Outback Steakhouse

[SueC]

OK I am very sad

I went to the Outback Steakhouse tonight for dinner, and asked for a gluten-free menu. Our waiter did not seem to sure what that was(first bad vibe!!) and then remembered where they were. I then thought I educated him on the finer points of what gluten-free means and that I get VERY ill if any contamination happens. He seemed to understand so I proceeded to order OFF THE gluten-free MENU!

Soooooo, out comes our salads and they are covered with croutons...I now wanted to cry because I know the shrimp I ordered and was so looking forward to was not to be........ I have lost complete confidence in the cooking and serving staff and will not take any chances.

We talked to the manager and he didn't really get the seriousness of my situation either so we left.....

I felt horrible that my family had to leave but we were so mad that we couldn't eat there. I have eaten there before without a problem but tonight nobody there seemed to know anything about the gluten-free menu that they seem to be so proud of. It really was such a dissapointment.

Sorry to ramble but I needed to vent..

[Guest nini]

Call or write to Corporate and lodge a complaint... Don't let one bad experience get you down, let it get you going... I would also call the manager at a not so busy time and double explain the seriousness of your diet and the fact that they are partnered with GIG in this effort, they need to be aware of the needs of the Celiac community or they will find themselves out of business. We are a vocal group and can get things accomplished.

[mytummyhurts]

Yes, please, please, please write and call them so they know what happened. It surprises me that their staff knows so little about this when they have a gluten-free menu. Maybe you should note in your letter that they should educate their staff more. I really don't understand why all restuarants don't go over the fact that some people may be allergic or intolerant to certain kinds of foods and it's very important that their staff take every request seriously or else someone may get ill. It seems almost every time I've asked someone if they use a dedicate frier for the fries I get the weirdest looks like "why would you need to know that?" They should be taught just to answer every question with out looking at their patrons like they are stupid. They should also talk about food allegies/intolerances at that government class you have to take to get your food handlers card.

[grantschoep]

Yes, write a letter. Don't be angry and make the servers get screwed. Just make a good point that they f'ed it up. I've worked in the waitressing field... basically you have crappy days. You sometimes don't know what the hell the customer is talking about(and you make fun of them) but... you do want to make them happy, and satisfied. Why? Tip anyone?

A letter to the store, politily written will get action. Hopefully, to get more of the employee's educated on diets, gluten of course.

So I live in a make beleive world where I think the above will happen. Oh well. My goal, in 2005, ok I added 2006, is to get all my normal restaraunts to know me, and to know gluten free, and to serve me without incident. So far, its working... I have one fast food place, Tokyo Joes, that the servers recognize me. Fortunatly, all the good things on the menu... ok I lie, but most everything is gluten-free. Ok... so its one thing or so... but thats what I eat! hehe

[SueC]

I did write a letter to their corperate office to let them know and hopefully will get a reply! It is not the fault of the staff there but a huge corperate mistake in failing to properly train thier staff. Maybe my letter will make them more aware.... we can always hope

I will definanetly go there again but I was very disappointed in my visit yesterday!! Hopefully I will have more success next time.....

[pixiegirl]

I eat at Outback and PF Changs regularly (both are owned by the same company) and I've never had a problem regardless of where they are (I've been in them all over the country.

I'm really careful, however (overly so). When I walk up to the front desk I ask there for a gluten-free menu because they often keep them behind the desk. I also ask that hostess if they will send the manager over to the table. Once the manager stops by I tell them I need to go gluten-free for my meal and they always say they are on top of it. When the waiter comes over I then let them know I've spoken to the manager about this (they almost always say, yes i know he/she spoke to me) and I explain my food issues as an allergy. I've found they really perk up at the term allergy as opposed to celiac or gluten sensitive, etc. The food industry is pretty up to speed about allergies. I also explain to the waiter that if they accidently put crutons on the salad they can't pick them off, that it has to be made fresh.

So far I've had really good results with both places. Once Outback made a mistake with the crutons and they were happy to fix it. I do make a fuss in both places but never once has anyone been put off by all this and my health is far more important that then fuss!

Susan

[jenvan]

Sue-

Glad you wrote a letter! You never know...I wrote a letter to one restaurant on a bad experience with their gluten-free menu, and they corrected the problem--educated staff, and send me a $50 gift certificate to come back Your letter may make it easier for others as well...

[Mahee34]

The past few times that I've been to Outback they can't find their gluten free menu and I've gotten sick at least twice. I really think that all restaurants need to hire someone like us to modify and make sure that the menus are followed. I work in a bar and grill and they don't even really care about people like me!!

[nettiebeads]

The past few times that I've been to Outback they can't find their gluten free menu and I've gotten sick at least twice.  I really think that all restaurants need to hire someone like us to modify and make sure that the menus are followed.  I work in a bar and grill and they don't even really care about people like me!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know it's sad. They are in a service industry but don't care about people, just the bottom line. Too labor-intensive ($) to make sure a patron doesn't get sick from their food.

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Don't be too harsh on them.

We represent less than 1% of their total sales.

I appreciate the effort from these places, but I do not expect it (I have been a waiter/bartender fore 10 years)...

Life at restaurants has gotten better than it was 5 years ago . And back then it was better than 5 years prior to that. For all of you newbies, you should have tried to eat out 10 years ago.....it was almost impossible.

I can't even think how it was like 20-30 years ago...

Appreciate what we have and educate those who are ignorant.

[lovegrov]

I don't doubt there are bad Outbacks but the ones I've been to they've cared very much. The corporate office cared enough to be one of the first ever chains to come up with a gluten-free menu.

richard