17 Best Paleo Fast Food Restaurants in 2024
At first glance, the paleo diet and fast food don’t seem to go together, which might leave you wondering: what are the top paleo fast food options? If you’re out and about looking for a quick meal, a treat that you don’t have to cook yourself or a meal to share with fast-food-loving pals then there are many paleo fast food options to choose from at some of the best-loved chains across the US.
Associated with ultra-processed foods that are high in salt and sugar, you might be thinking that a trip to a fast food restaurant means blowing your paleo diet. After all, there were no fast food restaurants for cavemen to pop into (McMammoth sandwich anyone?). Well, we're here to help, having put together a helpful list of the prime paleo fast food chains and the top menu items to order that won’t derail your diet.
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What Are the Best Paleo Fast Food Options?
The paleo diet has grown hugely in popularity over recent years. Named after the Palaeolithic era, and also known as the Cave Man or Stone Age Diet, paleo diets focus on the food groups that our earliest ancestors would have eaten including lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts, fruits and vegetables, herbs, spices and healthy oils and fats. While some paleo diet practitioners allow full-fat cheese and milk, others completely cut out all dairy products. In addition, grains and legumes are limited or completely cut out.
Finding paleo-friendly meals at fast food eateries can be difficult but, if you bear a few general tips and tricks in mind, is totally achievable. As grains aren’t part of the paleo diet, one of the most obvious things you’ll have to do is remove any bread-based products, such as buns, rice and toast.
Unfortunately, fries are out because of the way they are prepared, as are sauces and condiments because they often contain processed sugars. However, it's always worth checking the individual ingredient list to see if they’re paleo-suitable. Choose water or black, unsweetened tea or coffee to drink rather than sugary sodas.
The 17 Best Paleo Fast Food Restaurants
1. Burger King
Choosing paleo choices at Burger King means steering clear of the usual menu items such as fries and onion rings. However, there’s still a varied selection if you know where to look. One of the greatest options for paleo fast food is a hamburger served without the bun or any condiments. Unlike some of the paleo fast food burger options on our list, Burger King doesn’t advertise that it'll swap your bun for a lettuce wrap but most staff members will be happy to oblige if you ask nicely.
2. Taco Bell
Taco Bell is another top choice for paleo fast food whether you’re in need of a quick meal or a road trip pitstop. While much of the Taco Bell menu does include grains, in the form of rice and tortillas, there are several paleo-friendly choices.
Any item on the menu can be ordered fresco-style, which automatically replaces any dairy items or mayo with chopped tomatoes. One of the top options is the Power Bowl, which comes with steak or chicken and includes lettuce, cabbage and guacamole. You can add extras, such as onions and jalapeños but just make sure to ask for it without rice or beans.
3. Chick-fil-A
Finding paleo fast food can be tough but Chick-fil-A has the perfect snack when you want a mid-afternoon refresher. Unlike some fast food restaurants, the chicken nuggets at Chick-fil-A are freshly grilled and served without a bread coating. You can make a more substantial meal by adding them to the superfood side salad which comes with kale, broccolini, dried cherries and nuts (just forego the dressing). The Spicy Southwest and Grilled Market salads are excellent paleo fast food options too, as long as you ask for them without dressing and remove the croutons.
4. In-N-Out Burger
Sometimes when you’re looking for good paleo fast food choices, it pays to be in the know. For instance, did you know that there’s an In-N-Out secret menu? One of the most famous items on this secret menu are Protein-style burgers which come wrapped in a lettuce leaf instead of a bun. Go for the single or the double-double (two beef patties) burger without the signature sauce or American cheese. You can add in grilled onions and tomato for extra flavor though.
5. Shake Shack
You’d be forgiven for thinking that paleo fast food options at Shake Shack would be scarce. After all, this is a chain that’s famous for its towering burgers smothered in sauce and straw-busting milkshakes. But, if you know where to look, there are several paleo fast food choices.
All of the burgers at Shake Shack are 100% beef and can come with a lettuce leaf wrapping rather than the bun, according to the Shake Shack secret menu. Just skip the Shake sauce and cheese and add a few slices of bacon if you fancy.
6. Subway
While all meats are permitted by the paleo diet, it’s recommended that you stick to leaner proteins such as chicken, turkey, tuna, roast beef and steak. It’s better to avoid flavored chicken, such as barbecue or teriyaki, which are more heavily processed.
No Bready Bowls are a great paleo fast food option as they contain only vegetables, salad and your choice of meat or fish with no carbs. You’ll need to remove the dressings but you can add some guacamole and jalapeños for extra flavor. The salads are another good option and can be completely personalized.
7. CAVA
CAVA has a Mediterranean-style menu that lends itself well to a paleo diet, making this one of the top paleo fast food joints. The steak mezze and green salads are bursting with fresh leaves and lean proteins and can be easily customized to miss out the dressing, toppings or any non-paleo ingredients, including feta. You can build your own bowls for maximum personalization too.
