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Red Lobster
We have two Red Lobster restaurants within a few miles of our home.
We have tried both for lunch and been very happy. When we told the wait staff of our need to be GF at each one they were instantly knowledgeable. Within a few minutes a manager came to our table and without being requested. Great customer service.
It seems they are seeing an increase in people asking for GF meals. We were able to order any of the non-breaded fish to be fixed without seasonings. They could be baked, broiled or wood grilled.
The salad came without the croutons, along with oil and vinegar to mix. The plate had a baked potato and steamed veggies.
Interestingly at both restaurants someone who worked there was a Celiac. We are finding that more and more when we mention Celiac disease that everyone seems to know a friend or family member that has it.
We are very happy to find a restaurant where we can get a GF meal, not fast food. As my husband chows down on his food, I am able to have coleslaw and the biscuits. Makes him happy knowing that I can tag along and get some of the things I love while he is also able to get a good meal.
Eating out is still the biggest hurdle we have to date. Cooking at home is a breeze compared to the mine field of restaurants. Gone are the days of just driving around, then suddenly stopping to eat. We now have to plan, plan , plan. Slowly but surely we are mapping out places to eat around our Metropolitan area.
But I am being a good girl, remembering not to sulk when we can't eat some places for I know how healthy it is making my husband.
We have tried both for lunch and been very happy. When we told the wait staff of our need to be GF at each one they were instantly knowledgeable. Within a few minutes a manager came to our table and without being requested. Great customer service.
It seems they are seeing an increase in people asking for GF meals. We were able to order any of the non-breaded fish to be fixed without seasonings. They could be baked, broiled or wood grilled.
The salad came without the croutons, along with oil and vinegar to mix. The plate had a baked potato and steamed veggies.
Interestingly at both restaurants someone who worked there was a Celiac. We are finding that more and more when we mention Celiac disease that everyone seems to know a friend or family member that has it.
We are very happy to find a restaurant where we can get a GF meal, not fast food. As my husband chows down on his food, I am able to have coleslaw and the biscuits. Makes him happy knowing that I can tag along and get some of the things I love while he is also able to get a good meal.
Eating out is still the biggest hurdle we have to date. Cooking at home is a breeze compared to the mine field of restaurants. Gone are the days of just driving around, then suddenly stopping to eat. We now have to plan, plan , plan. Slowly but surely we are mapping out places to eat around our Metropolitan area.
But I am being a good girl, remembering not to sulk when we can't eat some places for I know how healthy it is making my husband.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by jay cee on -
Just and Fyi i saw this while skimming information and i noticed you said you enjoyed coleslaw and biscuits. yuu shouldnt eat the biscuits they contain wheat.
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Permalink Reply by Sue Neilon on -
I ate the biscuits, not my husband. He is the Celiac. He never eats any bread out.
Thanks.
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Permalink Reply by Tina G on -
Eating out is a headache really. While many places seem to offer "gluten free food" you also have to feel confident they will not cross contaminate. That is huge for me as I worry about that a lot. With that said ... more and more places are offering. Check out Olive Garden if you care for them.
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Permalink Reply by Jenn on -
I miss the carefree days too of eating out. So many times this summer I've been stuck in small town Ontario with nothing I can eat but a way over priced salad. You're better than me, I sulk a lot! I am now starting to bring sandwiches with me everywhere. But I am sick of them and sick of Wendys'!
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Permalink Reply by Sue Neilon on
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Well, one year down the road .
Some things have changed, some have not. We eat out once a week and that is for Saturday lunch.
Our restaurants are now a routine. We go to the same ones over and over. We have become used to going into a restaurant, checking the menu and having to leave. Either we could not cobble together a GF meal or we could but the price was too dear.
Being on a Fixed Senior Citizen income means experimenting is way too expensive. Sure Steak and Baked potato is on many menus, but the cost would feed us both at home with some leftover.
Cracker Barrel is great at working with GF.
Panera's has Greek Salad with either Black Bean or a Vegetarian Soup. Get potato chips instead of bread.
Olive Garden is good but WOW, it is expensive at least for us. $15.00 and up.
Perkins will also work with GF .
Lone Star Steakhouse is fine but again more money than we want to spend.
I echo the bit about Wendy's. Husband is still happy eating there... Baja Mexican Salad but I can hardly stand to go inside.
We do carry a "Eat out kit " with us. Safe salad dressing, safe spices to add on items, bread/roll, potato chips.
And for the rare time we go to a movie, my large purse will have popcorn, snacks that are okay. Good thing they haven't started purse inspections.
I do miss Chinese as we used to eat it alot.
Frankly eating out is not much fun anymore.
