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STZ
Joined: 21 Apr 2009
Posts: 163
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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 Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:41 am Post subject: |
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Uptae #2
The Store Manager did call me this morning and was very sorry for the experience. He claims to plan on a staff meeting to review the procedures of the GF preperation of products.
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STZ
DX = Celiac
High ttg 3/2009
Biopsy positive 10/2009
GF since 3/2009
DX = Osteopenia
Bone Density Test 9/2009 |
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STZ
Joined: 21 Apr 2009
Posts: 163
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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| Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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One thing I forgot to add to the update. He said at his location they only prepare GF order 3-5 times per WEEK. This may contribute to the errors since it is so rare for them to prepare. I would of thought at least 2-3 per day. This location is in a very busy area of San Antonio off of Dezvala and IH 10....
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STZ
DX = Celiac
High ttg 3/2009
Biopsy positive 10/2009
GF since 3/2009
DX = Osteopenia
Bone Density Test 9/2009 |
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Kathie
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Posts: 1063
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:51 am Post subject: |
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| STZ wrote: | | One thing I forgot to add to the update. He said at his location they only prepare GF order 3-5 times per WEEK. This may contribute to the errors since it is so rare for them to prepare. I would of thought at least 2-3 per day. This location is in a very busy area of San Antonio off of Dezvala and IH 10.... |
Could be because they are so bad at it that local people know to avoid the place. 
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CD by Biopsy 3/25/88 |
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aklap
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 10968
Location: WI, USA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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STZ,
You might be presented with a rather interesting opportunity. As I see it, you have a couple of ways to handle this.
Walk away from this place and quietly ignore it and never return.
Walk away from this place - bad mouth it - and never return.
Work with them to improve their knowledge and performance in this area.
Should you walk away, this place will remain status quo in their GF/CD knowledge and quite possibly continue to gluten others.
Should you try to work with them, it could be beneficial to you, them and any other gluten intol that comes there seeking a GF meal. However there are 2 big ifs -
IF the Outback is willing to make a serious effort
IF you are willing work with them in making this aspect of their restaurant better.
As with life, any benefit generally has some risk attached to it. The question becomes, is it worth the risk? Some will say "Never in a million years", others would say "I think this would be worth doing". **I fully realize I will probably take a serious amount of flack for suggesting this. I also happen to be one of those that would take on this challenge**.
You've already got your foot in the door - you've got the manager's attention. This could be a huge advantage.
Outback Corp. is now aware of this situation - further complaints may warrant further actions - thus more willingness to comply with corp. rules.
Outback Corp has provided [or should have provided] training to the owners & staff at that location. The infrastructure is in place for them to handle this - they just need to institute it properly.
Perhaps there's a wait-person that has a particular interest in CD/GF [I know of at least 1 like this at my local OB] that already has a head start on CC, ingredients, etc. Perhaps you could work it out that you only have that person wait on you - they in turn could help out the kitchen staff and verify your order along the way.
Which ever way you handle it, you have to choose what's best for you.
_________________
Al
“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa
Last edited by aklap on Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
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celiacmaine-iac
Joined: 19 Dec 2007
Posts: 1487
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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| STZ wrote: | | One thing I forgot to add to the update. He said at his location they only prepare GF order 3-5 times per WEEK. This may contribute to the errors since it is so rare for them to prepare. I would of thought at least 2-3 per day. This location is in a very busy area of San Antonio off of Dezvala and IH 10.... |
I'm not all that surprised by those numbers. When you consider that only one in 100 people have CD, and last I knew approximately 97% of them are undiagnosed, there probably aren't that many people in any given area. Add to that the fact that most people with CD that I know eat out very rarely because they know the risk involved... It seems reasonable to me that they would only have a few diners per week. I'll have to ask the next time I eat out somewhere how many GF people they serve in a week. I'm curious now.
