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Trouble At Pf Chang's?

MichelleC

By MichelleC
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

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MichelleC Apprentice
MichelleC
Posted

Ate my best gluten-free meal ever at PF Chang's in Downtown Chicago last weekend. BUT...about 1/2 hour into the meal, I felt the familiar stomach pains. And, I haven't had any like that since about 2 weeks after I went gluten-free. I've felt SO good! I asked the waiter about everything and he told me all of the ingredients. It all sounded fine. All I can guess is that someone screwed up or could it have been the brewed Passion Fruit iced tea? Maybe I'm the one that screwed up.

Anyhow, it hurt a lot. Hurt my girlfriend as much as it hurt me. She hated to see me in pain. But, I sucked it up and we still made it to the fireworks at Navy Pier that night. Couldn't let it stop me from enjoying my time with her...it's so limited. :-(

I'm willing to try PF's again...am I crazy, though?

Thanks!

Michelle

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terri Contributor
terri
Posted

I'd put my money on the tea! They're really careful but there is always a risk of cross contamination. Try again and order a coke and see what happens. Good luck!

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hsd1203 Newbie
hsd1203
Posted

a couple of ideas,

one could be the tea (watch out for starbuck's tazo teas, too, as most of them are "contaminated" according to their company)

two, one time I ate at PF Changs I did get a stray noodle in my non-noodle dish. Could've been a wheat noodle, could've been a rice noodle, I don't know... but I do know I got sick (see #3). The company says that they have guidelines to prevent cross-contamination, but I have to say this made me a little wary.

three, I thought that I was getting cross-contaminated too for a while until i figured out that I am sensitive to soy as well and that for me it is VERY similar to my gluten reaction.

best wishes on figuring this one out and staying healthy

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EddieJP125 Explorer
EddieJP125
Posted

i'm over here in new york, and at the PF changs i went too it was alright...maybe u should move out here... :D

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Guest Lindam
Guest Lindam
Posted

I haven't had any Chinese food since going gluten free since March. I am sorry to hear that you had a bad reaction at PF's. I am so looking forward to this meal. I hope I have better luck. ;)

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terri Contributor
terri
Posted

I hope you do too! I had the Chang's Lemon Scallops and they were great! I also tasted the Chang's Spicy Chicken and that was wonderful too! Just don't get the flavored tea and be sure to tell them you're a Celiac. I can't wait to go back!

:P

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  • 2 weeks later...
bigapplekathleen Contributor
bigapplekathleen
Posted

I ate at PF Chang's for the VERY FIRST TIME this week, after one year on a gluten-free diet. The food was delicious and I didn't get sick. (I get sick from the slightest amount of gluten.) I was thrilled. I will continue to go back for more and more...

Kathleen

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Thomas Apprentice
Thomas
Posted

Hopefully this was a rare mistake

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  • 2 weeks later...
Karina Explorer
Karina
Posted

I got sick the first time I ate at PF Changs. I decided to try again, and you will not believe what happened. My husband ordered off of the gluten-free menu so we could share and I got the spicy chicken, well his came out and I knew the noodles were wheat noodles! I asked about it and the guy took it back into the chef and came back out and said, "It is fine, the sauce is the thing that needs to be gluten-free, the noodles are already gluten-free", so I was still skeptical so my hubby checked the menu and got the manager and sure enough, those were wheat noodles!!!! I had almost tasted them.

Just goes to show y ou how careful you have to be!

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  • 4 months later...
jknnej Collaborator
jknnej
Posted

I ate at PF Chang's today in Scottsdale, AZ and it was great! the lemon butter chicken is awesome.

The manager of the store is a celiac. The waitress said she has "whipped the chefs into shape" and that they never have cross contamination problems because of her.

Needless to say, I'm grateful!

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VegasCeliacBuckeye Collaborator
VegasCeliacBuckeye
Posted

FYI,

Be cautious about ordering "pasta" in a restaurant.

I was a waiter for 8 years.

