How Burtons Grill Became AllergyEats’ Top-Rated Restaurant Chain

[This AllergyEats Blog entry written by AllergyEats team member Adrienne Walkowiak]

 

How Burtons Grill Became AllergyEats' Top-Rated Restaurant Chain

 

According to user ratings on AllergyEats, Burtons Grill is the most allergy-friendly restaurant chain in America.

In fact, their Hingham, MA unit is the single most recommended individual restaurant across the entire United States, based on this same AllergyEats user feedback.

Kevin Harron is the Founder, President and CEO of Burtons Grill, a chain of 10 full-service restaurants located in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Virginia.  Harron, who has more than 30 years of restaurant industry experience, works hard to ensure that his entire staff – across all of his restaurants – is educated about, trained in and prepared to expertly handle food allergies.

When Harron and his business partners developed Burtons Grill, an upscale-casual restaurant concept featuring contemporary American cuisine, they wanted to raise the bar when it comes to food allergies.  Harron, who has celiac disease himself, knows firsthand the importance of maintaining a special diet, and says it’s incredibly important to accommodate all special dietary requirements.

“We are in the hospitality business.  We should do whatever we can to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests,” Harron explained.

Burtons Grill has become known as an allergy-friendly chain, capable of accommodating diners with an extremely wide range of allergies.  They’ve also earned an amazing reputation within the gluten-free community, offering a broad assortment of delicious gluten-free dishes.  According to Harron, food-allergic and gluten-free guests really appreciate having many safe menu items to choose from, all prepared in separated environments (including dedicated fryers) that eliminate the possibility of cross-contamination.

Guests are able to have safe, enjoyable dining experiences at Burtons Grill because Harron and his team take food allergy protocols so seriously.

At Burtons Grill, food allergy training starts at orientation, and all employees have to sign a waiver that they’ll follow the restaurant’s strict food allergy protocols.  The Burtons team talks every day about accommodating guests’ food allergies.  As part of these discussions, the team reviews their specific procedures to avoid cross-contamination, visually demonstrates allergy-friendly meals and ensures strong communication between guests and staff.

When a diner informs a staff member at any Burtons Grill restaurant about their food allergies, that staff member alerts a manager, who then speaks to the diner directly about their specific dietary needs.  Based on this discussion, the manager recommends meal options.  Once the diner selects their meal, the staff prepares it in a safe, clean area, avoiding cross-contamination.  The meal is plated on a special square dish – a visual reminder that this is the allergy-friendly meal.  Then, the manager carries this dish to the table separately, confirming with the guest that this is, indeed, their specially prepared meal.  As a result, the guest leaves safe and satisfied.

Because of Burtons Grill’s commitment to allergy-friendly practices, Harron was asked to speak at the 2013 AllergyEats Food Allergy Conference for Restaurateurs.  At that event, Harron provided valuable advice and actionable tips to other restaurateurs about how to successfully accommodate food-allergic guests.  As part of his presentation, he explained the effective protocols that he has implemented in his restaurants.  He also talked about the importance of ongoing food allergy training in every restaurant because the food service industry experiences so much employee turnover, and all employees must be well-educated on this topic.

Burtons Grill has earned and developed a stellar reputation for their allergy-friendly practices.  Guests say they appreciate that Burtons offers “hassle free” dining experiences, many safe menu options and a well-trained staff.  As a result, Burtons Grill repeatedly receives very high AllergyEats ratings and feedback.  Burtons Grill also recently signed onto the AllergyEats partnership program, which means they’re sharing additional relevant information with the food allergy community on the AllergyEats site and app.

Not only are Burtons Grill’s allergy-friendly protocols good for their customers, but they’re great for Burtons’ business as well.  Burtons Grill – like so many other allergy-friendly restaurants – is finding that they’re able to increase their customer loyalty and profits by being so accommodating.

 

So what do you think?  Have you been to a Burtons Grill?  If so, what kind of experience did you have?  Would you look forward to visiting a Burtons restaurant if your travels brought you near one?  (I have personal experience with Burtons and have to say that they are absolutely out-of-this-world accommodating… and, oh by the way, with spectacular food too!  But  that’s my opinion and I’d like to hear yours.)  Use the Reply box below to share your thoughts.

Also, please remember to rate any restaurants you’ve visited recently on the core AllergyEats site or free app.  Each time you add a new restaurant rating, you make AllergyEats a more valuable resource for our entire community… and you allow us to share with the “food allergy world” how incredibly accommodating Burtons Grill and other restaurants are.

Comments

    Author:
    Jennifer B
    Written:


    We have been to the Hingham Burtons’ several times. I do not know what the other locations are like and have to reserve judgment on the chain as a whole because I have yet to visit a restaurant chain that does not vary from one location to another, be it high end or fast food. That said, the Hingham location of Burtons is really excellent and consistently excellent. I have only good things to say about the Hingham location of Burtons! Keep up the great work, guys! OH–almost forgot! I first heard about Burtons here on AllergyEats, so yay AllergyEats too!!!

    Author:
    Cari
    Written:


    Burton’s was EXCELLENT! We recently went to the one in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is so nice to be understood and cared for! True hospitality! The food and service is five star. My son is pn and tn allergic. We were recently in Boston and ate at Legal Seafood. Burton’s is of the same caliber. First class all the way!

    Author:
    Cathy
    Written:


    This sounds like a great restaurant chain to enjoy an allergen-free meal. Sadly, they are not a nationwide chain so calling them the top-rated restaurant chain may not be completely correct.

    Author:
    Mary Quattrone
    Written:


    This restaurant, and its owner, sounds amazing! I live in New Jersey and not aware of a Burton’s Grill in this state. It was gratifying to hear that this owner spoke at your conference to other restaurant owners. Raising awareness is key. Burton’s Grill rally has raised the bar. Thank ou.

    Author:
    Jill P
    Written:


    Burtons in Peabody, MA is very good in regards to allergies. My son has a peanut allergy and it is our go to restaurant. They always ask upon ordering about allergies. Those with an allergy have their meal delivered typically by a Manager. My only request is they partner up with a nut free bakery for their complimentary bread that is served at start of meal.

    Author:
    Scott E
    Written:


    Burtons Grill had a booth at the gluten free expo last year. My wife has Celiac and was happy to see a local restaurant she could eat at safely. Unfortunately that turned out to be false. My wife thought it would be a great place to celebrate her birthday in a gluten free restaurant.

    My wife ordered the Haddock with crab stuffing entree. The side was green beans and an order of sweet potato fries. All was ordered off the gluten free menu. The waiter was told several times about my wife’s gluten allergy.

    After four bites of the fish my wife started to have a severe allergic reaction. Her throat started to close. She experienced hives and swelling of the lips and tongue. Her eyes also turned red and itchy with swelling.

    WARNING. If someone you know has celiac or a gluten allergy DO NOT go to Burtons Bar &Grill.

Leave a Reply