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South Orange County, Ca Restaurants

Cynbd

By Cynbd
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

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Cynbd Contributor
Cynbd
Posted

I generally stay away from restaurants and other peoples kitchens. But -- I like to have the option of eating out. I live in South OC and was wondering of there are others who have had successful meals out at specific locations with some of these local chains.

I have eaten at Pei Wei's in Lake Forest and have never gotten sick. (YAY). I have eaten at PF Changs at the Mission Viejo mall twice and got very sick both times.

The very first time I ever ate out after going gluten-free was to Pei Wei's in Irvine (this was months after going gluten-free too), and the guy that brought me my food couldn't speak English, so when I asked him (to confirm) if my dish was gluten-free free he gave the obligatory "yes" -- then I found out I had the wrong salad, it was my husbands gluten salad which I had started to eat. I started crying -- they gave me gift cards worth 40 bucks, but I won't go back to that location.

I have not tried Outback yet -- After my experience with PF Changs, I am a little skiddish to try another big chain restaurant.

I suspect some of these chains do better than others.

I have also eaten at the Fish Market at the Irvine Spectrum twice, and did not get sick.

I tend to go during off-peak times to try to limit mistakes.

Anyone from this area have some success stories from any of the chains around here?

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tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

When I lived in HB, I had no problem with the PF Changs in Irvine, or the Outback in Long Beach (not OC, I know). I also ate at Open Original Shared Link in Fountain Valley successfully (vegan Vietnamese food), and the Buca Di Beppo in Irvine (if you can have dairy, there's lots of options).

JustMe75 Enthusiast
JustMe75
Posted

I am in Riverside and have tried several places so far.

I love Outback. I had never been there pre gluten free and its now my favorite place to eat. I get the Alice Springs chicken with garlic mashed potatoes.... YUM! Never had a problem there (yet) I tried PF Changs 2 times and got sick once. Chipotle made me sick. I ate at Macaroni Grill and did fine. They have a gluten-free list online. I think I had something called the skinny chicken and a salad. Oh, and I just tried On the Border. I had the southwest chicken salad, very good. It did bother my stomach a little but I think it was because it was spicy (it didn't feel like glutening). They also have a list online of gluten-free items. Good luck!

Another place I want to try but haven't is Carinos Italian Restaurant, they have an online menu.

  • 2 weeks later...
kylesmom1112 Newbie
kylesmom1112
Posted

In-N-Out:

#3 protein style, animal style, no sauce, no seasoning. If you can do dairy (I can't) you can get the #2, same way. Their fryers are dedicated and one of the workers told me they are expereinced with dealing with food allergies & intolerances and they get asked questions relating to ingredients all the time.

Royal Hawaiian in HB:

seared scallops. chef said they sear in a pan w/ butter. I requested olive oil instead. Did not get the salad as it is tossed in a house dressing made with blue cheese, but if you can do dairy it is gluten-free if you get no croutons. They also serve a french onion soup, but I did not eat that since it comes with a crostini on top

HTH

babinsky Apprentice
babinsky
Posted

Mimi's does not have a gluten-free menu but the mgr keeps a gluten-free list in the back office...they have been very accomodating...also Red Robin will work with you, the one near me has a dedicated fryer and they put the cheeseburger andall the "fixins" on the side. I bring my own bun and just put it together at the table.

  • 3 weeks later...
tracylikesfood Newbie
tracylikesfood
Posted

outback in Laguna Hills isGreat

La Fondue in San Juan Capistrano is awesome and they really go out of there way to help.

I generally stay away from restaurants and other peoples kitchens. But -- I like to have the option of eating out. I live in South OC and was wondering of there are others who have had successful meals out at specific locations with some of these local chains.

I have eaten at Pei Wei's in Lake Forest and have never gotten sick. (YAY). I have eaten at PF Changs at the Mission Viejo mall twice and got very sick both times.

The very first time I ever ate out after going gluten-free was to Pei Wei's in Irvine (this was months after going gluten-free too), and the guy that brought me my food couldn't speak English, so when I asked him (to confirm) if my dish was gluten-free free he gave the obligatory "yes" -- then I found out I had the wrong salad, it was my husbands gluten salad which I had started to eat. I started crying -- they gave me gift cards worth 40 bucks, but I won't go back to that location.

I have not tried Outback yet -- After my experience with PF Changs, I am a little skiddish to try another big chain restaurant.

I suspect some of these chains do better than others.

I have also eaten at the Fish Market at the Irvine Spectrum twice, and did not get sick.

I tend to go during off-peak times to try to limit mistakes.

Anyone from this area have some success stories from any of the chains around here?

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