Where do you go to eat GF away from home?

[the sensible celiac]

> Q1- Any fast food joints that have GF items? Wendy's, Taco Bell? Are there tacos gluten free?

 Taco Bell rice side dishes and their side orders of refried beans are reported to be GF.

> Q2- Should I avoid BBQ sauce?A1 steak sauce? Which salad dressing are safe?

You should always read the ingredients of any sauce or salad dressing, you need to learn which are safe and which are not. There is a lot of reference material on celiac.com thast can help with this.

> Q3- About Chinese, should I stay away from sesame chicken?Isn't it breaded.

I'm not sure about the seasame chicken, but the real danger in Chinese restaurants is soy sauce. Most soy sauce contains wheat, when you are dining out it is safest to assume that all soy sauce contains wheat. Usually I ask for a white sauce and still specify no soy sauce. I find Chinese restaurants the best bet when I travel.

> Q4-Is cheese cake safe?

No!  You should assume that all cheesecake includes some flour.

[Sharon]

Help
Recently diagnosed with Celiac Sprue
Im stilling learning what I can and can't eat.
Lunch is the most difficult for me.  I work in NYC and have almost no time for lunch.
below are some questions that I have
By the way the earlier posts were very helpful, especially about Outback and chinese. 
Q1- Any fast food joints that have GF items? Wendy's, Taco Bell? Are there tacos gluten free?
Q2- Should I avoid BBQ sauce?A1 steak sauce? Which salad dressing are safe? 
Q3- About Chinese, should I stay away from sesame chicken?Isn't it breaded.
Q4-Is cheese cake safe?
 
THanks so much for taking the time to read this,
Adrian

Im told there are several items at Wendy's that are safe.  It is their chili that I have tried now-- numerous times at several different Wendy's locations in four different cities.  I skip any added cheese or onions.

[GwenRN]

Wendy's chili is indeed safe, and that and a side salad, or a baked potato make a very quick and filling meal.

Gwen

[copperowl]

For chains like Outback, it really depends on the individual restaurant. When their GF menu idea was somewhat new, I had to show my local Outback what it was (I took the printout from their website). When they delivered my salad, there were croutons on it. After I called their attention to the problem, they fixed it by taking the big chunks off. I could still see the crouton crumbs. I explained politely why that wouldn't work, and they finally brought out a fresh salad. It shows that you still have to LOOK at what you're going to eat. They seem to have gotten better lately.

[celiacmom]

I sympathize with your lunchtime problem. My 14-year old son has Celiac, so we've pretty much figured out the fastfood problem. McDonald's and Burger King are great..... ask for a 1/4 pounder w/out a bun or any kind of burger without a bun. Their fries are gluten-free also. But NOT Hardee's fries!!  Also McDonald's yogurt parfait w/out the granola is great for a change.  Wendy's Chili and Baked potatoes.  Also, Chick Fil A has a great grilled chicken - ask for no bun. And their waffle fries are one of my son's favorite.  He's sooo thin, so we look for anything that will help add weight. He eats lot of fruit and veggies, but he needs the extra calories!  Outback has been a real lifesaver... can't say enough about how helpful they are to GF diners.  Unfortunately, chinese food just isn't very popular with 14-year old boys, so any other restaurants anyone knows of would be appreciated!

[citygirl114]

Hi Adrian
From the research I have done please be aware that french fries can become contaminated if they are cooked in the same oil as breaded products. Burgers... make sure you check that they do not contain wheat as a filler. This goes for saugsages too. Keep in mind that food can become contaminated when grilled.  Wendys does have a website that will list the ingredients in their meals.   Please note that the chili does state that it contains modified corn starch but doesnt state what it has been modified with. Also lists spices as an ingredient and keep in mind many spices may contain a wheat substance as a anti-caking agent.
www.wendys.com
As far as bbq sauces and condiments I have located this link which lists all kraft products and whether or not they are gluten free. Dont know if you can obtain the same type of lists where you are.
http://www.kraftcanada.com/assets/docs/KLG_all.pdf

Hopefully this will help.

[PatMinn]

I know of four restaurants that carry gluten-free menu's. PF CHangs, OUtback, Carrabas and a tex-mex place called The Austin Grill.  You can check out the menu's for Outback & Carraba's online.
McDonald's fries are gluten-free becuase they don't use the same grease for anything else.  Be careful of any fast food joint because they will only be as careful as their teenage staff want to be.
Stick with steak, chicken or pork chops grilled on a part of the grill has not done any breaded item.  You can add a baked potato, grilled (not seasoned) or steamed vegetables or a side salad with no croutons.  Be careful of dressings as they may have gluten.  Stick with oil & vinegar (not malt) and you pretty safe.

[Sharon]

I'm just writing to reinforce visiting Kaili's Kitchen in Edmonds Washington.  The place is truly great (the only totally gluten free place I found on the web in the entire U.S.).  And if you have other food allergies, she can accomodate the whole range--dairy free, egg free, soy free. BUT--she's had to cut down days of service due to lack of business.  We go there about 4 - 5 times per year when in the greater Seattle area (picking up my parents and hitting there before a Mariner's game).  There is no pleasure that quite equals a visit.  (And just a little aside--my nephew got married in June--to the daughter of Kaili's former baker!--that's news in the "it's a small world department")