Outback Steakhouse

[newg]

Tonight I am going out to eat for the first time since I have been gluten-free. I am going to the Outback Steakhouse. I know they have a gluten-free menu and I have viewed it online. My question is....When I get there do I need to ask for a gluten-free menu or are those items on their website naturally gluten-free? Any help would be great! Thanks

[Lisa]

They will readily offer you a gluten free menu at you reqeust. I have found it a great experience.

I hope yours will be as well.

[tarnalberry]

You should ask for one - the items may be 'normally' gluten free, or may require some modification (there will be notes saying such - like 'leave off the spices apples', etc.), but some Outback's know more than others about what's going on. Asking for the menu will give you the first clue about how well informed your local one is. (Hint: If they look at you blankly, be prepared for some talking. :/ )

[maryjk]

I went to Outback for the first time on Saturday, Jan 27.

When I asked for the Gluten Free Menu, I got a nod and a smile, "just one minute." I figured that

I would get the glassy eyed stare.

When I ordered, "side salad, please", I got, "without croutons, of course."

I ordered the steak grillers, and she said, " with another side, since the rice isn,t gluten-free".

I was amazed. And happy. The Manager told me that they have training on cooking gluten-free

and on cc issues. They know to clean the grill and use tin foil. Every employee has to go through

the training.

[Lauren M]

Yes, definitely ask for the gluten-free menu, or specifically say the words "gluten-free." I work as a server at Outback, and if someone simply requests a salad "without croutons," it may still be tossed in the same bowl as others. If I eat at Outback, as an employee who sees the backstage operations, I have GLUTEN-FREE written in BIG letters on my order ticket, no matter what I get!

Good luck, enjoy, I hope you get an excellent server and educated manager, and don't forget to save room for the Chocolate Thunder for dessert!

- Lauren

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

Hi Lauren,

I just wrote a new post about my experience at Outbacks a few days ago, because now they apparently have glutenfree beer. I had my experience in Mechanicsburg, PA. I wanted to ask, in case you work at another Outbacks, because our server also wrote glutenfree in big letters on the order. So maybe it was you??? Do all of the Outbacks have glutenfree beer now?

Hugs, Stef

[Lauren M]

Haha, that's awesome, Stef. I actually work at the Outback in Frederick, Maryland now.

I used to work at the Outback in Deptford, New Jersey while I was in grad school in Philadelphia. One of my managers there was super excited one day, and couldn't wait to tell me that he was getting gluten-free beer for our store! I told him that was fantastic, but I don't really like beer! It was one of the few things I was HAPPY to eliminate from my diet when I was diagnosed with Celiac. Yay, and excuse not to drink beer!

- Lauren

[kbabe1968]

We went to Outback last week. It was GREAT. I actually felt "safe" ya know?

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

Hi kbabe,

that's why most of us go there. Because you actually feel safe. At least most of the time. Congrats on your good experience!

@ Lauren: I never really liked beer either. That's why I always liked the cola-beer we have in Germany. It's half cola or pepsi, half wheat beer. And it actually looks dark like cola with foam on it. It looks very funny and actually tastes pretty decently good, unlike the beer only 'yuck'. If you don't like beer, put three quarters coke into it and one quarter beer only. That tastes even better and still has the funny looking foam. And you must put in the beer first and then the coke, otherwise it will not mix. We have another thing for kids in Germany, that's called "Spezi". And it is lemonade with coke. There you have to put in the lemonade first as well, otherwise it will not mix properly. I don't know what's going on with that. Maybe the coke/pepsi is heavier than the other drinks...

Hugs, Stef