[mommyagain]

Carrabba's used to be one of our absolute favorite restuarants, until I went gluten-free. Since then I've been really scared to eat out. So, when I heard that Carrabba's had a gluten-free menu, I had to check it out. A lot of the stuff looked pretty yummy, but the disclaimer worries me. I understand that they are just trying to cover their a$$es, but the way it's written it sounds like someone else came up with a list of gluten-free foods and they just post it on their website to be helpful.

So, any good experiences with Carrabba's? Bad? Did you feel like they took you seriously when you placed your order?

Thanks.

[broncobux]

I always order the pollo rosa maria (no glaze) and a cesar salad (dry, dressing on side, no croutons).

I have never had a problem. You have to make sure they don't brush the chicken with the glaze - impress that upon your waiter!

[blueeyedmanda]

I believe many members on this board go to Carrabba's frequently. I am not too close to one or I would go try it out. They are an Outback chain, and I have always had good service at Outback.

[Gemini]

mommyagain, on Sep 10 2007, 01:04 PM, said:

Carrabba's used to be one of our absolute favorite restuarants, until I went gluten-free. Since then I've been really scared to eat out. So, when I heard that Carrabba's had a gluten-free menu, I had to check it out. A lot of the stuff looked pretty yummy, but the disclaimer worries me. I understand that they are just trying to cover their a$$es, but the way it's written it sounds like someone else came up with a list of gluten-free foods and they just post it on their website to be helpful.

So, any good experiences with Carrabba's? Bad? Did you feel like they took you seriously when you placed your order?

Thanks.

I know that different restaurants can be inconsistent with their knowledge but my experience at Carraba's was excellent. Those disclaimers are for legal protection only.....if they were that worried about glutening people on a regular basis, they wouldn't offer a gluten-free menu.

Carraba's is owned by Outback's and the reason there is a gluten-free menu at both is because there are Celiac's in the family. My experience was very satisfactory and they even knew to mix the salad in a seperate bowl. They are one of a few chain restaurants that have gluten-free sauces for their dishes and they are delicious. I usually don't go to chain restaurants, even with a gluten-free menu, because most employee's are not knowledgeable enough about food to know what they are doing but Carraba's outdid themselves.

[hez]

I have not been to our local Carrabba's because I know of some fellow celiacs that have had a bad experience. I am sure there are good ones out there. It seems so dependent on how good of a manager is there. Maybe ask around to see if anyone has had a good experience at that location. No matter where you go eating out is always a risk. So as a celiac I do my best to limit the risk.

Hez

[mandasmom]

hez, on Sep 10 2007, 08:47 PM, said:

I have not been to our local Carrabba's because I know of some fellow celiacs that have had a bad experience. I am sure there are good ones out there. It seems so dependent on how good of a manager is there. Maybe ask around to see if anyone has had a good experience at that location. No matter where you go eating out is always a risk. So as a celiac I do my best to limit the risk.

Hez

The shrimp scampi is fabulous!! We live nearby and eat there often!! Never a problem

[mommyagain]

Well, I surprised my hubby last night by saying that I wanted to go to Carrabba's! He had figured that since it was an Italian place, it would be totally off limits.

So, we went and I got the gluten-free Chicken Trio, broccoli, and a salad. I forgot to mention to the waiter to have them mix it in a clean bowl. When the waiter brought it, he said, "You didn't mention that you wanted this mixed in a clean bowl, but that's how we always do the gluten-free salads". WOW!!! I was impressed.

I have felt fine all day, and had leftovers for lunch today! Yummy!

My hubby had Linguine with clam sauce, which he said was fantastic. I wasn't too jealous because I don't particularly like clam sauce I am so glad that we are finding nice places that both of us can have a tasty meal

[marciab]

I got glutenned the last time I went, but I called the manager and he has offered to cook my meal for me so that I can eat there again. That was May and I haven't been back yet though. I'm too sensitive to take the chance.

A freind of mine eats there often, but even she says that she keeps on eye on her food, just to be safe.

Actually anytime you eat somewhere that is not 100% gluten-free you run the risk of being glutenned. So depending on how sensitive you are, you may or may not have a problem with it.

[tiffjake]

I love their chicken marsala with mashed potatoes! Yum! And that John-something dessert with the nuts!!!

[lovegrov]

"A lot of the stuff looked pretty yummy, but the disclaimer worries me. I understand that they are just trying to cover their a$$es, but the way it's written it sounds like someone else came up with a list of gluten-free foods and they just post it on their website to be helpful."

Ah, but the "someone else" who came up with the list is Cynthia Kupper of GIG, the same person who did the Outback and Bonefish Grill gluten-free menus. I'd rather have her doing it than the restaurant.

richard

[mommyagain]

lovegrov, on Sep 12 2007, 09:02 AM, said:

Ah, but the "someone else" who came up with the list is Cynthia Kupper of GIG, the same person who did the Outback and Bonefish Grill gluten-free menus. I'd rather have her doing it than the restaurant.

richard

See, I haven't been in the celiac world long enough to know who's legit and who's not... For me, the final answer was that I ate there, everyone was extremely helpful/knowledgable, and I DID NOT GET SICK!!!

[Kitty Cat]

blueeyedmanda, on Sep 10 2007, 01:05 PM, said:

I believe many members on this board go to Carrabba's frequently. I am not too close to one or I would go try it out. They are an Outback chain, and I have always had good service at Outback.

I didn't know they were linked to Outback. I love Outback it is one of the few dinner places I go to.

BTW-I'm new and just reading some post so HI everyone.

[Egaeus]

I'm not a fan of Outback's restaurants because of the company's politics, but sometimes you have to make exceptions so that you can enjoy a night out with your friends, or can eat safely in a strange city (as is often the case with me). As I can walk down the flour aisle without getting sick, I try to eat places that attempt to provide food that I can safely eat, and am rewarded for it by not being sick.

However, for those who do react to even extremely small amounts of gluten, it is probably advisable for you to stay home. Watch the Food Network (especially Good Eats) and learn about cooking so that you can take the recipes that appeal to you, and adapt them (if necessary) to be gluten-free. Heck, Alton Brown recently had a substitution show where he made gluten-free cookies, and Emeril made a Flourless (and gluten-free) Chocolate Cake that was amazing by all accounts I've seen (though I haven't tried it yet). Get to enjoy cooking, and you won't mind not eating out.

[wowzer]

I just went there for my 33rd anniversary. The waiter assured me that everything that ordered would be marked gluten free. They even brought my salad wearing plastic gloves. It's the best service I've had from a restaurant since going gluten free.

[JerseySue]

hez, on Sep 10 2007, 08:47 PM, said:

I have not been to our local Carrabba's because I know of some fellow celiacs that have had a bad experience. I am sure there are good ones out there. It seems so dependent on how good of a manager is there. Maybe ask around to see if anyone has had a good experience at that location. No matter where you go eating out is always a risk. So as a celiac I do my best to limit the risk.

Hez

Hopefully I'm doing this correctly, my first post.
My husband and I decided to eat at Carrabba's on the last night of our week in Vegas due to multiply sites, and posts, about their gluten free menu. I know I should of left when I read the disclaimer that they don't have a separate grill for gluten free, I was ill before we left the parking lot.
I don't understand how a resturant can make the claim, gluten free, when food is prepared in the same location?
Good news, we did eat at PF Changs, Outback (same company, no disclaimer) and Chipotle Grill with no problem.

Sue