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

Well Now I Got In A Fight At Pf Changs.

conniebky

By conniebky
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

Recommended Posts

conniebky Collaborator
conniebky
Posted

We all ordered PF Changs at work today. 17 orders, ok, I know people are human, etc., but my friend came back with all the food and I see no gluten-free orange stickers.

Nothing in there looked like what I get. So I took what no one else took, it looked like the chicken that I usually get, I go over there and I go "this doesn't say gluten-free" and she looks at it and goes, "oh, it's ok, it's gluten-free".

I said, seriously, I don't want to be rude, and I'm not mad atcha, but I really don't feel cmfortable eating it, I will get very sick."

She repeats it. I go, "you know me, I come in here ALL the time, please, I don't want to chance this.

She argues with me about it.

So, here came the hillbilly. I put my purse down and said, "I ain't eatin' it."

"it's fine" she said.

"I ain't eatin it".

"it's fine"

So, we had a standoff about it.

So she takes it in the back and I could see the kitchen and it was interesting because they were all back there with their woks and one guy went over to the side and came out with a different, silver wok and scrubbed it out, stuck it in the sink, scrubbed it again and wiped it with a towel and threw my chicken in there.

So I guess they have dedicated woks there cuz all the others were black and there were plenty of empty black ones.

And maybe it was fine, and maybe I was being a brat, but what would you all have done? 17 orders, that's a lot, and each had to be paid for separately, would you have trusted it and taken the chance?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

I would have gone hillbilly too! They have procedures in place for letting customers know they got safe food. It's not my problem if they can't follow their own rules!

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

The policy is to put the sticker on so you know. The owners of PF Changs are very committed to the gluten-free stuff. Go to the website. It has a phone number, address and I think you you can email. Let them know what happened and the location. Really, my neighbor is a part owner of some of them and if it were his store, that girl would be gone.

When you said he threw your chicken in, did he take it out of the box or start fresh?

txplowgirl Enthusiast
txplowgirl
Posted

:lol: LOL, Sick em, Connie. Good goin girl, been there done that. If they don't like it that's their problem. You have to stick up for yourself and your health because if you don't who will?

I have been glutened at PF Changs even after I talked to the waiter and even talked with the chef. So, I stay out of restaurants except for a treat every so often.

Hang in there and keep your chin up. All us hillbilly's need to stick together. :P

Frances03 Enthusiast
Frances03
Posted

I think you were totally correct. I probably would have been worse. I would have said "hey, this isn't marked and I want it remade" and anything she said after that I would have just kept repeating myself until it got thru her head :P I like what you did, totally called for!

conniebky Collaborator
conniebky
Posted
  • Author

Two things I forgot to mention.

What I brought back, she said, "well this is honey chicken, not the gluten-free chicken that you ordered" (from my receipt) and I said well then I can't eat that either. Why argue with me?

Also, she brought it out without the gluten-free sticker and goes, 'guess ya don't need a sticker now' :o

I'm so disappointed cuz I spend close to $50-60 a WEEK there and it's always delicious and never makes me sick. They even sent me a 10% off everything I order card for the love of mike!

Kareng - the chicken that he put in there was raw - I saw it.

...guess ya don't need a sticker now...... smart mouth.

And my friends and I had just decided on Changs instead of Mexican for our supper!

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Two things I forgot to mention.

What I brought back, she said, "well this is honey chicken, not the gluten-free chicken that you ordered" (from my receipt) and I said well then I can't eat that either. Why argue with me?

Also, she brought it out without the gluten-free sticker and goes, 'guess ya don't need a sticker now' :o

I'm so disappointed cuz I spend close to $50-60 a WEEK there and it's always delicious and never makes me sick. They even sent me a 10% off everything I order card for the love of mike!

Kareng - the chicken that he put in there was raw - I saw it.

...guess ya don't need a sticker now...... smart mouth.

And my friends and I had just decided on Changs instead of Mexican for our supper!

