Pf Changs

[olalisa]

So I bravely tried PF CHANGS today for lunch. Asked for the gluten free menu and then when our server began mixing the sauce for the table I asked it it was also gluten free. She said no, but she'd make me some up special.

When I ordered, I asked her to take my Triumph dining card to the chef. She said, "Oh, it's okay, we put clean oil in the pan whenever we make someting gluten free."

WHAT?????

I (trying to remain calm) asked, "Do you use a clean PAN? Because I'm concerned about cross contamination issues." to which she replied, "You mean, like, WASH the pan? No, but we use clean oil."

WHAT?????

I asked her to show the card to the chef and to ask them to WASH THE PAN. I said I am VERY sensitive and will get sick if you don't wash the pan. She rolled her eyes, but I asked when my food came out if they'd used a clean pan, and I still feel fine and it is 8 hours later so I'm guessing they did.

HOWEVER, shouldn't they ALWAYS wash the pan? Do you think I should call the manager and have a little chat? (I was in a hurry today and didn't have time to do it there). Or do you think that particular server was just a flake? Discuss.

[Guhlia]

Absolutely, they should ALWAYS wash the pan or use a fresh, clean pan. That server sounds totally irresponsible. I'm glad you haven't gotten sick. I'm afraid I'd be scared to go back after something like that. I would definitely call the restaurant and speak to the manager. Even if you never go back, it may save some other poor sap from getting horribly sick.

[Becky6]

I have never gotten sick and really trust them there. They do a great job and I have been lucky to have great servers. Sorry about your exp!

[hez]

The only two places I have tried are PF Changs and Outback. I had really great experiences at both places. Sorry.

Hez

[LKelly8]

A server there once refused to give us the steamed rice because she thought it contained gluten. We tried to explain that only, "Wheat, rye, oats or barley. . ." were on the forbidden list but she just said, "well, it (the steamed rice) has loads of all that!" then she hurried away. With difficult waiters it's hard to say sometimes, some are truely ignorant, most are just nervous and unsure. Alot depends on the quality of the training (especially at places that boast a gluten-free menu) and that's up to the manager.

[minibabe]

the last time me and my boyfriend went there the food was HORRIBLE!!!!! It was so bad that we did not even eat our dinner and they took it off of our check. I have gotten sick there so many times but I keep on going back because they say that the place is "gluten-free". I dunno, I am extremely sensitive and there have been times when I go home and I dont feel anything.

I dont know, maybe they are a little carless but it is def. going to be a while before I go back there because the food left such a bad taste in my mouth. (but at least I did not get sick )

Amanda NY

[penguin]

A server there once refused to give us the steamed rice because she thought it contained gluten. We tried to explain that only, "Wheat, rye, oats or barley. . ." were on the forbidden list but she just said, "well, it (the steamed rice) has loads of all that!" then she hurried away. With difficult waiters it's hard to say sometimes, some are truely ignorant, most are just nervous and unsure. Alot depends on the quality of the training (especially at places that boast a gluten-free menu) and that's up to the manager.

I've had that happen before, too, but not at Chang's. I was like, "steamed rice - water and rice, right?" Server: "yeah, but the chef says that's not gluten-free" Whatever.

[jenvan]

olalisa-

Sounds like you just had a server who didn't know as much as she thought she did... When I go I to PF Changs (going tonight actually) they always assure me clean pans etc are used. So, yes, in this case, I'd say your server was at fault. Next time ask for the manager. PF Changs, for me, has been the most knowledgeable and assuring chain restaurant I've been to. Good luck next time !!

[olalisa]

Thanks, guys. Just so you know, I did not end up getting sick, and the food was wonderful, so I will be going back . I think I will talk to the manager about my experience, though, and ask him to make sure about the clean pans and about making sure the wait staff knows the procedure as well. Dining out causes enough anxiety without being given incorrect info!

[CarlaB]

I would say it was a misinformed server. Just because the cooks know what to do, doesn't mean the servers are well informed. I would imagine the turnover in the restaurant business is pretty high.

Once when I was there, they cooked my food on the side of the kitchen that wasn't even open. I've been assured that they always clean the pan or the grill. It's one place I feel safe.

