Barbecue might be one of the most nerve-wracking cuisines to navigate when gluten-free. Between the rubs, the sauces, the shared slicing boards, and half the sides being breaded or floured… it can feel like a minefield when all you want is a plate of brisket like everyone else. 

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Hutchins BBQ has been family run since 1978, they’ve been named to Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ Joints more than once, they were voted Best BBQ in DFW for 2025, and they have even cooked at the James Beard House in New York twice! In other words, this is award-winning, seriously good Texas BBQ, and the best part is how much of it we can actually eat gluten-free! 

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One important note before you go, this guide is specifically for the two Hutchins locations in North Dallas: McKinney (1301 N Tennessee St) and Frisco (9225 Preston Rd). The Original Roy Hutchins Barbeque in Trophy Club is owned by a separate family member with different menu offerings. 

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How They Handle Cross Contamination

This is where Hutchins really earns my trust. When you tell them you're gluten-free, they'll wipe down the chopping block with a cleaner (or grab a completely new one), change out all of the utensils they use, and change their gloves before touching any food. Then, instead of pulling from the meat already sitting out, they go get fresh cooked meat from the dedicated cookers and warmers to build your plate. That is the kind of care that makes a shared kitchen feel genuinely safe, but you do have to ask, so always let them know when you order.

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The Meats

Here is the easy part, every meat is gluten-free except for the pulled pork. Order the brisket, ribs, sausage, turkey, a Texas Twinkie, and you are good to go! 

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The Sides

Most of the sides are safe too, which means you can load up your tray with the brisket pinto beans, a baked potato, broccoli salad, coleslaw, green beans, jalapeño pinto beans, and the potato salad. That is a genuinely generous spread for a BBQ joint, and honestly more safe sides than most places give us. 

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Dessert

Save a little room, because you do have a sweet ending here. The soft serve is gluten-free and the perfect cool finish after a big smoky plate. The banana pudding and the peach cobbler are filled with gluten (to be expected), so skip those two, but a swirl of soft serve is exactly what you want after all that brisket anyway! 

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So there it is, y'all. Tell them you are gluten-free, let them do their thing, and go enjoy some of the best barbecue in Texas without the stress! 

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