Rice not gluten free in restaurants?

[Marinka]

Hi,

I live in the Netherlands (Europe) and soon I will be spending my holiday (again) in the Southwest of the US. 

I have traveled through the US many times before and what I do not understand is why restaurants tell me that I can't have rice with my gluten free diet. When I ask the why not I never get any answer. And why do these restaurants say fries are gluten free even when the fryer is used for other battered food. 

Is there anyone who can give some answers?  Thank you so much for your help.

[Ennis-TX]

3 hours ago, Marinka said:

Hi,

I live in the Netherlands (Europe) and soon I will be spending my holiday (again) in the Southwest of the US. 

I have traveled through the US many times before and what I do not understand is why restaurants tell me that I can't have rice with my gluten free diet. When I ask the why not I never get any answer. And why do these restaurants say fries are gluten free even when the fryer is used for other battered food. 

Is there anyone who can give some answers?  Thank you so much for your help.

Like Mexican rice? It is normally cooked/fried in a seasoned skillet...often used for gluten foods, and like my grandmother used to, if they are in a hurry they will sometimes add a pinch of flour to thicken it up. They do the same with most sauces. It is the cooking implementation, and in non asian restaurants they do not use a dedicated rice cooker, but a pot/pan often used for others foods. While not always the case, if they are not confident in a gluten free cooking environment they will say it is not safe to save themselves from lawsuits.....To sue someone for random stuff when they feel wronged even if no one is at fault is common here sadly.

Asian Fried rice is fried in gluten soy sauce.

There is also the chance they do not check rice or wash it right, therefore there is a high chance of CC. It is not uncommon for cheap bulk bought rice to have a few foreign grains it it. This is why we always tell people to dump their dry rice out, sort it, then wash it before cooking.

Heck I recently learned that rice protein powder often test for low gluten (below 20ppm) but makes you wonder how it got there in the first place.

If your down in Texas tell me where and I can give you suggestions on places.

[kareng]

3 hours ago, Marinka said:

Hi,

I live in the Netherlands (Europe) and soon I will be spending my holiday (again) in the Southwest of the US. 

I have traveled through the US many times before and what I do not understand is why restaurants tell me that I can't have rice with my gluten free diet. When I ask the why not I never get any answer. And why do these restaurants say fries are gluten free even when the fryer is used for other battered food. 

Is there anyone who can give some answers?  Thank you so much for your help.

If the rice is cooked with soy sauce or some other sauce that has gluten, it is not gluten-free.  

I wish places would not do that shared fryer is gluten-free nonsense.  You just have to ask every time.

If you haven't been here for a few years, you will notice that the gluten-free dining scene is getting better and more wide spread.

IF you want, you could post what cities you will be in and we can give you ideas.  Big cities are usually better than the smaller ones.

[cyclinglady]

Remember that in the Netherlands, the rate for celiac disease is much higher.  Here in the US, it is lagging behind a bit in terms of awareness, but it is improving.  Definitely Celiac Disease is not commonly found among Hispanic cultures where a large majority of them reside in the US Southwest.  The Southwest is famous for Mexican-style food.  The rice is always flavored and never served plain.  I would suggest using the “Find Me Gluten Free” app/website and read restaurant reviews written by celiacs.  

I assume you are renting a car.  I would budget for an ice chest that you can pick up at any Target or Walmart as soon as you arrive.  They are relatively cheap.  Select one that will last for a few days since the weather will be very hot and your car will get hot.   Use hotel ice (or purchase at any store or gas station store) to fill your ice chest daily and keep food you purchase from grocery stores cold.  Buy toaster bags (online only from Amazon or purchase before you leave home) so that you can use the hotel toaster safely.  Purchase gluten free bread at any grocery store.  Because of the extreme heat, please make sure the ice chest is always cold.  We eat a lot from grocery stores and usually picnic when traveling — even in the Netherlands!  

Have a safe trip!  Oh, Starbucks (coffee) now offers a gluten free egg and ham sandwich which is safe!  

 

[Marinka]

Thanks everyone for your tips and Ideas. That sure made things a lot clearer. Yes I'm planning to install the Find me Gluten Free App. I've used it before and it's a great toll. I was thinking of getting an ice chest to keep in the car. Some of the places we'll be visiting are: LA, San Diego, Phoenix, Las Vegas. Any good places to eat are welcome. 

[cyclinglady]

26 minutes ago, Marinka said:

Thanks everyone for your tips and Ideas. That sure made things a lot clearer. Yes I'm planning to install the Find me Gluten Free App. I've used it before and it's a great toll. I was thinking of getting an ice chest to keep in the car. Some of the places we'll be visiting are: LA, San Diego, Phoenix, Las Vegas. Any good places to eat are welcome. 

You are in luck!  With the exception of Las Vegas (usually we are driving through), the other cities even have 100% gluten free dedicated restaurants.  San Diego and Orange County have strong celiac support groups.  Google their websites for advice too.  

Fast food found in all those places?  In n Out Burgers and El Pollo Loco.  Ask what is gluten free, but remember no restaurant will guarantee gluten free completely, except the 100% dedicated restaurants, so there is some risk.  

 

[Marinka]

Thank you @cyclinglady, I understand that no restaurant can offer 100% gluten free. We'll keep In n Out Burges and El Pollo Loco in mind.

[cyclinglady]

Those fast food joints are readily found along the interstate in California, Arizona and Nevada.  Look online for the gluten-free El Pollo options.  Tell In N Out you have a gluten or wheat allergy.  They have very good allergy procedures in place (newer restaurants that have more than one grille).  It is company owned and they pay their employees well.  

Safest though at the dedicated restaurants or very high end (expensive).  There you can talk to the chefs.  Do not count on wait staff to be knowledgeable.  

 

[1desperateladysaved]

Many rice companies often process wheat in their fields or factories, for super-sensitive folks, rice can be tainted.

[Nikki2777]

I've was told that once about plain white rice, but think it's just ignorance.  There is something called glutinous rice that is produced by the rice, but it's not something Celiacs are sensitive to.

What everyone says about fried rice and seasonings, though, definitely an issue. And yes, the storage of the rice could also lead to cross-contamination. This is from verywellfit.com -- 

Surprisingly, the type of rice called glutinous rice, also known as sticky rice or sweet rice, is gluten-free. Despite the name, it doesn't contain the form of gluten that's dangerous to those of us with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity; the term "glutinous" simply refers to the fact that glutinous rice gets glue-like or sticky when cooked. Glutinous rice is popular as part of Thai cuisine—when you see the dessert "Mangoes with Sticky Rice" on the menu of your favorite Thai eatery, it's likely gluten-free.

You need to beware of flavored rice mixes since these can (and often do) contain gluten ingredients. You also need to beware of rice dishes with additional ingredients, since they also can contain gluten.

I do eat plain Chinese restaurant white or brown rice all the time with no problems.  At a new restaurant, I generally will ask whether they cook it in any kind of broth or seasoning.  I imagine I'm not one what one would consider 'highly sensitive' though, so take that into account.