Is PF Chang's celiac safe?

For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, eating out at restaurants can be extremely challenging. Cross-contamination is a major concern, as even tiny amounts of gluten can cause issues for those who are gluten-free. One popular chain that gets asked about frequently in this context is PF Chang’s. So, is PF Chang’s celiac safe? Let’s take a closer look.

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What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When someone with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system attacks and damages the villi in the small intestine. The villi are small, finger-like projections that line the small intestine and absorb nutrients from food. When they are damaged, nutrients cannot be properly absorbed.

Some of the common symptoms of celiac disease include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, joint pain, headaches, skin rashes, anemia, and weight loss. However, symptoms vary greatly from person to person. Some people with celiac disease do not have any digestive symptoms at all, but may experience issues like osteoporosis, infertility, neurological problems, or other health issues.

Currently, the only treatment for celiac disease is following a strict, 100% gluten-free diet. This allows the villi in the small intestine to heal. But for the diet to work, gluten must be completely eliminated from the diet. Even tiny traces of gluten can trigger symptoms and further damage.

What is Gluten Sensitivity?

Some people test negative for celiac disease but still react negatively to gluten. This is known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity. People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity experience many symptoms similar to celiac disease when they eat gluten, such as digestive issues, headache, fatigue, joint pain and more. But they do not test positive for the antibodies found in celiac disease.

Those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity may also benefit from following a gluten-free diet. Again, cross-contamination is a major concern for these individuals.

Cross-Contamination Risks

For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, the main concern when dining out is cross-contamination. Cross-contamination occurs when gluten-free foods come into contact with foods, surfaces, or utensils containing gluten. Some common risks include:

Fryers that are used for gluten-containing and gluten-free items

Utensils touching gluten-containing foods and then used for gluten-free dishes
Cutting boards, counters, grills used for both gluten-containing and gluten-free dishes
Ingredients with hidden gluten used in dishes labeled “gluten-free”

Wheat flour drifting in the air and landing on gluten-free dishes
Gluten-containing sauces, dressings or croutons added to gluten-free salads or dishes

Even the smallest crumbs or traces of gluten can trigger a reaction. That’s why paying close attention to cross-contamination is so vital at restaurants.

PF Chang’s Gluten-Free Menu

PF Chang’s does offer a gluten-free menu. However, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity need to use extreme caution when dining at PF Chang’s.

PF Chang’s has a printed gluten-free menu that lists over 60 gluten-free dishes. These dishes are made without gluten-containing ingredients. However, many people report getting sick from eating these “gluten-free” meals due to cross-contamination.

PF Chang’s kitchens and processes are not 100% gluten-free. While they attempt to take precautions for gluten-free orders, the risk of cross-contamination is very high.

Some specific concerns with PF Chang’s include:

Fryers used for gluten-containing and gluten-free dishes
Grills used for both gluten-containing and gluten-free items

Common utensils used for gluten-free and dishes with gluten
Woks that contain trace amounts of wheat-based sauces
High risk of gluten cross-contamination during preparation and cooking

While the gluten-free dishes themselves may not contain any obvious gluten ingredients, many people report reacting to the food due to cross-contamination.

Gluten-Free Menu Options

Some of the gluten-free dishes offered by PF Chang’s include:

Gluten-free chicken lettuce wraps

Gluten-free chili garlic chicken
Gluten-free Mongolian beef
Gluten-free chicken fried rice

Gluten-free Chang’s spicy chicken
Gluten-free sushi and sashimi
Gluten-free shrimp and salmon poki bowls

Gluten-free chicken and broccoli
Gluten-free shrimp and asparagus
Gluten-free salmon

Gluten-free crab wontons
Gluten-free spring rolls
Gluten-free potstickers

However, even though these menu items are prepared without gluten-containing ingredients, the risk of cross-contamination is very high in PF Chang’s shared kitchen.

PF Chang’s Allergen and Cross-Contamination Policies

On their website, PF Chang’s states:

“Our kitchens are not gluten-free environments. We cannot guarantee that any menu item will be completely free of gluten. Menu items made on grills or fryers shared with wheat/gluten also have a potential for exposure. While we are unable to guarantee gluten-free, we are able to offer menu selections that do not include wheat as an ingredient.”

They also include the following disclaimers on their gluten-free menu:

“Please be aware that we prepare gluten-free items in an open kitchen environment where exposure to gluten from other foods is possible.”

“Our restaurants prepare and serve products that contain peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, soy and milk. While we take steps to minimize cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee that any of our ingredients or products are free of allergens.”

Additionally, the PF Chang’s training program instructs employees:

“While we offer gluten-free menu options, we are not a gluten-free kitchen.”
“Our kitchens and dishes are shared with wheat/gluten.”

PF Chang’s does not have designated gluten-free cooking facilities. Employees use the same equipment and share the same grill, fryer, prep areas for gluten-free and regular dishes.

