Red Robin

Yesterday was Maddie's birthday and she really wanted to eat at Red Robin. For being fairly shy, she loves going to restaurants where they sing happy birthday to you. Plus, someone at school told her they give REALLY big sundae's for birthdays. So that's where we went.

I got online to see if they had a GF menu. I read a few things and decided I would be ok, as long as I REALLY stressed to the waiter how important it was that everything was GF.

So I asked for a GF menu from the hostess as she took us to our seats. Then when the waiter came to ask for our drinks, I asked again for the menu since I still hadn't gotten it. Someone comes over with a 4 page stapled together print off from the computer. I was a little worried at first. But it actually worked out ok.

I ordered a cheeseburger, without bun, lettuce and tomato. They brought mayo and a weird sauce, but I just took them off my plate. I asked the waiter if he was SURE they fry their fries in a separate fryer. He was very confident that they don't get cross-contaminated. But I couldn't have the spice they sprinkle on their fries- I had read that online. So they made my fries separate.

It was really good and our waiter was very understanding. I didn't have any problems last night or this morning, so I am putting them on my "safe list"!

Johnny Carino's

We wanted to go out to eat tonight, but I was so scared. I don't know how restaurants prepare their food. I don't want to eat salad everywhere we go. What do I do? Well first, I call Pam. After a few suggestions from her, we decide on Johnny Carino's because it has a gluten-free menu. Cool.

I LOVE the bread dipped in roasted garlic, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Let me tell you that God was watching out for me tonight. We ordered our food and our waiter tells us they are out of bread and it would be a while. I was so glad. I don't think I could sit there with warm bread while waiting for my food. It came at the same time as our salads, so I did have something to eat while Russ and the girls ate the yummy bread.

Back to the gluten-free menu. It was pretty cool. You just have to ask for the menu, it's a totally separate one. So I ordered chicken marsala with potatoes. They fix the chicken without flour and put it over potatoes instead of noodles. It was fantastic! When they first brought out my salad, it had croutons on it, but I sent it back and they brought me out a fresh one, with NO croutons. Our waiter was great and very understanding. Even the hostess was great. She told me she has celiac disease, so if I had any questions, to just ask her.

So for all of you celiacs out there- I HIGHLY recommend Johnny Carino's. And if you can- keep the bread off the table. It looked soooo good!