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Permalink Reply by Jenn on
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In the end it seems to me that the States are ahead of Canada. There is seems to be more fast food options and restaurants with gf menus. Hopefully we'll catch up one day!
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Permalink Reply by conniec on -
I have a Irish Pub & Grill that opened near my house about a year ago. They do not have a gluten free menu yet, but they will work with me on any dish. Apparently, there is a big call for gluten free items, that when the menu changes in a couple of months they are adding a gluten free menu. That also could be that Bertucci's down the block has a gluten free menu.
Sue Neilon said:Well, one year down the road .
Some things have changed, some have not. We eat out once a week and that is for Saturday lunch.
Our restaurants are now a routine. We go to the same ones over and over. We have become used to going into a restaurant, checking the menu and having to leave. Either we could not cobble together a GF meal or we could but the price was too dear.
Being on a Fixed Senior Citizen income means experimenting is way too expensive. Sure Steak and Baked potato is on many menus, but the cost would feed us both at home with some leftover.
Cracker Barrel is great at working with GF.
Panera's has Greek Salad with either Black Bean or a Vegetarian Soup. Get potato chips instead of bread.
Olive Garden is good but WOW, it is expensive at least for us. $15.00 and up.
Perkins will also work with GF .
Lone Star Steakhouse is fine but again more money than we want to spend.
I echo the bit about Wendy's. Husband is still happy eating there... Baja Mexican Salad but I can hardly stand to go inside.
We do carry a "Eat out kit " with us. Safe salad dressing, safe spices to add on items, bread/roll, potato chips.
And for the rare time we go to a movie, my large purse will have popcorn, snacks that are okay. Good thing they haven't started purse inspections.
I do miss Chinese as we used to eat it alot.
Frankly eating out is not much fun anymore.
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Permalink Reply by Julie marsteller on
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My husband likes to take me out to eat (a lot), even though I am a very good cook. After being diagnosed 1 1/2 years ago, we too now have a short list of restaurants we go to. Now the family joke is my husband needs a "restaurant mistress", someone who is adventurous as I used to be to try new & different restaurants.
Eating out is such a hassle at at times! I went on our church teen mission trip this summer. I survived...and now the Pastor has a better understanding of my situation. But now, plans are being made for next year's trip and my daughter asked if I will be going again. It's so sad for me to tell her, "we'll see". The next trip will be more structured and I don't know if i can do it again. Less time for me to hunt down meals for me. It sounds like such a cop-out!
But I guess "we'll see...".
Even at the "safe" restaurants, I've been contaminated and yes, I've done a lot of educating. It's almost becoming a Pavlovian response to just not eat anything I am not absolutely sure is ok. (sigh)
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Permalink Reply by Dan Clore on
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Since being diagnosed with Celiacs 3 years ago there have been many changes, especially eating out. As someone posted, eating at home is a breeze and when we have guest, they never know the difference unless told. I was leary at first about taking my own bread or roll and other condiments into an establishment but you soon realize it's no big deal. I've figured it out that you can bake just about anything you want by replacing regular flour with gluten free allpurpose flour. I look forward to the once a week outing to Five Guys. I toast my Udi Bagle before going and load up my jacket pocket with a container of vinegar for the fries. When you order your burger there with no bread they sandwich the burger between lettuce. More and more places are becoming aware of our need of GF and are very accomidating.
Dan
Staunton VA
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Permalink Reply by Sue Neilon on
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On SuperBowl Sunday there was a big family potluck.
I decided after much deliberation, to make a huge Beef Stew in the Crock pot. I add V-8 juice to the potatoes, carrots, onion and celery. Use Corn Starch to thicken. Bay leaf for the chuck roast.
Seemed it was a hit and non-celiacs were chowing down on it. Along with a container of fruit, my husband had a nice meal without any fuss.
As to eating out, still working on it. Found out to our dismay that the Veggie soup at Panera's has barley in it. I had to check their book to find out as the servers did not know , previously they had told us No, it was okay.
We now only eat out one lunch a week. Are not too adventurous at all. When in doubt, we pass on an item.
Seems we are in the Education Business where servers are concerned. Doesn't bother us as we figure we might help someone else in the process.
Now that my husband has been on this diet for almost two years, his blood sugar is harder to control.
He is not eating a huge amount of carbs but we do wonder if maybe the reason is that his body is now absorbing the food he eats ? I imagine any Dr. would tell us we are nuts but it does make me wonder if before he was eating and the food was just going on through ?
Not easy to be a diabetic and a celiac. But I read that it is not that uncommon.
Found a wonder new bread Canyon Bakehouse made in Loveland, Co. info@canyonbakehouse.com
Our local Hyvee carries it in their frozen section. At the GF Convention in Kansas City this fall there were many vendors with their wares. This group had a booth.
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