[mcphena]

As for Outback, I have been to 2 different ones this week because we are traveling. I didn't have a good experience at either one. One was in Wyoming and one was in Castle Rock, CO. As I posted elsewhere on this board, the one in Wyoming brought me a salad made in it's own bowl and super safe, and halfway thru it I found a crouton. Then the one in Castle Rock made no attempt to make me feel like they were being careful with my meal. I skipped the salad altogether and got chicken and ribs with vegetables. They brought my food out on same tray with rest of the tables food, and some of their plates were hanging over mine, with french fries all over, and that didn't make me feel very good. Then I ordered the gluten free brownie dessert and they brought out just ice cream with chocolate syrup. WHen I asked where is the brownie, the waiter told me they don't have the gluten free brownie anymore he didn't think. I said it's on the menu! He said I think they weren't sure if it was gluten free so we dont have it now. I went and asked the manager, and he said yes they still have it and he didn't know what the waiter was talking about. So, they brought me out the dessert with the brownie but I could tell they had just placed the original ice cream on top of it, so I didn't feel safe eating it. Unfortunately we will be eating at Outback tonight again, and then we'll be home and I'm not going out to eat any more.

[Gemini]

JerseySue, on Oct 17 2009, 09:30 AM, said:

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

Carrabba's does a fabulous job of serving gluten-free food even though they do not have a dedicated grill. You do not need to have one if you cook the food in a clean pan or clean the grill well....which they must do or I would react. I am also a super sensitive Celiac and the smallest amounts I would feel. You do not have to have separate cooking area's to do this successfully, you just have to be diligent about prep. If they made that many Celiacs sick, they wouldn't be in business.

As far as Outback's are concerned, just because there is no disclaimer does not mean they don't run their kitchens the same way. Outback's does not have separate area's but are careful with prep so there is no difference. Disclaimers mean absolutely nothing, other than to legally protect the business from sue happy customers. It all boils down to diligence and care on the part of the restaurant when preparing a gluten-free meal and many do so successfully.

[lovegrov]

[quote name='JerseySue' date='Oct 17 2009, 05:30 AM' post='568517']
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.

Maybe there's no disclaimer at Outback, but I'm pretty certain there's no dedicated grill or prep area. OTH, I'm not certain what they grill that isn't gluten-free. I've found Chipotle to be very cooperative and done well there, but they also do not have any sort of dedicated prep area. In fact, other than some places that have dedicated fryers for fries, I know of very few places that have dedicated areas. Risotteria in New York City does for their gluten-free pizzas, but then they specifically cater to people with celiac.

richard