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

1st Trip To Outback

SGWhiskers

By SGWhiskers
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

Recommended Posts

SGWhiskers Collaborator
SGWhiskers
Posted

I'm planning dinner out with a friend on Monday. I have a 50/50 record of glutening while dining out, so I gave up restaraunts. Outback is a convenient 1/2 way meeting spot, so I'm gonna give it a go. I'd consider myself a super sensitive. What advice do you have for making this a success. I'm scared of being sick all week.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted
I'm planning dinner out with a friend on Monday. I have a 50/50 record of glutening while dining out, so I gave up restaraunts. Outback is a convenient 1/2 way meeting spot, so I'm gonna give it a go. I'd consider myself a super sensitive. What advice do you have for making this a success. I'm scared of being sick all week.

I'm super sensitive, too and really only eat at either PF Changs or Outback. Both outlets in my area are excellent, the manager, chefs, and waitstaff are well versed in cooking gluten-free. It goes without saying that success varies with the individual location and staff.

With that said, I have no problem with the Victoria Filet. I don't chance salad--I would suggest either the mashed potato, baked potato, and/or the veggies. Be sure to order everything without the seasoned butter--it contains gluten. They will bring you a little dish of plain whipped butter if you ask.

I did have a mild issue with the sirloin--it is prepared with "seasonings". I think something in those got to me. Not a terrible reaction, but enough that I wouldn't order it again.

Be sure to let the waiter know of your concerns and ask to speak with the manager. That can really give you a

"feel" for how well they understand and deal with cross contamination.

Hope you have a great time! :)

captaincrab55 Collaborator
captaincrab55
Posted

I took my wife to OutBack for her birthday back in July.. It was my first restaurant outing since going gluten-free in early June of this year. I requested a gluten-free menu and I was informed of the staff's awareness of gluten & cc.

The food was good, great gluten-free experience out and will return to OutBack...

I hope your OutBack experience is as Great as mine was in Perry Hall, Maryland...

Heidi S. Rookie
Heidi S.
Posted

Outback is my favorite gluten-free restaurant chain.

I am very sensitive as well. The Outback's in Georgia are VERY knowledgeable! The ones in North Carolina that I have been to are not as much but still great!

I normally get the Victoria filet as well sometimes the outback special. I love the garlic mash potatoes and if I get a caesar salad I ALWAYS ask for dressing on the side. I have ordered many of their entrees though and never had a bad one.

I do remind the waitress even if she/he knows to change gloves/wash her hands and mix the salad in a separate bowl, although with dressing on the side they normally just put the salad in your bowl no mixing.

The outback desert Thunder Down Under is awesome and they make it gluten-free. Makes you feel like a normal person with a full meal!

Remember inform all waitstaff and ask for the gluten free menu. I make it very obvious that I am sensitive and they need to be very careful with my food. I always judge their knowledge by the number of Gluten free menus (1 menu for the whole restaurant=not as trained, several menus=very familiar)

Hope you have an awesome time!

SGWhiskers Collaborator
SGWhiskers
Posted
  • Author

Do I need to ask for the fillet cooked on foil?

elle's mom Contributor
elle's mom
Posted
.............if I get a caesar salad I ALWAYS ask for dressing on the side. I have ordered many of their entrees though and never had a bad one.

I do remind the waitress even if she/he knows to change gloves/wash her hands and mix the salad in a separate bowl, although with dressing on the side they normally just put the salad in your bowl no mixing.

I have a question about getting the dressing on the side; I have read this before and wondered. So if the dressing is gluten-free, then why would you need it on the side; is it just so they will make you a fresh salad in a clean bowl? I haven't mastered the restaurant thing yet either, always feel weird making special requests, and just wish I could order a gluten-free item and not have to say another word about it. I know, can't do it.

Heidi S. Rookie
Heidi S.
Posted

I have never asked for my steak to be cooked on foil at Outback. They are certified GIG and have a code in the computer for gluten-free steak, I am not sure how they prepare it but my husband who worked for Outback back in college said they certain parts of the grill for steaks and all their steak seasoning is gluten-free so I think that is why I am ok when I eat it.

Gluten free test Outbacks like the Roswell, GA (near Atlanta) even have gluten-free buns and appetizers!

About the salad: What they do to evenly spread the dressing is use a large bowl that they put in dressing, croutons, lettuce, etc and mix it thoroughly. They are trained to use a new fresh clean bowl for gluten-free salads but I don't like to take the chance and the dressing is always a bit heavy for me anyway. So if you ask for dressing on the side, your salad is simply built ONLY in your bowl and never touches the community mixing bowl clean or unclean. They have many gluten-free salad dressings! You can add grilled chicken or shrimp too!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted
Do I need to ask for the fillet cooked on foil?

I don't--they are supposed to clean a section of the grill for your food. Ask the manager/server about that.

msmini14 Enthusiast
msmini14
Posted

I love the Outback! I always ask for the manager anywhere I go and eat. I explain that I have Celiac and that I must eat gluten free and to please take pre-cautions while preparing my food. They always understand and will work with you.

