Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

How Would You Handle This Situation?

Traveller

By Traveller
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

Recommended Posts

Traveller Rookie
Traveller
Posted

While out of town on business today, I thought I'd eat lunch at a chain restaurant that has a good chain reputation (on this board and others) for gluten-free food. Their web site has a gluten-free menu, and celiacs from my home town recommend the home-town restaurant without reservation.

With that being said, when I walked in I was met by a server who seated me. I asked for the gluten-free menu and was given the regular menu. I pointed out to the server that the menu wasn't the gluten-free one, and the server disagreed. I again asked for the gluten-free menu, and the server asked me if I had a coupon. I replied that I didn't need one to look at the gluten-free menu, and I hope they have one because I saw it on their web site. At that point the server said he'd have to ask someone else, and he left.

While waiting for the server to return I came to the realization that there was no way dining there would end well. Obviously, they get so few people asking for gluten-free that the server was oblivious to the existence of the gluten-free menu, and therefore the gluten-free protocols. That meant the kitchen may also be oblivious. Even if the server found the right menu, something would likely go wrong and I'd get glutened. So I left the restaurant and went back to work without lunch.

Being new to the gluten-free lifestyle, I'd like to know how others would have handled the situation. Would you have left? Asked for the manager? Something else? Register your opinions; I want to learn.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

I'd first ask for the manager, and based on their response, make up my mind whether to stay or leave. It may be that the server was new, or just a bad server, but the rest of the staff was great. It would be helpful for the management to know if they are not meeting their customers' needs. Or, the whole place may be terrible, and you would not have felt comfortable eating there.

I see no problem with leaving though - I would rather leave than risk getting sick. I did that very recently in fact, after speaking to a manager. I wouldn't have trusted this man to make regular food, let alone the gluten free food they are known for.

Judyin Philly Enthusiast
Judyin Philly
Posted
I wouldn't have trusted this man to make regular food, let alone the gluten free food they are known for.

Laura.......... :lol: loved this

i totally agree

If the server is clueless the management should know to help educate them. of course all being done with the sweetness dripping from your mouth.

then if they all 'don't get it' it's a easy choice for me to excuse myself politely

The more you eat out the more comfortable you'll get with 'getting that feeling' if it will work.

It's been 4 years in June for me and I'm still learning.

good luck

WW340 Rookie
WW340
Posted

I have frequently encountered servers that are unaware of the gluten free menu. Usually they will go ask someone else and come back with the menu and some new guidance. I don't let it discourage me, unless the server seems unwilling to learn or pay attention. It becomes a learning experience for the server, which is a good thing.

Some of my favorite servers have started out clueless, but willing to learn. Some of the worse have thought they knew a lot about gluten free.

Asking for the manager is probably the best option, as their knowledge would be crucial to a good experience.

I agree that walking out is fine too. Above all, you want to stay safe.

msmini14 Enthusiast
msmini14
Posted

I honestly always ask for the manager before I am seated. I politely tell the manager my situation and ask that they inform the server and cook about my needs. 99% of the time the manager always handles my order. I then tell my waiter about my situation because I do not want to offend anyone lol. From there the manager and waiter are always helpful and understanding.

Now if I came across a manager or waiter who are rude or do not want to listen to what I am asking I will leave and never go back.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,545
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    PatientOne
    Newest Member
    PatientOne
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Mari
      My only proof

      By Mari · Posted

      I think, after reading this, that you areso traumatized by not being able yo understand what your medical advisors have been  what medical conditions are that you would like to find a group of people who also feel traumatized who would agree with you and also support you. You are on a crusade much as the way the US Cabinet  official, the Health Director of our nation is in trying to change what he considers outdated and incorrect health advisories. He does not have the education, background or experience to be in the position he occupies and is not making beneficial decisions. That man suffered a terrible trauma early in his life when his father was assonated. We see now how he developed and worked himself into a powerful position.  Unless you are willing to take some advice or  are willing to use a few of the known methods of starting on a path to better health then not many of us on this Celiac Forum will be able to join you in a continuing series of complaints about medical advisors.    I am almost 90 years old. I am strictly gluten free. I use 2 herbs to help me stay as clear minded as possible. You are not wrong in complaining about medical practitioners. You might be more effective with a clearer mind, less anger and a more comfortable life if you would just try some of the suggestions offered by our fellow celiac volunteers.  
    • Jmartes71
      My only proof

