Outback

[dana-g]

Granny, they may still have the Thunder Down Under on the dessert menu even if they haven't got a gluten-free menu. Flourless cakes and the like are actually "mainstream" items--give them a call. It would be really nice if you could just go there for dessert and coffee! (I've had it BTW, it's yummy!)

[Guest NitaB]

Stacie,

Thank you for those links. I printed out their gluten-free menu, also. Wow, I'm excited!

Nita

[lovegrov]

The fact is you can go to the web sites for a large number of fast-food restaurants and find either a gluten-free list, an allergen list, or an exhaustive list of all ingredients for each item. Contamination is still a major problem at these places, though.

richard

[Guest NitaB]

Richard,

Thank you for your reply. I'm hoping for the best, for now! I will check at restaurants, as I go, to be as safe as possible.

A question. Beings I am very new to this, only trying the diet for just over a week, will I notice the effects of contamination? Or will it just hurt my gut, not letting it heal as fast? I'm still unclear on the cross contamination part of it. Also not too clear on the effect of skin and hair products with gluten in them.

Thanks for all the help everyone!

Nita

[Donna F]

Hmmmm. I ate there today and not feeling well now. I thought it was something else, but I wonder...

I had the bbq chick (without the spices -they weren't sure if they were gluten-free) and a salad w/out croutons but had cheese (was that not gluten-free? I didn't notice it said to hold it). No dessert.

Whad'ya think?

donna

[Guest NitaB]

Donna,

I'm too new at this to be of any real help. But, have you tried going dairy free for a time, also? I was going to try that, but it is so hard! I have cut back on dairy, as it is hard to digest, making my gut hurt if I get too much. I had a bit of cheese yesterday and today, and feel sluggish and have a gurgley stomach this evening. So, I guess I need to cut out the cheese!

Maybe someone knows if that's it for you, too. Not that cheese isn't gluten-free, but that it's so hard to digest.

Nita

[Guest jhmom]

It could have been the salad dressing. I eat the Ranch dressing and it's supposed to be gluten-free but it's very spicy (if we are talking about Outback) and I have trouble with it too. Here is what I do.... I pour a little of their Ranch dressing on my salad and then use my own Ranch dressing, it mixes well and I can tolerate it better!

[Donna F]

Thanks for the replies,

I forgot about this post. What happened is that I had accidently eaten a non-gluten-free cookie. I bought it thinking it was gluten-free, but it was only "wheat-free".

That explains it!

Thank God, Outback was redeemed! I wouldn't have gone back, so I'm glad it WASN'T them!!!

donna

[dianne]

I went to Outback for Father's Day. It was great! I had a salad, prime rib, and baked potato with butter. I only had one problem. I had send the meal back for a clean plate. They accidentally gave me the au jus. and there was some left on the plate. I would also advise caution regarding sour cream. I didn't see any mention of it on the menu. I have always been under the impression that sour cream is a no-no. I brought my own gluten-free rolls, and asked for my own butter. We didn't have dessert, but I look forward to trying the Chocolate Thunder from Down Under. My non-gluten-free dad and ladyfriend were very happy, too. It was so nice to be able to order with a minimum of hassle.

Dianne

[Guest NitaB]

Dianne,

Thanks for posting your success for eating out on Father's Day! I'm glad to hear it! We talked about going there, but there are 10 of us, and they don't take reservations. It makes it hard. Instead we went out to breakfast. I tried to be gluten-free, but I probably got some cross contamination, or the ham in my omelette wasn't gluten-free. Anyway, the worst was, I was so tired and sluggish all day. I go to the dietician today, finally. Will be so glad to see what she says!

Nita

[lovegrov]

Although some sour cream has MFS and must be checked, virtually every sour cream I've ever checked on has been gluten-free -- Breakstone, Kroger, Daisy. If the Outback menu didn't tell you to avoid the sour cream, that means the sour cream is gluten-free.

richard

[dianne]

I had sent an e-mail to the Gluten Intolerance Group, regarding the absence of any mention of butter or sour cream on the Outback menu. Here is the response.

Both butter and sour cream should be pore, unless it is a low fat version, then it may have something added as an extender, i.e., modified food starch which you would want to know the source.