I went to FL over this last weekend and I really did get sick of explaining myself at least three times a day lol but my trip was awesome and I ate some really good food.

Good luck to you and enjoy yourself! The desert at the outback is really good =)

SGWhiskers Collaborator
SGWhiskers
Posted
  • Author

Success! Thank you everyone. I ordered the sirlion without seasoning(just in case) and the incredible garlic mashed potatoes and unseasoned veggies. I wasstuffed, but got the dessert anyway! I was in heaven. I even had enough left over for lunch the next day. My waitress happened to have anaphalactic food allergies, and even though she didn't know what celiac was, she was all over the kitchen staff about following the gluten free rules. I got her name, so when I go back, we will ask for her again. I asked how often they had people ask for the glluten free menue and she said almost never, "so it is good you remind us about the precautions we need to take."

Thanks for the help. I now feel free from the chains of the kitchen.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted
Success!

I'm so glad it all went well!! :D

Heidi S. Rookie
Heidi S.
Posted
I'm so glad it all went well!! :D

Me too, very happy it worked out for you! It is extremely nice to have a full meal at a restaurant and be served :)

  • 3 weeks later...
minniejack Contributor
minniejack
Posted

glad you had great success. reading the posts reminds me that even though you are holding the gluten-free menu, you've eaten there a dozen times in the past year, and the waiter, who had just examined your menu because it was different, does not necessarily know what you're talking about. The waiter brought our salads loaded with croutons--and I was scared to death to eat them when he returned with new--I kept looking underneath for crumbs.

I've talked to the manager at our local Outback on several occassions and he has assured me that all of the employees go through extensive gluten-free training and he has a few employees that need to be gluten-free. Some training: I think it goes like this: Look, these are the gluten free menus, hand them out when a customer asks for one. Now, go wait on tables.

  • 9 months later...
LHerv Newbie
LHerv
Posted

I'm up in Idaho with my mom moving into my new apartment and vacationing. We went up to McCall today for a road trip and were told to go to this local restaurant with an amazing salad bar. Well, the "Amazing" salad bar was TINY! So i decided to get a burger without the bun and get the salad bar instead of the fries. When we asked the waitress if she could make sure they cleaned off the grill before grilling my burger she literally stared at us for about 15 seconds with the rudest look on her face! I was tempted to make a snide remark but refrained out of fear she would put gluten in my food just to spite me! I left feeling fine but still annoyed with the way she treated us. Then for dinner we were going to go get sushi (I brought my own gluten-free soy sauce) we walked into the place and immediately left out of fear of food poisoning! It was nasty looking! There was an Outback near by and I had heard they had a gluten-free menu. We decided to go there, I asked for the gluten free menu and they handed it to me. I saw the baby back ribs (my favorite meal before i was gluten-free) was on the gluten-free menu, i was hesitant because so many bbq sauces have gluten in them but found a disclaimer on the menu about all the sauces/dressings that were and were not gluten free! They were extremely knowledgeable and nice to me! The menu tells you everything to substitute or that will not be included when ordering gluten free! I left extremely satisfied and happy with the service! (minus not being able to enjoy their amazing bread! Their next step should be making that gluten free!!)

Long story short, Outback won MAJOR points with me tonight!

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. trents
      - trents replied to SilkieFairy's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      4

      IBS-D vs Celiac

      No coincidence. Recent revisions to gluten challenge guidelines call for the daily consumption of at least 10g of gluten (about the amount in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for a minimum of 3 weeks. If possible, I would extend that two weeks to ensure valid testing.
    2. SilkieFairy
      - SilkieFairy replied to SilkieFairy's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      4

      IBS-D vs Celiac

      Thank you both for the replies. I decided to bring back gluten so I can do the blood test. Today is Day #2 of the Challenge. Yesterday I had about 3 slices of whole wheat bread and I woke up with urgent diarrhea this morning. It was orange, sandy and had the distinctive smell that I did not have when I was briefly gluten free. I don't know if it's a...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    4. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    5. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,336
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jeffrey Yeres
    Newest Member
    Jeffrey Yeres
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      IBS-D vs Celiac

      By trents · Posted

      No coincidence. Recent revisions to gluten challenge guidelines call for the daily consumption of at least 10g of gluten (about the amount in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for a minimum of 3 weeks. If possible, I would extend that two weeks to ensure valid testing.
    • SilkieFairy
      IBS-D vs Celiac

      By SilkieFairy · Posted

      Thank you both for the replies. I decided to bring back gluten so I can do the blood test. Today is Day #2 of the Challenge. Yesterday I had about 3 slices of whole wheat bread and I woke up with urgent diarrhea this morning. It was orange, sandy and had the distinctive smell that I did not have when I was briefly gluten free. I don't know if it's a coincidence, but the brain fog is back and I feel very tired.   
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
×
×
  • 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.