I am a little concerned about what is going on at Jason’s Deli. I have been going there for a while now (frequently making my cover photo a picture of the gluten-free BLT with avocado) and am just now finding out that their gluten free sandwiches are not truly gluten-free.
They have HUGE signs at the counter promoting their gluten-free offerings. Each time I go I ask if they are taking proper precautions while prepping the food and they usually change out their gloves and prepare my sandwich on a separate surface like wax paper or something. Last week was a day like any other, I ordered my usual gluten-free BLT with avocado and even noticed they now sell loaves of Udi’s gluten-free bread for around $12 or something. However, when I got my meal it came with this lovely “legal” notice.
What? AFTER I have purchased my sandwich is the time to spring this legalese on me? I just don’t understand. Didn’t we learn anything from the Domino‘s Pizza and California Pizza Kitchen debacles? Why even offer gluten-free at all if you are not taking precautions to make it available for everyone who is gluten-free. I just don’t understand why you would have something that is gluten-free when the people who need it most can’t even have it. On top of that, tell me on my sandwich that I already paid for!
I wonder if this is in response to dietary discrimination investigations going on around the country that are being spearheaded by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
I am very disappointed and feel like Jason’s Deli is taking the easy way out, when all they have to do is implement a few procedures to avoid cross contamination. Heck, they could even limit the number of sandwiches that are gluten-free. I am also sad that my list of places that are safe for me is getting shorter and shorter. Good bye Jason’s Deli...
I have found that so many restaurants are doing this. Especially the ones that are not chains. They seem to think that gluten free indgreidants are all you need. They don’t realize that they have to prepare them in special way to keep the food from getting contaminated. I have stopped eating out, except for a few places that I know are safe to eat in.
Thank you Pam. Eating in is definitely much easier. However, I am not giving up on eating out. I need places I can go with friends and family and I need to take a break from the kitchen sometimes. I love to cook, however, I feel like I am constantly cooking and preparing food, sometimes I want someone else to do it for me.
Fresh is going to open in Jacksonville early in 2014 as a 100% gluten free facility. No worry about cross contamination with Fresh. We will also be peanut free, dairy free, and egg free.
http://www.facebook.com/FreshJax
- Jason McDonald
Owner – Fresh
Jason@FreshJax.com
I look forward to learning more about your restaurant. What part of town will you be opening it in?
I too am really disappointed by all the places that offer gluten free and clearly don’t understand it. I had been debating trying Jason’s since I moved to Jacksonville, and I am now glad I did not take the chance! Thanks for letting us know Jennifer.
We are still deciding where to locate Fresh (100% gluten free from day one – the entire facility). Riverside / Downtown / Beaches / Julington Creek / Mandarin / Southside… Any suggestions?
South JAX Beach would be fantastic, but I am biased
I’m in Southside
Downtown Jason, Downtown!!!!