Gluten Free Menus

[cahill]

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 ))

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***

[sunnybabi1986]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Judy3]

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]

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]

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]

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.