Eating Out, How Do You

[nme23]

Some nights I just don't feel like cooking or it is a last minute decision or out with friends. How do you order from the menu and make sure to avoid cross contamination. It is so hard my husband always makes me decide and I don't like it. I want eating out to be an enjoyable experience. Any suggestions

[nvsmom]

If possible, go to a gluten-free restaurant and there will be no stress at all.    I tend not to eat out. Even when I grill the waiter, and go to the kitchen to read the labels (I've done it for my kids), I still get glutened about a third of the time.

 

If I go out, it is usually for coffee, drinks, or ice cream.... Going for ice cream is often more fun than dinner anyways.  

[sunny2012]

I agree with the previous poster. IT is just to unsafe to trust to so many people handling my food.

And even in places where they have a strict gluten-free policy about some dishes with separate differently stylized plates to be used just for gluten-free meals, I have been served my food on a regular plate and "assured" by my wait staff that THEY are certain it is safe.

[cap6]

Typically I go only to places that have a gluten free menu.  No g,f. menu and I won't eat there.  Most of the bigger chain restaurants that have a g.f. menu are pretty careful.  Bottom line is that you have to do what feels most comfortable for you.    Also, since g.f. has become so popular I foind that it is best to advise the wait staff that I am g.f. not by choise but have celiac.  They pay more attention that way!

[BlessedMommy]

Yep!

 

I told the restaurant, "I'm on this diet because I have to be, not because I'm trying to be trendy." LOL!

[MycasMommy]

You're all more brave than I.  Every single time I have attempted to eat out... things have gone badly. I am pretty gun shy over it all now.  I TRY to make our meals with double recipes, and then freeze the leftovers. You cant do this with everything, but with most things, it works out pretty well. Then U just pull that stuff out of the freezer and set it in an ultra low oven for an hour to defrost (or the microwave it it will fit), and BAM there is not no work dinner.

[julissa]

I wouldn't eat out in a place that has gluten in on the premises, period. I have had too many bad experiences, and being sick for an entire week is not worth it. there are several places that are completely gluten free,  and I go there if I want to go out. if not, I will go with people for the social experience but I bring my own food. I have become a master at that. no one anywhere has ever said a word, ever.  

[notme]

i eat out, like, a few times a year and only at carefully scrutinized places.  i ask a million questions and make sure they understand exactly what i want.  i tip really really well

 

the last few times i got glutened it was from eating out.  if i can't be sure it's safe, eat before or i bring my own or eat before and bring a snackity snack.  too bad if anybody doesn't like it.  

[Gemini]

I guess I must be one of a few people who eat out on occasion with great results.  It is highly dependent on where you live and what the knowledge level is regarding Celiac Disease and common sense.  I am extremely lucky to be living in an area with high knowledge and a ton of gluten-free options....even though I do not take advantage of them all.

 

There is only one chain I eat out at that does it right and they are GIG trained.  It is a higher end chain in New England called Burton's Grill.  Food is very, very good and the waitstaff are trained well.  The manager brings gluten-free meals to the table, after checking that protocol has been followed.  Anywhere else has to be higher end food or restaurants with Celiac's in the family. It is extremely helpful if the chef has actually gone to culinary school because they are taught about food/ingredients and know how not to cc something.  That is done from a bacteria point of view but the same protocol applies to gluten.

 

You can eat out successfully but cannot be shy about your needs. I do not eat out often at all but when I do, I trust these types of places and have never been glutened in these types of restaurants.  Fast food places really are a no go for someone with Celiac who take their diet seriously.

[cap6]

So much of it comes with experience and doing what is right for you.  Every Friday we go out with friends for margaritas and Mexican food.  It's a small place, not one I would trust, so I always just take something for me to eat and drink the wine.  For me times like that are all about the social end of it.    Last summer, while on vacation, we went out for our usual Friday night but I walked off forgetting my food at home,.  The server asked why I wasn't ordering and I briefly explained.  Turns out he too was celiac and suggested two meal options to me and promised he would notify kitchen and keep an eye on my meal.  It turned out so well that we ate there again!  But....that is sort of an exception I think.

 

One thing I do is keep a zip lock of cooked frozen meatballs in the freezer, along with some veggies.  That way even at the last minute I have an instant meal ready to go for eating at a possibly unsafe (by my standards!) place.