Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Frustration With The Applebee's Lunch

blueeyedmanda

By blueeyedmanda
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

Recommended Posts

blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted

So once again it is someone's birthday and I have decided to stay behind. This coworker has picked Applebee's. We have had discussions before on why I cannot eat at Applebees. In fact, our office decided against going there once because of my allergies. We have many other nicer places to choose from, all that can make me food and not make me sick.

Applebees has no idea what any allergies are! The service is horrible. I am just all around upset. Maybe the part that is upsetting me the most is this woman is a friend who baked me gluten-free birthday muffins....she knows I cannot eat at Applebees but yet chooses to go there...

I am sorry I have had a few bad days, and I think it all caught up with me today! Sorry for the rant.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Michi8 Contributor
Michi8
Posted
So once again it is someone's birthday and I have decided to stay behind. This coworker has picked Applebee's. We have had discussions before on why I cannot eat at Applebees. In fact, our office decided against going there once because of my allergies. We have many other nicer places to choose from, all that can make me food and not make me sick.

Applebees has no idea what any allergies are! The service is horrible. I am just all around upset. Maybe the part that is upsetting me the most is this woman is a friend who baked me gluten-free birthday muffins....she knows I cannot eat at Applebees but yet chooses to go there...

I am sorry I have had a few bad days, and I think it all caught up with me today! Sorry for the rant.

I don't blame you for ranting! How insensitive of your coworker. Sometimes people just don't get it, and can't think past their own needs/desires. :angry:

Michelle

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Ok, I'll play... (Dons flame proof suit.)

It is her birthday. And sometimes, it's alright for other people to get what they really want on special occasions. In situations like these, rather than begrudge your coworker their favorite, I'd say go along, socialize, and either brown-bag it when you get back, or bring your brown-bag with you. Sometimes, we're not going to get to go places we can eat; such is life until everywhere offers gluten free options.

Phyllis28 Apprentice
Phyllis28
Posted

I agree with Tarnalberry strategy. I have been gluten free so many years that I have come to disassociate food with social events. I let my co-workers make whatever plans they want and I adapt as needed so I can join them.

I am sorry that this upset you.

Michi8 Contributor
Michi8
Posted
Ok, I'll play... (Dons flame proof suit.)

It is her birthday. And sometimes, it's alright for other people to get what they really want on special occasions. In situations like these, rather than begrudge your coworker their favorite, I'd say go along, socialize, and either brown-bag it when you get back, or bring your brown-bag with you. Sometimes, we're not going to get to go places we can eat; such is life until everywhere offers gluten free options.

Perhaps I misread the original post, but I thought it was a group decision to go to Applebee's.

Michelle

lonewolf Collaborator
lonewolf
Posted

It is understandable why you'd feel upset, but Tarnalberry is right. I've been working at the same school for 10 years with many of the same people. Everyone knows about my "allergies". In all those 10 years no one has EVER thought about what I can and can't eat for teacher appreciation days, staff lunches or snacks or twice yearly restaurant trips. I've been presented with birthday cake and other treats numerous times. My teaching partner finally caught on and bought me Pamela's gluten-free cookies this year when it was my birthday month so I wouldn't have to look at the delicious cake. I've decided to make the best of it, realize that they're NEVER going to get it or even think of me before planning food events and bring my own food, even to restaurant gatherings. I'd rather go socialize than be left totally out.

blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted
  • Author

Update.

I did go to lunch and had a good lunch at Applebees...surprise! My coworkers were begging me to go so I gave in. The waitress came and we explained I had allergies and I told her what I wanted. She brought all the packages for what I wanted. I verified the ingredients and ordered. They brought the manager out to meet me and she asked if I needed anything. She also said they have a lot of customers come in with different allergies.

The meal went good, my salad came out with bread on it, I sent it back and I got a new salad. It was steaming when it came out. They did apologize alot for that.

Do I trust Applebees yet??? not sure, although I had a good experience there, it has not been that way for me at other locations.

I did enjoy my lunch out.

I am glad you guys also helped me see the light too, I had a few bumps in the road this week and I think everything came out with the lunch date.

I feel better.

Lunch was over 2 hours ago and I still feel great, although fellow coworkers who went do not :o

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Tritty Rookie
Tritty
Posted

Just out of curiousity - what did you order? I am so new at this and we used to go there after our girls night out volleyball league and get appetizers and a drink. I've been once since and I only ate the chips - it was all I could figure out that was OK without getting so frustrated. I'm still working on learning everything I need to ask...

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

yes, what did you order?

I used to work there, and there was not a single thing there I could eat. Interested to know what is safe now.

Happy to hear it worked out well. :)

blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted
  • Author

I got the ceasar salad, I don't use dressing. The chicken had corn starch, phosphate, salt, sodium. I had a baked potato with cheese and sourcream on the side.

I still wouldn't reccomend Applebee's I have had previous bad experiences at other locations, this was the first time I ate at this one (Hershey) It was not at a busy time. They actually wanted to help me find something to eat.

Would I eat at this location more? Only for these birthday dinners when someone chooses it as their place of dining.

I prefer Isaac's anyday, they are great with allergies and have multiple salads to choose from.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      8

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    2. MichaelDG
      - MichaelDG posted a topic in Board/Forum Technical Help
      0

      celiac.com support

      How do I contact someone at celiac.com concerning the cessation of my weekly e-newsletter? I had been receiving it regularly for years. When I tried to sign-up on the website, my email was not accepted. I tried again with a new email address and that was rejected as well. Thank you in advance!
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      8

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      8

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,327
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    dnamutant
    Newest Member
    dnamutant
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • MichaelDG
      celiac.com support

      By MichaelDG · Posted

      How do I contact someone at celiac.com concerning the cessation of my weekly e-newsletter? I had been receiving it regularly for years. When I tried to sign-up on the website, my email was not accepted. I tried again with a new email address and that was rejected as well. Thank you in advance!
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.