The Melting Pot

[happygirl]

Does anyone have any experience eating at The Melting Pot? If so, do you know if any of their cheese sauces (or other products) are gluten free?

Thanks!

[elonwy]

Thank you for bringing that up. Thats a Valentines day tradition with us, I'm going to contact them and see what happens.

Elonwy

[happygirl]

Ok, here is what I heard:

Laura,

We received you message through the Melting Pot support center. The following is a list of items that DO contain gluten. This list is shorter than doing it the other way.

Sherried Au Poivre

All cheese mixes

Teriyaki glaze

Teriyaki marinade

Vegetable Bouillon

Mojo

Tempura Batter

Sesame Seed Batter

Bread

Brownies

Pound Cake

Cheesecake

Oreo Cookie Crumbs

Graham Crackers

Potstickers

Ravioli

Beer

Thai Peanut

Keep in mind that we try to accommadate our guest who have wheat/gluten allergies by using rice flour in their cheese and using a milk base for their cheese. We try to supply chicken broth to replace the bouillon and of course you may always choose the oil as a cooking method.

Hope this helps you. If we can be of furthur assistance to you, feel free to call or e-mail.

I wrote her back to clarify that if they substitute the rice flour in the cheese sauces, does that mean that it is gluten free (i.e., the ones made without beer, obviously). I'll let you know what I find out!

[elonwy]

Wow that's awesome. It sounds like they'd be partial to changing to accomodate if you planned ahead. That's really cool. Maybe this year we'll go a week or so off from valentines day so its not so busy if they're cool about it. Also, maybe you could forward the whole email to me : elle871@yahoo.com so I can reference it while talking to them.

YAY, I hope this works out. I called Killer Shrimp ( A local chain of amazing food) and they replied with "Don't eat here" so I'm still rebounding from that one.

Elonwy

[happygirl]

Once I hear back, I'll copy and paste it into one email for your convenience. This is very exciting. It seems like something that would be 'easier' to control in terms of cross contamination, too! (i.e., make it safe, and don't serve with bread!)

Keeping my fingers crossed

[jaten]

Oh, that is so fine! YES! A Valentine's tradition for my husband and me as well! Plus a birthday tradition, and a just because it's good tradition. Melting Pot, here I come

[happygirl]

Here is the rest of the conversation about the Melting Pot:

Hi Sharon, This list was very helpful. I appreciate your help in this.

Another question for you. You stated that all your cheese mixes have gluten in them, but you mentioned that they can use rice flour. Does that mean if I speak to the manager, tell him I have a gluten intolerance, and ask for my cheese mix to be made with rice flour, that the cheese sauces (the ones without the beer!), would be gluten free and safe to eat ( i.e., have no other sources of gluten)? I just wanted to clarify what you said.

Response:

Yes, actually just tell your server that you have a gluten allergy and that you have already touched base with me and we will take care of it for you.

Sharon

I'm assuming that Sharon is a manager at the local Melting Pot. But hopefully this will help yall out!

[elonwy]

I emailed them as well and got a less positive response, but I'm on the West Coast and we're a little behind on people being informed. I also think I got forwarded to the mail office instead of my local one. I'm going to contact them directly this evening. This is the email I got:

I’m sorry to hear about your recently diagnosed Celiac Disease. Unfortunately flour is an integral part of the cheese fondue and broth recipes, however our Fondue Bourguignon (cholesterol – free canola oil) comes with lots of great dippers and sauces. Please be sure to tell your server not to give you the Teriyaki Sirloin, Teriyaki Dipping Sauce or either of the batters but there are other meats and sauces they can change out those items with. On the Dessert they need to replace the Cheesecake, brownies, pound cake and both kinds of Marshmallows with fabulous strawberries and fruits.

Menu items containing gluten.

Breads: French - Rye and Pumpernickel are all made with wheat flour.

Cheese fondues – all of our cheeses used for fondues are blended with flour.

Salad Croutons – Contain Wheat Flour

Vegetable Bouillon – Contains Hydrolyzed Gluten

Coq au Vin Bouillon - Contains Hydrolyzed Gluten

Mojo Bouillon - Contains Hydrolyzed Gluten

Teriyaki Marinade – (for teriyaki sirloin) Contains Hydrolyzed Gluten

Teriyaki Glaze – Contains Hydrolyzed Gluten

Sesame Seed Batter – Contains Wheat Flour

Tempura Batter – Contains Wheat Flour

Dessert Dippers: Cheesecake, brownies, pound cake, both kinds of Marshmallows – Contain Wheat

Ms. XX, if the Melting Pot you visit has any special menu items, I would recommend mentioning your dietary need to our server so that they may double check that those items also do not contain gluten products.

I hope this is of help to you, if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

[happygirl]

I can send you Sharon's email address if you'd like to speak to her....just let me know.