Wierd Question

[LuvMoosic4life]

Sooooo, I feel wierd calling resturants ahead a time to ask about food preparation and if they could accomodate me. I've never actually called any ressturants and havent even really ate out in a year since I found I was gluten intolerant. does anyone else feel awkard calling ahead of time? I never know what to say....

and then I keep telling myself "just call what are they going to do, bite my head off?" lol it seems either hit or miss with people who understand the whole gluten thing...but lately I feel people are becoming more aware. I have no doubt, another 10 years things will be easier....I'm doing all I can to inform people about this...accept my fear of calling resturants doesn't help!!!

[ravenwoodglass]

Do not be afraid to call. I was a chef for years and most want their customers to be happy and safe. I would suggest calling at an off time, after lunch rush and before dinner perhaps between 2 and 3 or call in the morning and ask for the chef to call you back when they have time. You could also ask to speak with the manager and ask if they have any regulars who are gluten free and what they do to accomodate our needs. Do make sure that on the ticket the waitress writes NO Wheat, Rye, Barley.

Many find that ordering stuff like a steak and baked potatoes or chicken or fish with no seasonings other than salt and perhaps butter and fresh herbs makes the chances of a safe meal easier.

[LuvMoosic4life]

thanks. I kinda figured resturants get those questions a lot....theres just always that fear that they'll have no clue, even though I know its most likely not the case.

yeah the place I want to call has a menu online and pretty much the only thing I would feel somewhat safe ordering is the broiled haddock. all the meals come with salad and baked potato. but I figure besides the salad , everything else in the meal shouldn't be a problem if i order it w/o seasonings. The fish says "lemon pepper, or cajun", but dont really want to take the risk with that haha. I could get grilled chicken, but I dont trust grilling when everything they cook says "marinated, seasoned".

[mattathayde]

thanks. I kinda figured resturants get those questions a lot....theres just always that fear that they'll have no clue, even though I know its most likely not the case.

yeah the place I want to call has a menu online and pretty much the only thing I would feel somewhat safe ordering is the broiled haddock. all the meals come with salad and baked potato. but I figure besides the salad , everything else in the meal shouldn't be a problem if i order it w/o seasonings. The fish says "lemon pepper, or cajun", but dont really want to take the risk with that haha. I could get grilled chicken, but I dont trust grilling when everything they cook says "marinated, seasoned".

i would not assume anything honestly, i was looking at outback steakhouse's gluten-free menu and their fries are not gluten free even (that was kind of surprising). also most places will need to prepare things differently, outback as an example again says to ak for the salad w/o croutons and to be prepared in a separate dish... how ever, they have a flourless brownie that supposedly is ok because they use sugar in place of flour to dust the pan even, idk

-matt