Please do email the corporate office. They can't fix stuff they don't know is broken. This is a company that cares about the gluten-free and allergen free food.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

You need to talk to the manager. They should not be treating a loyal customer that way and I bet they'll want to set things right.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Don't argue with the waitstaff. Just ask for the manager the moment they "talk back".

Aphreal Contributor
Aphreal
Posted

I would be afraid to take the chance too. There is a reason why you ask for gluten-free stuff. They should take it seriously.

precious831 Contributor
precious831
Posted

We all ordered PF Changs at work today. 17 orders, ok, I know people are human, etc., but my friend came back with all the food and I see no gluten-free orange stickers.

Nothing in there looked like what I get. So I took what no one else took, it looked like the chicken that I usually get, I go over there and I go "this doesn't say gluten-free" and she looks at it and goes, "oh, it's ok, it's gluten-free".

I said, seriously, I don't want to be rude, and I'm not mad atcha, but I really don't feel cmfortable eating it, I will get very sick."

She repeats it. I go, "you know me, I come in here ALL the time, please, I don't want to chance this.

She argues with me about it.

So, here came the hillbilly. I put my purse down and said, "I ain't eatin' it."

"it's fine" she said.

"I ain't eatin it".

"it's fine"

So, we had a standoff about it.

So she takes it in the back and I could see the kitchen and it was interesting because they were all back there with their woks and one guy went over to the side and came out with a different, silver wok and scrubbed it out, stuck it in the sink, scrubbed it again and wiped it with a towel and threw my chicken in there.

So I guess they have dedicated woks there cuz all the others were black and there were plenty of empty black ones.

And maybe it was fine, and maybe I was being a brat, but what would you all have done? 17 orders, that's a lot, and each had to be paid for separately, would you have trusted it and taken the chance?

LOL well done! You know I've gotten sick once at PF Changs. It hasn't happened since last yr. That person you spoke to is very unprofessional and I think you should talk to the manager or write a letter to headquarters.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

Girl, with as often as you eat there, they should give you a free meal for your troubles. Write a letter to corporate about how rude they were. Include the time of the order and the person you talked to if you know their name. Be sure to mention how often you frequent their restaurant for their gluten free menu.

conniebky Collaborator
conniebky
Posted
  • Author

Girl, with as often as you eat there, they should give you a free meal for your troubles. Write a letter to corporate about how rude they were. Include the time of the order and the person you talked to if you know their name. Be sure to mention how often you frequent their restaurant for their gluten free menu.

I am going to contact the restaurant. Headquarters. I don't know why SO MANY people have those stinky little attitudes.

  • 2 weeks later...
Kelly&Mom Rookie
Kelly&Mom
Posted

Huh, I wouldn't have eaten it either...... So far our local PF Changs has been wonderful except last time they forgot to mark which leftovers were gluten-free.......

Hope you get a good response and that wicked waitress learns a lesson or two about empathy and respect!

Cheryl-C Enthusiast
Cheryl-C
Posted

It sounds mean, but this kind of thing I would blame on the attitudes of people who are gluten-free by choice, as in, people cutting back the carbs to lose some weight or something. I've heard people say such things, "I eat gluten-free because it's a good way to lose weight," meaning if they get cc'd it doesn't matter. It undercuts those of us who make special requests for an ACTUAL reason.

Neal77 Newbie
Neal77
Posted

Please let us know what they say at corporate

  • 4 weeks later...
StacyA Enthusiast
StacyA
Posted

These situations are delicate. We get angry, and justifiably so, but I fear two things about getting aggressive: 1)having restaurants think people with celiac's are defensive and demanding and then cringe whenever they are faced with us, and 2)getting the staff angry enough they sabatoge my food when they're out of sight (people are human).

I tend toward assertive - which is between passive and aggressive. I give respect and ask for respect - kind of like Patrick Swayze in 'Road House' - "be nice - until it's time to not be nice". "Nice" is assertive. "Not be nice" is aggressive. If it's time to not be nice, then it may also time to not eat in that restaurant anymore.

I smile and say things like: "Food allergies and intolerances are sooo tricky, I know. I appreciate you all accommodating me, but it looks like there's a big chance this food will make me sick. Can I just talk to the manager? Thank you so much." (I always say 'thank you' before the person even moves, because I'm assuming they'll comply.)

