Glutened At Pf Changs

[livinthelife]

I've been feeling so great! I've safely eaten at PF Changs several times so didn't hesitate when the family wanted to go. I ordered my usual egg drop soup, entree and gluten free fried rice with all the veggies. 

 

They brought out the red bowl of sauce and the signature plates only the rice came with chicken instead of veggies. I figured oh well, I need to eat more protein anyway and took a bite. I remarked to my family how awesome the rice was and that PF Changs finally figured out how to do gluten free rice! My daughter laughed because she can't stand their gluten free rice. 

 

A couple of hours later as I threw up, I realized that no, in fact, they had not figured out how to do rice. I was foggy and exhausted and plain miserable for days. Just yesterday, five days after, I started feeling better. The only thing PF Changs figured out how to do was screw up an order. I contacted them and told them exactly what happened.

 

No more out to eat for this gal for a long, long time. It's my own da** fault...

 

The next night when we went out to eat, I had a glass of wine and a KIND bar from my purse! Live and learn!

 

[frieze]

what is the gluten in rice?? more likely the chicken?

[shadowicewolf]

what is the gluten in rice?? more likely the chicken?

soy sauce is the likely cause.

[livinthelife]

I should've said soy sauce in the rice. Sorry! 

[frieze]

now it makes sense.

[Celtic Queen]

^{Yeah, I got nailed at Pei Wei a few weeks back.  I was sooo disappointed because Pei Wei and Changs were the two restaurants that seemed to be doing a good job for Celiacs, or at least for me.} 

[livinthelife]

Follow up...

 

PF Changs emailed me the nicest email and were concerned about the soy sauce in the black ramekin. They also mailed me a generous gift card, which I told them in my initial conversation was completely unnecessary, as I knew I would eat there again. I emailed them back the server's name and the receipt number which showed the gluten-free meals.

 

It's nice to see such great customer service and a restaurant that cares!

[blmoreschi]

We were on the road New Year's Eve, traveling from Chicago back to home in Virginia. We were (successfully) outrunning the storm and just went as far as Indianapolis. We decided to get carry-out from PF Chang's and eat in our hotel room so the kids could watch all the Ryan Seacrest shows. I ordered online from my phone and we ordered all gluten-free items. It was all wonderful (except for one beef dish) and we loved the big orange "gluten-free" stickers on everything and especially the little packets of gluten-free soy sauce. Reading your story I'm glad we ordered all gluten-free (only my daughter with celiac is gluten-free outside of the house) so we didn't have to worry about any mix-ups.

 

So sorry about your bad experience, but in general PF Changs ROCKS! Just wish we lived near one!

[Nikki2777]

I had a similar mix up at a PF Changs, and iI have to say that I was similarly impressed with their customer service. They seemed genuinely concerned abut the breakdown in procedure and sent a gift card.

[kymhaze]

It is so great how many restaurants really do care about gluten-free and offer options that truly are gluten-free! PF Chang's is definitely one of my favorites and even more so reading how strong their customer service was in this post!

[glutenfreeliac]

Having just ordered PF Changs for delivery, I am so sorry to hear this happened. Our local restaurant has been great for me, and I love that I can it delivered. I'm pleased that they handled the customer service side of things so promptly and graciously. It makes me feel good about a restaurant when I know they really do care about their customers.

[CarolinaKip]

I have been glutened at one pf Changs location. However, another location knows me now! I speak with the manager who has Celiac relatives. I try to stick with the same servers as well.

 

I went right after the new year and did not expect it to be so crowded. I expressed my concern for my order. The manager I know came by to tell me he informed the chef that I am Celiac, and they have a special area to cook my order. My entire table orders gluten free every time we go. My son gets the gluten-free fried rice and it comes with veggies and chicken. I know that my pf Changs is a flagship restaurant where they try new dishes. If you have the gluten-free Cantonese lemon chicken on your gluten-free menu, it's so yummy! When my server put it in front of me the first time, I said to him "this does not look gluten-free" He said yes, I can assure you it is! It's a sliced fired chicken breast with lemon sauce.

 

The last time I went, my young grandson was with me and they made his fried rice gluten-free just so the entire table would be safe with no extra charge.

 

Sorry to know you got sick!

[IrishHeart]

So, I took a leap of faith and tried P F Chang’s in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. The hubs loves Chinese food (I prefer Thai) but I thought I would see how they handle the food and the many questions I would have about food prep so he could enjoy this cuisine once more. (neither of us has take out had Chinese food in 3 years since my DX).

