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Chilly's Has No Clue!

amber-rose

By amber-rose
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

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amber-rose Contributor
amber-rose
Posted

Today, my family were going to go eat somewhere, so they told me to pick a restraunt that served gluten-free food. I heard that Chili's has a gluten-free menu, so I called them, and it rang and rang and then someone picked up. I asked if they had a gluten-free menu. They responded by laughing at me, saying there was no such thing as a gluten-free menu. But there was a low-carb menu. So I requested to talk to a manager. I asked the manager, 'Do you have a gluten-free menu?' He said 'No we don't, no such thing exists.' So I got a little angry and responded, 'Well, you should really learn more about it. The Chili's website has a gluten-free menu!' But he just laughed, then I hung up on him.

So that afternoon, we went to Red Robins and I got a 'Lettuce Wrap Burger' It was so delicious!

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pegom1 Rookie
pegom1
Posted
Today, my family were going to go eat somewhere, so they told me to pick a restraunt that served gluten-free food. I heard that Chili's has a gluten-free menu, so I called them, and it rang and rang and then someone picked up. I asked if they had a gluten-free menu. They responded by laughing at me, saying there was no such thing as a gluten-free menu. But there was a low-carb menu. So I requested to talk to a manager. I asked the manager, 'Do you have a gluten-free menu?' He said 'No we don't, no such thing exists.' So I got a little angry and responded, 'Well, you should really learn more about it. The Chili's website has a gluten-free menu!' But he just laughed, then I hung up on him.

So that afternoon, we went to Red Robins and I got a 'Lettuce Wrap Burger' It was so delicious!

I had the same problem in Dover, Delaware on my way home from NC. I emailed the corporate office that night from my hotel-I was upset over the apathetic attitude of the hostess and the fact that the manager wouldn't come out of the kitchen to speak with me. I got a call the next day from corporate apologizing profusely with a promise to educate that manager and his staff. I encourage you to email them-and report the restaurant by location that needs to be educated.

LKelly8 Rookie
LKelly8
Posted

Chili's doesn't have a gluten-free menu. :o

The list of gluten-free items on the website is just that, a list of suggested menu items. You need to bring the list with you to places like that - McD's, Panera's, Wendy's, Subway, Carvel, etc. You'll also need to go back to the website every month or so to check for changes.

PF Changs, Legal Seafood, Bonefish Grill, Outback, they'll acutally hand you their own gluten-free menu. :)

Although, considering the rude response you got from that manager <_< , I'd take that Chili's off your "list" gluten-free or not.

momandgirls Enthusiast
momandgirls
Posted

Our local Chili's has something called an "allergy book." It's a three ring binder that has laminated pages in it - each page gives menu suggestions for all kinds of allergies - dairy free, gluten free, nut free, soy free, etc. I was under the impression that all Chili's had this protocol in place...

LKelly8 Rookie
LKelly8
Posted
Our local Chili's has something called an "allergy book." It's a three ring binder that has laminated pages in it - each page gives menu suggestions for all kinds of allergies - dairy free, gluten free, nut free, soy free, etc. I was under the impression that all Chili's had this protocol in place...

:blink: Wow! I had no idea. We've eaten at local (S FL) Chili's many times - with lists in hand, talked gluten-free with wait staff/manager - I've never seen the binder. I'll ask for it specifically next time. Thanks!

Guest nini
Guest nini
Posted

definitely complain to corporate, at the very least they shouldn't have laughed at you, that's just plain rude customer service...

I went to a Chili's in Tennesee once when we went to the aquarium there... the manager came out and was very helpful, I had my "guidelines" in my gluten-free dining guide book with me, but the manager was able to tell me that the chips were fried in the same oil as onion rings and that certain seasonings couldn't be guaranteed gluten-free... I was really careful about what I ordered and ate, but still managed to get ill... (at least the bathrooms at the Tennessee aquarium are nice!)... Chili's as a whole is a company that is on my "do not trust" list now... at least in my case they tried, but until more is done to educate the entire chain of restaurants, I wouldn't trust them.

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

from what I know, it is not corporate policy...there are many chili's that do not know about ingredients or provide the list. It may be that some have just taken the initiative themselves!

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TinkerbellSwt Collaborator
TinkerbellSwt
Posted

Wow this thread surprises the heck out of me. I have written several threads (ummm.. annoyingly so!) that the Chilis by me and around NJ have been great. Chilis does have a gluten free menu. The managers have to print them up on a computer that they have. Each month the menu may change. So Chilis tells us to ask for a new menu every time. Every manager I have come across has been knowledgeable. The hostesses usually have no clue. And usually my waiter doesnt either.

The management has always been so helpful. I have emailed many letters to corporate in praise of their staff. I am sorry that you havent had the same experiences that some of us on the board have. Maybe they dont go thru the training as throughly as they should. I always ask for the manager and he/she always has come out.

Again, I am sorry for your experiences

pegom1 Rookie
pegom1
Posted

When I spoke to corporate after my experience in Dover, the person I spoke with said they do expect every Chili's location to have the gluten-free info on hand. Each restaurant owner decides whether they want to install the kiosk in their lobby that provides allergy info. She made it clear that my experience in Dover was clearly unacceptable and she was personally seeing to it that the staff have the materials and education to guide us in making gluten-free selections.

TinkerbellSwt Collaborator
TinkerbellSwt
Posted

Thats great. I am glad they are taking your complaint seriously. I hope it changes things for you. I really enjoy Chilis food. As I eventually got tired of Outback!

VegasCeliacBuckeye Collaborator
VegasCeliacBuckeye
Posted

Just echoing some earlier sentiments.

I wouldn't blame the entire Brinker Corporation for one bad restaurant.

The Chili's here in Vegas have been accomodating.

To be honest, the only places that I have seen in which the Hostesses had a clue about "gluten free" was Carrabbas, PF Changs and First Watch.

Normally, these girls are in high school and they are not educated nor empowered with such direction from their managers.

As I often say in my thread about restaurants, this type of place empowers you to do one of two things:

1. Never go to the restaurant again and tell people about your bad experience.

2. Educate the management about celiac disease and The Gluten Free Diet.

Option #2 requires more time and effort, but ask yourself this, "Which choice benefits Celiacs more?"

I know I am in the minority when it comes to this challenge, but I now try to assist the learning curve of ignorant restaurants rather than blowing them off. If I can educate one manager a month, that equates to 12more places for my Celiac brothers and sisters to dine at in 2007.

Food for thought...pun intended :)

Bronco

connole1056 Rookie
connole1056
Posted

I am astounded that happened at Chili's! I was told by a waiter that every Chili's has access to the gluten-free menu since it is computer-generated and all restaurants use the same computer. I have told many people to go there because I was giventhis information. I hope your experience was an isolated incident and not indicative of the way other Chili's restaurants are allowed to operate !!!

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