Do not conflate with Lactose intolerance. Each restaurant page explains the evidence and what remains uncertain.
If you're considering the standard Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich with a milk allergy, removing the cheese doesn't remove the milk listed in the breaded filet. The chicken ingredients name nonfat dry milk, and the allergen panel identifies milk, so you'll need to review the chicken as well as the toppings.
Chipotle's current allergen information identifies milk in shredded Monterey Jack cheese, queso, and sour cream. Leaving those toppings off narrows the ingredient concerns, but it doesn't answer how the nearby bins, serving utensils, gloves, or work surface were handled. You'll want to review the full build and the line setup before deciding.
If you're reviewing McDonald's for a milk allergy, cheese isn't the only ingredient you'll need to check. The Egg McMuffin description names both butter and American cheese, while the Surf and Turf panel lists milk in its fish filet patty and cheese. The chain's shared-kitchen notice also means a modification won't answer every preparation question.
If you’re dining at Olive Garden with a milk allergy, the restaurant’s allergen guide is a helpful place to begin. It identifies which menu items contain milk and notes that the breadsticks and garlic topping themselves do not contain dairy, which may make them worth asking about. The guide cannot tell you everything about how an individual order will be prepared, though, so it is still important to check the latest information and talk with the restaurant before ordering.
Starbucks offers nondairy milk choices, but a milk swap doesn't by itself resolve a milk-allergy drink. The standard Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew includes cream and milk, and cold foams, sauces, whipped cream, toppings, and protein additions can each change the build. Start with the base drink, then review every selected layer.
Many Taco Bell standards include obvious milk ingredients, but removing cheese isn't the whole milk-allergy review. The Bean Burrito includes cheddar cheese, while the Chicken Quesadilla includes a three-cheese blend and Creamy Jalapeño Sauce. You'll want to check every retained sauce and topping in the customized build.