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

Carrabba's Disclaimer

mommyagain

By mommyagain
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

Recommended Posts

mommyagain Explorer
mommyagain
Posted

Carrabba's used to be one of our absolute favorite restuarants, until I went gluten-free. Since then I've been really scared to eat out. So, when I heard that Carrabba's had a gluten-free menu, I had to check it out. A lot of the stuff looked pretty yummy, but the disclaimer worries me. I understand that they are just trying to cover their a$$es, but the way it's written it sounds like someone else came up with a list of gluten-free foods and they just post it on their website to be helpful.

So, any good experiences with Carrabba's? Bad? Did you feel like they took you seriously when you placed your order?

Thanks.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


VegasCeliacBuckeye Collaborator
VegasCeliacBuckeye
Posted

I always order the pollo rosa maria (no glaze) and a cesar salad (dry, dressing on side, no croutons).

I have never had a problem. You have to make sure they don't brush the chicken with the glaze - impress that upon your waiter!

blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted

I believe many members on this board go to Carrabba's frequently. I am not too close to one or I would go try it out. They are an Outback chain, and I have always had good service at Outback.

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted
Carrabba's used to be one of our absolute favorite restuarants, until I went gluten-free. Since then I've been really scared to eat out. So, when I heard that Carrabba's had a gluten-free menu, I had to check it out. A lot of the stuff looked pretty yummy, but the disclaimer worries me. I understand that they are just trying to cover their a$$es, but the way it's written it sounds like someone else came up with a list of gluten-free foods and they just post it on their website to be helpful.

So, any good experiences with Carrabba's? Bad? Did you feel like they took you seriously when you placed your order?

Thanks.

I know that different restaurants can be inconsistent with their knowledge but my experience at Carraba's was excellent. Those disclaimers are for legal protection only.....if they were that worried about glutening people on a regular basis, they wouldn't offer a gluten-free menu.

Carraba's is owned by Outback's and the reason there is a gluten-free menu at both is because there are Celiac's in the family. My experience was very satisfactory and they even knew to mix the salad in a seperate bowl. They are one of a few chain restaurants that have gluten-free sauces for their dishes and they are delicious. I usually don't go to chain restaurants, even with a gluten-free menu, because most employee's are not knowledgeable enough about food to know what they are doing but Carraba's outdid themselves.

hez Enthusiast
hez
Posted

I have not been to our local Carrabba's because I know of some fellow celiacs that have had a bad experience. I am sure there are good ones out there. It seems so dependent on how good of a manager is there. Maybe ask around to see if anyone has had a good experience at that location. No matter where you go eating out is always a risk. So as a celiac I do my best to limit the risk.

Hez

mandasmom Rookie
mandasmom
Posted
I have not been to our local Carrabba's because I know of some fellow celiacs that have had a bad experience. I am sure there are good ones out there. It seems so dependent on how good of a manager is there. Maybe ask around to see if anyone has had a good experience at that location. No matter where you go eating out is always a risk. So as a celiac I do my best to limit the risk.

Hez

The shrimp scampi is fabulous!! We live nearby and eat there often!! Never a problem

mommyagain Explorer
mommyagain
Posted
  • Author

Well, I surprised my hubby last night by saying that I wanted to go to Carrabba's! He had figured that since it was an Italian place, it would be totally off limits.

So, we went and I got the gluten-free Chicken Trio, broccoli, and a salad. I forgot to mention to the waiter to have them mix it in a clean bowl. When the waiter brought it, he said, "You didn't mention that you wanted this mixed in a clean bowl, but that's how we always do the gluten-free salads". WOW!!! I was impressed.

I have felt fine all day, and had leftovers for lunch today! Yummy!

My hubby had Linguine with clam sauce, which he said was fantastic. I wasn't too jealous because I don't particularly like clam sauce :D I am so glad that we are finding nice places that both of us can have a tasty meal :)

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


marciab Enthusiast
marciab
Posted

I got glutenned the last time I went, but I called the manager and he has offered to cook my meal for me so that I can eat there again. That was May and I haven't been back yet though. I'm too sensitive to take the chance.

A freind of mine eats there often, but even she says that she keeps on eye on her food, just to be safe.

Actually anytime you eat somewhere that is not 100% gluten-free you run the risk of being glutenned. So depending on how sensitive you are, you may or may not have a problem with it.

tiffjake Enthusiast
tiffjake
Posted

I love their chicken marsala with mashed potatoes! Yum! And that John-something dessert with the nuts!!!

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

"A lot of the stuff looked pretty yummy, but the disclaimer worries me. I understand that they are just trying to cover their a$$es, but the way it's written it sounds like someone else came up with a list of gluten-free foods and they just post it on their website to be helpful."

Ah, but the "someone else" who came up with the list is Cynthia Kupper of GIG, the same person who did the Outback and Bonefish Grill gluten-free menus. I'd rather have her doing it than the restaurant.

richard

mommyagain Explorer
mommyagain
Posted
  • Author
Ah, but the "someone else" who came up with the list is Cynthia Kupper of GIG, the same person who did the Outback and Bonefish Grill gluten-free menus. I'd rather have her doing it than the restaurant.

richard

See, I haven't been in the celiac world long enough to know who's legit and who's not... For me, the final answer was that I ate there, everyone was extremely helpful/knowledgable, and I DID NOT GET SICK!!! :D

Kitty Cat Newbie
Kitty Cat
Posted
I believe many members on this board go to Carrabba's frequently. I am not too close to one or I would go try it out. They are an Outback chain, and I have always had good service at Outback.

I didn't know they were linked to Outback. I love Outback it is one of the few dinner places I go to.

BTW-I'm new and just reading some post so HI everyone.

