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

Clueless

wowzer

By wowzer
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

Recommended Posts

wowzer Community Regular
wowzer
Posted

Went to dinner at Applebee's. The waitress was totally clueless about gluten free. She asked the manager and he was too. It's my husband's favorite place to eat. It never has been one of mine. I guess we all live and learn.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

Applebees is hopeless when it comes to gluten-free. Tell your husband to go with friends every now and then, but you should avoid it.

PS - I agree with you. I never liked the place. You're paying cooks to heat up frozen stuff for the most part. You could eat freshly made food for the same price.

richard

Tritty Rookie
Tritty
Posted

We used to go there for drinks and appetizers once a week after girls night out volleyball. Now I can only eat the chips and drink a coke. We're trying to find somewhere else to go where I can eat an appetizer too - not a full meal.

One of the best places I've been since all of this happened is Texas Roadhouse. Had a GREAT experience and food was excellent. They have a gluten free menu - and the manager at our branch - his mother has celiac! So they are very advanced....

jayhawkmom Enthusiast
jayhawkmom
Posted
PS - I agree with you. I never liked the place. You're paying cooks to heat up frozen stuff for the most part. You could eat freshly made food for the same price.

Could not agree more. I was seriously disappointed when I learned that Applebee's doesn't really "make" their food. It's already prepared, they just heat it up... which is why it's impossible to get gluten free food there.

wowzer Community Regular
wowzer
Posted
  • Author

After my Applebee's dining experience yesterday, I thought I would call to complain. They don't expect anyone to know. If you call them (888-59APPLE) they will check anything on the menu and let you know what has wheat in it. Not a total answer to gluten. If you think about it, there are warnings about allergies written on the bottom of the menu. I think they really don't want us to eat there. I'm glad it's not my favorite place to eat.

Kibbie Contributor
Kibbie
Posted
Went to dinner at Applebee's. The waitress was totally clueless about gluten free. She asked the manager and he was too. It's my husband's favorite place to eat. It never has been one of mine. I guess we all live and learn.

I have given up on using the term gluten and celiac disease.... it just seems to confuse the issue when I eat out. I start every ordering process like this: (Which is a lie but it gets the job done all the time)

"I am going to be a high maintenance customer because my daughter has HORRIBLE allergies to a few foods.... and I know you don't want her having a reaction here."

Then I tell them what looks the safest on the menu but ask if I could please see the ingredients for everything including spices and marinades that way they don't have to be responsible if she does have a reaction. I also let them know that I'm not in a hurry to order and that I understand that they have other tables to weight on but it is something I need to do to protect my daughter.

I have never had a problem and usually these people bend over backward send the manager and the head chef over to discuss what she can eat.

At the end of the meal I usually tell them that she has celiac disease and what it is... and explain to them the importance of avoiding cross contamination. It is usually well received and several managers have actually taken note of what I ordered in case other people with Celiac Disease come in to eat there.

My last encounter with Applebees was just like this :) I guess I just get lucky!

chad from fla Newbie
chad from fla
Posted

Ugh! I hate Applebees. My stepfather (who used to be quite the gourmand) is going to weight watchers and now, because Applebees has those WW-approved meals, he insists on going there all the time.

I understand where he's coming from -- it's nice to have a place to eat where your dietary considerations are taken into account (!) -- but why did Applebees get the WW license and not something easier for Celiacs like Outback.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


katrinamaria Explorer
katrinamaria
Posted

i refuse to eat at applebee's...too many horror stories--gluten-free and otherwise. yuck.

katrinamaria Explorer
katrinamaria
Posted

hey tritty-- what do you get at TX roadhouse?? all i ever get there is a plain baked potato...i'm scared to try anything else and the waiter/tresses always seem kind of [sorry] unintelligent/clueless... i did hear they were changing their menu around though....

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,901
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    tessycork47
    Newest Member
    tessycork47
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • 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.