How Do You Explain

[momof2]

My little story... We went to a Japanese restaurant tonight, and ordered my daughter a side of steamed rice and cold tofu. They brought tofu with tempura all over it, and laying in soy sauce. Needless to say, I sent it back. I explained what I wanted "cold tofu with nothing on it!" They brought cold tofu, with ginger and green onions on it, laying in a tempura sauce. The tempura sauce has soy sauce in it. So, I sent it back. I explained a 3rd time, my daughter cannot have any sort if sauce...no wheat at all! Please, cold tofu only, in a bowl! They got it right the 3rd time, and by that time, my daughter was full on rice, and I was exhausted.

Another time I went to Chili's and quickly said, "my daughter is on a special diet, so can you heat up her food for me, that I brought?" The waitress looked at me in disgust, and replied, a baby on a diet??? I am sure my looks could have killed...I went on my speech about her being gluten free and having a disease. I went on and on, ending with "we have come to the conclusion that she cannot have anything in your restaurant, so can you please heat up her food?" "Yes, of course" was the waitresses reply.

So, my question is...how do you explain what you need or want at a restaurant? I always feel like I try to avoid the word "disease" because it sounds awful, but a "food allergy" is not taken seriously. I usually throw in that she will get sick if contaminated. How do you explain to the employees what you need?

[tarnalberry]

The simple version I use "I can't have wheat, or anything made with it - like pasta, bread, sauces with flour. It'll make me very sick."

I tend to avoid the word diet, because it has "implications" in our society today. I might use a term like "dietary restriction" or "food intolerance", but for the short version tend to stick with the phrase "will make me very sick". :-)

[VydorScope]

Simple

"Look, I cant have any wheat/ect, and if you screw it up, no tip for you. You get it right, and I will not only tip generously, but come back often."

That being said, we have only been out to eat once since learning about celiac disease, and I simply told the waiter that my son was alergic to wheat so he needs to keep that away from his food. This was at Sante Fe Steak house, and we had no problems.

[Guest nini]

I've taken the waiter or waitress aside (so it's not at the table in front of everyone else) and I show them my gluten free dining card (printed off of Gluten Intolerance Group's website) and explain that both my daughter and me are HIGHLY ALLERGIC to ANYTHING contaminated with wheat or gluten and to please ask the chef or the manager to verify all ingredients on anything we order and if we order plain meats or veggies to make sure they are prepared on clean surfaces, I also mention the "no tip" if you screw this up and "big tip" if you get this right. They usually have no problems accommodating me. I went to Chili's last weekend, and while it was a relatively good experience and they tried REALLY REALLY hard. I still ended up getting glutened. (probably the mushrooms were cut on a crumby) surface.

[VydorScope]

Yea, keep in mind, that even the best of intentions can lead to mistakes. As a former waiter I can tell you most wiaters work thier butts off trying to accomdate thier clients, and mistakes happen constantly. I once droped an enitre tray of cake on a young lady in a prom gown! She was very understanding about it fortunitly, but it servs to illustrate my point, mistakes happen. So be careful.

[KayJay]

I just usually say that I have allergies and I cannot have wheat. My dh is fatally allergic to peanuts so between the two of us we have a lot of questions. Most places get concerned when you say allergy and will do anything to help us out. We don't eat out very much though and we try to only go to places that I know what I can eat. Then I just order what I know I can have it is easy and I feel normal that way.

[cdford]

I usually find that my restaurant card and a simple explanation that this is very important because I will become quite ill works. I usually will ask them for assistance in finding an appropriate item for me from their menu. I try to state my concerns emphatically but nicely. Usually the server will show back up with a manager who will quiz me for a minute or two and help me decide what is appropriate and how he should prepare it. With a couple of notable exceptions, I have had positive experiences.

[cdford]

I forgot to add that if they try hard and get it right, I leave a very good tip. They will usually see me coming the next time and work for that tip again.

[Boojca]

Christi,

You may already know this, but Chili's does have a gluten-free list. Do you have it? if not, here it is (I have not called to verify, but I'm guessing the pickles are bc of the vinegar, and if so then it's not true bc distilled vinegar is gluten-free...also, be sure to check on the soup listed bc some Chili's have been known to use flour to thicken it a little more...):

Thank you very much for your call and for your interest in

Chili's. We are very happy to provide you with a list of suggested menu

items.

