Saturday, January 30, 2010

Gluten free dining at Boston Market

It has been difficult to find quick and inexpensive gluten free dining options. While fast-food is not very healthy, it comes in handy with young children. I missed having a quick and easy to find option since we have been living gluten free. It was only after living gluten free for 5 months that I learned about Boston Market's great gluten free options. They even publish an allergen list detailing out 9 different food items (wheat, soy, milk, egg, tree nut, peanut, fish, shellfish, gluten). Although there is a cross-contamination warning:

This list is compiled based on production information provided by Boston Market approved food manufacturers as of the date published. Boston Market does not guarantee that cross-contact with other gluten-containing products or allergens will not occur. We encourage anyone with food sensitivities, allergies, or special dietary needs to check back on a regular basis for up-to-date information.

At Boston Market it is possible to have a fresh and complete gluten free meal. Both the rotisserie chicken and the roasted turkey breast are gf, as is the poultry gravy. And there are so many gf sides: squash, apples, creamed spinach, fruit salad, steamed vegetables, new potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes, and sweet corn. There are more sides without gluten than there are with gluten! Obviously the corn muffins are off limits and there are no dessert options...

Strangely (and also VERY inconsiderately) the market chopped salad with and without chicken is gluten free BUT both of the offered salad dressings contain gluten. How have the corporate chefs who are planning these menus not caught this huge error? Can you imagine the disappointment to be able to order a fresh and delicious salad only to learn that there is no dressing for the top? Here's a description of the salad- doesn't it sound great? It has looked fresh and light the last 2 times I have seen it in the refrigerated case.

Market Chopped Salad More fresh veggies than a farmers market! A wondrous collection of crispy crunchy vegetables, mixed green lettuce, and flavors mixed with Craisins®, toasty-roasty sunflower seeds, and crumbled blue cheese. Tossed with our signature champagne vinaigrette. For a little extra, top your salad with your choice of chicken, turkey breast or beef brisket.

I wonder how hard it would be to alter the dressing to make it gluten free OR to have some pre-packaged options kept behind the counter?? I would love to see Boston Market fix this salad dressing oversight and then target some advertising toward the gluten free community. According to their website there are 4 outlets throughout Lake County just waiting for you!
http://www.bostonmarket.com/home

Added 2.15.2010- I emailed Boston Market through the website contact us function to ask about gf salad dressing options and 2 weeks later have not yet received a response.

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Please leave me a message letting me know you were here. If you have a great suggestion for GF dining let me know that, also.