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

We all ordered PF Changs at work today. 17 orders, ok, I know people are human, etc., but my friend came back with all the food and I see no gluten-free orange stickers.

Nothing in there looked like what I get. So I took what no one else took, it looked like the chicken that I usually get, I go over there and I go "this doesn't say gluten-free" and she looks at it and goes, "oh, it's ok, it's gluten-free".

I said, seriously, I don't want to be rude, and I'm not mad atcha, but I really don't feel cmfortable eating it, I will get very sick."

She repeats it. I go, "you know me, I come in here ALL the time, please, I don't want to chance this.

She argues with me about it.

So, here came the hillbilly. I put my purse down and said, "I ain't eatin' it."

"it's fine" she said.

"I ain't eatin it".

"it's fine"

So, we had a standoff about it.

So she takes it in the back and I could see the kitchen and it was interesting because they were all back there with their woks and one guy went over to the side and came out with a different, silver wok and scrubbed it out, stuck it in the sink, scrubbed it again and wiped it with a towel and threw my chicken in there.

So I guess they have dedicated woks there cuz all the others were black and there were plenty of empty black ones.

And maybe it was fine, and maybe I was being a brat, but what would you all have done? 17 orders, that's a lot, and each had to be paid for separately, would you have trusted it and taken the chance?

Connie...you never fail to crack me up!!! Hillbilly? We should all become hillbillies then as I really respect what you did!

Personally, this new attitude in business of arguing with the customer, when they have a valid complaint, just floors me. No wonder businesses fail today. Was that the manager you spoke with? I would have contacted the district manager and made one loud, hillbilly complaint! :lol:

I have been to PF Chang's twice and will never go back. I do not think their food is very good...mediocre, at best. It's also extremely salty. That, coupled with complaints I have heard from other Celiacs about their very spotty service and questionable safe gluten-free food, drove me away. Good for you, lady! ;)

glutenfree-chick Newbie
glutenfree-chick
Posted

We all ordered PF Changs at work today. 17 orders, ok, I know people are human, etc., but my friend came back with all the food and I see no gluten-free orange stickers.

I wouldnt have eaten it either. If they normally have a gluten free label then, they should always have it labeled.

I was told something was gluten free once, and turns out... NOT GLUTEN FREE!

I went back a few days later and the lady denied ever seeing me.

That was at a neighborhood restaurant though. Nothing big and corporate like pf changs though.

I like ordering my stuff online a lot of the time now.

Schwans has some gluten free stuff that they deliver.

also, my all time favorite place Guilt-Free Comfort delivers now too.

But I usually just stick to their desserts only though.

I have one hell of a sweet tooth.

VioletBlue Contributor
VioletBlue
Posted

Also, she brought it out without the gluten-free sticker and goes, 'guess ya don't need a sticker now' :o

That would have sent me over the edge. Was she the manager? If not I would have screamed for the manager and given him/her a piece of my mind. Then I would have gone to my computer and contacted corporate through their website. Her attitude is unacceptible from someone who's JOB IT IS to provide food and customer service.

But that's maybe just me :P

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,919
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    globello
    Newest Member
    globello
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Newly diagnosed mam to coeliac 11 year old

