Paula Deen's Family Kitchen

My husband and I went here for lunch. We went on a Tuesday and arrived around 12:30 pm and had a 15-minute wait. The restaurant is on the second level which you access via an escalator or elevator. Check in at the desk on the first floor in the store area. If you can get seated next to the window, there is a nice view of the water fountain display.

I'm gluten free and our waitress was knowledgeable about their gluten free foods. They have a nice reference guide showing all the common food allergies and whether each allergen is in a particular food. However, their food would not be considered GF, but rather gluten friendly because of cross contamination. The only entree that was gluten friendly was the ribs which fortunately, were very good. Several of their sides were GF as well though limited to only a few. The side salad may seem boring but it was actually very good. My husband, who is not GF, said the cream corn and chicken and dumplings were excellent.

None of the four desserts, which are automatically included with the meal and in the price, were gluten free. You are allowed to take the desserts "to go" so my husband took my dessert back to our condo. He had the sticky chocolate cake which he said was really good. Though the meal and service were good, I would not go back during this trip due to the limited gluten friendly options. My only other critique would be that I felt a bit rushed. I know they probably need to turn over the tables quickly, but I felt like the dishes were being removed before I was ready. For the price I would like a bit of time to enjoy the meal.

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

— Not at all

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

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

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch

I wish I could give 0 stars. Zero accommodation. Was told they had gluten free options and would accommodate when we went to register. Waited 45 min. Manager says, "if she (my daughter) really has celiac, you shouldn't be eating here."

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?

— Not Much/None

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

— Poor

HORRIBLE!! By far the absolute worst restaurant I've ever been too with Celiac! We paid for our drinks and left it was that bad! Server was RUDE and said there's nothing for me to eat! Will never go back.

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?

— Not Much/None

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

— Poor

Looked at their allergen menu, I am on vacation so I know that everything is risky everywhere I go. I am going to try and see if hives pop up!

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free 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

Came here just to spend time with my family while they ate. No gluten free options, no guarantee of avoiding cross contamination. It’s family style, so big bowls and platters of gluten laden food. Their “statement” is that there’s flour flying all over the place in the kitchen, so- sorry, not sorry!

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

— Not at all

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch

They had a specific GF allergen menu so I thought I was safe. WRONG. Their gf options seemed to be pretty good: chicken (undercooked), ribs, creamed corn, mash and I believe the coleslaw. As soon as I took my first few bites I felt my stomach start to turn and immediately stopped. I didn’t fuss with staff as I am on vacation with friends but after reading and experiencing and I can definitely say their is cross contamination.

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Separate gluten-free menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

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

— Poor

I read the other reviews on the app so my family ordered roasted chicken, green beans and mashed potatoes that I was going to eat. I let them know I was celiac and explained to them what it meant to prevent cross contamination. Later, the manager came out and told me that I couldn’t eat anything because they dump big bags of flour and it gets on everything. She said that anyone who is celiac or has an allergy cannot eat anything in this restaurant. They are simply not willing to accommodate. Me and my family would’ve walked out, but I wasn’t hungry so we decided to stay. DO NOT RECOMMEND

Celiac friendly?

No

Went here for lunch, called before going and was told of my options. When I came to the restaurant the manager stated that she could not accommodate and would not even just bring me a salad even if I paid full price. Very upsetting, especially since I called before going.

Celiac friendly?

No

Horrible experience. We waited 20 minutes to be seated. Then were given the allergen menu. We were told that we must order family style (2 of us are gluten free with only one meat option and two of us were not). We asked if we could order two separate meals and were told only if they seated us at separate tables. We walked out without ordering and went next door. They deserve negative 5 stars.

Celiac friendly?

No

When I called and asked the manager about GF options for celiacs, she cut me off and said “We don’t recommend they come in the building. We have an open prep area and kitchen, and if you can’t handle gluten, we’ve been advised to tell you not to come inside.” Her words exactly. She was beyond rude, but at least she was upfront and honest. Needless to say, we ate elsewhere.

Celiac friendly?

No

Only 5 things on the menu to choose from. Ribs and chicken breast and 3 sides. It worth the money ($20 a person) to go.

The staff was very accommodating with gluten free options. The spare ribs, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and tossed salad are all gluten free.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The interaction with the people at the door made it perfectly clear they were not interested in serving me. I was told there really were not options. I don’t understand a business turning patrons away with an attitude. I was interacting will a sales person somewhere else and she actually said to me I can’t stand those people who come in and ask about gluten free. There are many of us and we are not that way by choice. Paula Deens seemed like such a fun place to eat with my family, but if I can’t eat there, my group supports me and goes somewhere else.

Even though Paula Deen's restaurant doesn't offer a gluten free option, they were very kind when I came with my family and I brought in a Gluten Free cheeseburger and fries from Margaritaville across the street. I feel any restaurant that doesn't offer a gf option should always be accommodating when outside food is brought in and this restaurant was great and very accepting.

Celiac friendly?

No

I have multiple food allergies and I got to watch my family eat. This places sucks if you have multiple allergies.

Celiac friendly?

No

I was so excited to come here while our family was in Tennessee on vacation! As we were getting ready to be seated I asked for a List of Allergens and was given a very nice laminated flip list! Was seated and waiter came to table. The waiter began to explain how ordering worked. You pick three main dishes ( meats) and four sides! I explained to him I'm highly allergic to dairy and gluten! His response was that I could order an appetizer ( which all of them either had Dairy or Gluten). Out of five of us going to eat I'm the only one with special eating needs. Of course I was made to feel like an outsider because he would not even bother to accommodate me in any way! I asked about the food on the list I could have and he told me they had changed the menu! This was at 4:30pm in the afternoon but was told lunch menu. He did tell me he was not going to charge me and I looked at him to inform him that I knew he was not going to charge me because there was nothing I could eat! He looked at me like I was crazy! The main thing is that when I received the list the lady acted like she knew the perfect waiter for my restrictions only to put us with the worse! This is the first time I've ever done a review but I do not want anyone to have to go through what I have being here!!!

Celiac friendly?

No

My family went to this restaurant and my very sensitive celiac daughter was worried she couldn't eat here. She had ribs and mashed potatoes, green beans and corn. She very much enjoyed eating here!