The cooks use the same water for all of the pastas (they just keep it boiling and add to it if it evaporates off during the night.

Hence, if you order pasta, make sure they use a clean pot and water!!!

For what its worth, I have gotten sick from the "Chang's Chicken" -- but their scallop dishes and beef dishes that are gluten-free were ok.

FYI, you can get the lettuce wraps and calamri gluten-free if you ask (make sure you talk to a manager/chef!!)

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hapi2bgf Contributor
hapi2bgf
Posted

You might find it helpful to call and speak to a manger about the fact that you did get sick at PF Chang's. They are always helpful and are very allergy knowledgable. I am guessing the management would like to know so they can give the staff a reminder about the allergy and the PF Chang reputation.

I've eaten there many times as the Celiac and a peanut allergy at the table and they are always extremely helpful and the food is a welcome treat.

Good luck on your next visit

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  • 2 weeks later...
Mitch Peipert Newbie
Mitch Peipert
Posted

This is one of my favorite restaurants. I have been to the ones in Az and Las Vegas and have never had a bad experience.

Mitch Peipert

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jknnej Collaborator
jknnej
Posted

I am so disappointed in PF Chang's this week! As per my last post, I was thrilled to find the Chang's in Scottsdale has a celiac manager. My first experience there was great.

This Tuesday I went again and haven't felt well since. I ate the leftovers just to check and sure enough, I had a stomach ache all night. I didn't eat anything else all week that wasnt' gluten free, for sure.

Oh well...just when I thought it was safe.

The problem is, you can never guarantee a good waiter/chef/kitchen staff. Friday night's staff might be great but the Tuesday shift can suck, know what I mean? There's just such a high risk no matter how careful they are. It really made my confidence go down a notch.

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Guest gillian502
Guest gillian502
Posted

The bottom line is, eating out, no matter where it may be, is like unprotected sex: no matter how good it looks, you can't ever be sure what you're gonna get!

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  • 2 months later...
Guest Addicted2Gluten
Guest Addicted2Gluten
Posted

I also got sick after eating there.

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MySuicidalTurtle Enthusiast
MySuicidalTurtle
Posted

You could be more specific than hinting that their glutenfree noodles are not glutenfree.

My Mom and brother just ate there and had them for the first time and LOVED them and ate lots.

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minibabe Contributor
minibabe
Posted

I also just at a P F Changs this week and I had such an amazing dinner. I have not had chinease food either until this week, and I would def. go back the service was great the food was great the only thing, next time I am def. going to wear a jacket b/c I was really cold. Yea, the one here on Long Island in Nassau county was absolutly amazing.

You should try it again and just get somthing different to drink, the food really is great there! Good Luck and happy eating! :D

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Guest gfinnebraska
Guest gfinnebraska
Posted

This thread had my mouth watering SO bad that I checked on their web site and they DO have a location "near" me!!! An hour away, but everything is!! :) I am thrilled to eat chinese food again. :) Any suggestions on what I should order?? Anyone try the mango chicken?? My favorite use to be sweet n sour chicken.

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minibabe Contributor
minibabe
Posted

I had the lemon chicken thing? I dont remember what it was, but i do highly recemmond you eating the fryed rice! that was really great!. Good luck and I hope that you enjoy your experience. :D

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  • 2 months later...
sspitzer5 Apprentice
sspitzer5
Posted

Hi,

I had lunch at the PF Chang's in Palo Alto, CA today and had the lemon chicken. Tasted great, but I am now queasy. Does anyone know if they use MSG?

I've eaten there several times. I try to avoid the stuff with the wheat free soy sauce because that didn't agree with me.

Susan

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jknnej Collaborator
jknnej
Posted

You know Susan, I can't eat at PF Chang's for some reason. I LOVE their lemon chicken, but whenever I eat it, I get sick like you; queasy and nauseated. I personally know there is something in it that bothers me; be it wheat, MSG or whatever.

The bottom line is, unfortunately, I stay away from PF Chang's even though I love their food. It's just not worth feeling crappy all the time.

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