Gluten Free at Universal?????????

[momross]

I know how wonderful WDW is about allergies but what about Universal? I am gluten free and I am a little worried about my options at Universal. Has anyone had a good experience? There is so little info about Universal compared to WDW.
Thank you!

 

[kventventx]

Chef Bob Burdick is head of food services at Unviersal. Phone number 321-388-2123 and his e-mail is bob.burdick@universalorlando.com. He will give you a list of where you can go to find options. Universial is not as accommodating as WDW. They do, however, try to give you some kind of option.

 

[livndisney]

Chef Bob Burdick is head of food services at Unviersal. Phone number 321-388-2123 and his e-mail is bob.burdick@universalorlando.com. He will give you a list of where you can go to find options. Universial is not as accommodating as WDW. They do, however, try to give you some kind of option.

Good to know. I have never had any sucess in eating at Universal with allergies/Gluten issues.

 

[momross]

Thank you so much for the information. I have contacted Chef Bob and I am awaiting reply.
Happy Holidays!

 

[laurabelle]

kventventx- Thanks so much for the info. Do you have any options to share?
momross- Did you get a reply?
livndisney- Did they gluten you or did you skip eating there?

 

[livndisney]

kventventx- Thanks so much for the info. Do you have any options to share?
momross- Did you get a reply?
livndisney- Did they gluten you or did you skip eating there?

Every time we asked what our options were (we tried several places) the Universal employee looked as us like we had three heads. One even offered to "leave the sauce off the pasta". Even when we asked for a Chef they said they did not have them, that the food was pre prepared. When we asked for a Manager, we were told there was one Manager for an area and it would take awhile for him to get here ("just to tell you the same thing"). So we did not eat, as it was far too risky.

 

[laurabelle]

Every time we asked what our options were (we tried several places) the Universal employee looked as us like we had three heads. One even offered to "leave the sauce off the pasta". Even when we asked for a Chef they said they did not have them, that the food was pre prepared. When we asked for a Manager, we were told there was one Manager for an area and it would take awhile for him to get here ("just to tell you the same thing"). So we did not eat, as it was far too risky.

ugh. Maybe I should send them this http://dealnews.com/features/Fighting-Food-Allergies-Is-Turning-Into-Big-Web-Business/413467.html
And a link from that article that may be helpful to us http://www.allergyeats.com/

 

[DCDisney]

I had a wonderful experience at 3 Broomsticks so we ate lunch there both days. They had allergy ingredient lists at the register for ordering (it's computerized) and then they passed me along to a chef who reconfirmed everything with me and made my food up specially. They even gave me cutlery from the back Next day different chef not as chatty but still saw her go to special area and glove up etc. IN the Honeydukes candy store they had a notebook with ingredients for the foods in the case. Obviously cross contam possible there but we went first thing in am and were first customers so I felt safe. I worried a lot about Uni but at least in the HP area lots of good options.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I had a wonderful experience at 3 Broomsticks so we ate lunch there both days. They had allergy ingredient lists at the register for ordering (it's computerized) and then they passed me along to a chef who reconfirmed everything with me and made my food up specially. They even gave me cutlery from the back Next day different chef not as chatty but still saw her go to special area and glove up etc. IN the Honeydukes candy store they had a notebook with ingredients for the foods in the case. Obviously cross contam possible there but we went first thing in am and were first customers so I felt safe. I worried a lot about Uni but at least in the HP area lots of good options.

Thanks for this review of 3 Broomsticks. I'm really eager to go there but am nervous about my gluten issues. Did you have to alert them beforehand or did you just show up and then tell them? Do you happen to remember if the Butterbeer was gluten free? Sorry for all the questions but the only thing holding me back from going is my gluten problems!

 

[DCDisney]

I just showed up didn't call ahead. You may not get tons of choices but they will have 1-2 choices. For the butterbeer I'm not sure. They won't give an ingredient list just say it's free of whatever allergens. That won't work for me because I'm allergic to all legumes including bean gums which are in lots of products like butterbeer to give them that thicker texture. The pumpkin juice does have an ingredient list and the bottle was a cute souvie. I can check that for you in the am if you want.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I just showed up didn't call ahead. You may not get tons of choices but they will have 1-2 choices. For the butterbeer I'm not sure. They won't give an ingredient list just say it's free of whatever allergens. That won't work for me because I'm allergic to all legumes including bean gums which are in lots of products like butterbeer to give them that thicker texture. The pumpkin juice does have an ingredient list and the bottle was a cute souvie. I can check that for you in the am if you want.