From the moment I walked through the door, I felt comfortable that they understand the serious nature of celiac. All the sauces that are gluten-free are brought to the table in a RED cup. (This is designated for gluten-free diners.) Yes, there is soy sauce in a jar on the table, but they tell you flat out : DO NOT USE THAT. WE HAVE gluten-free SOY SAUCE. (ok, check!)

 

The server was very knowledgeable and she related her husband’s story of serious illness with UC and how they are gluten-free too. She took good care of us. The gluten-free meals we ordered were on their designated gluten-free plates, The food was very good and I had no issues whatsoever. When the manager learned it was my first time there, he came over and introduced himself and gave me a gift card. Nice touch!

 

They make all the gluten-free items in dedicated woks. They have EXCELLENT protocols in place.

 

I had a great experience at P F Chang’s. I even went back a few weeks later. Still okay! 

Perhaps the careful food prep varies from location to location,(although I am not sure how because they have a definite protocol they follow. Maybe someone got sloppy?)
or perhaps some of you have other food intolerances? (I sure do) or perhaps some of you just cannot handle spicy foods because you are still healing? OTHER things can give us grief besides gluten. 

I never would have tried such spicy food the first year after diagnosis because my GI tract was a mess.

Eating out can be risky, of course, but I just wanted to relate my positive experience for anyone still reading the thread.

[kareng]

So, I took a leap of faith and tried P F Chang’s in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. The hubs loves Chinese food (I prefer Thai) but I thought I would see how they handle the food and the many questions I would have about food prep so he could enjoy this cuisine once more. (neither of us has take out had Chinese food in 3 years since my DX).

From the moment I walked through the door, I felt comfortable that they understand the serious nature of celiac. All the sauces that are gluten-free are brought to the table in a RED cup. (This is designated for gluten-free diners.) Yes, there is soy sauce in a jar on the table, but they tell you flat out : DO NOT USE THAT. WE HAVE gluten-free SOY SAUCE. (ok, check!)

 

The server was very knowledgeable and she related her husband’s story of serious illness with UC and how they are gluten-free too. She took good care of us. The gluten-free meals we ordered were on their designated gluten-free plates, The food was very good and I had no issues whatsoever. When the manager learned it was my first time there, he came over and introduced himself and gave me a gift card. Nice touch!

 

They make all the gluten-free items in dedicated woks. They have EXCELLENT protocols in place.

 

I had a great experience at P F Chang’s. I even went back a few weeks later. Still okay! 

Perhaps the careful food prep varies from location to location,(although I am not sure how because they have a definite protocol they follow. Maybe someone got sloppy?)

or perhaps some of you have other food intolerances? (I sure do) or perhaps some of you just cannot handle spicy foods because you are still healing? OTHER things can give us grief besides gluten. 

I never would have tried such spicy food the first year after diagnosis because my GI tract was a mess.

Eating out can be risky, of course, but I just wanted to relate my positive experience for anyone still reading the thread.

You know..... Not all the gluten-free dishes are spicy?

We all order from the gluten-free menu when we go. That way we can share.

[IrishHeart]

You know..... Not all the gluten-free dishes are spicy?

We all order from the gluten-free menu when we go. That way we can share.

 

yes, I do, Miz K....but I like spicy and I was just saying....maybe some people feel icky after eating something spicy. 

 

I loved everything I have tried so far....hope to go back soon!  So glad my initial soy intolerance has resolved. Yaay for healing!! LOL

[kareng]

yes, I do, Miz K....but I like spicy and I was just saying....maybe some people feel icky after eating something spicy. 

 

I loved everything I have tried so far....hope to go back soon!  So glad my initial soy intolerance has resolved. Yaay for healing!! LOL

 

 

Actually.... I have heard that they can make some dishes without soy.  It might not be quite the same as it won't be marinated or have the same sauce, but it will might be a nice option for some.

[IrishHeart]

Actually.... I have heard that they can make some dishes without soy.  It might not be quite the same as it won't be marinated or have the same sauce, but it will might be a nice option for some.

 

 

True, true. 

 

But  I think we should make it clear..... the soy in the gluten-free dishes....is gluten-free soy sauce. 

 

[livinthelife]

I've been back to Pf Changs since I was glutened there and had awesome experiences. Wish I had some lettuce wraps right now!