Today my little boy and I ventured out of the house to meet my mother and sister down in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. My mother is thinking of buying a house out in the country and wanted my sister and I to look at the house. Both the town and the house were charming, but I couldn’t help thinking of the distance to the nearest Whole Foods. I know that many celiacs order all of their specialty items online, but I love the convenience and assurance of being able to go a store and physically see all of the gluten free items available.
After we visited the house, we decided to go out for an early dinner. Like most celiacs, I do not like to go out to eat. In addition to the danger of cross contamination, I feel like a major pain to all my family and friends. We decided to drive thirty minutes to Outback Steakhouse because they have a gluten free menu.[PDF]
My overall experience at Outback was good. I ordered from the gluten free menu and the waiter was helpful. However, my salad came out with crouton crumbs on it. The waiters at Outback do not make the salads, so I would not mess around with the salads. I have never received one the first time that did not have crumbs on it. It is just not worth the risk. Everything else was fine. But I have to give Outback rave reviews for actually having a gluten free menu-that is awesome!
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Posted on March 22nd, 2007 by Natalie
Filed under: Celiac, GF Living, Gluten Free, Restaurants
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Ha! My salad came out the same way. I hate to be critical of a restaurant that offers a gluten free menu because they are making a best effort, but I just wasn’t that impressed. Now there may be a difference from one Outback to another but the one I walked into was very skeptical on what they could give me. They basically offered me a burger with no bun or plain ‘ol fish.
I guess what I am saying is that when I go out to a restaurant I want something that I can’t make at home. So we always end up going to Pei Wei, or PF Changs, or Molly Woo’s…all of those offer a good selections and amazing flavor. Just my 2 cents.
I agree. It is discouraging when the Outback staff has no idea how to cater to the gluten-free crowd even when they have a gluten-free menu.
Chipotle Grill is one of our favorite and they will wipe down the line and change gloves etc. too! (although we have never asked) The flour tortillas are the ONLY thing not GF on the menu and they are aware of cross contamination
Kel-
Chipotle Grill is one of the places I go when I just have to go out to eat. I have never had a bad experience, but I know some people have. It is always a risk when you have someone else make your food- celiac or not! =)