Please be aware that we cannot guarantee that any item is

completely wheat-free due to cross-contamination possibilities in the

preparation of our food items. Therefore, the list we have compiled is

based on the information obtained from our supplier ingredient statements:

Bacon Burger with no bun, no dill pickles, no mayo

Baked Potato Soup

Chili's Filet Steak - no garlic toast

Chips - No Salsa

Chocolate Shake

Citrus Fire Chicken and Shrimp

Flamed-grilled Ribeye - no garlic toast

Salmon and Rice with Steamed Veggies with no ginger citrus sauce

Kid Burger and Fries - no bun

Margarita-grilled Chicken with no black beans or kettle beans

Mashed Potatoes

Mushroom Swiss Burger with no mayo, no dill pickles, no bun.

Old Timer Burger with or without Cheese with no mustard, no bun,

no dill pickles.

Side of Sautéed mushrooms

Tuna Steak Sandwich with no aioli dressing, no bun

** French Fries are okay however, see note below

** French Fries are not fried in a dedicated fryer and could

pick up wheat proteins from the oil used to fry other items.

We hope you are able to choose a meal to your liking. Should you

have any further inquiries regarding our menu items please contact

Mr. Tom Foegle at 972/770-1745 in our Food & Beverage Quality Assurance

Department.

Thank you again for your interest in Chili's and we look forward

to serving you very soon.

Sincerely,

Bridget

[kabowman]

I don't call the chain headquarters when I need to confirm a place is safe for me to eat at - I call the local resturaunt and talk with the manager and chef/cook. They will often work with me when the headquarters would likely say no...

I have great service at several local chains because of this: Chilis being the number one we go to...last time, our waiter cooked my food himself because he remembers me and has no problems accomodating. My husband said for the tip I left him (he COOKED my food!!), I should be sleeping with him but hey, we get good service and they know me there.

[Boojca]

I do both, only bc I like to know kind of my options when traveling. Plus I can go to, say, my local Chili's and say I got this from your corporate, but what else can we talk about? I, too, have found the local people to be MUCH more helpful than corporate.

Bridget

[Jnkmnky]

We go out to eat all the time. I love the opportunity to explain Celiac to others. I've NEVER had a rude waitperson. Never. We go out at least 2x a week. I don't sweat any details because if I feel the restaurant isn't going to have a safe meal on the menu, I prepare my son's food at home and bring it. I've never had a rude waitperson. I've traveled across this country 3 times with my celiac kid and even in the scary wastelands of this vast country, I've never had an uncooperative waitperson.

We went to Outback two weeks ago prior to seeing the latest Star Wars, and the waitress told me her best friend was just diagnosed with Celiac. The next thing you know, I'm writing down the names of all the tastiest gluten-free products, where she can purchase them, websites for support *this one* and my own email address incase she needs further help. The waitress was sooooooooo nice, but if she'd been a grouch, I'd have done the same thing.

I believe when you have a special issue such as celiac disease and you need to rely on the assistence of others who know nothing about what you're going through, it's best to put the BEST face on your issue. Smile. Be patient. Explain, explain, explain. Smile again.

[louie]

I always call ahead and ask if a gluten free meal is available and discuss this with the chef if possible,

I ask if they have gluten free and if they don't know what it is I tell them I am on restricted diet for a medical reasons and i need plain food no sauces or gravies, no wheat or bread, I keep it simple

i check what is in the meal before I order.

I still ask what is in the meal when it is bought out as I had one chef send me cous cous!! (cracked wheat)

I don't eat at fast food places because there is little available here in Australia that is gluten-free and there is too much cross contamination. the best bet is often a counter lunch at a pub where I can get grilled chicken and steamed vegies or salad.

If they do a good job i always thank them and tell them I will let others know they do gluten free, and of course locally, I keep going back to the good ones and they get to know what I like.

[Carriefaith]

The waitress looked at me in disgust, and replied, a baby on a diet???

some people just don't get it do they. Of course you are not going to put a baby on an actual weight loss diet. Come on now

I am lucky because most of the waitress's and waiter's around here have had celiac customers before (I live in a small place). But, I always say something like "I have celiac disease and no bread or gluten can touch my food". I have never got contaminated at a restaurant, but I am very picky in where I eat.