For Moms' Night Out, my so-very-thoughtful friends always ask me for restaurant suggestions, so I can safely eat gluten-free. P.F. Chang's almost always makes my shortlist.
The allergy protocols here are so stellar that P.F. Chang's also makes my list of Top 10 Chain Restaurants for Dining Out with Celiac Disease. From a gluten-free menu to a special area for gluten-free food prep and allergy protocols, this chain takes gluten-free seriously.
Tips for Dining Gluten-Free at P.F. Chang's
- Review the separate gluten-free menu online before you go.
- At the restaurant, look for GFO next to menu items, indicating that a Gluten-Free Option is available.
- Let your server know about your dietary needs. I always mention celiac disease, and if I don't see immediate recognition, I add "similar to a severe gluten allergy" as the term allergy is often more meaningful than celiac disease to the food industry.
- When you place your order, be clear that you are ordering the gluten-free dish. Say, "gluten-free Mongolian Beef," for example. There are gluten versions of most items on the allergy menu, so if you don't specify gluten-free you could get the wrong one. When you order the gluten-free version, that triggers allergy protocols in the kitchen. Chefs will use a designated gluten-free cooking area with dedicated gluten-free woks and cooking utensils. As a celiac, these are next-level protocols for a shared kitchen.
- Expect a surcharge of about $.50-1 for dishes ordered off the GF menu, to cover the cost associated with P.F. Chang's allergy protocols.
- Confirm your meal is gluten-free when it's delivered. In most locations, allergy orders are delivered on special plates to distinguish them from regular meals. When your food is delivered to the table, make sure that the gluten-free food is plated on a different plate. If not, ask questions.
- The soy sauce on the table contains wheat. Ask your servicer for the gluten-free soy sauce.
- Don't eat the fortune cookies. They are not gluten-free, and servers frequently drop them off out of habit.
- P.F. Chang's is generally accommodating of special requests. Extra spicy. No green onion. Sauce on the side. Extra broccoli. Remove meat. Substitute beef for chicken. Vice versa. You get the idea.
- For more fun and variety, order family style, as long as everyone in your group is gluten-free (or willing to eat gluten-free).
- Save room for dessert. While the dessert options have varied over the years, they have always been undetectably gluten-free. GF desserts are listed on the regular menu with the little letters GFO (gluten-free option). Unsuspecting gluten-eaters can order a GFO dessert and never realize it's gluten-free.
- Vet your local P.F. Chang's. My good experience at multiple P.F. Chang's locations over nearly a decade is no substitute for your own judgment. Always ask questions and make sure you are comfortable with the allergy protocols and the ingredients in your order. If the server does not seem knowledgeable, it's always okay to ask for a manager consult.
Placing a Gluten-Free Order Online
When placing an online order at pfchangs.com, be sure that every item you order begins with "GF". It's easy to scroll down to the categories below, not realizing you left the gluten-free section.
When you go to check out, confirm that all of your gluten-free meals are correctly noted as GF. If they are not, you accidentally added an item from another section of the menu.
Placing a Gluten-Free Order on the P.F. Chang's Mobile App
It's so easy! In the app, choose the location of a nearby P.F. Chang's restaurant. Select the "Gluten-Free" section of the menu, and choose one of the GF items.
Once you add a GF selection to your cart, you will be taken back to the main menu. If you are ordering multiple gluten-free dishes, select the "Gluten-Free" section each time and choose another GF item.
To avoid an error, double check that everything you want to be gluten-free is labeled GF in the cart.
More Tips for Gluten-Free To-Go Orders
- Make a follow-up phone call. If you have celiac disease or otherwise need to avoid gluten cross-contact, after you place the order, call the restaurant to verify allergy protocols for your meal.
- When you get your food, look for a round, bright orange sticker that says, "P.F. Chang's gluten-free."
- Make sure the restaurant included the gluten-free soy sauce packets or tamari packets (it varies).
- Do not eat the fortune cookies. The employees packing the to-go orders often include these automatically, even with allergy orders. They are not gluten-free.
P.F. Chang's Gluten-Free Menu
The menu can vary slightly by location and is subject to change. Over the years, I've seen a couple of new gluten-free options come and some old favorites go. Always refer to the current menu specific to your local restaurant (in-restaurant or online menu).
Appetizer
GF Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps: minced chicken, garlic, scallion, sesame oil, iceberg lettuce, crispy rice sticks
Soup
GF Egg Drop Soup: broth, ribbons of egg, julienned carrots, green onion
Main Entrees
GF Chang's Spicy Chicken: chicken, sweet-spicy chili sauce, green onion, rice
GF Beef with Broccoli: flank steak, ginger-garlic aromatics, green onion, steamed broccoli, rice
GF Mongolian Beef: sweet soy glaze, flank steak, garlic, green onion, rice
GF Ginger Chicken with Broccoli: chicken, ginger-garlic aromatics, green onion, steamed broccoli, rice
GF Pad Thai: protein (choices: vegetable, chicken, shrimp, combo), rice noodles, Thai spices, tofu, green onion, crushed peanuts
GF Fried Rice: protein (choices: vegetable, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, combo), rice, egg, carrots, bean sprouts, green onion
GF Singapore Street Noodles: thin rice noodles, light curry sauce, chicken, shrimp, onion, julienned vegetables
Rice
Your choice of rice is served with all entrees that aren't noodle-based (omitted from GF Pad Thai and GF Singapore Street Noodles)
- GF White Rice
- GF Brown Rice
- GF Fried Rice: rice, egg, carrots, bean sprouts, green onion
Lunch Portions
These smaller versions of some of the main entrees are available during lunch hours.
GF Chang's Spicy Chicken Bowl: chicken, sweet-spicy chili sauce, green onion, rice
GF Beef with Broccoli Bowl: flank steak, ginger-garlic aromatics, green onion, steamed broccoli, rice
GF Mongolian Beef Bowl: sweet soy glaze, flank steak, garlic, green onion, rice
GF Ginger Chicken with Broccoli Bowl: chicken, ginger-garlic aromatics, green onion, steamed broccoli, rice
Dessert
GF Chocolate Soufflé: chocolate soufflé, vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce
My favorite orders are GF Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps, GF Chicken Pad Thai (my #1 favorite dish), GF Fried Rice, and GF Chang's Spicy Chicken Bowl. And GF Chocolate Soufflé, of course!
From its roots in Chinese food to the Asian fusion cuisine it serves today, P.F. Changs offers delicious gluten-free dishes and allergy protocols for guests with celiac disease. This chain expands the options you can enjoy when dining out near home or on the road.
