Rokbonki - Hibachi Happiness

I've written before on the good experiences I've had at Benihana, and how each location handles allergies differently, from cooking the allergy meal first, to making it in the back and bringing it out plated, but never had a bad experience. Last year a friend mentioned an independent hibachi restaurant that he loves, and has been going to for many years. He kept bringing up taking us there to try it, cause he was certain we'd love it more than Benihana, so we made plans to check it out. I gave him my spiel on food prep and eating there. He called and talked to them and they determined that I would be able to eat most of the meal. Most because they do a course of hibachi noodles with the meal, and that would not be able to be adjusted. 

So we made reservations at Rokbonki and hoped for the best. I was pleased when I mentioned to our waitress that my meal had to be made gluten free, and she understood what needed to be done and helped guide our meal accordingly. It turned out the salad dressing was not safe, nor the soup, but a plain salad was an option. The teriyaki noodles were a no go, as well as the dipping sauces. But the rest was going to be fine. We had a fabulous meal, the hibachi chef opted to make my meal before the rest, of the people at the table. All was going well, and he had a misstep, I thought he grabbed the wrong bottle, and he realized it just as quickly. He apologized, and flagged down a server to get him a new steak and mushrooms and gave my original cut of meat to everyone else at the table and started over at making my portion of steak. Every part of the meal was fabulous and my husband who hates salad could not stop raving about the salad dressing.   

We recently had our 3rd visit, each the 2nd and 3rd time the chef was chatty with me about my allergy, how long I've known about my issues and how it impacts my life. Each time he was super cautious and I even learned I could have the egg sauce (Tokyo style shrimp) as that is gluten free, though their garlic topping is not, because it has breadcrumbs. I was so glad they went and asked all the questions and the chef at our table was super informed. He was so nice to explain that the scallops are dusted in corn starch (not flour) to keep them crispy when frying. I also asked for 2 sides of rice, since the teriyaki noodles are not gluten free, and I was hungry.

 

The 2nd time we went, I felt bad, since we only had half our table to our party, the other party was 2/3rd vegetarian. I don't think they were totally understanding the chef trying to keep the gluten free and vegetarian separate and prepped at opposite ends before the regular options. But he still did a great job at it. My husband and I are always alert watching the movement to make sure they don't grab a wrong bottle or switch a utensil. Finding a 2nd Hibachi restaurant that handles allergies quite well makes me feel better about this type of food option. Knowing that it all about the training and staff awareness anywhere you go, here it's top notch. 

I give them 5 dragonflies for service, personal handling and amazing tasting food.

Mission BBQ - Top Notch

Mission BBQ opened near to where we live, back prior to the pandemic, so we decided to check it out. We liked, the food was good, the service was good, but two things were drawbacks for us. They had mostly bench seating, and we had other places in the area that were better. But the pandemic put a bit of a wrench in our other options, so we opted to try Mission BBQ again now. They have a pretty comprehensive menu for gluten free on their website, which was super helpful!

1st thing we noticed when we got inside was there were more regular chairs and less bench seats, which was nice. Talking to the cashier who took our order, and he was able to confirm the only thing in the fryers was the French fries, so those were gluten free. He also flagged our entire order to have 'no cornbread', when our order was called, they confirmed 'no cornbread', I let them know, it was just my tray, and they could give the other trays cornbread. 

One of the servers came over and noted that he saw me staring at my phone while ordering, and offered to give us a to-go menu to look at for our next visit. When I told him I was looking at my phone for the allergy options, he went and got us a print out for the allergy options! He even went over options not on the menu, including the Chicago Sweet sauce being safe. Ultimately there was only 1 sauce that wasn't safe, and it was the mustard one. They even brought out containers of the Alabama white sauce, since it needs refrigeration, they don't keep it on the table. 

The meal was very good! We'd done a 3 meat sampler with brisket, sausage and pulled chicken, I got fries and my hubby got his fav, mac and cheese. They seemed to be very aware of keeping things separate and safe. They were even super nice and gave our friends free dessert, since it was their first time there. Unfortunately the dessert was not gluten free, which was sad, but I had dessert waiting for me at home.  Over I have to give them 5 out of 5 dragonflies, I would normally rate them down for a lack of a dessert option. But the number of meat options, sauce options and sides. I mean, they have French Fries, that's huge! 

 

Firewater BBQ - Take 2

We were going to be in the Geneva area, and my husband asked what my thoughts were on going back to Firewater BBQ. We liked their food the previous time we'd been there, a couple years ago, but had not been back. We'd encountered a minor hiccup the previous time we were there, that despite asking the cashier repeated what was gluten free, what sauces were gluten free, and confirming what sides were gluten free, my meat was placed on top of a piece of bread on my tray. 

