Food Allergy Support

Discussion Boards => Traveling & Restaurants => Topic started by: Jessica on February 09, 2013, 04:14:29 AM

Title: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: Jessica on February 09, 2013, 04:14:29 AM
I know some were uncomfortable with the PB Pie, which they don't seem to have on the local menu anymore. What they do have are "contains or may contain nuts" warnings on some dishes. (it doesn't specify if it contains or may contain-it says both in one sentence). But one has me wondering. It's on the coconut shrimp but I want to find out if the nuts they mean is the coconut or something else. I've been trying to contact them through email and facebook since at least last monday and they have not replied. Normally, if a business ignores me like this I just let it go and never patronize them again but Outback is the only option for us around here (other than fast food and pizza). So I know it's a longshot but has anyone else been able to get an answer about this? Or know of a phone number I can call to find out?
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: MandCmama on February 09, 2013, 08:02:26 AM
It's been awhile, but I phoned our local One directly. They spent a great deal of time on the phone with me and the manager and wait staff were expecting us when we got there.
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: GingerPye on February 09, 2013, 10:26:17 AM
We've always had good attention at our local Outback. 
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: Jessica on February 09, 2013, 12:39:55 PM
They are always good to us there, but they don't know about actual ingredients of dishes, if that makes sense. They can make sure this doesn't get near that but would they know if the 'may contain' of the shrimp means the coconut? I'm not so sure. I may try calling.
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: SweetandSour on February 10, 2013, 04:33:52 PM
Corporate was great when I called them. Maybe try that instead of emailing?
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: Jessica on February 11, 2013, 01:13:13 AM
I called the restaurant today and they assured me it was the coconut and nothing had changed. We went and when we got there, they had had a water problem (no running water) so weren't serving, so we went to Chipotle instead.

There is no phone number on their website that I could find. The only way to contact is through email.  Do you have the corporate number?
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: tnmom on February 12, 2013, 09:20:07 PM
Outback is one of our go-to restaurants, especially in town.  Ours is super great with my dd's allergies and knows her by name. The kitchen manager always comes out, prepares her food for her, and brings it to our table.  (It helps that he also is pa/ta himself.)

My dd always gets the mac and cheese with extra cheese and eats nearly an entire loaf of the bread.   

I once e-mailed Outback re: the peanut butter dessert (ours doesn't carry it anymore), and they replied to me within a few days and were very understanding and helpful, assuring me it was for a limited time.  It was actually one of the best responses I've ever gotten from a company.  Maybe you'll hear something soon:)

Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: Jessica on February 12, 2013, 09:36:29 PM
I'm not holding my breath. I still haven't heard from them and no response on facebook either.
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: SweetandSour on February 20, 2013, 11:00:45 AM
hmmm...I called a while ago on a different phone, and it looks like they took the number down...:(

I do know that they do have some form of allergy management because the manager told me that at ours. They wipe down, use gloves, etc.
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: Jessica on February 20, 2013, 01:23:22 PM
They finally told me that the dish that's marked has contact with some kind of tree nut other than coconut. When I asked for clarification I didn't get it. I also never got a reply from sending the message through their website. I don't get the impression that the people who post for them on facebook really know what the policies are. I think it's all CYA, especially since the kitchen manager told us nothing has changed-only the dots added to the menu. We did end up going and even though we hadn't been there in a while, the waitress already knew about dd's allergy and before we even said anything, she wrote nut allergy in huge letters across the top and reassured us she would also let them know verbally. Unfortunately dd heard me talking to dh about it (I swear, I can't get any privacy) and she was nervous the whole time.
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: joshsmom on February 23, 2013, 10:09:59 PM
All the outbacks have told me the bread is unsafe. Is it ok to eat?
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: Macabre on February 24, 2013, 05:03:55 PM
DS is PA only has eaten it every time we go (but we haven't been in two years), but it is not safe for me (sesame).
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: Stinky6 on February 25, 2013, 09:59:39 PM
We still go...but also don't eat the bread.   I havent asked about the bread in a while though.  I should try again.

Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: SweetandSour on February 26, 2013, 12:08:50 PM
This is from Outback(dated 8-31-11):

G' Day,

Thank you for the e-mail.  The ingredient statement on our Honey Wheat Bread is:

INGREDIENT LABELING INFORMATION
ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), WATER, SUGAR, WHEAT BRAN, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:, CARAMEL COLOR, YELLOW CORN MEAL, WHEAT GLUTEN, YEAST, SALT, SOYBEAN OIL, WHOLE WHEAT, BLEACHED FLOUR, RYE MEAL, BARLEY FLOUR, VEGETABLE SHORTENING (PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN AND/OR COTTONSEED OILS), HONEY, CALCIUM STEAROYL-2 LACTYLATE, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE , MOLASSES, HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, CALCIUM IODATE, CALCIUM PEROXIDE, CALCIUM SULFATE, CALCIUM PROPIONATE (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS), SULFITE, , ,

Thank you for dining with us,

Jennifer

2nd email:

I neglected to mention in my previous email that the statement from the company that makes our bread states that there is no peanut or peanut product processed in the same plant as the bread.

I hope this helps!

Jennifer
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: yelloww on June 10, 2013, 03:51:41 PM
I think we are going there tonight. First visit for us. Will let you know how it goes.
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: yelloww on June 12, 2013, 07:10:18 AM
It went really well! Will definitely go back!
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: Jessica on June 12, 2013, 01:33:19 PM
Good to hear!! The Outback here is very good about it. In fact, we used to go often enough that they would remember, and when they came to take our order they would say 'one of you has a nut allergy right?'.

I would love to know if other restaurants are safe though. Outback is an hour away and we have a local Applebee's.
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: GingerPye on June 12, 2013, 06:46:44 PM
It's good, isn't it!  My whole family likes to eat there.  The kids, esp, are happy that they can eat the bread.  Glad it worked out for you, yellow!
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: SweetandSour on June 13, 2013, 09:45:04 AM
Quote from: Jessica on June 12, 2013, 01:33:19 PM
Good to hear!! The Outback here is very good about it. In fact, we used to go often enough that they would remember, and when they came to take our order they would say 'one of you has a nut allergy right?'.

I would love to know if other restaurants are safe though. Outback is an hour away and we have a local Applebee's.

Our Applebees was awful . I ended up leaving.
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: GingerPye on June 13, 2013, 09:55:32 AM
In our experience, Applebees is not terrific, but it has been do-able.  Only just.  Not a lot of food choices for my kids, and not a lot of knowledge about food allergies.  For a while we did have a waitress who had a child with a peanut allergy, so she knew what was needed in the kitchen. 
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: yelloww on June 13, 2013, 12:12:36 PM
Our local applebees told us they don't actually make most of the food there, they just heat it up, so they can't make many changes to it. We went once, but they have very little when it comes to dairy and egg allergies. TGIFridays is better with that than Applebee's is.
Title: Re: Does anyone go to Outback anymore?
Post by: becca on June 13, 2013, 05:34:08 PM
I have never had a good meal at Applebees.  When we ate there in the San Diego area, dd later was violently ill, projectile vomiting.  This was the night before we had to get up at 4am for our flight home.  Ugh.  never again.  I  do not know why she was so sick, but she was pretty fine, once she was rid of it.  a bit shaky but not a virus or anything.  She has had this sort of reaction to fried foods a few times in life and I always wonder if it might be an undiagnosed shellfish issue.  But she has friend items often enough, IDK.  Maybe greasy food?