Strike 2 For Chilis!

[luvs2eat]

I posted a while back about eating at Chilis. The manager brought me the gluten-free menu and took my order personally. When I called him back to our table after finding flour tortilla strips in my salad, he was so apologetic. I wrote to the company and actually complimented the manager on how he handled the situation.

Went again a few nights ago (we live in very rural Arkansas w/ few options for dining out and Chilis is the only one w/ a gluten-free/wheat allergy menu). I asked for the gluten-free menu and ordered a salad from our (very) young waitress. I explained why I was ordering off the gluten-free menu and asked her to please take care w/ my order. After ONE bite, I found not just a few slivers of flour tortilla, but the entire salad FILLED with them. The weird part is that the description of the salad I ordered wasn't even supposed to contain tortilla strips in the first place, so it wasn't supposed to be an issue!!

I asked for a completely dry house salad instead. I was so angry and disappointed, but decided that it's really MY responsiblity. IF and when we go back, I'll ask for the manager and explain to him/her that the last TWO times we've been there, I've had to send back my meal. We like going there occasionally, so if I can't get the manager to understand how serious it is... we won't be able to go back.

I'm really hoping they'll be friendly and LISTEN and act accordingly. If not, I'll certainly be in touch w/ the Chilis corporation and back on here to tell people that their gluten-free menu is useless.

[seashele2]

I would contact Chili's corporate about the 2nd incident as well. I had a similar problem with a salad at a Red Lobster location and the manager was oblivious when I complained so I wrote to corporate. Never have had a problem at my closest location so I suggested that when eating out when I went to my parent's house out of state. Big mistake.

I personally don't trust any restaurant's gluten-free menus. I got sick every time we tried to eat at Outback off the gluten-free menu. Their cooking staff is apparently just not trained to prevent cross-contamination, even if the item would be naturally gluten-free. I usually just ask for a manager and tell them I would like them to prepare or supervise preparation of my dry salad and dry baked potato so I know who to complain about to the corporate office if it is contaminated. So far, so good, but we don't eat out often. My daughter and I have other food allergies and intolerances to deal with at restaurants besides gluten.

Michelle

Western Washington State

[Looking for answers]

I had the same experience there as well. They're off my list now.