Thank you! I don't care about having a ton of choices, I just need 1 so we can eat at 3 Broomsticks! I really hope the butterbeer is gluten free. Can I ask what the pumpkin juice tasted like? I've always been curious. Thanks again!

 

[DCDisney]

The pumpkin juice ingredients are water, apple juice, pumpkin, apricot, sugar, nat and art flavors, citric acid, acesulfame potassium, sodium benzoate. I didn't taste it because I'm allergic to apricot. It smelled good though and my kids and husband all thought it was tasty but not as good as butterbeer. I didn't ask them for pumpkin juice allergy info at 3 B because I already knew I couldn't have it. They also had a pear cider people were raving about at the table next too us which isn't bottled like the pumpkin juice so may not have the chemical and flavor issues some may have with the PJ.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

The pumpkin juice ingredients are water, apple juice, pumpkin, apricot, sugar, nat and art flavors, citric acid, acesulfame potassium, sodium benzoate. I didn't taste it because I'm allergic to apricot. It smelled good though and my kids and husband all thought it was tasty but not as good as butterbeer. I didn't ask them for pumpkin juice allergy info at 3 B because I already knew I couldn't have it. They also had a pear cider people were raving about at the table next too us which isn't bottled like the pumpkin juice so may not have the chemical and flavor issues some may have with the PJ.

Thank you! I think we'll prefer the butterbeer as well. Looking forward to going!

 

[FreeTime]

We have learned that eating gluten free at Unversal means that you starve. After the first trip we made sure that we had our doctors letter that said she must be permitted to carry bread, cookies, etc with her. We were questioned why we were carrying in a packed lunch, whipped out the note and on we went. So, we brought PBJ, Lay's Chips, a brownie from Disney and fruit.

 

[SkittleKicks]

We have learned that eating gluten free at Unversal means that you starve. After the first trip we made sure that we had our doctors letter that said she must be permitted to carry bread, cookies, etc with her. We were questioned why we were carrying in a packed lunch, whipped out the note and on we went. So, we brought PBJ, Lay's Chips, a brownie from Disney and fruit.

I'm sorry to hear that! I've had good experiences at Universal - I just had to be a little more careful. The difference is that at Universal, don't expect the line people to be knowledgeable about allergens. Call ahead and see who you can talk to. I got steered toward the Rotisserie at Thunder Falls and the Three Broomsticks in IOA and Monster's Cafe in Studios. All sit down places are supposed to be good, but I've only ever tested Finnegan's (which has a GF menu). Ask for it at the check-in stand, it'll help.

The turkey legs are GF, so if you're looking to save a little $$, our usual trip is to the Rotisserie and split a Turkey Leg platter. There's fruit carts around, so if you just want an apple, you're good to go.

Butterbeer is GF.

It's not the culture of "hi, I have an allergy order" and chefs coming out like at Disney. For that, go to Margaritaville.

 

[livndisney]

It's not the culture of "hi, I have an allergy order" and chefs coming out like at Disney. For that, go to Margaritaville.

I know we were told at GS to ask for managers and chefs. So Universal is setting the expectation, they are just not meeting it.

 

[FreeTime]

I'm sorry to hear that! I've had good experiences at Universal - I just had to be a little more careful. The difference is that at Universal, don't expect the line people to be knowledgeable about allergens. Call ahead and see who you can talk to. I got steered toward the Rotisserie at Thunder Falls and the Three Broomsticks in IOA and Monster's Cafe in Studios. All sit down places are supposed to be good, but I've only ever tested Finnegan's (which has a GF menu). Ask for it at the check-in stand, it'll help.

QUOTE]
Thanks for the info. I will be sure to check out Monster's Cafe, 3 Broom, and Thunder Falls. Hopefully, those that are working that day will know what is gluten free.