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

So I bravely tried PF CHANGS today for lunch. Asked for the gluten free menu and then when our server began mixing the sauce for the table I asked it it was also gluten free. She said no, but she'd make me some up special.

When I ordered, I asked her to take my Triumph dining card to the chef. She said, "Oh, it's okay, we put clean oil in the pan whenever we make someting gluten free."

WHAT?????

I (trying to remain calm) asked, "Do you use a clean PAN? Because I'm concerned about cross contamination issues." to which she replied, "You mean, like, WASH the pan? No, but we use clean oil."

WHAT?????

I asked her to show the card to the chef and to ask them to WASH THE PAN. I said I am VERY sensitive and will get sick if you don't wash the pan. She rolled her eyes, but I asked when my food came out if they'd used a clean pan, and I still feel fine and it is 8 hours later so I'm guessing they did.

HOWEVER, shouldn't they ALWAYS wash the pan? Do you think I should call the manager and have a little chat? (I was in a hurry today and didn't have time to do it there). Or do you think that particular server was just a flake? Discuss.

From my experience in the restaurant industry (10 years), this server has no idea what she is talking about.

Pf chang's prides itself on good food and consistent food. Food can neither be good or consistent if they reuse pans.

Furthermore, I have never worked in a restaurant (we're talking like 15 restaurants - LOL) where they "reused" pans.

She is misinformed and you should go back and get 5 orders of the gluten free lettuce wraps -- YUMMMY!!!!!!

[tiffjake]

I've had that happen before, too, but not at Chang's. I was like, "steamed rice - water and rice, right?" Server: "yeah, but the chef says that's not gluten-free" Whatever.

I had that happen as a sushi place in Vegas. Guess I made such a stick with the server that they sent ofer the HEAD CHEF and he explained that they put malt vinegar in the rice/water steamer to help soften the rice, and that made it not gluten-free. Just wanted to let you know incase you hear this again somewhere!!!!!

[CarlaB]

I believe some restaurants use chicken broth for their rice, too. Also to steam veggies.

[emcmaster]

I went there last night and had a fantastically informed server.

She explained that not only do they use clean, new pans when preparing something for a celiac guest, but they will actually send someone out to a store to buy something if necessary. They stock gluten-free sauces and will bring them out to the table to show the guest. They steam their rice, both brown & white, in a dedicated steamer that is never used for anything besides rice and water. They will use clean ladles and utensils in preparing food for celiacs.

I was thoroughly impressed. I typically refuse to eat even a bite at a restaurant, regardless of their supposed "gluten-free" status. I was so confident in her knowledge that I had some brown rice with gluten-free soy sauce and I'm not sick this morning.

[penguin]

I went there last night and had a fantastically informed server.

She explained that not only do they use clean, new pans when preparing something for a celiac guest, but they will actually send someone out to a store to buy something if necessary. They stock gluten-free sauces and will bring them out to the table to show the guest. They steam their rice, both brown & white, in a dedicated steamer that is never used for anything besides rice and water. They will use clean ladles and utensils in preparing food for celiacs.

I was thoroughly impressed. I typically refuse to eat even a bite at a restaurant, regardless of their supposed "gluten-free" status. I was so confident in her knowledge that I had some brown rice with gluten-free soy sauce and I'm not sick this morning.

Hang on - is your signature true? Are you really getting married tomorrow? What the heck are you doing on the board today?

[emcmaster]

Hang on - is your signature true? Are you really getting married tomorrow? What the heck are you doing on the board today?

Yes, I am getting married tomorrow (or actually later today, as it is 2am here). I was very good at planning and got everything taken care of well before this past week, so I've done a lot of relaxing in these past few days. I'm wired right now, so I can't sleep. I'll share pictures and experiences from the wedding when we get back from our honeymoon!

[LKelly8]

Yes, I am getting married tomorrow

WooHoo! Congrats! Everybody throw gluten-free rice!

[DrMom]

Please tell me about this Triumph dining card. I have never heard of that, but then we do not have a Chang's either.

Please tell me about this Triumph dining card. I have never heard of that, but then we do not have a Chang's either.

