Abuelo's In Plano Texas

[home-based-mom]

I will be attending a short missions conference in Plano, Texas next week. I have been in contact with someone from the host church about food (it turns out she is diabetic so she isn't a total stranger to food issues!) and she informed me that on Saturday the group will be going to "Abuelo's high scale Mexican restaurant." I googled Abuelo's and it seems there are 3 of them in Plano and I don't know which one we will be going to or if that matters.

Their menu (I looked online) seems to consist of a lot of seasoned this and seasoned that. I e-mailed them but so far they have not responded. Not a very encouraging sign.

Anyway, if has anyone eaten there, could you give me some ideas as to what might be safe?

Thanks!

[ShayFL]

I found this online. And a few threads that said they actually have a gluten-free menu. Still...take some of your own food in your purse just in case:

Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy located on University Drive offers a few gluten-free items on their menu. Their staff is well-trained and understands the specifics needs of a gluten-intolerant customer. The best method to eating safely at Abuelo's is to request to speak with the manager. Each manager and assistant manager identifies the fears of eating out and being allergic to gluten. They will further assist you in making a safe and enjoyable choice for your meal. You may contact the restaurant ahead of time by calling (979) 260-3400 and asking for a manager. You may also visit their Web site at Open Original Shared Link

[ohsotired]

I will be attending a short missions conference in Plano, Texas next week. I have been in contact with someone from the host church about food (it turns out she is diabetic so she isn't a total stranger to food issues!) and she informed me that on Saturday the group will be going to "Abuelo's high scale Mexican restaurant." I googled Abuelo's and it seems there are 3 of them in Plano and I don't know which one we will be going to or if that matters.

Their menu (I looked online) seems to consist of a lot of seasoned this and seasoned that. I e-mailed them but so far they have not responded. Not a very encouraging sign.

Anyway, if has anyone eaten there, could you give me some ideas as to what might be safe?

Thanks!

home_based_mom - you'll be in my neck of the woods! Small world........

I've eaten at Abuelo's before (yummy!) but not in a gluten free capacity. I agree with Shay, I'd be calling the manager at one of the restaurants. Is there any way you can find out which one you're going to?

If you need to do some gluten-free shopping while you're in town, head to Open Original Shared Link

I hear it's awesome (need to go check it out myself).

Also, we have Whole Foods, Central Market, Sprouts and several smaller health food stores that would be good places to shop if you need something while you're here.

Any chance you'll have any free time while in town? If so, don't hesitate to give me shout, ok?

[home-based-mom]

home_based_mom - you'll be in my neck of the woods! Small world........

I've eaten at Abuelo's before (yummy!) but not in a gluten free capacity. I agree with Shay, I'd be calling the manager at one of the restaurants. Is there any way you can find out which one you're going to?

If you need to do some gluten-free shopping while you're in town, head to Open Original Shared Link

I hear it's awesome (need to go check it out myself).

Also, we have Whole Foods, Central Market, Sprouts and several smaller health food stores that would be good places to shop if you need something while you're here.

Any chance you'll have any free time while in town? If so, don't hesitate to give me shout, ok?

Hey! Small world is right! I'm afraid there will be no free time. We get in Friday afternoon (a week from today) and it's pretty much non-stop until we leave Sunday morning. I searched all over Abuelo's website for anything regarding allergy or gluten concerns and there is absolutely nothing. Their menu is posted, but it doesn't give any clues. I used their "contact us" link but as I said no one has gotten back to me yet.

I will try to find out which Abuelo's but it's probably the one on North Central Expressway as that seems to be much closer to the host church and we do have to get back for the evening session!

Thanks for the input so far! Much appreciated!

[larry mac]

There are only two Abuelo's in Plano, east & west. The east one is on North Central Exprswy. I've eaten there. They are beautiful restaraunts, with an eclectic menu. I asked to speak with the manager, informed him I had Celiac, bla bla bla, and he told me the same story you will find at almost every single mexican place. Most of the sauces use wheat flour as the thickener. That effectively rules out enchiladas, and anything with ground beef.

