I’m not always keen on going to chain restaurants to eat out in. I love a good independently run place, as my Gluten Free Bristol list shows, mainly due to the more tailored approach to offering gluten free options. However chains like Frankie and Benny’s, Pizza Express, TGI’s – have all come up trumps over the past year with their peace of mind gluten free menus. They’ve cottoned on to the want for clarity and ease. They offer separate menus so that the Coeliac and gluten intolerant community don’t now feel like complete plonkers when the server comes back to ask what we’d like to order after they hastily give you over the main menu on arrival and scoot off -assuming you have no questions.
‘What would you like to order?’
‘Well i don’t know really, what’s gluten free?’…
I was kindly asked if i’d like to try out Frankie and Benny’s gluten free menu. Please note that dishes, like other chains and restaurants are made in the same kitchen as other gluten ingredients so the menu is specifically NGCI labeled but the menu has been accredited by Coeliac UK.
Hesitant, as i’ve never stepped foot into a Frankie and Benny’s before, we arrived hungry at the busy Cribbs Causeway branch in Bristol. Our waiter swiftly showed us to our seats and we were shown the gluten free menu- we informed them in advance that i had an allergy and it’s always nice when you don’t have to ask for anything.
I ordered the loaded potato skins with Melted cheese and brushetta mix to start. They were rather dry and unseasoned if i’m honest but overall okay, i would imagine the BBQ Chicken Sweetcorn and Cheddar filled skins would have been tastier but as i ordered the Hickory BBQ Ribs for my main i didn’t want to be BBQ’d out!
The ribs were pretty yummy, but oh my it was HUGE. Smokey flavour and melt in the mouth, these were a good choice for a main but i just couldn’t finished my mash potato that it came with. It did say on the menu that it came with a jacket potato so i’m not sure why i was given mash- however i’m not one to complain if i get some mash- i love it, and it was gluten free.
Too stuffed to order dessert, we finished our drinks and left feeling rather content really. A great place to go for couples and families for a daytime treat before or after the cinema or whilst you’re out shopping, Frankie and Benny’s have expensive mains, but they are generous. I would steer clear of some of the kids menu as it seems gluten heavy in the allergens list- but ask for smaller portions from the gluten free menu.
Have you tried the gluten free menu at Frankie and Benny’s? Let me know what you thought of your experience in the comments below!
This meal was complimentary but did in no way effect my opinion of the chain and food, just good ole honest opinion!
