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List of Most Allergy-Friendly Restaurant Chains

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Many people who follow a gluten-free diet also have to avoid at least one other food ingredient. Dining out and avoiding gluten is hard enough; add in one or more other ingredients to avoid and dining out becomes even more challenging. AllergyEats is a free, peer-based website and smartphone app to help guide those having to avoid gluten and/or other food ingredients when dining out and just released the “2020 List of Most Allergy-Friendly Restaurant Chains”.

“Some exceptional restaurant chains who were leaders on the 2013 list are once again recognized this year, including Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (large chain), Bonefish Grill (medium chain) and Burtons Grill (small chain).  We congratulate two restaurant chains that are new to our list this year – Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Mellow Mushroom,” Antico continued.   “Statistics have shown that maintaining a more allergy-friendly restaurant leads to increased traffic, customer loyalty and, ultimately, profits.”

The Most Allergy-Friendly Restaurant Chains were grouped into three categories – Large (over 200 units), Medium (50-200 units), and Small (under 50 units).  Results were based on diner feedback from the AllergyEats website and app through December 31, 2013:

Allergy eats logoLarge (over 200 units):

  • Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (4.45 rating)
  • P.F. Chang’s China Bistro (4.43 rating)
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill (4.41 rating)
  • Outback Steakhouse (4.35 rating)
  • Romano’s Macaroni Grill (4.20 rating)

Medium (50-200 units):

  • Bonefish Grill (4.43 rating)
  • Ninety Nine Restaurant (4.28 rating
  • Mellow Mushroom (4.26 rating)
  • Uno Chicago Grill (4.24 rating)
  • Bertucci’s Brick Oven Restaurant (4.17 rating)

Small (under 50 units):

  • Burtons Grill (4.90 rating)
  • Maggiano’s Little Italy (4.73 rating)
  • Papa Razzi (4.68 rating)
  • Legal Sea Foods (4.67 rating)
  • Not Your Average Joe’s (4.66 rating)

Don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences on AllergyEats so that others can benefit from your experience. Doing so helps others choose restaurants that can help them dine out as safely and as enjoyably as possible.

Review: First Watch Gluten-Free Menu

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There is nothing better after a Saturday morning long runs than a warm breakfast out with the running group. Our local running group, Marathoners in Training, meets at 8:00 AM, and after our planned mileage, we need to refuel as soon as possible. The easiest way to do that is to hit up one of the local breakfast spots, which happened to be First Watch this past week.

First Watch offers a wide variety of gluten-free menu items, though I found the menu a little confusing at first glance. Usually, when you see a gluten-free menu it lists the menu items that are gluten-free and what modifications (if any) need to be made. This menu had some of that, but also listed menu items that “contain gluten”. It seems confusing to include those items on the menu and I feel it would be easier to decipher if those items were left off of the menu. First Watch has two different quinoa bowls on the menu, but they both “contain gluten”. I asked the server what the source of gluten was in the quinoa bowl and was told the broth the quinoa is prepared in contains gluten. She went on to tell me the quinoa could be prepared in water to make it gluten-free.

I decided on the Avocado, Bacon & Tomato Hash, which is basically a bowl full of hash browns, tomato, bacon, avocado, and cheese topped with 2 eggs of your choice. As much as I love eggs, they upset my stomach, so I ordered the dish without the eggs.

IMG 1006

Boy did this hit the spot! I drizzled a little bit of 100% maple syrup (make sure to ask specifically for this, as it isn’t the syrup left on the tables) on top, as I have really been digging the sweet & salty combo of bacon and syrup lately. The side of the fruit is a nice touch and is refreshing while waiting for the hash to cool down. This was the perfect way to refuel after a run! I especially like the coffee carafes placed right on the table.

First Watch has over 100 locations in 13 different states. Click here to find the location closest to you.

Buca di Beppo Gluten-Free Menu

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Eating out should be fun and enjoyable, not intimidating and stressful, right?  Whenever I have plans to go to a new-to-me gluten-free restaurant, I always get nervous. One would think that after 7+ years on the gluten-free diet that I would be an old pro by now.  No matter how much experience I have eating gluten-free, there are variables I can’t control when eating out.  A restaurant that has a gluten-free menu and a staff well-trained on that menu makes all the difference in the world.

Sunday night we went to Buca di Beppo to celebrate some belated family birthdays.  I just love the ambiance of this restaurant!  The red and white checkered tablecloths, family-like photos on the wall and a lively atmosphere all make for a unique experience.  I was immediately impressed by the number of options on the gluten-free menu.  Plenty of options to choose from – something for everyone. Traditionally Buca di Beppo serves their dishes “family style”, encouraging family and friends to share.  More about Buca:

Buca di Beppo® is a collection of neighborhood restaurants with a lively atmosphere and authentic Italian menu for all to enjoy. In the spirit of Italian culture, our dishes are meant to be shared and served family-style, perfect for passing around the table.

