Tgifriday's

[MaryAnne729]

Anyone have a problem with resturants asking if food has wheat, rye, barley or oats and still get sick.

I'm newly diagnosed, with no real abdominal sx. After 1 1/2 weeks gluten-free I went to TGIFriday's asked if the grilled chicken with mashed potatoes had any of the usual, and OH BOY AM I SICK!!

How is the best way to get across what I can't eat. (Other than not going out, which just might happen!!)

I'm thinking the chicken may have been marinated. Help!!

[Sam Caine1]

Hi, I just logged in and this is my first reply. I only recently went gluten-free and am still working my way through mistakes in wheat. I feel fortunate that I cook and therefore know pretty much what is in most foods.

My restaurant experience at Mimi's was over a chicken salad. I really wanted the roast beef dinner. It comes with beef (in gravy) roasted potatoes (ok) and carrots(ok), but I remembered at the last minute, that gravy can be made with a variety of flours. I felt proud of myself that I asked if they used wheat flour to thicken the gravy. (It would be so simple to turn this recipe gluten-free by changing to cornstarch) and I passed on it.

I was totally thrown, however, when I ordered the "new" fried chicken salad. It didn't even occur to me that the flour dipped and breaded chicken was going to be a problem, because I have ordered so many salads in the past. I caught myself only after ordering and passed the chicken onto my husband and finished my protein free salad.

My question to you is: Was there gravy on the mashed potatoes? If you have any favorite gluten-free meals at your favorite restaurants I'd be happy to hear about them as it is so time consumming to go over the menus so strickly every time I'm there. Good luck to you on your voyage to new health.

I have one tip to share, maybe it will help with mistakes. Eating carrots helped me to cut the gut pain a little when I make a mistake. It was recommended by the specialist who was looking for milk allergies many years ago.

[blueeyedmanda]

From what I have heard from others experiences, TGI fridays is not celiac friendly. Big CC issues.

[Generic]

I believe Mimi's has a gluten-free menu.

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

FYI,

Don't eat at TGIF. Its no use - they might as well have their hands soaked in flour batter. You will get sick every time there.

Stick with places with gluten free menus.

if they don't have a menu, talk to a manager or a chef - NO EXCEPTIONS!

Don't put your health in the hands of some 20 year old college kid. Trust me, I was that kid for awhile and before I got diagnosed with celiac disease, I didn't care about my job as long as I left with some money.

You gotta talk to a manager or a chef.

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Hi, I just logged in and this is my first reply. I only recently went gluten-free and am still working my way through mistakes in wheat. I feel fortunate that I cook and therefore know pretty much what is in most foods.

My restaurant experience at Mimi's was over a chicken salad. I really wanted the roast beef dinner. It comes with beef (in gravy) roasted potatoes (ok) and carrots(ok), but I remembered at the last minute, that gravy can be made with a variety of flours. I felt proud of myself that I asked if they used wheat flour to thicken the gravy. (It would be so simple to turn this recipe gluten-free by changing to cornstarch) and I passed on it.

I was totally thrown, however, when I ordered the "new" fried chicken salad. It didn't even occur to me that the flour dipped and breaded chicken was going to be a problem, because I have ordered so many salads in the past. I caught myself only after ordering and passed the chicken onto my husband and finished my protein free salad.

My question to you is: Was there gravy on the mashed potatoes? If you have any favorite gluten-free meals at your favorite restaurants I'd be happy to hear about them as it is so time consumming to go over the menus so strickly every time I'm there. Good luck to you on your voyage to new health.

I have one tip to share, maybe it will help with mistakes. Eating carrots helped me to cut the gut pain a little when I make a mistake. It was recommended by the specialist who was looking for milk allergies many years ago.

Your salad likely still had crumbs and thus, gluten in it.

Picking off croutons or fried batter pieces is not eating gluten free. Next time, send the salad back.

[MaryAnne729]

Thanks for all your replies.

No the mashed potatoes didn't have gravy, but I will remember that about gravy!! I did go recently to Outback and they have a gluten-free menu. The waitress was very helpful and most importantly I didn't get sick!!! I need to start doing more cooking, I made pepper steak once, other than that I've been eating cheese quesadillas, brown rice, salads and fruit.

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Thanks for all your replies.

No the mashed potatoes didn't have gravy, but I will remember that about gravy!! I did go recently to Outback and they have a gluten-free menu. The waitress was very helpful and most importantly I didn't get sick!!! I need to start doing more cooking, I made pepper steak once, other than that I've been eating cheese quesadillas, brown rice, salads and fruit.

Mary Anne,

Here is Hormel's gluten free list - it got me through the first couple years I was gluten-free.

SHELF-STABLE FOODS Not Containing Gluten

Carapelli

[happygirl]

I'm thinking the chicken may have been marinated. Help!!

Rule #1 (which I wish I learned sooner into the gluten-free diet!): Unless you know 100% what the ingredients are in every bite you put in your mouth, do not eat it. You are unfortunately asking to be glutened.

Many chicken at restaurants are marinated, and many of them have soy sauce in it (which often has wheat in it).

At a place that doesn't have a gluten-free menu, you have to go step by step with what is in everything AND how it is prepared.

When I go to a place that I'm not comfortable eating at, I bring my own food. Just did it today for an office lunch.

[MaryAnne729]

broncobux,

Thanks for the list at least if I have to grab something on the go I have some choices!! I printed it out and will take it with me shopping.

happygirl,

I guess I just have to get use to feeling comfortable enough taking food with me to a resturant. I still feel quite uncomfortabe, but I guess it's better than how I felt after eating at TGIFriday's!!!