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Steph |
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cardine45
Joined: 15 Apr 2008
Posts: 586
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
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| Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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| celiacmaine-iac wrote: | | STZ wrote: | | One thing I forgot to add to the update. He said at his location they only prepare GF order 3-5 times per WEEK. This may contribute to the errors since it is so rare for them to prepare. I would of thought at least 2-3 per day. This location is in a very busy area of San Antonio off of Dezvala and IH 10.... |
I'm not all that surprised by those numbers. When you consider that only one in 100 people have CD, and last I knew approximately 97% of them are undiagnosed, there probably aren't that many people in any given area. Add to that the fact that most people with CD that I know eat out very rarely because they know the risk involved... It seems reasonable to me that they would only have a few diners per week. I'll have to ask the next time I eat out somewhere how many GF people they serve in a week. I'm curious now. |
I'm going to ask at the Outback I go to now. Last time I was there, I had the waitress who does the orders for beer, and she commented that I must be the one they order Redbridge for. She said she always knows when I've been there more than usual because she has to order it more often. Apparently, I'm basically the only one who drinks it there. At least they haven't quit ordering it despite the low sales. |
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aklap
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 10968
Location: WI, USA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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On our date last week, we had a lady sitting right next to me [I hate those tables with bench seats], that was Gf. I think it was her first time there, she was seriously deliberating over the menu. I wanted to reach over and help her so bad... 
This has happened several times there.
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Al
“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa |
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ostrich
Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 5100
Location: Nebraska
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| Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:30 am Post subject: |
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| aklap wrote: | | On our date last week, we had a lady sitting right next to me [I hate those tables with bench seats], that was Gf. I think it was her first time there, she was seriously deliberating over the menu. I wanted to reach over and help her so bad... |
I've had this happen at both Outback and PF Chang's. It's usually because I hear them specify "GF menu" when they're ordering. For some reason it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
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Ostrich :>--O==={
Time falls away, but these small hours
These little wonders still remain |
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STZ
Joined: 21 Apr 2009
Posts: 163
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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I had forward the message about PF Changs using different plates for their GF meals to the corporate contact that I have and hope they will at least consider it. I know it will not solve all the CC issues in the kitchen but it may help the staff be more aware. At this point I have not received a response. Next time anyone is in an Outback ask how many GF meals a week they serve on average and post that. I think it would be intersting to know. The location that made me sick serves very few a week and that may be part of the problem...
_________________
STZ
DX = Celiac
High ttg 3/2009
Biopsy positive 10/2009
GF since 3/2009
DX = Osteopenia
Bone Density Test 9/2009 |
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aklap
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 10968
Location: WI, USA
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:40 pm Post subject: |
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I like the plate idea too. Weber Grill has/had bright pink order tickets for allergen orders - they accompanied the plate when it comes out of the kitchen. I thought that was a great idea too.
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Al
“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa |
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jayhowe
Joined: 31 Jul 2009
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:14 am Post subject: |
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I had a rough experience from Outback last night, and have sent the Manager an email outlining my cross contamination experience.
I have been very ill since about 15 minutes after completing my meal, and have experienced a major setback, after doing VERY VERY well for the past 50 days gluten free. |
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STZ
Joined: 21 Apr 2009
Posts: 163
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:21 am Post subject: |
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What location ?
_________________
STZ
DX = Celiac
High ttg 3/2009
Biopsy positive 10/2009
GF since 3/2009
DX = Osteopenia
Bone Density Test 9/2009 |
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Fidissimus
Joined: 17 Mar 2006
Posts: 1975
Location: Portland, OR.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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Oh Jayhowe, sorry to hear it. Did you get a response back?
_________________
Cheers!
Jenn
GF BD: Feb. 2001
Free of wheat, barley, rye, oats, dairy, eggs, almonds, pineapple and brewers yeast.
http://graindamaged.blogspot.com/ |
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Mik
Joined: 08 Nov 2009
Posts: 36
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| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:40 pm Post subject: People at the outback where we live are super nice |
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I will take my daughter there and to one diner where I know the management. That and wendys baked potato and chili.
It was our first dining out experience since my daughter was diagnosed. They were great. Served her food in gloves. Told me everyone in the back wears gloves to plate the meal and they use seperate bowls and utinsels as well. They told me alot of people who eat there are GF and they are used to this. They also brought the food out seperately.
This was the outback in Vestal NY. I was very pleased with our experience and moved by the caring attitude of our waitress. |
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STZ
Joined: 21 Apr 2009
Posts: 163
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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| Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:07 am Post subject: |
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I decided to try Outback again and this time I explained what had happened this past summer and the manager was very helpful and even went back and personaly cooked my order. I must say it was very good and was happy to see someone go above and beyond the call of duty. i did email their main office to compliment the manager on his service. This location was in Corpus Christi, TX.
_________________
STZ
DX = Celiac
High ttg 3/2009
Biopsy positive 10/2009
GF since 3/2009
DX = Osteopenia
Bone Density Test 9/2009 |
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