Outback...

[Guest ~jules~]

Tommorrow is my anniversary. In my town the only gluten-free place I know of is the outback so I'm going to go there. Those of you who know the menu well, do you have any suggestions? I've never even looked at there menu, plus I heard it wasn't back just yet.

[CarlaB]

I've enjoyed anything I've had there.

Bonefish Grill

Carrabas

Maggiano's

PF Changs

Cheeseburger in Paradise

All have gluten-free menus. Well, technically, Maggiano's does not, the chef comes to your table and talks with you personally.

[Guest ~jules~]

I've enjoyed anything I've had there.

Bonefish Grill

Carrabas

Maggiano's

PF Changs

Cheeseburger in Paradise

All have gluten-free menus. Well, technically, Maggiano's does not, the chef comes to your table and talks with you personally.

Thanks, I know portland has a PF Changs, not sure about the rest though. Theres a chillis only 30 minutes away, which is closer than portland, I thought I heard they had a gluten-free menu???? Ah, I'll just stick to the outback.

[CarlaB]

Chilis might, I'm not sure.

Happy Anniversary btw ... how many years?

[Guest ~jules~]

Thank you....We've been together almost ten, married 6. He has something up his sleeve, because he told me to pack, I asked him if we could eat out before we leave I used to eat out all the time because I'm really never home. I have only eaten at wendy's so far. I really don't want to eat at wendy's on my anniversary!!!!

[CarlaB]

Congratulations!

Have fun! Has he told you what to pack? That may give you a clue!

I know what you mean about never being home. I'm actually home all the time now, but a couple months ago we lived out in the country and I spent most of my day in town where there are people! I found I was driving home 15 minutes, just to eat, then going back into town.

[Guhlia]

Outback is wonderful, but you may want to ask them to rinse your cup out before filling it. I have found bread crumbs in my cup many times and had to send it back. I have also gotten sick from not noticing the bread crumbs until it's too late. I personally like the mad max burger w/ a side of steamed broccoli. It has so much flavor, I personally think it's better than their steaks. If you want to go all out (and you like steak), go for the Victoria Filet. It is really good. Their chicken dishes are good, but not as good as their red meat. IF YOU LIKE DESSERT, MAKE SURE YOU GET THE CHOCOLATE THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER!!! It's a flourless brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup, it is to die for. Also, the gluten free shrimp appetizer is really good. ENJOY!

[Lauren M]

Congrats on the Anniversary!!!

I work at Outback, so I literally know the menu inside and out.

Do you like steak, chicken, fish, seafood....?

And of course you HAVE to get dessert - the Chocolate Thunder from Down Under if you're a chocoholic, or the Syndney's Sinful Sundae if you love coconut... mmmm, just order them both!

Can you tell that I sell the most desserts at out Outback haha

- Lauren

Edit: PS- just saw my reply and noticed that in my photo, I am indeed enjoying an Outback Sydney's Sundae! How appropriate for this post!

[MallysMama]

Here's my suggestions from each section of the menu:

Appetizer:

Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie (no garlic toast)

Salad:

Queensland Salad (no croutons and don't choose the Mustard Vinagraitte dressing)

House salad -soooo yummy- once again, no croutons

Chicken:

Chicken on the Barbie (if you get the veggies...make sure you tell them no butter - the seasoning in the butter has gluten)

Alice Springs Chicken - has honey mustard, cheese, mushrooms and bacon on it. Very good!

Fish:

Salmon!! SO GOOD! (One of my favorites) Same rule goes for the veggies/broccoli - no butter!

Steak:

Victoria's Center Cut Filet - hands down the most tender steak! Melts in your mouth! (pretty pricey for the size... but well worth the cost!)

Dessert:

Of course, the Chocolate Thunder from Down Under! (No modifications necessary.)

[Guest ~jules~]

ok, I'm sold on the thunder down under! You don't have to tell me twice about chocolate, especially in a brownie form!!! I'll just have to see what I'm in the mood for when we go, more than likely though I will want steak. Thanks for the suggestions....julie

Outback is wonderful, but you may want to ask them to rinse your cup out before filling it. I have found bread crumbs in my cup many times and had to send it back. I have also gotten sick from not noticing the bread crumbs until it's too late. I personally like the mad max burger w/ a side of steamed broccoli. It has so much flavor, I personally think it's better than their steaks. If you want to go all out (and you like steak), go for the Victoria Filet. It is really good. Their chicken dishes are good, but not as good as their red meat. IF YOU LIKE DESSERT, MAKE SURE YOU GET THE CHOCOLATE THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER!!! It's a flourless brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup, it is to die for. Also, the gluten free shrimp appetizer is really good. ENJOY!

Yikes, ya I'm gonna watch my cups now I never thought of that, thanks ........

Congrats on the Anniversary!!!

I work at Outback, so I literally know the menu inside and out.

