Chili's

[cookiequeen]

I ran into someone who said that they went to Chili's with a friend with celiac. She said her friend asked for a gluten free menu and there was one available. I went to the website and there are allergen menus that can be downloaded, including wheat/gluten free.

[Puddy]

Yep, they do have a gluten-free menu with a few items. I ate there a couple weeks ago and had the Baked Potato Soup and Chicken Caesar Salad with no problems. But did stress to the waiter "NO CROUTONS"! Hope you enjoy it!

[Lisa]

Yes, the menu is limited, but it is a gluten free menu and I shall not complain.

BUT, your gluten free meal is only as good as the employees that handle it. I have found the employees at Chilli's to be mighty slack in their concern. Cross contamination could be a big player here.

I am sure that others have had a good experience, but do be cautious.

[buffettbride]

We've had consistenly good experiences w/ eating gluten-free at Chili's.

My daughter orders ribs and mashed potatoes (no gravy) and we tell the server explicitly about the food probs.

We've not had a Chili's glutening experience.

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

I went to Chili's in Lewisville, TX in May of this year. I ordered the hamburger without the bun. It came with the bun. I told the server I could not eat just remove the bun since it had touched the meat. Server looked at me like I was just a picky eater. Then the manager came over to say how sorry he was and that they would make me another hamburger without the bun. I was still nervous eating it and did not enjoy the meal. I probably won't go back to Chili's for a very long time, if at all. Just not worth it to me.

[blueeyedmanda]

I have eaten at the Harrisburg Chili's both on the East shore and West shore with success. I usually get a burger without the bun and the loaded mashed potatoes.

I am impressed and even though the menu is small they at least attempt which is better than Applebees or TGIFridays.

[GF-Caryl]

I have eaten at the Chili's in Kenosha, WI and had great experiences every time. The employees there seem very aware of Celiac, and the one waitress who didn't know too much listened well, and even came back later to ask questions and learn more.

Also, on Chili's webiste they update all of the 9 allergen menus MONTHLY! I always print off the Wheat/Gluten page and take it with me, highlighting in yellow what I want to order. I give it to the waiter/waiteress so thy can take it back to the person preparing the food because the details like - no bun, no croutons, etc. are speeled right out in writing. I usually get the Guiltless Grilled Salmon, Guiltless Fresh (steamed) Vegetables, and the Kettle Black Beans. I have never had a problem. But they do put a disclaimer on their gluten free menu, so, as is always the case, there can still be a risk.

[Rondar2001]

We ate at Chili's on Saturday and had a great experience. In Canada, the gluten free items are not the same as the list downloaded from the internet. We asked for their gluten free menu and they brought one out that they keep pinned up in the kitchen. The wait staff seemed very knowledgeable.

[ArtGirl]

I eat at Chili's often with no problems.

BUT - I ALWAYS ask the server what he/she knows about the gluten-free menu. If they are fairly new, they know very little, so I give them a quick education about how sick people can get if bread even touches their food. That if they forget and put bread on it, they will have to fix my entire meal over again. (That usually gets their attention).

I always stress that they need to tell the kitchen staff that my meal is to be gluten-free - so they know to grill my meat on the clean place and use clean utensils.

However, most of the time the servers are aware because lots of us gluten-intolerant people eat there.

I often get the Old Timer burger without the bun, no seasoning, and steamed veggies with no seasonings. I bring with me my own catsup, salt/pepper and margarine to put on the veggies. Sometimes I bring some cooked rice to add to the meal, and a slice of cashew cheese (no dairy for me) to put on the meat. If I'm in the mood for a hamburger sandwich, I bring my own gluten-free bun.

And, as I do in any restaurant, I wash my hands after handling the menus - just as a precaution, especially if I am going to hold any food in my own hands.