They were nice and made a new tray for me and apologized, and I apologized as well, that since it was our first time, I didn't realize a random piece of bread would be on the tray, since Nothing mentioned it on the menu, and I'd said 'gluten free' at least a dozen times while ordering, the gal never mentioned it to me.

Fast forward 2 years, and we were heading over to Penrose Brewing (again) and we thought we'd pick up some food to nosh from somewhere different this time. So we opted to order from Firewater and take it with. I double checked their website, which now mentions Gluten Free options and gives some guidance on what is safe or not. When we got there right away I ordered first, and told the gentleman taking my order, "No Bread, Gluten Free!" I confirmed which sauces were gluten free, and reconfirmed the sides listed on the site were gluten free. My husband ordered his food and we waited for our togo order. They were starting to get backed up with orders, while we grabbed napkins, silverware and pickles. They have prepaked pickles and jalapenos you can have with your food! 

When they finally called our order number I grabbed the bag and while my husband and I exchanged a look, I told him I felt like I needed to check my food. Sure enough I open my container and BAM! There is a hunk of Corn Bread on top of the paper holding my meat. I lifted the paper up and could see the crumbs on the meat as well. Once I got a hold of one of the people packing food I nicely told her I'd told the cashier who took our order I was gluten free and specifically said no bread. He'd told me to "hold on let me type this in." The person who seemed to be the manager walked over and asked what was going on, I re-explained to him, and he said "yeah it's contaminated let me take care of this, there was no note." I told him again "I specifically told your cashier No Bread!" He said he'd talk to him and remade my meal. 

When we got to Penrose with our food my husband looked at his and commented he should have said his was gluten free also, so we could share, cause his had a slice of plain old white bread in the bottom. I laughed cause he commented they could have at least buttered it or toasted it so it wasn't just cheap white bread with his ribs. 

The food was good, the sauces are very tasty. There was one sauce I couldn't have, and it was either the mustard or the vinegar one, which I didn't mind at all, I'm really more of a traditional Chicago sauce or Alabama White sauce person, and they had Alabama white sauce so I was super happy! For anyone who hasn't had Alabama White sauce before, it's great on Pork and Chicken, amazing on wings. You have to try it at least once! 

Over all I give them 3 dragonflies, while we love the food, and their website makes it seem like they understand, ultimately, they're a chain and understanding is only as good as the people making and serving the food. So if you order with them be prepared to talk your self silly requesting a safe meal, and still need it to be remade! 

German Food with Charm

 One of the ways we got thru the pandemic was meeting up with our "quarantine crew" every Friday or every other Friday at an outdoor beer garden, or unique dining space. We each took turns picking places, and putting places on our 'Must try list'. Schitzel Platz came up one day while we talked about another German restaurant closing, that we never got to visit, but had an extensive gluten free menu. Upon research I discovered Schitzel Platz also has an extensive gluten free menu. What I didn't realize, was this wasn't the restaurant I thought it was. I thought we were talking about the Bavarian Lodge, so I was very confused when I looked up the directions to get here. The Bavarian Lodge does note gluten free options in their FAQ's, Schitzel Platz has them easily marked on the menu. 

They have several options for appetizers, and even schnitzels that are gluten free. The server did note that the cordon bleu would be served opened face for the gluten free option, which was rather comforting that I could tell the difference for mine. Having never had a schnitzel, I had to go for the most over the top sounding one. We tried the sausage sampler, schnitzel and I even had a tasty coffee drink for dessert, as none of their desserts were gluten free.

 

Our waitress was very helpful is double checking with the kitchen on safe options, and confirming that the french fries would not be contaminated and which condiments were safe as well. Meals came with soup or salad, I went with a salad, while confirming there would be no croutons and the dressing was safe. She informed me they did salad 'differently' than most places. She wasn't wrong, and it was refreshingly tasty! 

Since we were there on a Friday there was live music. Live Music can be a total turn off if they're too loud, cause you can't hear the other people in your party. But them music level was appropriate, and actually he was very nice and entertaining. We feel he totally added to the ambiance and made it more fun for eating there the first time. 

Everything was so good. It was a lot of food, they had a variety of tasty German wine and food. Really everything was awesome and I can't help but give them a 5 out of 5 dragonflies because of how much food we got, the waitress checked anything she wasn't sure on, and the entertainment was a lot of fun.