Do you like steak, chicken, fish, seafood....?

And of course you HAVE to get dessert - the Chocolate Thunder from Down Under if you're a chocoholic, or the Syndney's Sinful Sundae if you love coconut... mmmm, just order them both!

Can you tell that I sell the most desserts at out Outback haha

- Lauren

Edit: PS- just saw my reply and noticed that in my photo, I am indeed enjoying an Outback Sydney's Sundae! How appropriate for this post!

Lauren aka. Desert Godess, lol......

Here's my suggestions from each section of the menu:

Appetizer:

Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie (no garlic toast)

Salad:

Queensland Salad (no croutons and don't choose the Mustard Vinagraitte dressing)

House salad -soooo yummy- once again, no croutons

Chicken:

Chicken on the Barbie (if you get the veggies...make sure you tell them no butter - the seasoning in the butter has gluten)

Alice Springs Chicken - has honey mustard, cheese, mushrooms and bacon on it. Very good!

Fish:

Salmon!! SO GOOD! (One of my favorites) Same rule goes for the veggies/broccoli - no butter!

Steak:

Victoria's Center Cut Filet - hands down the most tender steak! Melts in your mouth! (pretty pricey for the size... but well worth the cost!)

Dessert:

Of course, the Chocolate Thunder from Down Under! (No modifications necessary.)

So no butter on the veggies, k, now I'm sure it depends on the server and the particular outback I go to, I am just worried that I'm going to be sending things back left and right, even though I asked in the first place, that could make for a long night, and I used to wait tables I don't want to run the poor girl or boy to death!!! Ah we'll just see what happens, I'll let you all know how my first outback experience goes, my fingers are crossed....

[Lauren M]

ok, I'm sold on the thunder down under! You don't have to tell me twice about chocolate, especially in a brownie form!!! I'll just have to see what I'm in the mood for when we go, more than likely though I will want steak. Thanks for the suggestions....julie

Yikes, ya I'm gonna watch my cups now I never thought of that, thanks ........

Lauren aka. Desert Godess, lol......

So no butter on the veggies, k, now I'm sure it depends on the server and the particular outback I go to, I am just worried that I'm going to be sending things back left and right, even though I asked in the first place, that could make for a long night, and I used to wait tables I don't want to run the poor girl or boy to death!!! Ah we'll just see what happens, I'll let you all know how my first outback experience goes, my fingers are crossed....

As far as steaks - the Victoria's Filet is probably the most tender cut, and is very popular. If you like sirloins, the Outback Special sells well, and if you like Prime Rib, just make sure you don't get Au Jus! Also make sure that with your salad, you not only request "no croutons" but also ask that it be mixed in a CLEAN bowl, and that the server mark the ticket "Gluten-Free". You have lots of yummy sides to choose from - veggies or broccoli as you know, ask for no butter/seasoning (or ask for plain butter), and I'm in love with the roasted garlic mashed potatoes. The sweet potato w/honey butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon is yum yum too.

Yes! I love that I am now crowned the Dessert Goddess!!!

Like I said, make sure your server marks the ticket GLUTEN-FREE! I know that at the Outback where I work, that is the key to having your food handled properly - clean gloves, etc.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!!

- Lauren

[Guhlia]

Don't worry about your food. Chances are you won't have to send anything back. Just read the ordering directions carefully in the menu and you'll be fine. We go there quite frequently and we've never had to send anything back other than a salad or a drink mug. I don't get salads anymore there now that the blue cheese dressing isn't considered gluten free. Plus, the bowls always look dirty. I would ask them to rinse off the salad/dessert bowl before preparing. However, I'm one of those people that figures better safe than sorry. I'd rather be a little bit more of a pain and then leave a much bigger tip.

[Lauren M]

I'd rather be a little bit more of a pain and then leave a much bigger tip.

And I can say, as a server, I would prefer that you do that as well!

- Lauren

[Guest ~jules~]

lol, I bet you do....

[LL04]

Tommorrow is my anniversary. In my town the only gluten-free place I know of is the outback so I'm going to go there. Those of you who know the menu well, do you have any suggestions? I've never even looked at there menu, plus I heard it wasn't back just yet.

First off I'll say happy anniversary!!!

Next, I'm going to say this, because like I've said before...I wish someone would have said this to me just after I was first diagnosed....I would not eat out, period so soon after being diagnosed. I know you've only been diagnosed for a month and you're just beginning the healing process so getting glutenized now could be a bad setback.

I know, I know, now all you guys who eat out all the time will probably say to dear Jules "Don't listen to LL04, go out have fun and treat yourself". I'm just here to say, that this is my own advice to her and my own opinion and I would feel awful if she came back from her getaway only remembering that she got sick as a dog and not one single person said anything about the chance she would be taking by eating out.

I really DO hope you have a great time and I really DO hope you don't get ill from someone's stupid, careless mistake.