First Time Traveling

[Hollylou42]

So I am about to go on my first trip since going gluten-free. I am going to spend 3 days in SC at a family reunion, which should be easy enough. I am going to be staying at a lake house in the middle of no where so I am going to bring a cooler full of gluten-free food and make my own food and (unfortunatly) not eat at the family potluck all that good food and most of it unedible to me

So questions:

I have read mixed reviews on whether or not mustard and mayo and katschup are safe, any comments? I know there is a great broccoli salad that is a family recipe and it is made using mayo as the dressing, is that okay for me?

Okay, so I haven't eaten out at any restaurants yet, I have been to scared. But the second part of my trip is spending two days in Atlanta with a friend. And while I am there most of our meals will be eaten out and about around the city.

So this may seem elementary, but what it the process I should use while eating out. Do I call ahead and ask the restaurant if they can do gluten-free? Do I just ask when we get in? Do I tell my server, ask for a manager, ask for the chef? And what do ya'll say to them? I know that from telling others just saying that I eat gluten free means nothing to them, will the waitress know my needs? (I told you to feel free to laugh at my questions, I know they are silly, but I am so worried about eating out and feeling yucky on my trip)

Thanks for your help. Any suggestions would be appriciated, or any good spots in Atlanta would be great too!

-Laura-

[jmengert]

French's mustard is gluten free, and I use it all the time; same with Hellmann's mayo. I believe Kraft mayos are gluten-free as well, but with Kraft you just need to read the label, and they will clearly list wheat, oats, barley, and rye.

I don't actually eat out any longer due to multiple intolerances, but hopefully someone else can help you out there.

I hope you have a great trip!

[Mango04]

Hi -

Most condiments are safe, BUT, always make sure to read the label. Ingredients vary from brand to brand. There definitely are safe mayos...just don't assume anything.

If you have time, it might help to order some Triumph dining cards. People have great luck with them at restaurants, and they will save you from having to remember which questions to ask while ordering your food. Enjoy your trip

[Eriella]

I am more adventurous than most when it comes to eating out, and what I have found is that as long is you go to a place that has food that is gluten free already, is a sit down restaurant (so the waitress actually has to pretend to care), and the staff speaks English you should be fine. For instance, last night we passed up a couple of great Italian and Chinese restaurants in favor of an American diner. Their salad bar was set up safely (dressings and toppings away from the salad), so I got a salad, hamburger with no bun, and a baked potato. What I do is look at the menu before I sit down, tell the waitress "I have a wheat allergy, so can I have...". Sometimes you get lucky-- I had a chef make me an amazing omelet with home fries and fresh fruit at a buffet and was fine, and other times you don't have luck and will get breaded chicken.

So my best advice would be to see a menu before you sit down (or better yet, look online before you go) and see if something looks like it would be an option. Normally bunless burgers and grilled pork chops are safe. Then, when ordering, say that you have a food allergy and wondering if the waiter/ress could check with the chef to make sure that it doesn't have any wheat in it (I normally say it would be in flour, most broths, soy sauce.. whatever it looks like it could be), and if it does, if the chef could either not use the ingredient or recommend something else to me. I almost never have a problem, but the key is to be realistic. You aren't going to have something complex and wonderful, but boring food and being healthy is better than traveling sick.

Good Luck!

[Rosewynde]

Do ALOT of online research. I googled on restaurants, gluten, and Celiac and came up with all sorts of interesting tidbits of info.

1) Having some sort of cards to hand a server to give to a chef can help, as long as it's in their language ; D Don't trust just telling them your needs as it can be miscommunicated.

2) Calling a restaurant ahead of time and asking to talk to the manager can help.

3) Restaurant Chains (McDonalds, Outback, Taco Bell, etc) often have online allergy information that can help you choose what to eat.

4) Ask to read labels and explain why you need this. Some restaurants will do this for you.

5) Realize that no matter how careful you are you can still get glutened ; D

6) Something that is safe one time your there may not be safe the next. Check and Double Check.

7) Cross Contamination is a very big problem when eating out.

8) Your safest bringing your own food and/or eating latter and going for the company.

I'm still learning what's safe and what's not myself. I've been using a test method of sorts, only do 1 new thing per day. That includes eating out. So far I've had good luck with this method and the few accidental gluten intakes I've had have been few and far between.

As for condiments, I've done online research for that too, with useful results. Gulden's Brown Mustard, Best Foods Mayo, and Heinz Ketchup are all safe according to what I've read.

[tiffjake]

I suggest looking up the places you might want to go, and checking their websites. Some places have gluten-free menu's online, like Outback, PF Changs, and Chilis. And there is always fast food. I get the chilli and plain potato at Wendy's all the time. Or the whopper with out bun at Burger King.

As far as what to say when you order, I ALWAYS tell the server, and ask for the kitchen or general manager. I carry the triumph dining cards, so you might want to look into those (or I thing you can print out free ones from some websites.....). If there is doubt that they can make it work, then I go with something super basic, like a hamburger without the bun. I ask a LOT of questions, and I have had really good luck eating out.

Good luck to you! Have a good trip!

[CarlaB]

There is a restaurant called Wildfire in Atlanta ... you can get a hamburger on a BUN there off their gluten-free menu!!!! Google it.

Also, there is a Cheeseburger in Paradise and Maggianos, both of which are easy to eat at gluten-free ... Maggianos the chef comes to your table to discuss food intolerances, Cheeseburger has a gluten-free menu.

I would guess that they would have Outback, Bonefish Grill, Carrabas, Mitchell's Fish Market.

Search the board for Atlanta because there is an active celiac group there that will have other suggestions. I know there are a lot of options for gluten-free food. I know there have been threads on Atlanta.

Chick-fil-a's grilled chicken salad and waffle fries are gluten-free.

