How Do You Order?

[Pink-Bunny]

when you go to a restaurant how do you exactly order? cause my boyfriend wants to go out and I'm just trying to figure out a way to order so I know that there won't be any problems...

Thanks

[Lisa]

To begin with, especially if you are a newby, I would highly recommend ordering some Triumph Dining Cards.

They are printed in several languages and you present them to the manager of your dining choice.

You can find them at : www.triumphdining.com

A dear friend of mine just sent me "The Essential Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide for 2006-07. It lists restaurant in all the states the have gluten free menus. You can keep it in your car or a large purse.

What a special gift from a thoughtful friend.

Aside from that you must talk to the manager and perhaps ask to speak to the chief, explain that you are gluten fee and must order accordingly. If they don't know what you are talking about, leave.

Or you may call ahead or visit the restaurant and discuss you restrictions with the manager when they are not busy...between lunch and dinner.

Hope that's a good start

Lisa

[jaten]

when you go to a restaurant how do you exactly order? cause my boyfriend wants to go out and I'm just trying to figure out a way to order so I know that there won't be any problems...

Thanks

My greatest recommendation would be to order a set of Triumph Dining cards (Google them). They're inexpensive, and the wording is friendly, accurate, and thorough and restaurant managers/chefs seem to love them. I won't eat out often at all, but when I've used my Triumph Dining cards I've always been treated with respect and usually have dined successfully.

A few minutes later:

Oops....Momma Goose and I were posting at same time. So I'll just ditto what she said.

[jennyj]

What I do is tell my server I am on a very restricted diet and that I can have absolutely no bread products anywhere near my food. I ask if they will be able to make "whatever" that way or if I need to leave. I ask in a freindly way and they usually get their manager and they will talk to me. I have only had one manager say that they couldn't fix the item I wanted that way. She was rude but I ordered something different since the whole family had already ordered. Thats when I started ordering first. I also have some cards that I present when it is a new place. Good luck.

[marciab]

I'm new to this too, but I ate out every day for about 6 weeks a month ago. It was very embarrassing at first, but you'll get the hang of it.

Just to keep yourself safe, I would recommend going to a restaurant with a gluten free menu. Chili's, Carrabas, Outback is all I can remember right now. I ate at Cracker Barrell, Picaddilly and Red Lobster without any severe reactions.

But if you have to eat someplace else, always ask the waitress if they have a gluten free menu. If she says "yes", you are in luck. OR if she knows what gluten is, your in good hands. If not, then have her run everything by the chef or manager.

So far they have been courteous and checked things out for me. I have so many intolerances that I am a real pain.

I always go with safe meats like roast beef or plain baked fish. Make sure they are gluten free, but normally they are.

And uncut baked potatoes are generally safe. Then ask if the veggies or salad are gluten free. If not, I ask them to please steam some plain veggies on the side for me.

At one Japanese restaurant I ate at, the cook was a celiac, so that saved me. The rice was made with chicken broth that was not gluten free. And they used it in their sushi too ....

Good luck with this ... I need to get a card myself. Marcia

[jkmunchkin]

As others have said, the Triumph Dining cards are really great, and can make your life a lot more simple. I didn't have them when I first started so I get pretty good at ordering without them, but I will use them in certain ethnic restaurants now and find them very helpful.

I find one of the most important things when ordering is to be very polite and smile. And I know this sounds stupid, but I tend to speak in a soft but assertive voice. I always try and joke around with my server and apologize for being so high maintenance. They usually appreciate this, and then are really happy to go the extra mile and help.

So basically my ordering speech goes something like this:

"Hi. I'm really sorry. I'm gonna be a huge pain in the butt. (smile). Can you tell me what is in X? Is that cooked near anything breaded or with flour? I'm sorry, I know I'm a pain, but I'm allergic to anything with wheat or gluten, so I just need to be really careful."

That is about where they perk up, and become extra helpful.

From there I find it's pretty easy, and they usally offer to start checking on things just to make sure everything is ok for you.

[FeedIndy]

I always tell them that my daughter is very allergic-they understand that much better than celiac. Also, if you just say gluten free some think it is a fad or low-carb diet. I tell them up front "my daughter is allergic to gluten, which is in wheat, barley, rye and malt." That way there is no confusion.

I ask if they have a gluten free menu or a list of ingredients. I always ask if there is a dedicated fry oil or if it is all cooked together to see if she can have any fries like her sisters. Even though I never ask for a manager unless the server seems totally clueless, one usually stops by to clarify or ask if it was cooked properly. A few times, the chef himself has come out to discuss ingredients, make recommendations of the safest foods and/or ask about preparation.

[happygirl]

I ditto everything that has been said. Be very clear and assertive. Often, it is easier to talk to a manager. Don't be shy about asking for what you need: If you don't tell them what you need, how can they know? Tell them it is important not only that the ingredients are safe, but the preparation method is just as important.

Like Jillian said, being nice and admitting it is a pain goes a long way....they are often very emphathetic and want to help them. Be sure to say thank you and tell them you appreciate...and tip well, and thank the manager.

[jaten]

What I do is tell my server I am on a very restricted diet and that I can have absolutely no bread products anywhere near my food. I ask if they will be able to make "whatever" that way or if I need to leave.

and

"Can you tell me what is in X? Is that cooked near anything breaded or with flour?"

These are both a start, but only barely for someone who has Celiac disease. Neither of these take into consideration the addition of wheat & barley (malt) added to pre-packaged sauces, seasonings, etc. Neither really stresses the cross-contamination problems, and a myriad of other concerns a Celiac faces while ordering in a restaurant.

I have no interest in them; I do, however, believe that Triumph Dining Cards are one of the best investments a new Celiac could make if they are intested in eating out safely. They are short and sweet, and very politely address the issues.

I'm concerned that a newly-diagnosed Celiac will read this thread, and think that restaurant staff will get it right if the Celiac just asks that no bread, bread products, or flour is prepared in or near their dish. It just isn't that simple.

[Guest cassidy]

I get very nervous eating in restaurants, so I'm very careful. Here is what I do.

First, I only eat in nice restaurants with chefs, not cooks. I call ahead to make reservations and ask about gluten free.

When I sit down I tell the server my issue and ask to speak with the chef.

Most know what gluten is so I say, as you know, the most difficult thing in a restaurant is controlling cross contamination. I would get sick if you used the same spatula on my food as you did on teriyaki marinated chicken or anything containing gluten.

I ask for plain meat - usually salmon or chicken, baked in its own pan. Then I ask for steamed veggies. 1/2 of them when the others get their appetizer or salad and the rest with my meal. I ask for plain steamed rice if they can do that as well.

I always get sick from salads. Not sure if they assume everything is gluten-free and don't think about the bread or croutons nearby.

I am always very polite and thankful and I don't mind waiting longer if the chef is busy.

I have gotten sick at Bonefish ordering off the gluten-free menu, so I don't trust that just because it is gluten-free, it will be ok, cc is always an issue.

Good luck and have a nice dinner!

[breann6]

i have had GREAT success calling ahead to talk to a manager about dining in the restaurant, and what food choices I have and such. I would call ahead, and stick to the gluten free menu options. i also have the triumph cards which help a whole lot too!!

if you get off the path of gluten free menu options def call ahead and visit somewhere nice- like a previous poster mentioned....i have had a few bad expereiences at 'not nice' restaurants that i just popped in and hoped they would accomodate- they didn't. argh!

best wishes and hope it works out !

~breann

p.s. i would even call chili's ahead- the two in my area didn't have a clue about gluten free- or acted that way....now they are very accomodating and double check everything for me