We encourage our guests to dine with family and friends while enjoying the Italian traditions of food, friendship and hospitality. The first Buca di Beppo opened its doors in 1993 in the basement of a Minneapolis apartment building. We’ve since grown to over 86 locations nationwide.

IMG_6975Since Jon and I were the only ones eating gluten-free, I was concerned that we would have a lot of leftover food.  The staff was more than accommodating and willing to make a smaller version for us.  The Ceasar Salad is not on the gluten-free menu, but after checking with the chef, the only gluten is in the croutons.  We ordered a large salad to share with the table, croutons on the side.  We also ordered a smaller Mozzarella Caprese to share – it was just perfect!

Jon and I ordered the Chicken Limone (lemon butter sauce and capers) and Rosemary Potatoes to share for our main course.  All entrees have a note to ask that the dish not be dusted with flour.

 

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal – the chicken was tender and flavorful and the the potatoes were cooked perfectly!  Kudos to the staff for taking such good care of our needs!

Buca di Beppo has locations across the US and also offers banquet and catering options, though I did not ask about the ability to do them gluten-free.

Have you dined at Buca di Beppo?  How was your experience?

Review: Gluten-Free at Bravo

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My weekend was full of celebration for my birthday and my mom’s birthday – how cool is it that we share a birthday?  We ended up eating out for three meals, with Bravo being one of those restaurants.  I hadn’t been to Bravo in years, in fact, I am not sure that I have dined there since starting the gluten-free diet.

The gluten-free menu is decently sized with options for salads, entrees and pasta.  Since we were there for lunch I chose a salad with grilled salmon.

IMG_4497Doesn’t that look wonderful?  The salad is “Served with field greens, tomatoes, grilled asparagus, Feta and a balsamic vinaigrette”.  I was pleased with the freshness and flavor of this salad.  The salmon was cooked perfectly and I love the addition of grilled asparagus to a salad!

The one thing lacking from Bravo is a dessert option for the gluten-free diner.  The menu does have crème brulee and ice cream on it, but neither are included on the gluten-free menu. It would be nice to see one or both added in the future.  Bravo has locations across the US. Visit the website to see locations nearest you.

Have you dined gluten-free at Bravo?  Please share your experience below.

Red Lobster Gluten-Free Options

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I can’t believe there is a chain restaurant out there that I haven’t tried since I have been gluten-free, but there is: Red Lobster.  I guess I knew they had a few gluten-free options, but never really stopped to see what they offered.

In addition to the obvious gluten-free items like steamed shellfish, baked fish, baked potato and plain salad there are many other options such as:

  • Shrimp scampi
  • Bacon-wrapped shrimp  with mashed potatoes
  • Blackened fish
  • Coleslaw
  • New York Style cheesecake with strawberries

There are some other items marked gluten-free, like chicken wings and French fries, but it is necessary to check to see if a common fryer is used at the location where you are dining.  The allergen menu is updated on a regular basis to ensure that if anything has changed it is updated.

Just because an establishment offers a gluten-free menu doesn’t mean you don’t need to ask questions regarding preparation and precautions taken to eliminate the chance of cross-contamination.  Here are some questions that should always be asked:

  • Is there a dedicated fryer?  Fries, tortilla chips and chicken wings are not gluten-free if they are fried with breaded items.
  • How are gluten-free items on the grill/flat top kept from coming in contact with gluten?
  • Is it possible to cook the gluten-free items in a separate pan?
  • If there is gluten-free pasta offered, is it cooked in a dedicated pot?
  • Is the salad prepared in a separate dish to avoid being tossed with any crouton remnants?
  • Are separate utensils used to plate the gluten-free food?
  • Are vegetables a part of your entrée?  Ask how they are prepared to ensure any butter sauce or seasonings are gluten-free and that they are not cooked in pasta water.
  • If there are gluten-free bread or bun options, how are they toasted/warmed?
  • If you are eating breakfast and ordering omelets or scrambled eggs, ask if pancake batter is used to add fluffiness.
  • If there is gluten-free pizza on the menu, is it baked separately or on a dedicated pan?  Is the sauce and toppings kept separate from the non-gluten-free sauce and toppings?
  • Desserts – flourless chocolate cake isn’t gluten-free if the pan is dusted with flour; ice cream should be scooped with a clean scoop that hasn’t come in contact with gluten, crème brulee is gluten-free until a cookie is stuck out of the top of it.

The list above is not all-inclusive, but should give you a good place to start when dining out gluten-free.  Always remember if you don’t feel comfortable eating someplace, leave and go to another restaurant. Don’t worry about hurting feelings of any staff members, your health comes first.  I try to research new-to-me restaurants in advance to limit some of the issues that may arise and make a mental list of questions I want to get answers to before I get settled in.

Have you eaten gluten-free at Red Lobster?  Have you tried the New York Cheesecake?

What is your number one tip for dining out gluten-free?

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