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celic.com community @Dizzyma! I'm assuming you are in the U.K. since you speak of your daughter's celiac disease blood tests as "her bloods".  Has her physician officially diagnosed her has having celiac disease on the results of her blood tests alone? Normally, if the ttg-iga blood test results are positive, a follow-up endoscopy with biopsy of the small bowel lining to check for damage would be ordered to confirm the results of "the bloods". However if the ttg-iga test score is 10x normal or greater, some physicians, particularly in the U.K., will dispense with the endoscopy/biopsy. If there is to be an endoscopy/biopsy, your daughter should not yet begin the gluten free diet as doing so would allow healing of the small bowel lining to commence which may result in a biopsy finding having results that conflict with the blood work. Do you know if an endoscopy/biopsy is planned? Celiac disease can have onset at any stage of life, from infancy to old age. It has a genetic base but the genes remain dormant until and unless triggered by some stress event. The stress event can be many things but it is often a viral infection. About 40% of the general population have the genetic potential to develop celiac disease but only about 1% actually develop celiac disease. So, for most, the genes remain dormant.  Celiac disease is by nature an autoimmune disorder. That is to say, gluten ingestion triggers an immune response that causes the body to attack its own tissues. In this case, the attack happens in he lining of the small bowel, at least classically, though we now know there are other body systems that can sometimes be affected. So, for a person with celiac disease, when they ingest gluten, the body sends attacking cells to battle the gluten which causes inflammation as the gluten is being absorbed into the cells that make up the lining of the small bowel. This causes damage to the cells and over time, wears them down. This lining is composed of billions of tiny finger-like projections and which creates a tremendous surface area for absorbing nutrients from the food we eat. This area of the intestinal track is where all of our nutrition is absorbed. As these finger-like projections get worn down by the constant inflammation from continued gluten consumption before diagnosis (or after diagnosis in the case of those who are noncompliant) the efficiency of nutrient absorption from what we eat can be drastically reduced. This is why iron deficiency anemia and other nutrient deficiency related medical problems are so common in the celiac population. So, to answer your question about the wisdom of allowing your daughter to consume gluten on a limited basis to retain some tolerance to it, that would not be a sound approach because it would prevent healing of the lining of her small bowel. It would keep the fires of inflammation smoldering. The only wise course is strict adherence to a gluten free diet, once all tests to confirm celiac disease are complete.
    • Dizzyma
      Newly diagnosed mam to coeliac 11 year old

      By Dizzyma · Posted

      Hi all, I have so many questions and feel like google is giving me very different information. Hoping I may get some more definite answers here. ok, my daughter has been diagnosed as a coeliac as her bloods show anti TTG antibodies are over 128. We have started her  on a full gluten free diet. my concerns are that she wasn’t actually physically sick on her regular diet, she had tummy issues and skin sores. My fear is that she will build up a complete intolerance to gluten and become physically sick if she has gluten. Is there anything to be said for keeping a small bit of gluten in the diet to stop her from developing a total intolerance?  also, she would be an anxious type of person, is it possible that stress is the reason she has become coeliac? I read that diagnosis later in childhood could be following a sickness or stress. How can she have been fine for the first 10 years and then become coeliac? sorry, I’m just very confused and really want to do right by her. I know a coeliac and she has a terrible time after she gets gluttened so just want to make sure going down a total gluten free road is the right choice. thank you for any help or advise xx 
    • xxnonamexx
      Fermented foods, Kefir, Kombucha?

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      very interesting thanks for the info  
    • Florence Lillian
      gluten free cookie recipes

      By Florence Lillian · Posted

      More cookie recipes ...thanks so much for the heads-up Scott.  One can never have too many.  Cheers, Florence.
    • Russ H
      Severe severe mouth pain

      By Russ H · Posted

      Hi Charlie, You sound like you have been having a rough time of it. Coeliac disease can cause a multitude of skin, mouth and throat problems. Mouth ulcers and enamel defects are well known but other oral conditions are also more common in people with coeliac disease: burning tongue, inflamed and swollen tongue, difficulty swallowing, redness and crusting in the mouth corners, and dry mouth to name but some. The link below is for paediatric dentistry but it applies to adults too.  Have you had follow up for you coeliac disease to check that your anti-tTG2 antibodies levels have come down? Are you certain that you not being exposed to significant amounts of gluten? Are you taking a PPI for your Barrett's oesophagus? Signs of changes to the tongue can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron, B12 and B9 (folate) deficiency. I would make sure to take a good quality multivitamin every day and make sure to take it with vitamin C containing food - orange juice, broccoli, cabbage etc.  Sebaceous hyperplasia is common in older men and I can't find a link to coeliac disease.   Russ.   Oral Manifestations in Pediatric Patients with Coeliac Disease – A Review Article
×
×
  • 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.