Restaurants Charging Extra

[veruca]

I'm trying to eat out less, but when I do go out to eat I go to places that cater to gluten free people. Many restaurants now are charging extra for gluten free. These charges fall into 3 categories 1) charging for gluten free bread or pasta...some sort of special item 2) the cost of preparing the gluten free food separately and finally 3) the price of a substitution.

I have celiacs and gluten free is not a choice. I was wondering if this was against the Americans with Disabilities Act. I'm usually so excited to eat out that I don't mind paying. Other times, I think I should remind them of the price of a loaf of gluten free bread. I've actually argued before on the charge for substitution because this is often to get vegetables instead of fries which we CAN'T eat.

Does anyone know if this falls under the ADA?

[Jestgar]

Eating out IS a choice, and they are not required to provide you with food, nor are they required to lose money in order to provide you with food. Also, if they charge for substitutions, then they charge for substitutions...

[JNBunnie1]

I'm personally ok with the charge. I know how much extra work and training is required to feed me, and the food IS more expensive. They charge more for filet mignon than NY strip, I see it as the same thing.

[JNBunnie1]

On a different subject, the charge for substituting veggies for fries, or anything like that, really chaps my a**. Yeah, salads cost extra I get that. But if it's on the 'sides' menu I should get to pick whatever one I want. Don't charge me for switching from baked to mashed, you cheapskates. I've always avoided places like that on principle.

[Jestgar]

On a different subject, the charge for substituting veggies for fries, or anything like that, really chaps my a**. Yeah, salads cost extra I get that. But if it's on the 'sides' menu I should get to pick whatever one I want. Don't charge me for switching from baked to mashed, you cheapskates. I've always avoided places like that on principle.

Me too. Or any place with a "no substitutions" policy.

[RonSchon]

It's really a developing situation.

For instance, on Tuesday night I went out to dinner at Outback - my first meal out since diagnosis. I felt safe with Outback because they seem to be solidly behind the initiative.

So when I ask the the waitress how I tell the gluten-free items, etc, she knows nothing about it.

My point of agreement with the original post would be that if somebody is charging me more for Steak gluten-free than they are for the normal same steak, there better be trained staff and they better be taking all CC precautions.

[~**caselynn**~]

It's really a developing situation.

For instance, on Tuesday night I went out to dinner at Outback - my first meal out since diagnosis. I felt safe with Outback because they seem to be solidly behind the initiative.

So when I ask the the waitress how I tell the gluten-free items, etc, she knows nothing about it.

My point of agreement with the original post would be that if somebody is charging me more for Steak gluten-free than they are for the normal same steak, there better be trained staff and they better be taking all CC precautions.

Good point! I'm sorry to hear about that experience with Outback, I've had some great luck with that chain, here in Maine and also in Florida. I suppose it's with any restaurant, they can only be as good as their trainer.

[bartfull]

The one that gets me is "plate sharing". Some restaurants actually have it written right in their menus that "Plate sharing is not allowed". If I buy their food, it now belongs to ME, and if I want to share, I WILL!

And there are other places that will be glad to bring you an extra plate - but they charge you for it. They claim it is to pay the diswasher for having to wash that extra plate. Sorry, but unless they pay that diswasher a thousand dollars an hour, that excuse doesn't cut it. I would think that the good will they lose from their customers isn't worth it. I for one, refuse to give my patronage to any place that does that.

[1974girl]

We didn't have a very educated Outback employee either. When they brought my dd plate there was a fry on it. Now, in all fairness, it could have fallen off my DH's entree onto hers as they were carrying the tray. But we were not sure and made them remake it.

2nd- I love Red Robin. It is the only place around here that my daughter can get a "real" burger. I don't complain out loud to the staff about the extra dollar but the bun is smaller. So I do complain in my head. : )

Wheat is subsidized in America so everything with wheat will be cheaper. But when you are already paying $10 for a burger meal, they I think they should let the dollar slide. : )

And...I recently found out that a local place we go to actually dips their baked potatoes in the deep fryer for a few seconds before baking them. I mean, I know we are in the south, but do you have to deep fry your potatoes? I guess it was to make the outside crispier. Anyway, thankfully they did tell us that before we ordered.

[IrishHeart]

On a different subject, the charge for substituting veggies for fries, or anything like that, really chaps my a**. Yeah, salads cost extra I get that. But if it's on the 'sides' menu I should get to pick whatever one I want. Don't charge me for switching from baked to mashed, you cheapskates. I've always avoided places like that on principle.

Agree completely.

No substitutions for sides is BS!!!--the food is right there in the kitchen! What the big deal?

[Chad Sines]

I would pay extra if I knew the person making, handling, and serving the food knew all the issues surrounding gluten. It just makes sense to me since we are asking them to know more than the majority of the country know regarding gluten.

[KMMO320]

The only thing the restaurant I work at charges for is salad instead of sides. Like if something comes with potato and veg and they want salad instead..it costs extra. I always tell people you may as well also get the potato and veg or extra veg and the salad because you are basically paying almost the full price of the salad. We dont use iceburg or romaine lettuce, its a mesclun mix and expensive, so we have to charge for it. We dont charge for sharing, I hate that! We also charge extra if its spinach or asparagus, again because of the price to us.

