Came to Shaggy’s on the Rez with my mom. I have a gluten allergy, so I ordered the Shrimp Nachos since they’re clearly marked GS. As they brought them out and placed them on the table, I was informed that the chips had been fried in the same fryer as other fried foods making this appetizer not gluten free anymore.
The nice server brought out the manager to explain. He said that since they were busy (on Sunday around 6 PM), the kitchen had used what was supposed to be the dedicated GF fryer for other fried foods. That means this item is no longer gluten free, along with other GS appetizers that include the chips. But then he kept asking whether my allergy was “really bad or not that bad,” and said that some people he knows or other guests with GF allergies eat the chips and are fine. (In my case, it’s an immediate bloat within 30-45 minutes. Depending on the contamination, cramps can start right away or later. Every time, after a day or two, I also deal with poor mental health, an upset stomach, and other issues.)
Anyway, he kept saying I should be fine if it’s not that serious, but then spoke in circles about not eating that and instead trying other (limited) menu items. I told him I now have trust issues with the menu. They advertise GS items, which I would think has to be Department of Health approved but they don’t honor their own system with the dedicated fryer. Who knows what else isn’t being handled properly?
He continued saying he could make anything in the back GF since the chef was there, but again, I had no trust. If they couldn’t prepare my appetizer the way it’s supposed to be done, how could I trust them with anything else? Then he offered half off the stuffed flounder entrée (not even marked GS) and said they could make it GF. As I sat there paralyzed, not knowing what to do, he kept pushing me toward other entrées, eventually saying mine would be free. I just looked at my mom and said I’d like to leave. We didn’t eat the nachos, and we didn’t take any of the free or half-priced food.
So if you’re gluten free and skeptical about eating here, I highly recommend you speak with them clearly if you do choose to dine, but honestly, I recommend you don’t.