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Outback steakhouse, beware

feeling good

By feeling good
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

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feeling good Rookie
feeling good
Posted

Early December this year (2016), My sister in law and I were going to fly across the country to visit my daughter in Oregon. We planned this trip for almost a year and got first class tickets (our first time ever!). the night before we stayed in a hotel in Gastonia NC, nearer to the airport since we had to check-in at 5.30 am. We decided to go across the street to the the Outback steakhouse since they boasted a gluten-free menu. I to the hostess that I would need a gluten-free menu, I told the waitress that I would be ordering gluten-free and how important this was. I got my meal and everything was fine. We decided to splurge and order the gluten-free dessert (the chocolate thunder from down under) when the dessert was served I again confirmed that it was a gluten free dessert. After 1 bite I knew I'd been had. The gluten-free dessert had been prepared with regular oreo cookie crumbles. Of course the reaction was swift and sure. We talked to the waitress and the manager. By then I was shaking, sweating, nauseous... needless to say I got no sleep, on the flight I was constantly in the restroom and miserable.then came the horrible blisters rash. I did not get to spend quality time with my daughter,whom I only get to see once a year. We all know it takes weeks to get over less than a teaspoon of gluten. Best part? The company doesn't care. Turns out all the kitchen staff is not educated on the gluten free menu

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psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

I'm sorry to hear you had a problem at Outback.

I have been a frequent Outback customer since my diagnosis in 2000, and have never had a problem. They are franchises, so there may be differences in the level of diligence. But my experience has been that once I place an order for a gluten-free meal, the table gets a visit from a manager to confirm the order, and that they will then take extra care in the kitchen. The Chocolate Thunder is something I consider an indulgence and do not eat often, but, again, I have had it a number of times without a problem.

I feel safe at Outback. YMMV

feeling good Rookie
feeling good
Posted
  • Author

I have learned not to get too comfortable, a hard lesson to learn. I don't go out often because I live in a small place with few options, so the Outback was a really big treat for me. I don't think I'll be going back.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I have eaten at several different Outbacks with no issues.

icelandgirl Proficient
icelandgirl
Posted

I'm so sorry that happened to you.  (((((Hugs))))).  I was glutened by Outback too, about 3 months after diagnosis.  It was terrible and a huge setback for me.  I'm sorry that it happened to you too.

kenlove Rising Star
kenlove
Posted

I've been glutened by outback twice -- don't want to give them a chance for strike 3.  

feeling good Rookie
feeling good
Posted
  • Author

Problem is the company could care less

 

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deb-rn Contributor
deb-rn
Posted

In what manner were the rest of you glutened?  Was it always the dessert?  We eat there when we travel and I've never noticed a problem.  We don't eat chocolate, so if that was the culprit, then I would have been safe anyway!

Debbie

icelandgirl Proficient
icelandgirl
Posted

I did not have dessert.  I had a steak, potato and asparagus.  I'm assuming it was cc.  Perhaps the person cooking didn't understand how careful they have to be?  It was really bad though.  The restaurant is very close to my house and when I drive past I still shudder.

feeling good Rookie
feeling good
Posted
  • Author

I know I'll not go back

feeling good Rookie
feeling good
Posted
  • Author
1 hour ago, deb_rn said:

In what manner were the rest of you glutened?  Was it always the dessert?  We eat there when we travel and I've never noticed a problem.  We don't eat chocolate, so if that was the culprit, then I would have been safe anyway!

Debbie

It was the chocolate thunder dessert. 

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I have had the gluten-free dessert at different Outbacks.  It is very rich after a big meal.  But, other than over eating, I had no gluten problems.  I believe this dessert is made the same for all customers, whether they specify gluten-free or not.  At least that was the way it was when I have been there

 

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted
On 2/16/2017 at 5:44 PM, feeling good said:

Problem is the company could care less

 

I don't know anyone that works at Outback, but I know people that have managed and waited tables at thier other restauruant chains.  They have pretty intensive training and procedures in place for gluten-free.  I know Outback has a test kitchen restaruant that tests new gluten-free as well as regular items.    If they company didn't care, why would they spend so much money on the programs?  

feeling good Rookie
feeling good
Posted
  • Author
1 hour ago, kareng said:

I have had the gluten-free dessert at different Outbacks.  It is very rich after a big meal.  But, other than over eating, I had no gluten problems.  I believe this dessert is made the same for all customers, whether they specify gluten-free or not.  At least that was the way it was when I have been there

 

Someone in the kitchen decided to make their own version and put  oreo cookie crumbles in it. 

feeling good Rookie
feeling good
Posted
  • Author
1 hour ago, kareng said:

I don't know anyone that works at Outback, but I know people that have managed and waited tables at thier other restauruant chains.  They have pretty intensive training and procedures in place for gluten-free.  I know Outback has a test kitchen restaruant that tests new gluten-free as well as regular items.    If they company didn't care, why would they spend so much money on the programs?  

This server was obviously not trained. They decided to be creative and make their own version of the dessert, by adding in oreo cookie crumbles.  I was told that the company trains the management and it is their responsibility to train the others. Staff is not supposed to be allowed to prepare food without training. 

Jacq2017 Newbie
Jacq2017
Posted

The only restaurant(s), I feel safe eating at, are the 99 where I always get a salad, and the cheasecake factory that has a decent gluten free selection, and the best gluten free Godiva chocolate cheese cake. I stay away from everything else, I do miss eating out, but unfortunately have to live that way ??

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted
4 minutes ago, Jacq2017 said:

The only restaurant(s), I feel safe eating at, are the 99 where I always get a salad, and the cheasecake factory that has a decent gluten free selection, and the best gluten free Godiva chocolate cheese cake. I stay away from everything else, I do miss eating out, but unfortunately have to live that way ??

Not sure what is used in the Godiva chocolate cheesecake, but Godiva does not offer gluten free chocolate per their website.  Not sure this is a CYA statement....

Open Original Shared Link

We eat See's which is gluten free.  

Open Original Shared Link

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted
1 hour ago, Jacq2017 said:

The only restaurant(s), I feel safe eating at, are the 99 where I always get a salad, and the cheasecake factory that has a decent gluten free selection, and the best gluten free Godiva chocolate cheese cake. I stay away from everything else, I do miss eating out, but unfortunately have to live that way ??

I can't even imagine going to Cheesecake Factory!  What a mess!  They can't get regular orders right, and they are always so busy.  I can't imagine they would give any care to a gluten-free dish.

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

I eat at Texas Roadhouse sometimes.  So far no problems.  At our local one you can ask what is gluten-free and they will tell you what is safe.  I can't vouch for any other location since I've only been to our local one in Athens, Ohio.

feeling good Rookie
feeling good
Posted
  • Author
33 minutes ago, kareng said:

I can't even imagine going to Cheesecake Factory!  What a mess!  They can't get regular orders right, and they are always so busy.  I can't imagine they would give any care to a gluten-free dish.

I been to the cheesecake factory, last year. They did a good job. I go out maybe 3 times a year. The Outback was supposed to be a treat, instead I got tricked.

 

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