Old Chicago

[torimuse]

So I moved to Omaha last Sunday, and my friends decided to take me out to Old Chicago, because they have steak and salad on the menu, and I LOVE steak.

Anyways, we got there, and I started asking the waitress the litany of questions I have to ask, and it seemed like I'd be able to get a pretty good meal out of it. She goes back to the kitchen and out comes the manager. He then states that the entire kitchen is covered in flour due to making the pizza crusts, and he can't gurantee that anything is gluten-free. I wanted to scream.

So I had to sit there and watch all my friends eat while I couldn't because the freaking store couldn't keep their flour off their freaking steak and salad. Rar!

So...don't eat at Old Chicago.

[GlutenFreeManna]

Well, at least they warned you. Wouldn't you rather not eat there, then be told, "It's safe", eat there, and get sick?

[kareng]

The PF Changs should be good in Omaha.

[CeliacAndCfsCrusader]

The PF Changs should be good in Omaha.

So, the manager was smart enough to tell you that the chances of cross contamination was HIGH and you attempted to eat in a PIZZA restaurant.....and you're upset?

Seriously, be thankful he saved you from your lack of common sense. Sorry to be harsh, but it's folks that make life difficult for those in the restaurant industry who actually care, that makes it more difficult for the rest of us.

If you're new to this, you'll have to take responsibility for yourself.

If you're not new to this, tighten your "control group" of where you eat and where you'll take an "educated chance" because you HAVE to.

[torimuse]

I'm very new to this, as my signature suggests. With my move and everything, I just wanted to get food. I was thankful that the manager came up and warned me, but I was irritated that there was absolutely nothing in the entire place that I could eat. Not even fresh veggies or anything. I knew they had veggies because of salads and the celery that comes with bbq wings, and I was just confounded with the severe level of CC. Well, that and the fact that I had to sit there and watch my friends eat when I was starving. That didn't help my mood at all.

And, yes, the PF Changs in Omaha is good. But it was closed by the time I got all my stuff moved into the new apartment, and I had next to nothing in the way of food at home for that same reason. Note: This was about 11:00 at night. Almost everything was closed.

Like I mentioned, it was a rant. Rants aren't always intelligent, but they're always fueled by emotion. It was a lot of things all at once, coupled with a desire to let you guys know that Old Chicago is a no-go, that didn't really come out the way I wanted it to.

[CeliacAndCfsCrusader]

OK, you're new to this. We were all there once. It's been just over 3 years for me. I'm still learning too.

That being said, you will grow to appreciate those folks (no matter where) who actually give a darn about your condition and don't want to CC you. My point being is that the longer you're gluten-free, the more you'll look back at your original post and realize that the manager was oly trying to look out for you.

I've spent countless days searching for something, anything, that I can eat in "a pinch". I trust just about nobody or any restaurant.

Here are some emergency standbys that I've used; albeit not all that nutritionally good for me (but easy to find at any gas station or 7-11):

Planters nuts (read the label to check for CC, many are ok).

Yogurt from most supermarkets.

Peanut MMS, Snickers or other safe candies.

Certain PowerBars (keep some in your car or desk).

A milkshake from McDonalds.

Certain brand of Chips.

Chipotle (buy an extra bag of chips to go, eat with almond or peanut butter...now in squeeze tubes).

Pei Wei.

Pamela's Cookies.

Yellow tin of Macaroons (forget the name).

There will ALWAYS be a chance of CC, but these choices are 99% good for me at all times. That's the best we can expect.

PS: I drove thru In/Out Burger and order fries and a protein burger. As I sat waiting in line, the windows to the kitchen were right there. Buns sat on the grill next to the burgers. Pretty sure they were using the same spatula. I hesitated, then only ate the fries. Probably the best $5 I spent on food I never ate. To each their own. Keep your chin up.

[scarlett77]

OK, you're new to this. We were all there once. It's been just over 3 years for me. I'm still learning too.

That being said, you will grow to appreciate those folks (no matter where) who actually give a darn about your condition and don't want to CC you. My point being is that the longer you're gluten-free, the more you'll look back at your original post and realize that the manager was oly trying to look out for you.

I've spent countless days searching for something, anything, that I can eat in "a pinch". I trust just about nobody or any restaurant.

Here are some emergency standbys that I've used; albeit not all that nutritionally good for me (but easy to find at any gas station or 7-11):

Planters nuts (read the label to check for CC, many are ok).

Yogurt from most supermarkets.

Peanut MMS, Snickers or other safe candies.

Certain PowerBars (keep some in your car or desk).

A milkshake from McDonalds.

Certain brand of Chips.

Chipotle (buy an extra bag of chips to go, eat with almond or peanut butter...now in squeeze tubes).

Pei Wei.

Pamela's Cookies.

Yellow tin of Macaroons (forget the name).

There will ALWAYS be a chance of CC, but these choices are 99% good for me at all times. That's the best we can expect.

PS: I drove thru In/Out Burger and order fries and a protein burger. As I sat waiting in line, the windows to the kitchen were right there. Buns sat on the grill next to the burgers. Pretty sure they were using the same spatula. I hesitated, then only ate the fries. Probably the best $5 I spent on food I never ate. To each their own. Keep your chin up.

It is a good idea to keep an emergency food kit in the car of relatively non-perishable items for these types of situations. As far as In&Out goes...tell them that you have a wheat allergy and watch the windows. They usually get it and make sure that your order is separated, but there are occasions when we have caught them CCing. On those occasions we pointed out and asked (very nicely) if they could re-make the order...they've always been apologetic and accommodating. I also try to go during off peak hours because it does take a lot longer to get your order and I have been known to hold up the line.

I don't trust a lot of food places generally. We pretty much stick to In&Out, Chipotle's, PF Changs, and a local pizza place that has dedicated gluten-free shells/oven and prep area.

[MindytheOrganist]

We went to Old Chicago recently (hubby diagnosed in October, 2009), thinking there would be SOMETHING he could have. Unfortunately, nothing was guaranteed, so we finished our drinks and went Logan's Steakhouse just down the road. Not only did they have glute-free menu, but it was extensive, even down to salad dressings. The waitress was very knowledgeable and it turned out to be a very pleasant evening. Oh, this was in Clarksville, TN.

Even somewhat seasoned "pros" can make mistakes.