Aqui Cal-Mex Restaurant Menu Update

[Guest guest]

After reading about the g-f items at Aqui, we went to dinner there a

couple of nights ago. I so appreciate the effort that restaurant

managers put in to help us clarify what we can and cannot eat

there. However, because they do not have the disease, they are not

aware of other important issues celiacs need to be aware of when we

eat at their restaurants (i.e., cross-contamination, etc.). Here is

some more further information:

The Southwest Chicken Tacquitos may be gluten free, but they are

definitely cooked in contaminated oil.

Their tortilla chips are cooked off-site, so I am presuming that

they are cooked in oil - just for the tortilla chips.

I ordered the pork soft taco plate. It came with pork and pinto

beans in a soft taco, along with tortilla chips and coleslaw.

Happily, I still had no reaction a couple of days later (and I

usually do when inadvertently consuming gluten).

Aqui is a very, very busy restaurant. To be honest, I hesitated

about ordering anything when I saw them making all of the food

behind the counter. The cross contamination issues could be huge in

such a busy kitchen. It will be your choice if you choose to risk

it. I feel I was very lucky.

Sue

--- In , " amyceliac " <amyceliac@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi Amy,

>

> Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I had our " gluten-

free "

> list on hand, but we just changed our menu at the Willow Glen

> location and I needed Rob, the head chef, to look at my food list

> and update for the new menu.

>

> This list reflects our Willow Glen location's menu, which we just

> rolled out a few weeks ago.

>

> We are in the process of doing two more menu changes before our

> store opens in April. The next is just a couple of weeks

> away, at which time the Blossom Valley location will also get the

> new menu. So bear with us as the dishes are in a state of change

> over the next few weeks.

>

> This list reflects the Willow Glen menu that is in place right now:

>

> Here is a list of gluten free menu items:

> -Black bean dip, hummus, guacamole and polenta with chips(100%

corn)

> -Caesar Salad

> -Salmon Salad (without tortilla garnish)

> -Veggie Tostada

> -Monterey Jack Corn Tamales

> -Grilled Salmon polenta and chicken flauatas (small plates)

> -Southwest chicken taquitos

> -Acceptable proteins are grilled chicken breast, pork carnitas,

> salmon and tuna. Unfortunately our carne asada(steak) has a soy

> sauce marinade which you might be sensitive to.

> -You can always order any burrito and ask for everything on the

side

> and sub corn tortillas.

> -All whole and mashed beans, Aqui rice (green) and organic jasmine

> rice.

> -All soft taco plates, except Thai taco

>

> I hope this is enough for you to enjoy our restaurant.

>

> Sincerely,

> Antoni

> Aqui Cal-Mex

>

>

> >>> Amy Crawford <amyceliac@...> 12/28/2006 9:00 AM >>>

>

> Hi,

>

> I have Celiac disease and must be on a gluten free diet. Do you

have

> a listing of what would be safe for me and fellow Celiac's to dine

> on?

>

> Thanks!

> Amy

>