This May Be A Dumb Question About Going Out To Eat

[SaraKat]

Can you just go to a regular restaurant and order something on the menu, but plain? Like a piece of salmon with broccoli plain? I go out to dinner all the time, and I have never noticed a gluten-free menu at any of the places I frequent (in Greenwich, CT & Rye, NY)? Or can't I order a salad with no dressing or cheese and obviously croutons?

Thanks!

[Skylark]

The issue is how sensitive you are. Restaurant kitchens are not gluten-free and people are moving fast. Your plain veggies could be cut on a board where someone was slicing bread a moment before and your plain meat could be put on a grill that had bread or gluten-containing sauce.

I order salads with no croutons and oil and vinegar all the time and I've never had trouble. I HAVE been occasionally glutened from supposedly plain meats so I can't recommend that as reliable. I got frustrated enough trying to eat out I pretty much only go to restaurants with gluten-free menus or stick to salad. Perhaps if you have a favorite restaurant you can talk to them at a non-busy time and find out how they're cooking their meats and how likely it is you'll be CC'd from plain salmon.

[jststric]

The issue is how sensitive you are. Restaurant kitchens are not gluten-free and people are moving fast. Your plain veggies could be cut on a board where someone was slicing bread a moment before and your plain meat could be put on a grill that had bread or gluten-containing sauce.

I order salads with no croutons and oil and vinegar all the time and I've never had trouble. I HAVE been occasionally glutened from supposedly plain meats so I can't recommend that as reliable. I got frustrated enough trying to eat out I pretty much only go to restaurants with gluten-free menus or stick to salad. Perhaps if you have a favorite restaurant you can talk to them at a non-busy time and find out how they're cooking their meats and how likely it is you'll be CC'd from plain salmon.

My first question (simply because I'll forget it if I don't ask now, lol) is what kind of meat do you think is glutening you? Many luncheon type meats do have gluten in them. Some brands are gluten-free. I only ask because you said you live in NY and I always think deli's and such in NY. If you are talking steaks and such.....I would also wonder if you MIGHT be bothered by something else....like dairy? Alot of meats are seared/cooked with butter on the grills for flavor. I have to ask about butter being used vs. oil. Personally, I eat out as much as I can. I've learned a few places I definitely can't eat at but I keep trying. I do order salmon and veggies. I ask for oil. I ask if items come ready-made (meaning not much can be customized) or if they do their own preparing. Every once in awhile you come across a place where they truly want to accomodate you. My son just recently started working at a Mongolian BBQ place and its a GREAT place for us to eat! You can pick/choose your own foods and they even have a grill in the back specifically for allergen-free cooking. You don't get the excitement of watching it being cooked on the big grill out front, but I could care less about that. Just do your research about the sauces they have available and which are gluten-free and which aren't. They do advertise you can bring in your own sauce!! I suggest keep trying. People aren't going to learn we are out there and need them to learn if we quit on them!! Just learn to read your menus and ask lots of questions.

[Skylark]

I've gotten glutened by supposedly plain 100% beef burgers and more than once by supposedly plain salmon.

I have no other food sensitivities and beef and salmon that I prepare myself at home are fine. Butter and oils are not an issue. I cook with butter and olive oil all the time. I am quite certain the issue is CC from griddles and grills, as when a chef who is knowledgeable about the diet cooks for me in a clean pan I have no issues.

I am disinclined to keep trying. Eating out at establishments who don't have a proper gluten-free program is Russian roulette for me. I'm glad your sensitivity is not so severe that you are willing to take risks and try to educate folks.

[Juliebove]

The biggest issue would be cross contamination. If they are cooking the meat on a grill alongside something like pancakes, you could have a problem. It's probably best to tell them that you have celiac or an allergy and need it cooked in a clean pan.

[StacyA]

If I'm traveling and don't have many options, I go to a steak place when it's not busy, and ask the hostess before I'm seated if the chef would be able to make me a steak on foil with no seasoning because I have a wheat and barley allergy (I use the word allergy because it gives people visions of throats closing up and ambulances). I smile and say thank you before she even goes back to the kitchen, because I want her to tell the chef there's a nice lady asking... If I get a good answer in a good tone, I get a steak and baked potato and usually that's it, unless they can assure me that some other sides are ok. I wouldn't go with chicken since a lot of poultry is injected with broth, and some broth has barley - unless the kitchen staff is confident they know the gluten status of their supplies.

[Gemini]

I've gotten glutened by supposedly plain 100% beef burgers and more than once by supposedly plain salmon.

I have no other food sensitivities and beef and salmon that I prepare myself at home are fine. Butter and oils are not an issue. I cook with butter and olive oil all the time. I am quite certain the issue is CC from griddles and grills, as when a chef who is knowledgeable about the diet cooks for me in a clean pan I have no issues.

I am disinclined to keep trying. Eating out at establishments who don't have a proper gluten-free program is Russian roulette for me. I'm glad your sensitivity is not so severe that you are willing to take risks and try to educate folks.

I am about as sensitive a Celiac as they come and was deathly ill at time of diagnosis yet have had fantastic luck with educating restaurant chefs on how to make a meal gluten-free and avoid CC. I think it depends on where you live and what type of restaurant you go to. Higher end restaurants generally do a good job of making a meal gluten-free, without making you sick. I doubt it has little to do with sensitivity because if it did, I wouldn't be able to eat out at all. I am not a risk taker, where this disease is concerned, and have walked away from places where I really felt I wouldn't be able to get a gluten-free meal.

It really is all about asking lots of questions and training them how to cook a meal to avoid CC. One of the restaurants I go to on occasion has a chef who has been very willing to learn because he has had so many Celiacs come in and request gluten free food. He does not have a gluten-free menu, which really is no guarantee that your food will be safe anyway, but marks that evening's menu with the meals which can be made gluten-free. I let them know I am coming and in 5 years, have never been glutened there. You need to eat at places where the chef has formal training. I also do not eat out that often at all, except when traveling. There is extreme awareness where I live so that does help and so does a down economy. Restaurant owners are beginning to realize that there are more than 2 Celiacs in the population and we are willing to pay big bucks for a safe and delicious meal.

[Tina B]

Can you just go to a regular restaurant and order something on the menu, but plain? Like a piece of salmon with broccoli plain? I go out to dinner all the time, and I have never noticed a gluten-free menu at any of the places I frequent (in Greenwich, CT & Rye, NY)? Or can't I order a salad with no dressing or cheese and obviously croutons?

Thanks!

Of course, I have been doing this for years. There were no "gluten free" menus 20 years ago when I was diagnosed. I order broiled or grilled veal, steak, fish, no toppings. Baked or mashed potatoes, veges, salad, no croutons and have never had a problem. Lots of fine dining restaurants also serve, flourless chocolate torte, sorbets, chocolate mouuse etc. for desserts.

[MelindaLee]

I happened into Perkins today as it was the only option between starving and eating. I specifically asked before I was even seated if they had gluten free or could help me figure out something which was gluten free. The hostess was wonderful. She suffers from sulfite allergies so understood all the ways allergens can "hide". I ended up with eggs and canadian bacon and fruit, which she could assure me wouldn't be cc as the eggs always gets cooked on their own griddle. Seems to have worked. I have been surprised at the places that can do gluten free. I was in a local bar/restaurant the day after diagnosis. I told the hostess I had a challenge for her....I needed gluten free. She immediately and confidently told me they have gluten free pizza, any toppings I want (and knew I could have). It was great! My first gluten free pizza! (Since I was the only one needing gluten-free, I also had leftovers for several meals after that! ) Never hesitate to ask. Worse thing they can tell you is it'll be plain salad for you!