My mother says she went to Olive Garden today and they had a gluten free menu for her. There were three items on it: the T-Bone, pork and salmon. I had pretty much figured out that the steak and salmon were gluten-free as our family had eaten there recently, but now they say the pork is gluten-free too. I know a lot of gluten-free people steer clear of Olive Garden and with good reason, but maybe now we can reconsider. I wonder what they say about their salad dressing and the parmeasan cheese on their salad? Olive Garden is the #1 dining place in that particular category and a favorite in my family especially one of my older granddaughters (not the one with celiac disease). Has anyone else had a good experience there? Barbara

THis previously was my favorite restaurant. I don't eat any meat though, so this would be out, but I have wondered too about their dressing? Maybe someone knows. There website doesn't mention anything that I could find previously. Would like to know.
Monica

I went there a couple of weeks ago. I got the salmon and it was pretty good. I guess I get really tired of salmon though. Our waitress said the salad is gluten-free. However, she still put croutons in it. I decided not to eat it mainly b/c there were croutons in it. Our waitress was really willing to help and she seemed pretty confident that the salad is gluten-free. Hope that helps.

Wow, I thought that this place was off limits......I will have to go and try it out.

I just got an e-mail response from them a few days ago. Here's what they had to say:

Dear Angie:

Thank you for your inquiry regarding menu items for Gluten Intolerant guests. We can recommend the following items with some adjustments. Let your server know you are interested in menu items especially for Gluten Intolerance. Your server will be happy to accommodate your request.

Salads
Garden Salad - Order without croutons
Caesar Salad - Order without croutons

Entrees
Tuscan T-Bone brushed with Italian herbs and served with seasoned broccoli Pork Filettino marinated in extra-virgin olive oil and rosemary and served with seasoned broccoli Herb-Grilled Salmon brushed with Italian herbs and extra-virgin olive oil accompanied by seasoned broccoli

While Olive Garden has made an effort to provide complete and current gluten content information, changes in recipes, and the hand crafted nature of our menu items, mean that variations in the ingredient profile of a particular menu item may occur from time to time. Therefore, we make no guarantees regarding the gluten content of any of these items. Guests with gluten intolerance or other special food sensitivities or dietary needs should not rely solely on this information as the basis for deciding whether to consume a particular menu item, and are individually responsible for ensuring that any such menu item meets their individual dietary requirements. Olive Garden assumes no liability for your use of this information. Any medical concerns regarding the consumption of these items should be directed to your physician or other health care provider. If you would like to speak with an Olive Garden representative, please call us at 1-800-331-2729.

Andy
Olive Garden Guest Relations

I've eaten there gluten-free, it wasn't too bad. I do love the salad. My only complaint is that I flippin' hate cooked broccoli, and it's the only veggie that they have. Barf. Can't they get some green beans or something??

Thank you soooo much for posting this! My husband loves olive garden, and wanted to go there when he gets home from Iraq. Thanks for letting me know this because I would have never gone there again assuming that I couln't eat anything they had! God Bless You!!! Tiffany

Things may have changed since I used to work there... but I would NEVER eat the salad. There is a HUGE risk of CC. It is set up as a buffet. Salad is first in a big chiller. Then then there is a long section that houses the veggies, (blk olives, toms, onion) CROUTONS, and dressing. Our favorite thing to do was pull out the croutons that had falledn in the dressing and eat them. This happened a lot!!

I would ask the manager/server if the server/salad person still make the salads. Then ask them if croutons are housed right next to the dressing. It is all done so fast to keep up with the rush that things fly everywhere.

I don't want to dissapoint anyone, I just don't want anyone to get sick.

Thanks for the advice on the salad at the Olive Garden. I pretty much thought they were off limits for us too. I am so glad I can go there again. We so enjoy the sangria that they make there. It is soooo good! I would think we probably could have that?


Tinkerbell

My family sometimes buys the dressing and we put it on our salads at home. It is really good that way too and you know that it is safe

I just can't imagine Olive Garden and no soup, salad and breadsticks! We used to go there all the time for lunch, and I would get the Zuppe Tuscana soup and dip my breadstick in it. I think I would have a hard time watching people eat all the good stuff with the pasta and sauces. Although, it is great that they are becoming aware of gluten intolerance.

Lisa

OK, I went to my local olive garden and it was terrible!!!!! There was no menu, and the manager had no idea what I was talking about. He handed me the sheet that talks about the garden fare (or healthier options) and on the front of it is says to "ask a manager about our menu for guests with a gluten intolerence". He was really suprised to see that! He said that it meant that all he was to do was to help me navigate the normal menu. He suggested the t-bone with the potatos. When I got it I saw that they were fried potatos. I had to send it back. Then he said that the only option was the broccoli. I got that instead, but was just overall dissapointed. Just wanted to share that experience with someone else so you don't get your hopes up and get dissapointed like me!!

Good to know--scary too!!

On that note, I have a friend who was a server at a local restaurant, they also had a similar salad set-up. For some reason she said they would get spiders and "bugs" in the salad from time to time. They'd just pull them out before serving. Yikes!

I'd also ask how they make the sangria. My friend has a great recipe that has lemonade or rasp lemonade in it. You just need to watch out for that.

Jen,

YUCK!! That gives me the creapies just thinking that could happen anywhere!!