught just by looking at the standard menu.

Personal / Realistic Experience

On a recent visit, I tested their “Allergy Protocol” by ordering a Charburger with a severe dairy allergy request. Here is what I noticed:

• Staff Training: The cashier immediately flagged the order for the manager. They didn’t just “leave off the cheese”; they communicated the allergy to the line cooks.
• Visual Cues: My receipt had “ALLERGY: DAIRY” printed in bold, which gave me peace of mind that the message reached the kitchen.
• The Wait: Because they had to clean a specific area of the grill and change gloves/utensils, my order took about 5 minutes longer than my friend’s. I actually see this as a positive sign—it means they are taking the necessary time to do it safely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Habit Burger offer allergen-free food?

Technically, no restaurant with a shared kitchen can claim to be 100% “allergen-free.” However, Habit Burger is very allergy-conscious. While they prepare items containing milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, wheat, and soy in the same kitchen, they offer extensive customization. You can order many items without specific allergens, but there is always a minimal risk of cross-contact.

Is Habit Burger peanut-free?

Habit Burger is considered relatively safe for those with peanut allergies because they do not use peanut oil in their fryers (they typically use soybean oil). While peanuts and tree nuts are present in the building—primarily as toppings for specific seasonal salads or in certain dessert items—they are not a core ingredient in their burgers or fries. Always notify the staff so they can use fresh gloves and cleaned surfaces.

Can I get a dairy-free burger at Habit Burger?

Yes, quite easily! Most of Habit Burger’s savory menu is naturally dairy-free if you make two simple adjustments: ask for no cheese and no mayo/secret sauce. Additionally, while their standard buns are often dairy-free, some specialty breads like sourdough or ciabatta may be grilled with a butter blend. To be safe, ask for your bun to be toasted “dry” or opt for a Lettuce Wrap (Protein Style).

Does Habit Burger provide an official allergen chart?

Yes. Habit Burger maintains an official Allergen Matrix (often available as a PDF or interactive tool on their website). This chart is updated regularly—most recently for 2025—and provides a clear “check-mark” system for all major allergens across their entire menu. You can usually find a link to this guide at the bottom of their “Nutritional Information” page.

Final Thoughts on the Habit Burger Allergen Menu

Navigating food allergies shouldn’t mean missing out on a great meal, and Habit Burger makes a genuine effort to keep its customers safe. Their Allergen Menu is a powerful tool, providing the transparency needed to distinguish between a safe treat and a potential health risk.

The key takeaway for any diner is that information is your best protection. By using their digital allergen matrix, communicating clearly with the restaurant staff, and opting for smart customizations like “Protein Style” wraps, you can enjoy the bold, char-grilled flavors Habit Burger is famous for with much greater peace of mind.

However, always remember that no fast-casual kitchen is entirely risk-free. If you have a life-threatening sensitivity, use the guide as a starting point, but let your own comfort level and the staff’s responsiveness be your final guide. With a little bit of preparation, a safe and delicious burger experience is well within reach.