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Glutened At "chili's Too" In Chicago O'hare Airport

zarfkitty

By zarfkitty
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

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zarfkitty Explorer
zarfkitty
Posted

I'm not all that angry but I'm definitely glutened. Ugh.

I used a restaurant card (I frankensteined a card to make it Gluten-free Casein-free) and spoke to the manager. The card talked about CC. Both the waitress and the manager were clearly annoyed as it was a busy night with quite a wait at the entrance.

I ordered the guilt-free chicken salad, which the manager said would be safe, but doesn't seem to be on any chili's gluten-free list on the internet now that I have access to the internet again.

I had a Gluten-free Casein-free peanut butter sandwich in my bag but I really wanted a dinner on a plate. I probably should have gone with my sandwich instead after seeing the attitude issues. And after I saw that they brought me ranch dressing (at least it was on the side) after reading my restaurant card, which clearly stated dairy products as not safe for me. It was an impulse buy and an impulse eat. :wacko:

I have another air travel trip next week but now I know to pack a nice picnic instead of negotiating an airport restaurant. :rolleyes:

Should I write a letter or would you just let this one go?

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VegasCeliacBuckeye Collaborator
VegasCeliacBuckeye
Posted

Do what you want, but understand this - gluten-free menus and products are off limits in my book at airports. The restaurant is smaller and the chances of CC is FREAKING HUGE! Even worse, some rules that places abide by in normal settings fly out the window at airport restaurants (McDonalds does not have dedicated fryers in some airports).

Don't eat there.

Prepare better next time (or just eat the PB & J you made with gluten-free bread).

buffettbride Enthusiast
buffettbride
Posted

You're very brave to even TRY eating at an airport. My daughter has Celiac and I haven't had to face that yet. The thought of anyone making her food but me scares me to no end!

I have had a positive experience at the Chili's in downtown denver. I looked at the web site before I ordered (to-go) the original ribs and corn on the cob for my daughter. It was one of her favorite meals pre-Celiac anyway so it was quite a treat for her to have something she knows she already loves.I also ordered at the very beginning of the day so it was not yet busy so it was easier to get someone's ear to listen and mitigate the possibility of CC.

I did follow-up with a letter via their web site thanking them for the positive experience. I figure any feedback we can give about the Celiac community, positive or negative, is great for the cause, although that was several days ago and I have not received a response.

Perhaps if you are a frequent traveler you can gain a rapport with restaurants in several airports that might be happier to accomodate you.

zansu Rookie
zansu
Posted

I got glutened at a Legal Seafood in Logan. It was several years ago, and I got a wonderful response back from management after I emailed them, but even Legal Seafood as an airport restaurant screws up...

I try not to eat in airports because of the crowds and the heavy emphasis on moving people through.

DarkIvy Explorer
DarkIvy
Posted

I've been glutened at two regular Chili's in the past couple of months, so I would never bother with there airport junk. Seems rather horrifying to me.

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