Resturant Refused To Tell Me Ingredients!

[cajun celiac]

I've only been gluten-free for about 3 weeks so a lot of this is very new to me. We normally go out to eat on Sundays after church with friends, kind of like a tradition. Yesterday we went to a BBQ place and I ordered a baked potato with chopped beef. Before they added the sauce I asked what the ingredients are because I have a serious food allergy. She refused to tell me! Apparently it is their "secret sauce". I told her I didn't want the recipe only to know the ingredients. She then asked me what ingredients I'm allergic to and then she would tell me if they were included. I was so irritated! Not that I thought I would actually be able to have the BBQ sauce but that's not the point. Do I have any rights here? I mean, food packages are forced to have their ingredients listed so is it different with resturants?

[lovegrov]

As far as I know, there's no law requiring a restaurant to tell you ingredients, it's just good business. The new allergen law does not cover restaurants.

richard

[StrongerToday]

If they can't tell you what's in or not in their recipe, I would never eat there. You're not asking for the "secret sauce" you want to make sure you're not going to have a serious health issue!

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

Hi Jillian,

that has happened to me, too. At a chinese restaurant. I replied the same way you did. After they heard about my "allergy", they told me to leave and that they wouldn't serve me . I guess, there's nothing you can't do. I decided not to eat at a restaurant anymore, that acts that stupid and tell other people about this, just to boycott them a little .

Hugs, Stef

[cajun celiac]

Thanks everyone. I have decided I'll send a letter to the owner expressing my disappointment in his employees...I'll mention the number of times we've attended their resturant in the past and mention that 2 years ago I used them to cater a party. They will miss me as a faithful customer. I'll also throw in Richard's "it's just good business" comment.

Hey Stef - I cannot believe they asked you to leave! I would have been devastated. I guess they are fortunate you didn't respond with your martial arts!!! And I do love the irony of you living in Wheatfield.

[TinkerbellSwt]

How rude they are! I dont blame you, write that letter. Let them know they lost a faithful customer just for the stupidity of their employees. Ruby Tuesday, the one time I went there since my Celiac disease, actually brought out the actual container the salad dressing comes in from where ever they ship from. It was a huge jug, like the kind in Costco's and Sams. It had all the ingredients. And when I asked about the bbq sauce, the manager went in the back and wrote down the ingredients, I chose not to have it anyway, rather be safe than sorry, he just wouldnt tell me the amounts. I had no problem with that. I hope they realize they lost a good customer. Sorry for the problem though. that stinks.

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

Hello Jillian,

I think, this is a great idea, that you want to write a letter. First I wanted to do the same, however I didn't at the time. I don't know why. Well, now it's about 2 years later and they probably won't remember anymore or have new employees. So much can change in 2 years. Then they also are about 90 minutes from us, so there's a slim chance I ever will go there again anyway. If it would have been around here in the neighborhood, I would have written a letter for sure. I couldn't believe, what they just said to me, when it happened that day. I was so surprised I didn't know what to answer. I just left and cried in the car.

Yes, the Wheatfield thing. I thought, it's pretty ironic, too! Actually the city we are connected to is New Bloomfield, however we are outside of New Bloomfield. And the township we live in is called Wheatfield. They have a lot of villages with "....field" at the end around here .

Hugs, Stef

[tiffjake]

I had that happen at Jack in the Box. When I first when gluten free, I read somewhere that the tacos were gluten free (which, by the way THEY ARE NOT). But I thought I was doing good! So I asked, while ordering, if they were fried with other stuff, because I saw someone loading them into a fry basket. The pimple faced butthead behind the counter said "that is jacks special secret" and I said "well, jack can pay for my hospital stay then!" and he got all freaked out!

So, I found out that they were not gluten free (more than just the fried part). And I admit, I was kinda rude, but the guy really ticked me off.

Now, if they won't tell me whats in it, I call the corporate office and tell them the whole story about Celiac Disease. This has always worked for me. Ouback wouldn't tell me about their Ceaser dressing, but they did tell me the ingredients, just not the details (amounts, etc.). They were really nice about it too, and wanted to help, just wanted to keep their "secrets" at the same time.

Anyway, just my story....

[Viola 1]

Actually, I've had four restaurants that have asked me to leave. Two flattly told me (and a party of five) that they didn't have time to deal with diets and we should go elsewhere.

The other two were Chinese restaurants and told me they were two nervous to serve me, guess they didn't feel their kitchens were gluten free.

On the other side of things .. we were way up north close to the Yukon border and we went into this cute little restaurant hoping I could find something to eat. It was really cold and I wanted at least some hot tea. Anyway, we sent my card back to the kitchen and the Chef came out and sat down at the table and said that he had just made a big pot of beef soup and he was pretty sure I could have it. So he went over every ingredient and it was gluten free That was the best bowl of soup!!!

We also have a Chinese restaurant in Nelson that makes gluten free Chinese food and the best gluten free fish & chips!!! I love it there We are going into town tomorrow, so I will have the difficult decision of choosing between sweet & sour pork with chicken fried rice, or fish & chips ... maybe I'll have the fish & chips there and bring the sweet & sour pork with chicken fried rice home for supper.

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

Hi Shirley, that sounds really delicious. We also have a chinese restaurant around here. They even took Kathy and me back into the kitchen to show us everything and we could assure ourselves of all the labels and how they made the food. Isn't that cool?

Oh, and I never had a problem at any Outbacks, when I was checking ingredients of soups or dressings.

[Viola 1]

Hi Shirley, that sounds really delicious. We also have a chinese restaurant around here. They even took Kathy and me back into the kitchen to show us everything and we could assure ourselves of all the labels and how they made the food. Isn't that cool?

