Reaction to N-Out Burgers

[bpetroni]

I had In-N-Out Burgers last night and I started having stomach cramps, dizziness and headaches. Has the ever happened to anybody else? I heard that you can get a reaction because they use the same knife to spread the special sauce on the gluten-free burgers as they do for spreading it on the buns. 

Thanks

[bpetroni]

I also got very itchy?

[Ennis-TX]

1 hour ago, bpetroni said:

I had In-N-Out Burgers last night and I started having stomach cramps, dizziness and headaches. Has the ever happened to anybody else? I heard that you can get a reaction because they use the same knife to spread the special sauce on the gluten-free burgers as they do for spreading it on the buns. 

Thanks

The thing with eating out is it is Russian roulette, where could the CC have happened?
Could have been a shared knife.
Maybe they prepped it on a surface that had a gluten bun on it.
Could have been someone not changing gloves
Could have been they grilled something with gluten on the grill before your burger
Did you have fries? Someone could have put gluten in the fryer, those kids sometimes have a field day with the frying other foods.
The toppings could have been CCed, IE putting some back or touching them after handling a gluten bun.
The condiment bottles could have had the nozzle touched to a gluten bun before using it on yours.

The list goes on, fact is you eat out at a place that is not 100% gluten free dedicated or has a separate gluten free kitchen then your playing Russian Roulette with your health. I am lucky in that once a year I go out to a dedicated gluten free place. I also cook everything else I eat in my own home or in my own cooking booth since I do gluten free catering at markets.

[cyclinglady]

Eating out is risky and for all the reasons Ennis gave you.  You have to trust the restaurant staff and that starts with speaking up.  You just can not order a triple protein style.  You have to actually tell them you have a gluten allergy (In-N-Out terminology and it used to be wheat).  Then you have to watch them make your burger.  Like on the back/separate grille.  If you do not see them changing their gloves and heading to the back, then your burger may not be safe.  We avoid older stores (the kind without indoor seating as they have fewer grilles).    I think the newer stores now toast the bread separately, but that is the part of the conversation you should be having with the manager. Yes, ask for the manager or supervisor.  

My last burger at In-N-Out was several years ago.  I used to eat there frequently when my neighbor’s kid had a shift.   She used to make my gluten-free burger herself.  One day she was not there.  I watched two other girls at the grille as they prepared my burger.  They did not change gloves and they did not use the back grille (which takes time to heat up).  When my burger was ready, I refused to eat it.  The manager talked to his staff and made me a fresh burger himself using the back grille.  

Like Ennis, I stick with dedicated gluten-free restaurants.  That is because my last gluten exposure was horrible.  My reactions are now more severe, long lasting and trigger my other autoimmune disorders (one that developed after my diagnosis).  You might not be as sensitive as me or Ennis.  

Of course, you could have food poisoning.  It might not be celiac disease flaring up.  

Talk to Management.  Make sure they are following gluten-free food handling practices.  I hope you feel better soon.  

Edited November 17, 2019 by cyclinglady