Egaeus Newbie
Egaeus
Posted

I'm not a fan of Outback's restaurants because of the company's politics, but sometimes you have to make exceptions so that you can enjoy a night out with your friends, or can eat safely in a strange city (as is often the case with me). As I can walk down the flour aisle without getting sick, I try to eat places that attempt to provide food that I can safely eat, and am rewarded for it by not being sick.

However, for those who do react to even extremely small amounts of gluten, it is probably advisable for you to stay home. Watch the Food Network (especially Good Eats) and learn about cooking so that you can take the recipes that appeal to you, and adapt them (if necessary) to be gluten-free. Heck, Alton Brown recently had a substitution show where he made gluten-free cookies, and Emeril made a Flourless (and gluten-free) Chocolate Cake that was amazing by all accounts I've seen (though I haven't tried it yet). Get to enjoy cooking, and you won't mind not eating out.

wowzer Community Regular
wowzer
Posted

I just went there for my 33rd anniversary. The waiter assured me that everything that ordered would be marked gluten free. They even brought my salad wearing plastic gloves. It's the best service I've had from a restaurant since going gluten free.

  • 2 years later...
JerseySue Newbie
JerseySue
Posted
I have not been to our local Carrabba's because I know of some fellow celiacs that have had a bad experience. I am sure there are good ones out there. It seems so dependent on how good of a manager is there. Maybe ask around to see if anyone has had a good experience at that location. No matter where you go eating out is always a risk. So as a celiac I do my best to limit the risk.

Hez

Hopefully I'm doing this correctly, my first post.

My husband and I decided to eat at Carrabba's on the last night of our week in Vegas due to multiply sites, and posts, about their gluten free menu. I know I should of left when I read the disclaimer that they don't have a separate grill for gluten free, I was ill before we left the parking lot.

I don't understand how a resturant can make the claim, gluten free, when food is prepared in the same location?

Good news, we did eat at PF Changs, Outback (same company, no disclaimer) and Chipotle Grill with no problem.

Sue

Frances03 Enthusiast
Frances03
Posted

As for Outback, I have been to 2 different ones this week because we are traveling. I didn't have a good experience at either one. One was in Wyoming and one was in Castle Rock, CO. As I posted elsewhere on this board, the one in Wyoming brought me a salad made in it's own bowl and super safe, and halfway thru it I found a crouton. Then the one in Castle Rock made no attempt to make me feel like they were being careful with my meal. I skipped the salad altogether and got chicken and ribs with vegetables. They brought my food out on same tray with rest of the tables food, and some of their plates were hanging over mine, with french fries all over, and that didn't make me feel very good. Then I ordered the gluten free brownie dessert and they brought out just ice cream with chocolate syrup. WHen I asked where is the brownie, the waiter told me they don't have the gluten free brownie anymore he didn't think. I said it's on the menu! He said I think they weren't sure if it was gluten free so we dont have it now. I went and asked the manager, and he said yes they still have it and he didn't know what the waiter was talking about. So, they brought me out the dessert with the brownie but I could tell they had just placed the original ice cream on top of it, so I didn't feel safe eating it. Unfortunately we will be eating at Outback tonight again, and then we'll be home and I'm not going out to eat any more.

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted
Hopefully I'm doing this correctly, my first post.

My husband and I decided to eat at Carrabba's on the last night of our week in Vegas due to multiply sites, and posts, about their gluten free menu. I know I should of left when I read the disclaimer that they don't have a separate grill for gluten free, I was ill before we left the parking lot.

I don't understand how a resturant can make the claim, gluten free, when food is prepared in the same location?

Good news, we did eat at PF Changs, Outback (same company, no disclaimer) and Chipotle Grill with no problem.

Sue

Carrabba's does a fabulous job of serving gluten-free food even though they do not have a dedicated grill. You do not need to have one if you cook the food in a clean pan or clean the grill well....which they must do or I would react. I am also a super sensitive Celiac and the smallest amounts I would feel. You do not have to have separate cooking area's to do this successfully, you just have to be diligent about prep. If they made that many Celiacs sick, they wouldn't be in business.

As far as Outback's are concerned, just because there is no disclaimer does not mean they don't run their kitchens the same way. Outback's does not have separate area's but are careful with prep so there is no difference. Disclaimers mean absolutely nothing, other than to legally protect the business from sue happy customers. It all boils down to diligence and care on the part of the restaurant when preparing a gluten-free meal and many do so successfully.

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

Hopefully I'm doing this correctly, my first post.

My husband and I decided to eat at Carrabba's on the last night of our week in Vegas due to multiply sites, and posts, about their gluten free menu. I know I should of left when I read the disclaimer that they don't have a separate grill for gluten free, I was ill before we left the parking lot.

I don't understand how a resturant can make the claim, gluten free, when food is prepared in the same location?

Good news, we did eat at PF Changs, Outback (same company, no disclaimer) and Chipotle Grill with no problem.

Maybe there's no disclaimer at Outback, but I'm pretty certain there's no dedicated grill or prep area. OTH, I'm not certain what they grill that isn't gluten-free. I've found Chipotle to be very cooperative and done well there, but they also do not have any sort of dedicated prep area. In fact, other than some places that have dedicated fryers for fries, I know of very few places that have dedicated areas. Risotteria in New York City does for their gluten-free pizzas, but then they specifically cater to people with celiac.

richard

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,549
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Blough
    Newest Member
    Blough
    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

    • Scott Adams
      Taken Seriously

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      Looking for a gluten-free roomie in Denver CO

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Allergy medication: cetirizine by the HealthA2Z is it gluten free?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      Protein or fat?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      Diagnosed celiac for 1-2 months ago and everything makes me bloated.

      By Beverage · Posted

      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • 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.