I have worked in a restaurant since I was old enough to work and I just will never understand the sharing plate charge. Its ridiculous! I worked one place that wouldnt allow people to share the double lobster...how can you stop anyone? Whats to stop one person from ordering that and the other from just ordering a chowder and then having them pick off the others? Really..who is going to police that?

So silly.

[Adalaide]

There are plenty of things that restaurants charge extra for, many of which have nothing to do with gluten free substitutions. Reminding them of the price of a loaf of gluten free bread only reinforces their position of charging extra. Of course they'll charge you an extra $1 for gluten free toast if they pay $5 extra for that loaf of bread with half as many slices in it.

I simply made educated decisions about where to eat. I won't eat somewhere that isn't celiac friendly. To me that means more than just a gluten free menu. There has to be a knowledgeable staff, a reasonable allowance for substitutions and the charges for substitutions can't be outrageous.

[ShannonA]

I'm trying to eat out less, but when I do go out to eat I go to places that cater to gluten free people. Many restaurants now are charging extra for gluten free. These charges fall into 3 categories 1) charging for gluten free bread or pasta...some sort of special item 2) the cost of preparing the gluten free food separately and finally 3) the price of a substitution.

I have celiacs and gluten free is not a choice. I was wondering if this was against the Americans with Disabilities Act. I'm usually so excited to eat out that I don't mind paying. Other times, I think I should remind them of the price of a loaf of gluten free bread. I've actually argued before on the charge for substitution because this is often to get vegetables instead of fries which we CAN'T eat.

Does anyone know if this falls under the ADA?

Why can't we have fries?

[kareng]

Why can't we have fries?

We can have fries, just not at most restauraunts because of cc. If they fry things like chicken finger or onion rings in the same oil, there will be little bits in the oil. Because the opinion rings, etc are coated in a flout mixture, we can't eat the fries. Same with chips in Mexican restauraunts.

It sucks!

[bartfull]

In a restaurant, unless they have a dedicated fryer for the french fries, they cook them in the same grease they cooked the breaded fish and chicken in. That means anything cooked in that grease is cross contaminated.

[bartfull]

Oops. Karen beat me to it.

[kareng]

Oops. Karen beat me to it.

Nah! Nah!

We can't stress the cc in a fryer, too much. The fryer does not " kill" or destroy gluten.

[ShannonA]

Ok glad to know, learning every day. Thanks!

[psawyer]

Returning to the original poster's question, I have only encountered this when ordering pizza. Several establishments in the Toronto area offer gluten-free pizza. They all charge a premium for the gluten-free crust. In every case, the crust is prepared offsite and specially handled onsite. There is a higher cost to the restaurant, and they are not being unreasonable in passing it on.

[Adalaide]

While not unreasonable, I still die inside just a little bit every time I pay it. I suppose I should be thankful I've been forced to give up yeast and cheese? Still hoping that on Monday when I see the doctor I can go from given up to in moderation. A 10" pizza by myself is in moderation right? Right?

[Googles]

And even when they have a dedicated fryer as advertised by fries on their gluten free menu. You should still check and make sure. I went to one restaurant (can't remember which right now) and I found that when they get busy they start putting everything in all the friers so after that the french fries are no longer gluten free. I was glad I asked and had the waitress check (she was a little confused about all the gluten free stuff).

[veruca]

Thanks so much for all your responses. Many of my restaurant experiences have been extremely positive. I posted this after visiting a restaurant that charged me $4 extra for gluten-free bread and another $5 just to make my salad gluten free. I had just picked up some things from a gluten free speciality store before dinner and I think it all just added up-literally.

I am lucky to have my health under control.

I am also lucky to be able to eat out no matter what the price.

I love having a gluten-free specialty store as well.

I see a massive difference when asking for gluten free food if I explain I have celiacs. This is not my choice and it is not easy but I appreciate the waitstaff helping me out.

Every single time we inform the restaurant we help out our whole community.

Thank you all again.

[IrishHeart]

Thanks so much for all your responses. Many of my restaurant experiences have been extremely positive. I posted this after visiting a restaurant that charged me $4 extra for gluten-free bread and another $5 just to make my salad gluten free. I had just picked up some things from a gluten free speciality store before dinner and I think it all just added up-literally.

I am lucky to have my health under control.

I am also lucky to be able to eat out no matter what the price.

I love having a gluten-free specialty store as well.

I see a massive difference when asking for gluten free food if I explain I have celiacs. This is not my choice and it is not easy but I appreciate the waitstaff helping me out.

Every single time we inform the restaurant we help out our whole community.

Thank you all again.

Thank YOU for a positive message about how we can all deal with the hand we've been dealt, how fortunate we may be, despite this disease, and how we should see that many times, people really do want to be accomodating. Saying you have had many extremely positive experiences is very good to hear.

[Lfrost]

It's really a developing situation.

For instance, on Tuesday night I went out to dinner at Outback - my first meal out since diagnosis. I felt safe with Outback because they seem to be solidly behind the initiative.

So when I ask the the waitress how I tell the gluten-free items, etc, she knows nothing about it.

They do have gluten free menus, but some of the wait staff are unaware. We went to Outback (brought our own hamburger bun). After we ordered for My son, I realized we forgot to ask for his broccoli without the seasoning. When I let the waiter know this, he assured us that he wrote "Gluten-Free" in bold and on my son's ticket so they would not put it on. Thank goodness I sampled my son's broccoli before I gave it to him. It was seasoned! Don't forget to ask for no seasoning!