Winslow's Home - Not So Homey

As a college student with Celiac Disease, I brought my car to school in order to ease gluten-free living in St. Louis. Food shopping has been fine and I’ve been getting by on Van’s Gluten Free Waffles, Edy’s Strawberry Frozen Fruit Bars, and Special K Protein Shakes; but I find that nothing compares to a hearty meal at a delicious restaurant. To remedy my growling tummy, I decided to start venturing off WashU’s campus and try new restaurants around the area.

One Sunday morning my friend Jacob and I decided to go for brunch. I wanted to go to First Watch, a franchise diner that even has gluten free potatoes, but Jacob insisted on trying somewhere new. He understands my frustrations with gluten free dining in St. Louis and took it as his civic duty to find a fabulous gluten free brunch place.

He directed me to Winslow’s Home. a St. Louis favorite located at 7213 Delmar Blvd, only a few minutes from WashU’s campus, barely needing my car to get there in a timely fashion. I agreed to go if they could make me eggs, even though secretly I was craving First Watch’s home fries. When it was our turn to order, I asked for two eggs sunny side up, and decided to be daring and ask if the breakfast potatoes were gluten free; what harm could it do?

Instead of getting the reassuring answer I usually get at First Watch, the cashier looked over to the woman next to her and merely repeated the question I asked. The woman asked me, “No gluten…that’s no corn, or sugar, or something, right?” I remained calm, smiled, and said, “Gluten is wheat, rye, barley, oats, flour…” Both women blankly stared back at me. I didn’t feel good about this.

After a few silent seconds I asked, “Can you ask the chef? I have Celiac Disease.” When they continued blankly staring at me I said, “I’m highly allergic to gluten.” Once they heard allergy they began taking me somewhat seriously. The woman emerged from the kitchen very quickly and confirmed with the chef that the potatoes were gluten free. That was easy. Sort of.

As I paid, feeling confident in my brunch choice, I noticed on the menu under sandwiches it said, “GLUTEN FREE ADD $2.00.” I was excited and confused at the same time: excited because I could finally have a gluten free grilled cheese off the East Coast, and confused as to why the women at the cash register didn’t know what gluten free was. But I didn’t care; gluten free bread in my home away from home, what could be better? I instantly texted roommates and decided that we had a date at Winslow’s for next Friday morning. Gluten free grilled cheese would remain on my mind all week.

Friday couldn’t have rolled around slower, but Lexi, Julia, Emily, and I knew what we were in for: Winslow’s Home Gluten free grilled cheese. My roommates could sense my excitement building up all week so they let me order first. I ran up to the counter and proudly ordered, okay-ing the additional $2.00 for gluten free bread.

When I went to pay, I asked if the gluten free sandwiches were made separately from the regular sandwiches to avoid cross-contamination. It was more of a rhetorical question, just to ease my mind, but my dad taught me to always ask. Winslow’s has plenty of organic, farm fresh foods; I figured they’d know all the ins and outs of gluten free, especially since they offer gluten free bread.

I was wrong.

Once again, the cashier looked over to the woman standing next to her (a different women this time) for an answer; they both looked at me as if I had nine heads. The woman then asked, “What do you mean?” I began explaining that gluten free needs to be made separately. She replied “We don’t think about those type of things.” I could not believe her patronizing tone. I responded, calmly but firmly, that gluten free must be made separately due to the severity of Celiac Disease and cross-contamination. This explanation was lost.

She again responded, “We don’t think about those type of things.” I was shocked. I then began explaining that they cannot advertise their food as gluten free if it is not gluten free. I continued explaining cross contamination, the severity of my situation, and how sick I could be if I ate this sandwich due to the false labeling. She did not care. She was neither understanding nor apologetic.

My Celiac advocacy emerged, along with frustration, and I told this woman that they absolutely CANNOT advertise their sandwiches as gluten free when they are grilled on the same machine as gluten sandwiches. I said that I have a disease and ingesting even the slightest bit of gluten can make me extremely sick. I asked to speak to the manager, and she said she was the current manager; her name was Sara. I asked to speak to the owner, but she was currently at the farm. Just perfect.

Sara did not seem concerned and continued patronizing me, probably hoping I’d back down. I would not. I demanded the owner’s contact information, and she gave me a business card, still unapologetic. She didn’t realize what gluten free actually meant, and tried excusing the miscommunication with the new introduction of gluten free bread in the restaurant. It was unacceptable.

Not only did I feel patronized due to my young appearance, but also due to my disease and eating restraints. I was frustrated, as were my roommates. They felt as if I was spoken down to, ignored, and disrespected. When I swore I would never step into Winslow’s Home again, they agreed to never give the small restaurant business either.

I checked out the Winslow’s Home website, and under the About Us tab, it states:

I did not feel cared for or welcomed. The food attempted to be diverse by offering gluten free, but it was not done so properly, so that statement was false. I am a part of the St. Louis community being a Wash U student, but felt ostracized.

Under the Food tab, it states:

My food was not thoughtful. It was not prepared honestly.

  

If I ordered a supposed gluten free grilled cheese sandwich, it would arrive at my table unreliable. Unsafe. 

  

My food would not make the utmost impact on my senses, heart and soul, but rather on my small intestine, stomach, and digestive tract.

Unfortunately, my off campus experience at Winslow’s Home was NOT a positive one. I contacted the owner via email, and did not receive an apologetic or understanding response. She claimed that they do not advertise as gluten free, which was untrue because the sign blatantly said “Gluten Free Add $2.00.” Check out a screenshot of the email I received below. (Click on photo to view larger.)

I no longer dine at Winslow’s Home, so I have not seen if they made changes to their gluten free options or not, and I hoped that no gluten free patrons became ill from the false labeling. But relief came my way with this photo a friend sent to me a few weeks ago:

Maybe my complaining worked? But even if I was not the cause for this warning, hopefully I helped fellow Celiacs or gluten intolerant people from getting severely contaminated at Winslow’s Home.

Please do not get me wrong - I've heard Winslow's Home is delicious and provides a cozy atmosphere. Check out their website here: Winslow's Home. If you're not gluten free, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful experience!

Want to learn more about Celiac Disease? Check out the Celiac Disease Foundation website!