[tarnalberry]

Please tell me about this Triumph dining card. I have never heard of that, but then we do not have a Chang's either.

The Open Original Shared Link are just cards that explain what ingredients need to be avoided by celiacs. (They only cover gluten.) They are focused on six main types of cuisine (American, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, and Indian), and have translations in the native language on the back for each one. They were well researched and tested, and quite frankly are amazingly well written. They're not foolproof; a chef or server can still make a mistake. But they are a very effective, consistent form of communication for getting across your needs in a restaurant. (And, I think the whole set of 6 cards is something like $12. Since you reuse them, and they are well recieved, I'm quite happy with the value I've gotten out of them.)

[Guest arnelwendy]

So I bravely tried PF CHANGS today for lunch. Asked for the gluten free menu and then when our server began mixing the sauce for the table I asked it it was also gluten free. She said no, but she'd make me some up special.

When I ordered, I asked her to take my Triumph dining card to the chef. She said, "Oh, it's okay, we put clean oil in the pan whenever we make someting gluten free."

WHAT?????

I (trying to remain calm) asked, "Do you use a clean PAN? Because I'm concerned about cross contamination issues." to which she replied, "You mean, like, WASH the pan? No, but we use clean oil."

WHAT?????

I asked her to show the card to the chef and to ask them to WASH THE PAN. I said I am VERY sensitive and will get sick if you don't wash the pan. She rolled her eyes, but I asked when my food came out if they'd used a clean pan, and I still feel fine and it is 8 hours later so I'm guessing they did.

HOWEVER, shouldn't they ALWAYS wash the pan? Do you think I should call the manager and have a little chat? (I was in a hurry today and didn't have time to do it there). Or do you think that particular server was just a flake? Discuss.

I WENT TO PF CHANGS IN WESTBURY

tHE STAFF DID NOT BRING OVER ONE OF 4 DISHES.

tHEY REALIZED THEY USED THE GLUTEN NOODLES.

oRDER DESERT i WAS SURE IF IT WAS ON THE GLUTEN FREE MENU

CHOCLATE VAN TARTRE?

[olalisa]

I HAD the lettuce wraps! WOWZA they were GREAT!!

WooHoo! Congrats! Everybody throw gluten-free rice!

YESSSS!!! CONGRATULATIONS

[dionnek]

I just went to PF Changs last night - Singapore Noodles are wonderful! Does anyone know if the brown rice is also gluten-free? I thought I had read somewhere that only their white rice was gluten-free, not the brown, so I didn't order it, but I'd prefer brown if I could.....

On the dessert thing, the gluten-free menu that they gave me did not have any desserts on it, so we did not order dessert.

[DingoGirl]

Hang on - is your signature true? Are you really getting married tomorrow? What the heck are you doing on the board today?

Maybe it's calming to check the Celiac board??

I had such a great experience at Chang's - - told the manager I couldn't eat gluten, HE was the one that used the term Celiac, informed everyone who attended our table, came to our table several times to check, etc. He was a really knowledgeable guy and made the experience safe and wonderful. So much so that I wrote a letter to corporate headquarters, and CC'd it to the restaurant (they sent me a free appetizer card for doing so). I'll always go back to Chang's.

[olalisa]

I just went to PF Changs last night - Singapore Noodles are wonderful! Does anyone know if the brown rice is also gluten-free? I thought I had read somewhere that only their white rice was gluten-free, not the brown, so I didn't order it, but I'd prefer brown if I could.....

On the dessert thing, the gluten-free menu that they gave me did not have any desserts on it, so we did not order dessert.

I'm pretty sure the brown rice is okay. It came with my meal (I had lettuce wraps and sugar snap peas) and I ate it and didn't get sick

Now I gotta try the noodles. yay!

[LyndaK]

I have to say that I really enjoy PF's. I had the lettuce wraps but noticed that the gluten-free sauce has rice wine (or vinegar) in it so I had the waiter take my web site printed menu to the chef and asked if it could be made without the rice (I'm allgeric to rice). And they did!! I did get sick but I believe I forgot to ask if the gluten-free soy sauce had rice in it too. I will for sure go back again!!!!

Have a good day!

LyndaK