P.f Changs In Naples, Florida

[traci]

I was so excited when I found this place in Naples, Fl.. However it is nearly impossible to find. After several phone calls in which I got directions then new directions, I also asked if their gluten free menu was available for take out. The place was packed, waiting was nearly 2 hours, and all reservations were filled. So I am presuming the food is great.

However we stopped on the way back to our hotel. My husband went in and asked to see take out menu. Nothing on it noted any gluten-free items. Then he called them from the lot and asked if they had a copy of the gluten-free menu. They did, however you could not remove it from the place. But they could fax it to me. I was IN MY CAR, no fax. It was available online Makenzie told me. I AM IN MY CAR driving... sorry we cannot help you.

I was so angry I never called back and I will never ever grace their place with my presence. I was tired, starving and sick to death of yogurt and cold shrimp by this time. I probably did not try as hard as I could but I was reassured that I could order take out off the gluten-free menu, however this menu can only be faxed or gotten online.

For folks who scream about their gluten-free menu.. they sure dont help you out at all.

[Guest nini]

my sweet husband bought me the Gluten Free Dining Guide, and it fits nicely in my purse. It has mainstream restaurants gluten free fare. It's a great thing to have. I've also added my own lists to it as well from places that I've found.

https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1058

[astyanax]

why couldn't you just go inside and look at their menu ? i'm confused.

honestly i wouldn't say anything bad about them. i actually always bring my own gluten-free menus cos for a long time(maybe still) theoutback near my house didn't have a copy of the gluten-free menu.

this was a really great place to go to ! don't write them off.

[traci]

Thank you Nini!!

I could not go in because I had been to the beach. I was wearing a bikini and sand and suntan oil. Not the most appropriate attire for a restaurant. Besides I talked to them THREE times and was assured that yes I could pick up the gluten-free take out menu. I had planned the whole day around it.

Also I am a bit of introvert and loathe screaming children in restaurants.. so I prefer to do take out. I did my homework, no where on that site does it say, please print this menu as we dont have one for you to see unless you sit at a table. I was assured 3 times that I could do what I planned to do. I had planned dinner poolside, not some place I had to stand in line for 2 hours so I could be seated next to noisy people.

If I ran my business like that, my head would be on a pole over the town hall.

The customer service at that one sucked. Sorry but it did. I have had more help in the diner in town than this place.

[Guest nini]

YW Traci. I too prefer takeout. Before getting my dx of celiac, I used to love to eat out. The first year I was absolutely terrified to even try it. Now I'm starting to get a little more brave. I've found if I go when they are not so busy, then the staff has more time to answer my questions and I don't feel like I'm putting them out by making "special requests" during busy rush times.

Another thing you can do is call places during "off" hours, when they aren't so busy and ask to speak to a manager or the chef and explain the gluten-free diet to them and ask if there are certain menu items that can be adapted to the diet or are already gluten-free. Good luck.

[pixiegirl]

I have had great luck dining out and being gluten-free. I travel often so its just easier for me to eat out as opposed to carrying a ton of food with me. I've had good luck at the chain places that have a gluten-free menu and the best luck at fancy resturants (I just had 2 great meals at Nick's Seafood in Chicago).... but I always try to go on any day but Friday or Saturday nights when most places are really busy. If I have to eat for the first time at a restaurant on Friday or Saturday evening I call ahead and speak to the manager and the chef if possible, and once we work out my dietary issues I then tell them when I'll be there (and make a reservation if possible).

I've only been glutened once this way... so for me its working fine and I'm glad, I love eating out!

Susan

[Guest ajlauer]

PF Changs - that's a fancy restaurant, right? Hehehe. I would've just gone in there with the bikini on and said "Ok here I am! where's the @#$@ menu!"

[traci]

LOL!!! ajlauer!! Sometimes I get so angry I do things like that but on this day.. it was packed with fancy people...I should have though... and with no shoes too. Dang it all. If I am pushed enough, I get a little crazed and then theres trouble. But on this day I was tired and sun dazzled... so I just said to heck with it. But thank you for making me laugh. With my naval piercing and black bikini I am quite sure most of the clientel would have fallen over in their gucci shoes. Oh my what a picture!!

I am still getting used to trying to tell people what I need, want and I end up apologizing often. I have to stop that.

This was a Tuesday night.. sigh...

[traci]

The manager of this particular PF Changs emailed me. I told him my story. He apologized and invited us to be his guest if we were ever back in Naples.