Nancy

Volunteer Office Staff Member for

Cynthia Kupper, RD,celiac disease

Executive Director

In the e-mail, I also requested that this matter be addressed in the menu.

I also was concerned about reservations. Fortunately, there were only three of us. Another thing that makes it inconvenient for us, is that they don't open until 1:30. I sent an e-meil, pointing out the inconvenience of their no-reservation policy, especially since they do such heavy advertising for the holidays. I don't know if it will do any good, but I feel like i'm doing something.

Good luck to all you Outback fans out there!

[lovegrov]

I'm not sure I understand the paranoia about sour cream and butter not being mentioned. Although it does specifically mention that the salad dressings, it usually mentions things ONLY when they are not gluten-free. It doesn't specifically say anywhere that the cocktail or remoulade sauce is gluten-free, but they are.

The sour cream and butter are gluten-free. In fact, I've still never found a real butter that isn't gluten-free. I don't even ask about butter any more.

richard

[astyanax]

i've never had any problem eating at outback !!! including eating cheese and salad dressing on the salad (which according to their website is all gluten-free).

but i'm wondering, does that gluten-free menu translate internationally? i'm in japan right now and there's an outback nearby. while i know i can always get a plain steak and potato, i'm wondering if i can have the cheese and the salad dressing are gluten-free and doubt i can find out at the restaurant by asking the waiter

[catfish]

You won't hear any complaints from me about Outback! All I had to do was mention to the waiter that I have Celiac and his immediate response was, "Oh, let me go get you the gluten-free menu!" It was absolutely painless ordering the food and there were no screw-ups at all. If more restaurants were so accomodating this lifestyle would be a cinch!

[Niteyx13]

I have eaten at Outback like 2 or 3 times since the diet started (we have one right down the road about 2 miles). It is wonderful. The staff has always been good about knowing what I was talking about, and the brownie is awesome! Texas Road House, which is my favorite - only farther away than Outback, has a gluten-free menu, and Lone Star Steak House does also. =)

Deanna

[MySuicidalTurtle]

I went to Outback on my birthday and enjoyed some good food with no problems! However, anytime I get carryout from there I always have preombels. . .I don't know if it's because it's carryout or gluten but anytime I eat there it's fine. So, I won't be doing carryout anymore. Rar and yay to Outback!

[XoHeatherxO]

Well I officially LOVE Outback!! I went last night with my boyfriend (for the first time since gluten-free) My boyfriend had to beg me to go out to dinner because I am SO afraid of contamination and such and always seem to get sick from restraunts no matter what....NO SICKNESS this time!! I was shocked, the waitress was sweet and knew more then most people, I almost cried I was so excited at the fact that I could eat and not worry....Next day and I still feel great!! YEA!

[joyce]

Outback is my favorite and I'm usually there atleast 3 times a month . I was impressed the last time I was there because this my waitress know what was on the Gluten free menu . Of coarse we do leave a nice tip to let them know that we appreciate the service, I have never had any problems there. 3 cheers for OUTBACK

We also have found that they don't take reservations but you can call in advance your seating. I forget what they call it .

[CoolCat1]

I phoned the Outback in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. It has a gluten free menu and desserts. Can't wait to go. I wish I could find somewhere else in my part of Canada.

[Carriefaith]

Be careful of the outbak in Kitchener, Ontario. I ate there last week and I got very sick. I ordered from their gluten free menu too.

[FreyaUSA]

My sister is a manager at Outback, so from the day I found out I was GI, she came to my rescue! She said, if the restaurant near you does not know what you're talking about, ask to speak with the kitchen manager, they've all been trained in this. Back in March when I found out about myself, my nearby Outbacks front people hadn't a clue. Now, they are absolutely terrific. We had one incident where someone picked croutons back off my salad, my 6 year old daughter reached over and ate one piece of cheese with crumbs on it and immediately made a fuss (she's the gluten police, Lol) and half an hour later was throwing up. The manager pulled the entire staff and lectured them about proper food handling and such. We also got a $40+ gift certificate. They are serious about how they handle food allergies and special requests. We go there 2-3x a month and will continue doing so.

Also, for those of you with large groups, they also (most anyway) have call ahead seating.

Last of all, their Alice Springs Chicken is awesome and, as far as dressings go, I order their house salad with caesar dressing on the side. The best!