Poki Poki - Oceanside # 1

Worst GF experience I’ve ever had. An employee was physically LOOKING in a bowl for gluten for me - but I’ll get to that. Buckle up for this one. The owner absolutely needs to educate his employees on this topic. I plan on calling in a complaint. Last month I tell an employee there that I can’t have gluten. I start asking if specific items have it. He says no over and over. I know the basics since I was just diagnosed, but I wasn’t sure if they added soy to anything unexpected. After I leave, I am glutened by what I think was the seaweed salad. I think it had soy, but he said it didn’t have gluten. Very bad. The other day I go back with more knowledge yet probably stupidity in trusting this place. I am helped by a different person now. I briefly tell her about my prior experience and ask her now about EVERY ingredient. She says she has “no idea” what is in anything I ask her, even the rice. So I asked if they had any ingredient lists. She says no. She said the guy who would have answers for me was almost back from break, so I could ask him. So he comes back (same guy as last month!) and she says “this customer wants to know if there is gluten in the rice.” So this guy takes his time putting on gloves and grabbing a bowl, and I’m wondering what he is doing instead of answering the question. He proceeds to scoop some rice into a bowl and is inspecting it closely looking for… you guessed it: gluten. I say “you… cannot see gluten. I need to know if there is wheat in this.” So he looks for a little longer and still doesn’t say anything! I can’t believe my eyes at this point and tell the girl that this is completely unhelpful. So she reiterates to him what I’m asking. I think she was surprised too. He is still completely silent! I ask if there is an ingredient list, and I assume from his continued blank stare at me that there is not. So I asked him, “when you make this rice do you add anything besides water and salt?” Silentttt. Then I say “you know last month when I was here YOU told me my lunch was safe. I went through every ingredient. It made me very sick. Some people can get so sick they end up in the hospital so I wasn’t even that bad” and he only said “Oh.” I asked “So is there soy in the seaweed salad? You told me there was not.” And he said “there might be. Probably but it’s only a little bit” so I got upset and I said “a little bit still can hurt someone! If someone asks you if there is any, even if it’s a little bit it is still bad!” So then he says “well it’s only a little.” I left there so shocked. How can you run a place like this? People can get really hurt. The company can be sued. These employees need education, and the owner needs to provide it. 100% do not recommend this place. Not because of cross-contamination or lack of options, but for the principle only of being absolutely ignorant to food intolerances and allergies. Eat here at your own risk.

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

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

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

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for keto
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options