8. Wendy’s
A convenient staple, Wendy’s offers several paleo fast food choices that can be made from the Wendy's secret menu or adapted from the main menu with a few minor modifications. The Southwest avocado salad, for example, is a limited-edition mix of lettuce, pepper, tomatoes, avocados and Applewood smoked bacon. It comes topped with ranch dressing and cheese but you can ask for it without these to make it paleo-friendly. There‘s also an apple pecan salad that’s loaded with chicken, nuts, apple and dried cranberries. Again, remove the dressing and this is a fantastic paleo fast food lunch option.
9. Chipotle
Chipotle is one of the most well-known paleo fast food choices out there thanks to their selection of bowls and salads, all containing a mix of protein, vegetables and salad. Some come with grains, such as rice, so you’ll have to skip this to keep it paleolithic but apart from that there are very few changes needed. The Chipotle Wholesome Bowl is designated paleo-friendly and comes with lettuce, chicken, vegetables, a fresh tomato salsa and guacamole. You can personalize it by adding more meat or guacamole and you can add extra cilantro for free from the Chipotle secret menu.
If you’d rather DIY a bowl, there’s a massive range on the Chipotle menu. All meats are open to you, as are the spicy fajita veggies and the fresh tomato and tomatillo green chile salsas.
10. Panda Express
If you’re in the mood for some Chinese, then Panda Express is a great paleo fast food option. You’ll need to make some changes to the menu items but Panda Express actually makes this pretty straightforward and is one of the finest high-protein fast food options around. Go for a big helping of the super greens for your side and skip the rice and noodles to make a paleo fast food feast that’s superb for lunch or dinner.
Some of the entrées come drizzled in sugary sauces so you’ll want to stick to plain proteins. The broccoli beef is a solid option for paleo fast food, as is the black pepper chicken and beef, the mushroom chicken and the string bean chicken breast.
11. Five Guys
When only a burger will do, Five Guys has you covered with its easy-to-make paleo patties. Like other burger joints on our list, Five Guys lets you swap out your burger bun for lettuce. You’ll need to leave out the cheese, but you can keep the bacon depending on whether this fits into your personal paleo list. There are several paleo-acceptable sides that you can add to spice up your burger too, including jalapeños, green peppers, pickles, mustard and tomatoes.
12. Red Lobster
If you’re looking for a change to meat-heavy paleo fast food items, then Red Lobster is the catch of the day. There are many dishes on the menu that can be slightly adjusted to make them a paleo-friendly option, such as the oven broiler wild-caught flounder or the Maine and Caribbean rock tails. Be careful with the sauces and sides — the baked potato, seasoned broccoli and crispy Brussels sprouts are good choices, provided they come sauce-free.
13. Applebee’s
Locating family-friendly paleo fast foods can be tricky but beloved chain restaurant Applebee’s is a super option. Their varied menu includes a lot of dishes that are already paleo-friendly and plenty more that can be made suitable with a few minor alterations. The steak, seafood and chicken sections of the menu are good places to start. The sirloin steak and chicken breast are plainly cooked and come with a choice of two sides — go for the steamed broccoli, house salad without dressing or garlicky green beans to keep things perfectly paleo.
14. Panera Bread
Panera Bread might not seem like an obvious choice among our list of restaurants for paleo fast food — grains are big on the menu and their name means bread basket. However, once you flip to the salad portion of the menu, you’ll find a wonderland of paleo fast food choices that are perfect for a quick lunch. The Green Goddess Cobb Salad is one of the healthiest items at Panera Bread. Of course, you’ll have to steer clear of the grains and the dressings but this is easy to customize.
15. Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse is an Australian-inspired restaurant that serves a bonza selection of paleo fast food. It's famous for its croc-tails and fried bloomin’ onion but paleo diners will want to head straight for the grilled section of the menu. There’s a huge selection of grilled steaks, chicken, lamb and fish, which can come with paleo sides of fresh steamed vegetables, sweet potato, baked potato and garden salad.
16. Denny’s
The number one pick on our list for a paleo fast food breakfast, which is available 24/7, Denny’s is a super option if you’re eating out with family. One of the top choices of paleo fast food at Denny’s is the Fit Slam featuring scrambled egg whites with spinach and tomatoes, fresh fruit and turkey bacon (just ask for it without the English muffin). You can also build your own breakfast out of a selection of proteins and fruit, or go for a T-bone steak and eggs if you’re looking to boost your protein intake. There’s a range of easily adjustable paleo-friendly meals including salads, grills and burgers.
17. Starbucks
While you won’t find too many paleo fast food options at Starbucks, it’s the place to go when you’re in need of a paleo-friendly caffeine hit. Pretty much all coffees and teas at Starbucks are okay, provided you order them black or unsweetened. This includes herbal, black and green teas, as well as all coffee blends. The one area that is off-limits at Starbucks is the range of signature milk-blended drinks, such as lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. While some paleo diets allow alternative milks, such as coconut and oat, the varieties used at Starbucks are made with sweeteners so should be avoided.
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Hunting down paleo fast food options can feel like a challenge but the good news is that the diet lends itself well to eating out. Just by focussing on meat and vegetables and cutting out grains and sauces, you’ll still be able to enjoy lots of choices at many fast food eateries. Be aware that the menu options in your area might differ slightly so it’s always a good idea to check the specifics before ordering.
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