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Gluten Free Menus

cahill

By cahill
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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cahill Collaborator
cahill
Posted

I live in northwestern Pa. in the middle of nowhere.

The choices I would have when going out to eat would be Applebee's, Bob Evens , Red lobster (about a hour drive one way) and Outback steak house (about 1 hour and 30min drive one way) and of course the local mom and pop restaurants and fast food places. I have found some gluten free menus on line and my daughter is downloading them for me(( I am not so good with the computer :P ))

My question is: I have seen Outback mentioned here but has any one had good luck with any of the other restaurants

** I just realized I posted this in the wrong forum,,sorry, could a mod move it to the correct forum please***

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sunnybabi1986 Contributor
sunnybabi1986
Posted

I've not personally dealt with Applebee's, but I do remember several people saying they've had really good experiences there!

Just make sure to communicate exactly what you want and need to the server and make sure he/she understands about cross-contamination. You can have a good experience anywhere, really, if you're careful--I went to IHOP a couple weeks ago and had an amazing bacon and cheese omelet, with NO cross-contamination, yay! :)

MelindaLee Contributor
MelindaLee
Posted

Applebee's does okay around here...but they seem to equate gluten-free with no seasoning! I don't know if everything they have is premixed and not gluten-free or what. Expect everything plain there. I think I have gotten spoiled. Some of our local restaurants have gluten-free menus and do a good job with them.

mama3122006 Newbie
mama3122006
Posted

Actually, I have not had very good luck with the Outback that we go to (about an hr. away from us). They tried to serve bread to us after my husband and I each requested a gluten free menu. And then, I was given the Ahi Tuna appetizer with the sauce...though the gluten-free menu clearly states no sauce. I had to request another order and explained how important it was that everyone was careful...but nonetheless got sick. This happened on 2 occasions, and I finally just gave up with them.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I think sometimes the chains can be hit and miss depending on how much time they spend training the staff. I had okay luck the one time I went to an Outback.

For local restaurants my son had pretty good luck with ordering a baked potato and a steak. Just tell them to cook it in a clean pan and that you will season with salt and pepper at the table.

More places are getting celiac savvy so hopefully eating out will soon get easier for us.

diane64 Apprentice
diane64
Posted

I have had great experiences with the Outback. I think it depends on the one you go to. I went to one Chili's and was fine. Then I tried another one and was served my "gluten free" meal with gravy on it!

I always ask to talk to the manager. I explain my needs and I have found that most are accomodating. I haven't tried any places that don't have a gluten free menu.

Good luck!

mamaw Community Regular
mamaw
Posted

Smokey Bones

Carrarbas

Eat-Park

Chili's

Red Lobster

Uno's

Chik-Fil-a

Boston Market

Longhorn Steakhouse

Five Guys

All have gluten-free menu options, plus there are so many more....

I'm from southwestern Pa, let me know what town isnear you & maybe I can give you a better idea....

I don't trust Applebees or Olive Garden .......I know Applebees just came out with a gluten-free menu option but here where I live not so good yet......

hth

mamaw

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Judy3 Contributor
Judy3
Posted

Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and several others that I can't remember are all owned by the same corporate company and that company has gluten free menu's. Longhorn Steakhouse may be one other. I had a get together at the Olive Garden the other night and I was happy with the gluten free menu...

FooGirlsMom Rookie
FooGirlsMom
Posted

I can add the Texas Roadhouse to the list. There are a number of them in Pennsylvania (check their website). We have eaten there 2x now. They used to have a gluten-free menu so the restaurants are generally aware of the gluten offenders. If you like steak or hamburger, they do a good job with them. Their mashed potatoes, sweet potato, vegetables etc. are safe. If you want something besides oil & vinegar on your salad, you might want to take your own dressing.

Honestly, I was very apprehensive to eat out after only 3 months gluten-free but we rec'd gift cards from our employer in December and I bit the bullet and tried it. Now we've been back again. No reaction. No cross contamination (they scrape the grill & are very careful). I am so relieved to have a good-tasting place to eat where my husband is happy too (and our gluten-free daughter - she oohs and ahhs and rolls her eyes in delight while she eats her "road kill" - a chopped steak) lol

Finding safe restaurants is another part of our learning to live gluten-free. Once we do, we have places to suggest to our family & friends (or dates).

Good luck

FooGirlsMom

lynnelise Apprentice
lynnelise
Posted

I have had nothing but bad experiences at Applebee's. The worst was the time the manager flat out said nothing in his kitchen was safe so I had to sit and watch everyone in the group eat only to go home to rice cakes and peanut butter. I went back for a friend's birthday after they posted their wheat allergy menu because I thought it would be safer. The waitress had no idea they had such a menu so after much dealing with the manager I got what was supposed to be a safe meal but I was sick as a dog afterward. I have totally sworn off Applebee's from here on out.

Outback I have good experiences with. I love it!

Chili's is hit or miss. I've had safe meals and I've gotten sick. Any meal out is taking a chance though I suppose.

I've safely eaten at Red Lobster. No issues there.

I find sushi fairly safe. Just make sure there is no tempura flakes, watch for eel which is usually marinated, and avoid the anything with fake crab.

cap6 Enthusiast
cap6
Posted

I have eaten at two different Applebees in two different states and both time got sick. Never again. Outback is my fav. Have eaten in several in different states & always had the same caring service & excellent meals. Never been sick.

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