I can't remember what I had. I think it was a dish with beef medallions, or something not Tex-Mex, which I would prefer. I didn't get sick however. Good luck.

best regards, lm

[Laurad-]

I ate at Abuelo's while in College Station, Texas last month. I wasn't in an explaining mood so I just told the waitress I have allergies and special ordered cheese quesadillas on corn tortillas (my back-up at all Mexican restaurants). It turned out great. They put an extra layer of cheese on top of them, so they were super intense and delicious and I couldn't even finish them, and they didn't make me sick. It was a good experience for me, so it might work for you too.

[CaraLouise]

This was posted by the leader of the CSA group in OKC on their message board. Hope this helps!

Here's the gluten-free menu as of July 1, 2008:

Abuelos Mexican Food Embasy

Gluten Free Menu

Items listed are gluten free or can be modified as noted to be gluten free!

Appetizers

Guacamole

Nacho Bowl

[home-based-mom]

Tilapia Veracruz

[lovegrov]

Dupe. Deleted by author.

[lovegrov]

I can't remember what I had at our Abuelo's (in Virginia), but the manager was extremely helpful. The choices are somewhat limited but I think they adjusted some things. I had a good meal.

richard

[slmprofesseur]

I can't remember what I had at our Abuelo's (in Virginia), but the manager was extremely helpful. The choices are somewhat limited but I think they adjusted some things. I had a good meal.

richard

Hey! I am in Roanoke too. I am afraid to eat out because people look at me like I am crazy. It's good to know our Abuelos is ok.

[home-based-mom]

I am back and everything went so well!

On the plane trip I took frozen banana bread and trail mix. Tossed my pennies per bottle water on one side of security and bought dollars per bottle water on the other but I didn't get sick!

I had corresponded back and forth with the host church about my needs, and when we got there they had cooked my chicken separately, had me fix my salad myself - opened a new bag and cut my own tomato. There was also fresh corn and fresh green beans. I didn't get sick!

Breakfast Saturday was at the host family's home. She scrambled eggs with a previously unopened stick of butter. I didn't get sick!

For lunch they had actually bought me a loaf of gluten-free bread!!! Better yet it wasn't made with brown rice flour!!! The lunch meat was safe, I sliced my own tomato, the mayo was in packets and I didn't get sick!

I don't think those people have any idea what they managed to pull off!

Dinner was Abuelo's. I called to speak to the manager ahead of time and he said to just ask for the gluten-free menu. Why is it not posted on the web site that they even offer such a thing? Anyway, when we got there (party of 40-ish!) the gluten-free menu turned out to be more or less what was posted in Post #7. I had the Reynosa Salad which was very tasty and I didn't get sick!

We left very early this morning so food on the way home was more banana bread and trail mix.

Did I mention that I didn't get sick?

[Stacey52783]

I don't know about the Abuelos in Plano, but I am going to the one in Lewisville, TX tonight for a non-profit benefit and called up the manager between lunch and dinner (I don't like calling when restaurants are at their busiest). The manager informed me that he himself has food allergies (iodine and shellfish) and the entire staff is very aware of gluten intolerance and cross contamination. He even told me to ask my waiter for the gluten free menu that they have available. I don't think all Abuleos are this good since the gluten free menu is not listed on their website, so I was pleasantly suprised. He went in to saying that they make sure pans, tongs, and gloves are clean, because of the cross contamination risk. I would advise anyone to just call up Abuelos they wish to go to and ask to speak to the manager. Sometimes I feel that the restaurant's understanding of gluten intolerance and celiac disease is better than a restaurant just having a "gluten free selection" on their site or menu. I'll post later about my experience!!

[ShayFL]

I got burned this weekend at Cheescake where the server informed me that the Manager himself is Celiac!! The server was oh so reassuring, but I got veggies cooked in pasta water.

Sooooo ALWAYS ask for the MANAGER. This is what I have learned.

[babysteps]

I am back and everything went so well!

On the plane trip I took frozen banana bread and trail mix. Tossed my pennies per bottle water on one side of security and bought dollars per bottle water on the other but I didn't get sick!

Did I mention that I didn't get sick?

Hooray for safe traveling!

On water at security - I simply empty any liquid in my water bottle before security, go through with it empty (and uncapped). There is almost always a drinking fountain someplace inside security where I can refill my bottle & put the cap back on. Much less annoying for me than the "dollars per bottle" that is indeed the norm these days