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Thus has got to STOP , medical bit believing us! I literally went through 31 years thinking it was just a food allergy as its downplayed by medical if THEY weren't the ones who diagnosed us! Im positive for HLA-DQ2 which is first celiac patient per Iran and Turkey. Here in the States especially in Cali its why do you feel that way? Why do you think your celiac? Your not eating gluten so its something else.Medical caused me depression. I thought I was safe with my former pcp for 25 years considering i thought everything I went through and going through will be available when I get fired again for health. Health not write-ups my health always come back when you're better.Im not and being tossed away at no fault to my own other than shitty genes.I was denied disability because person said he didn't know how to classify me! I said Im celiac, i have ibs, hernia, sciatica, high blood pressure, in constant pain have skin and eye issues and menopause intensified everything. With that my celiac nightmare began to reprove my disregarded disease to a bunch of clowns who think they are my careteam when they said I didn't have...I feel Im still breathing so I can fight this so no body else has to deal with this nightmare. Starting over with " new care team" and waisting more time on why I think I am when diagnosed in 1994 before food eliminated from my diet. P.s everything i went through I did write to medical board, so pretty sure I will continue to have a hard time.
    • knitty kitty
      Supplements for those Diagnosed with Celiac Disease

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Scatterbrain, Thiamine Vitamin B1 and amino acid Taurine work together.  Our bodies can make Taurine from meats consumed.  Our bodies cannot make Thiamine and must consume thiamine from food.  Meat is the best source of B vitamins like Thiamine.   Vegetarians may not make sufficient taurine since they don't eat meat sources of taurine.  Seaweed is the best vegetarian source of taurine. Vegetarians may not consume sufficient Thiamine since few veggies are good sources.  Whole grains, legumes, and nuts and seeds contain thiamine.  Many of these sources can be hard to digest and absorb for people with Celiac disease.   You may find taking the forms of thiamine called Benfotiamine or TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) and a B Complex will give the benefits you're looking for better than taurine alone.  
    • knitty kitty
      My only proof

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jmartes71, I went to Doterra's site and had a look around.  The Doterra TerraZyme supplement really jumped out at me.  Since we, as Celiacs, often have digestive problems, I looked at the ingredients.  The majority of the enzymes in this supplement are made using black mold, Aspergillus!  Other enzymes are made by yeast Saccharomyces!  Considering the fact that Celiac often have permeable intestines (leaky gut syndrome), I would be very hesitant to take a product like this.  Although there may not be live black mold or yeast in the product, the enzymes may still cause an immune system response which would definitely cause inflammation throughout the body.   Skin, eyes, and intestines are all made from the same basic type of cells.  Your skin on the outside and eyes can reflect how irritated the intestines are on the inside.  Our skin, eyes, and intestines all need the same vitamins and nutrients to be healthy:  Vitamin A, Niacin B3 and Tryptophan, Riboflavin B2, Biotin B7, Vitamin C, and Omega Threes.  Remember that the eight B vitamins work together.  Just taking high doses of just one, vitamin like B12, can cause a deficiency in the others.  Taking high doses of B12 can mask a Folate B9 deficiency.  If you take B12, please take a B Complex, too.  Thiamine B1 can be taken in high doses safely without toxicity.  Thiamine is needed by itself to produce energy so every cell in the body can function, but Thiamine also works with the other B vitamins to make life sustaining enzymes and digestive enzymes.  Deficiencies in either Niacin, Vitamin C, or Thiamine can cause digestive problems resulting in Pellagra, Scurvy, and Gastrointestinal Beriberi.   If you change your diet, you will change your intestinal microbiome.  Following the Autoimmune Protocol Diet, a Paleo diet, will starve out SIBO bacteria.  Thiamine keeps bacteria in check so they don't get out of control as in SIBO.  Thiamine also keeps MOLDS and Yeasts from overgrowth.   Menopause symptoms and menstrual irregularities are symptomatic of low Vitamin D.   Doctors are not as knowledgeable about malnutrition as we need them to be.  A nutritionist or dietician would be more helpful.   Take control of your diet and nutrition.  Quit looking for a pill that's going to make you feel better overnight.  The Celiac journey is a marathon, not a sprint.   "Let food be your medicine, and let medicine be your food."
    • RUKen
      Are Lindt chocolate balls gluten free?

      By RUKen · Posted

      The Lindt (Lindor) dairy-free oat milk truffles are definitely gluten-free, and (last time I checked) so are the white chocolate truffles and the mint chocolate truffles. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.