Steps PF Chang’s Takes to Minimize Cross-Contamination

While they cannot guarantee gluten-free, PF Chang’s states they take the following steps to try and minimize cross-contamination:

Use separate colored cutting boards for gluten-free prep

Use separate wok stations and sanitize woks between uses
Change gloves before handling gluten-free orders
Use separate, sanitized utensils and dishes for gluten-free orders

Prep gluten-free batters separate from wheat batters

However, many people report still getting sick from the “gluten-free” meals due to cross-contamination. Sharing grills, fryers, prep areas makes cross-contamination extremely likely.

PF Chang’s Celiac Disease Reviews

Reviews from those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities on the celiac forums are mixed. Here’s a summary:

Some report no issues eating the gluten-free dishes. But this is a minority.
Many report getting sick from cross-contamination even when ordering gluten-free dishes.
Employees are not well-trained on gluten-free protocols.

Some locations are safer than others.
High risk of cross-contamination from shared surfaces, fryers, grills.
Those with more mild gluten sensitivities seem to tolerate it better than those with celiac.

Here are some direct quotes from PF Chang’s reviews from those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity:

“I’ve eaten there twice and got glutened both times even though I ordered gluten-free dishes.”

“The food tasted great but made me so sick. I won’t eat there again.”

“Asked for gluten-free, emphasized celiac, still had reactions from cross-contamination.”

“Our local PF Chang’s is horrible for gluten-free. I had a reaction each of the 3 times I tried it despite being assured it was safe.”

“My daughter was glutened every time eating their gluten-free meals. She has celiac disease.”

“Some locations seem safer than others for celiac, but overall I feel too uneasy eating there.”

“The salad came with croutons after I specified no croutons. This place just isn’t gluten-free friendly.”

Tips for Eating Gluten-Free at PF Chang’s

If you do choose to dine at PF Chang’s with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, here are some tips to minimize risk:

Stick to basic grilled meats, fish, or vegetables

Avoid fried items or complex dishes with sauces
Request fresh gloves, clean utensils, cutting boards, etc.
Ask about the prep process and shared surfaces

Specify the severity of your gluten allergy
Order salad without croutons, dressing on the side
Avoid cross-contamination from surfaces, utensils, cookware

Know that “gluten-free” labelled dishes can still contain traces of gluten

Being extremely cautious, asking questions, and working with knowledgeable staff can help minimize exposure. But there is no way to fully eliminate the risk in a shared kitchen with high cross-contamination potential.

Is PF Chang’s Celiac Safe? The Verdict

In summary, PF Chang’s takes some steps to provide gluten-free menu options. However, their kitchens and processes are not fully gluten-free. PF Chang’s openly admits dishes are at risk of gluten cross-contamination.

The consensus from most celiac reviews is that PF Chang’s is NOT safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. The risk of cross-contamination is too high. Some report getting glutened even on dishes that should be gluten-free.

While PF Chang’s attempts to take some precautions for gluten-free orders, their shared kitchens, surfaces, fryers and grills pose a major cross-contamination risk. Those with celiac disease are especially prone to reacting to even tiny traces of gluten.

In general, PF Chang’s is considered high-risk for those requiring a gluten-free or celiac-safe meal. However, some locations may be safer than others, and being extremely cautious when ordering can lower the risk.

Overall, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should use extreme caution when considering eating at PF Chang’s. Despite their gluten-free menu, PF Chang’s does not offer a truly gluten-free or celiac-safe dining environment.

Safer Gluten-Free Options for Dining Out

If you need to avoid gluten for medical reasons, PF Chang’s is likely too high-risk an environment. Here are some safer options for dining out gluten-free:

Dedicated gluten-free restaurants with specially trained staff and protocols.

Steak houses or burger places with gluten-free buns/preparation
Salad places with gluten-free dressings available
Sandwich shops with gluten-free bread or lettuce wraps

Pizza places with gluten-free crust options
Food trucks or carts with naturally gluten-free foods like tacos
Ice cream shops with gluten-free cones or dishes

Thai, Indian or Ethiopian restaurants with naturally gluten-free dishes

Be sure to ask lots of questions about their preparation process and risk of cross-contamination before ordering. And when in doubt, stick to simpler whole foods that are naturally gluten-free.

Takeaways on PF Chang’s and Celiac Safety

PF Chang’s kitchens are not gluten-free and use shared surfaces, fryers, grills.

The risk of cross-contamination is very high, even on “gluten-free” dishes.
Those with celiac disease are especially prone to reacting to traces of gluten.
Many report getting sick from PF Chang’s despite ordering gluten-free.

Being extremely cautious when ordering can lower risk, but not eliminate.
Overall, PF Chang’s is considered high-risk for celiac diners.
Those with medical gluten issues should opt for restaurants with dedicated gluten-free prep areas and protocols.

At the end of the day, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity need to weigh the risks of potential cross-contamination vs. the rewards of eating PF Chang’s gluten-free labeled dishes. Most medical experts advise staying away from PF Chang’s if you require a strict gluten-free diet.

While PF Chang’s tries to cater to gluten-free diners, their shared kitchen limits their ability to be celiac safe. For those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, it’s usually better to choose restaurants dedicated specifically to gluten-free food prep when dining out.