[Guhlia]

Just a quick note about Chil-fil-A. Make sure that their fryer is dedicated to just doing fries. We ran into a Chick-fil-A in Exton that did NOT have dedicated fryers. I think they're all supposed to, but they don't. Either that or the guy behind the counter just didn't understand my question either way I asked it. That wouldn't surprise me either.

Also, if you're planning at eating at the same restaurant more than once, TIP WELL. Word travels about good tippers and they will go the extra mile to make sure your food is safe. I've had very food bad experiences eating out and I always tip 25% or more. Also, you'll pave the way for other Celiacs to eat safely there.

When I travel I generally try to stick to restaurants that have a gluten free menu. It seems that you generally have a better chance of not getting glutened at those places. Some are better than others. If you feel uncomfortable at a place, you may want to leave and try somewhere else. Trust your instincts. If the server/manager/staff seem annoyed or put out by your requests, consider that a major red flag.

[CarlaB]

I typically only eat at restaurants with a gluten-free menu as well. The reason is, my son used to work at a tea shop. They served soup, sandwiches and salads. A celiac would think that the salads were gluten-free. However, they were prepared at the same station as the sandwiches!!! I ONLY knew that because my son worked there.

I do eat at a couple restaurants without a gluten-free menu, but they are local and I've been through their food preparation with them to be sure it was safe for me. I drove them nuts the first time I was in there.

Also, we're big tippers. I'm sure I get remembered anyway because so few ask for the gluten-free menu (my daughter is a hostess at Bonefish Grill, so I do know this) ... so I may as well be remembered for being a big tipper as well.

[MaryJones2]

There are several non-chain restaurants in Atlanta that have gluten-free menus or chefs that will prepare gluten-free food. Always ask to speak to the manager or chef. I have eaten at The Real Chow Baby, R Thomas, Carpe Diem, Tamarind, MF Sushi and Nan without problems. I understand that Bones, Blue Pointe, Nava and the Flying Biscuit can accomodate but haven't eaten at these places since going gluten free.

[lpellegr]

Regarding your family's food - don't assume that because they used a gluten-free brand of mayo that you can eat it. Was the mayo in the deviled eggs used before for someone's sandwich? There could be bread crumbs in any of the condiments that are not brand new, even if you can't see them, from people dipping the knife back in when making sandwiches. When I go to my relatives, I request that they only use brand new margarine or mayo for making anything I'm going to eat. I know a lot of people have trouble getting their families to understand how important this is, but tell them how a single crumb can make you sick, that taking a burger off the bun and eating it is enough exposure to make you sick (and don't be surprised if they don't believe you). Offer to buy them new stuff, or get very small bottles just for you. They should also make sure that anything for you to eat is cooked on a part of the grill that is very clean or in a clean pan, and that your food never touches anything that was used to cook or stir something you can't eat. If there is stuff you can eat, like fresh veggies or fruit salad or meat, ask if you can take your helping before everyone else to make sure that no one accidentally uses the wrong spoon in it or drops a crouton in it before you get to it. Keep your food away from people opening cans of beer (it could spray on your plate), and don't eat anything that drops on the table or counter because you don't know how clean it is. Get your potato chips out of the bag before someone else puts their contaminated fingers in there. Unfortunately it's a paranoid way to eat and people will give you strange looks, but your health is important enough to stand up for what you need. And if you don't think you'll be able to get enough to eat from what's available, then pack a Snickers bar or something more healthy like a Lara bar to get you through.

[jaten]

I second the vote for Wildfire Grill in Atlanta. It's out near the Perimeter Mall, so may be a bit of a trek, but SOOOOO good, and you won't really feel like you're having to limit your options. Their gluten free menu is extensive and well-rounded.

Do make sure they know that you eat gluten free by medical necessity, not by choice. They say, "Oh, it doesn't matter, we go through a long checklist for gluten free customers." BUT, I have saved my own skin there twice. Most recently a couple of weeks ago one of the managers tried to tell me I could have their french fries eventhough they weren't on the gluten-free menu. I expressed extreme doubt, and talked about dedicated fryers, etc. He reassured me. But then came back apologetic a few minutes later and said that because I had questioned, he went back to the kitchen and checked and sure enough, the fries are fried with breaded items. (The chef may have caught that managers error if I hadn't, but I don't know that for sure. Their chefs are supposed to be very well trained.)

Will I eat there again, and again? YEP! Wildfire does know gluten. Just keep your wits about you, because as we all know, while many non-Celiacs are very willing, at every restaurant, etc. there will be employees that don't get it completely yet.

If you feel taken care of, tip well. I think it helps pave the way for future Celiac patrons.

[dionnek]

Everything that lpelleger said - just b/c the mayo, etc. might be gluten-free doesn't mean it's safe unless it's new. CC is a big issue at potlucks, etc. I always make sure I get my food first before there is a chance of cc, and I usually only eat things like fresh fruit/veggies and bring my own food (also, burgers/hotdogs on the grill might be ok as long as they aren't grilling buns on the same grill).

As for Atlanta, I live here and we do have a lot of choices. If you will be in the downtown area, there is Ted's Montana Grill, Chili's, Outback, plus the expensive restaurants will usually be able to accomodate if you talk to the manager (never relly on the waitstaff - always ask to talk to a manager first). In the suburbs there is PF Changs, Maggianos, Wildfire, Seasons 52 (next to Wildfire), Carrabas, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Mimis, and a whole bunch more. Chipotle and Chick fil A and Wendy's are the only fast food restaurants that I'd chance. I eat at Chipotles all the time but don't order anything that they touch with their hands (cheese, lettuce, etc.) - even if they change their gloves for you, they have already contaminated the items from previous handling.

Google Atlanta and gluten free and you'll find a lot.