Review of Burtons Grill & Bar

Update: Corporate reassured me that all was well.

I’ve been dining at Burtons for years. Love it. They are fantastic with allergies. Until now… This is an email I just sent to their corporate inbox. Awaiting response. Will update once I hear more.

The Problem: During my visit last week to the Burlington, MA location, I was informed — very professionally and kindly by both our waitress and the window manager — that the introduction of a new menu item (spring rolls) dramatically increases the chances of cross-contamination. These spring rolls, as I was informed, are now fried in a shared fryer with both the formerly gluten free chicken wings, tortilla chips, and onion rings — all items that are marked as gluten free on the menu. Your restaurants are now commingling gluten-containing and gluten-free foods in the same fryer, which is something your restaurants have been a leader in avoiding. You have set the standard for allergy precautions. Now, however, our order of chicken wings, Buffalo chicken dip, and a Maxx burger was now a tremendously risky order for someone with Celiac Disease. The staff did an excellent job notifying me of this and helping me to reorder a safer meal. I am hugely thankful for them.

The Requested Solution: This note is not to call for reprimand of the staff (quite to the contrary, given their excellent service), rather I’d encourage Burtons as a corporation to reestablish the excellent allergy handling protocols it has had for years — the protocols that make people like me comfortable and draw us to your business. Please work with your restaurants to have a dedicated fryer for containing gluten containing ingredients only. This would leave all other fryers safe for those with allergies.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent