Restaurant Review: Gripe

Today, I ordered from Greenhouse Restaurant and Bar in Denton, TX.  I ordered a gluten free meal, verbalized to the person taking my order that the meal was to be gluten free.  The side dish consists of tortilla chips and the woman taking my order advised me the chips were not gluten free. I opted for a baked potato w/everything, hold the sour cream.  She asked what salad dressing I would like and I picked the the kiwi mango.  I was advised the order would be ready in 20 minutes.  I have ordered from here a few times, and they usually get everything right.

Now, I work 8-5 in a clinic, so going out to pick up food is considered a luxury as my schedule is appointment based and if my patients need me between my 12-1 pm window of "lunch" I loose out on that coveted free time.  Today, I had an hour and change to enjoy.  So, I was very excited about delicious lunch.

I went to pick up the order and drove it to work.  Upon unpacking my meal, I found a side salad and flipped the lid to discover IT WAS SWIMMING IN CROUTONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thick chunks of fresh whole wheat bread, laden with glutenous poison engulfed the beautiful leaves of romaine lettuce and juicy-looking cherry tomatoes.  I was appalled!!!  I quickly called the restaurant to voice my complaints and concerns.  The lady I spoke to earlier answered the phone and after hearing my complaint, transferred me to the manager.  I spoke to the manager who quasi-apologized and offered to remedy  this by having me return for another side salad.  She said the salad maker put croutons on because that's "what they're used to doing."  I told her that maybe her staff needed a refresher on making gluten free food--- and even how to make sure gluten free food stays uncontaminated!!!  But, she stood her ground that if I wasn't able to come in now, she would put my name in that magical "manager's log" for a side salad to be ordered on a later date.  I appreciate the sentiment, but seriously???   This error deserved a free meal at least!

For a restaurant that advertises a gluten free menu and offers options in terms of substitutions, you would think they'd be more apologetic about making such a potentially damaging mistake.  I am so grateful they serve croutons the size of dominoes so that I refrained from eating it (as opposed to crumb-size croutons that aren't very visible at first glance).

I would not be so upset if I had not had a rather lengthy run of conversation with Rachel, who took my order, to discuss the gluten free sides.  Had I only ordered a side salad w/o croutons and sidelined the reason being that I have Celiac disease and cannot have gluten, would they have responded differently and told me, "well, you never said 'gluten free.'"

Having Celiac is so tough!!  This was one of the few fresh tasting, gluten free friendly restaurants I know of in this small town of Denton.  For the cost of the meal ($10.99 + tax + the $3.00 tip I left), I EXPECT my order to be just as I placed it.  I don't see myself going back there anymore.  I advise those who are gluten free in Denton pester the bejesus out of them when you go and repeatedly ask them to refrain from serving you anything that contains wheat, flour, bread, stock, gluten, batter, etc. and throw out the term "gluten free" and if you can, ask to watch how your food is prepared.   Oh, and my potato w/everything except sour cream, came without bacon (surprise...bacon probably costs more than the potato). 

Boo, Greenhouse.  I had so much hope for us.