Oh, and I never had a problem at any Outbacks, when I was checking ingredients of soups or dressings.

That really is cool ! It does make things a lot simpler if the staff is helpful. We realize it does take extra time, but most of us show it when we give a bigger than usual tip.

Somehow we have to get across that we 'as a gluten free community' have the right to eat like everyone else. Just because our "kinda disability" doesn't show outside, we should still have the same rights.

Although I guess, technically we could go over to the grocery store and have a piece of fruit or something.

I guess this restaurant thing really isn't going to be solved until we all start going out in droves...Money talks

[tarnalberry]

Yep, they can keep their 'trade secret'. And you can take your business elsewhere. :/ I'm glad you're sending a letter; I hope it will help!

[tiffjake]

Oh, and I never had a problem at any Outbacks, when I was checking ingredients of soups or dressings.

Well, *something* upset my stomach everytime I got the Ceaser dressing, EVERYTIME!! I think it was the anchovies. I was fine with Rach, Honey Mustard, you name it, just not Ceaser. Anyway, I just don't eat it now.

[laurac]

Well, *something* upset my stomach everytime I got the Ceaser dressing, EVERYTIME!! I think it was the anchovies. I was fine with Rach, Honey Mustard, you name it, just not Ceaser. Anyway, I just don't eat it now.

Outback has a pretty extensive gluten free menu. They tell me that their only salad dressing that contains gluten is the honey mustard.

[tiffjake]

Well, *something* upset my stomach everytime I got the Ceaser dressing, EVERYTIME!! I think it was the anchovies. I was fine with Rach, Honey Mustard, you name it, just not Ceaser. Anyway, I just don't eat it now.

Outback has a pretty extensive gluten free menu. They tell me that their only salad dressing that contains gluten is the honey mustard.

From what I understand, different regions are different. In my region, the Mustard Vineragrette (sp?) and the Bleu Cheese are on the NOT gluten-free list. The Honey Mustard (which is different) is gluten-free. But there is another poster here from Florida who works at Outback, and she says that in her area, there is only one dressing that is not gluten-free. <shrugs shoulders> I don't know.

[lovegrov]

At least in the U.S. all Outbacks are the same -- mustard vinaigrette and blue cheese are not gluten-free. The cheese itself is gluten-free, but some flavoring in the dressing either isn't or might not be.

richard

[laurac]

From what I understand, different regions are different. In my region, the Mustard Vineragrette (sp?) and the Bleu Cheese are on the NOT gluten-free list. The Honey Mustard (which is different) is gluten-free. But there is another poster here from Florida who works at Outback, and she says that in her area, there is only one dressing that is not gluten-free. <shrugs shoulders> I don't know.

Thanks for the info!! I assumed in a chain restaurant everything would be the same. I will be sure to ask when we go to different ones. This is all such a learning experience no matter how long you've been dealing with it!!!!

[tiffjake]

At least in the U.S. all Outbacks are the same -- mustard vinaigrette and blue cheese are not gluten-free. The cheese itself is gluten-free, but some flavoring in the dressing either isn't or might not be.

richard

I thought so too Richard, but someone here (and can't remember her name) works there, and she said that they make there own something or other at HER Outback, and it is safe....I can't remember, that was a couple of months ago......anyway, she stressed that HER Outback had a different dressing or something like that. If not for her post, I would totally agree with you. MY Outback said that different places didn't do their own dressings. I don't know.

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

I know, the honey mustard sauce that you get with this chicken (can't remember the name of that dish to safe my life) is glutenfree, because I get it everytime and never had a problem with it. I don't know about the honey mustard dressing heck, I didn't even know, they actually HAD honey mustard dressing .

@ Viola: Yes, that is really cool. We told her, we would come back regularly now. We haven't had the time yet though. I probably will go with Kathy this month though. This is the only asian restaurant, that I feel comfortable going to now during my pregnancy. Hmm! Maybe next weekend

Hugs, Stef

[lovegrov]

They don't have honey mustard, it's mustard vinaigrette.

richard

[blueeyedmanda]

Stef- Are you talking about the Alice Springs chicken?

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

Yes, that's it. Alice Springs Chicken. Hmmmm, and the mustard sauce to that Alice Springs Chicken is glutenfree. Oh, it's sooo good.

[tiffjake]

They don't have honey mustard, it's mustard vinaigrette.

richard

Yes they do. I had it today. It is a Honey Mustard Salad Dressing (they serve it with the Alice Springs Chicken, and you can get it on your salad). It is NOT the Mustard Vinaigrette, totally different. Perhaps a regional thing? But, they do have it....

[tiffjake]

Yes, that's it. Alice Springs Chicken. Hmmmm, and the mustard sauce to that Alice Springs Chicken is glutenfree. Oh, it's sooo good.

Oh yeah Had that tonight! It was super yummy! LOVE that Honey Mustard!!! I get the veggies and dip my veggies in there too!!!

[tiffjake]

Yes they do. I had it today. It is a Honey Mustard Salad Dressing (they serve it with the Alice Springs Chicken, and you can get it on your salad). It is NOT the Mustard Vinaigrette, totally different. Perhaps a regional thing? But, they do have it....

Open Original Shared Link

I like to "back up" my information. Here is the Outback Gluten Free Menu. Under "Alice Springs Chicken" you can see that it is served with a "Honey Mustard Sauce". On the far right hand side of the first page, bottom, in yellow writing, they list the two that are not gluten free, the "mustard vinaigrette" and the "bleu cheese". Two different things.