9 Out Of 10 Don't React

[Traveller]

While visiting in New York I went to dinner at an East Side restaurant that happened to be a part of a large, well known national chain. I ordered a steak off of the gluten free menu and was surprised when it was delivered with au jus. I've never been served the au jus with a gluten free meal in any of the chains other restaurants.

Thinking asking was better than paying the penalty for ignorance, I asked the waiter about the au jus. He went and asked the manager, who said:

1) The au jus is naturally gluten free, but the pan in which they trap it may not be.

2) If it's contaminated, it's only a little contaminated.

3) Because 9 out of 10 of the gluten-free diners don't react to it, they serve it with the meat.

The manager offered another meal if I felt uncomfortable with the one they prepared. I accepted the offer.

I wonder how many complaints the manager gets, versus how many people simply never return.

I also wonder if the 9 of 10 metric reflects East Siders adopting the diet for its fad value. I can see that; what I vehemently disagree with is serving the au jus based on "only" 1 of 10 being poisoned.

[Mtndog]

That is just bizarre- they are going to have a SERIOUS problem if someone is allergic (anaphylactic shock allergic) to gluten!

[ravenwoodglass]

Au Jus is gluten free it is simply the juices from the meat cooked down a bit. HOWEVER if it is prepared in a pan that isn't safe it is not gluten free. I wouldn't have touched it either

[homemaker]

Yeah I can relate...I had a waiter say to me, don't worry there is only a little wheat in that entree...that little bit shouldn't bother you...

Grrrrr....they don't get it....