Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Pf Changs


olalisa

Recommended Posts

olalisa Contributor

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????? :angry::blink:

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.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Guhlia Rising Star

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 Enthusiast

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 Enthusiast

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

Hez

LKelly8 Rookie

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 Contributor

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 Community Regular
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" :blink: Whatever. :rolleyes:


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



jenvan Collaborator

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 Contributor

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 Enthusiast

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 Collaborator
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????? :angry::blink:

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 Enthusiast
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" :blink: Whatever. :rolleyes:

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 Enthusiast

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

emcmaster Collaborator

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. :D

penguin Community Regular
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. :D

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

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

:D 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 Rookie
:D Yes, I am getting married tomorrow

WooHoo! Congrats! Everybody throw gluten-free rice! :D

DrMom Apprentice

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 Community Regular
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????? :angry::blink:

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 Contributor

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

WooHoo! Congrats! Everybody throw gluten-free rice! :D

YESSSS!!! CONGRATULATIONS :D

dionnek Enthusiast

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

:D 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 Contributor
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 Rookie

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

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,553
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Jennifer CCC
    Newest Member
    Jennifer CCC
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.