10 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHILE EATING OUT

I love cooking. With that said, it’s always nice to have a night off. To make sure the ordering process is quick and easy when I go out for meals, I like to look at menus and call the restaurant in advance to see how they ensure no cross contamination. I also make sure the kitchen is aware of my allergies every time. As I’m always super polite to people who are helping me, especially the people taking my order when I go out, people respond by being super helpful in regards to my needs. This is good as I don’t feel like an inconvenience to anyone. I’ve made 10 questions that you can ask either in advance or when you spontaneously go to a restaurant to ensure your safety. You can use what ever wording suits you, just remember to stay positive and be clear in what you are asking.

1. ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH MY ALLERGY?

This is where you can explain your allergies. In doing so you can get a clear idea of whether or not the restaurant team have accommodated for the same allergies before. If not, make sure they understand why your allergy is to be taken seriously and identify what plan they have in place to accomodate it, if any.

2. DO YOU HAVE A GLUTEN FREE MENU?

This is when you can see if they have a specific gluten free menu, gluten free items or if they can adapt existing menu items to be gluten free.

3. DOES THIS CONTAIN…?

There are so many hidden gluten and wheat additives in food. Especially when the menu item doesn’t say it’s gluten free, it’s so important that you clarify what’s in that item. Don’t assume salad and mash potatoes are safe for you to eat. Same goes with burgers – just because you ask for no bun doesn’t mean the patty and condiments are gluten free. Please check out 10 RESTAURANT FOODS YOU THOUGHT WERE GLUTEN FREE (BUT MAY NOT BE) and my THESE MAY NOT BE GLUTEN FREE list for more information on dishes and ingredients that can sneak in wheat and gluten. Also please ask the person who is helping you with your order to check with the chef if there is any wheat or gluten in your chosen dish.

4. WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?

If you are unsure as to what to order, tell the person taking your order which menu items you are interested in and see how they feel about your chosen menu items.

5. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE ACCOMODATING MY SITUATION?

You want to make sure the restaurant understand your situation and is comfortable in accomodating your needs.

6. IS THERE A SEPARATE PREP AREA FOR THE GLUTEN FREE FOOD AND SEPERATE COOKWARE BEING USED?

It’s important to understand the precautions the restaurant takes to ensure no cross contamination. It is especially important when you end up in a place that doesn’t specify that they do gluten free food. Whilst they may be able to offer you a menu item that can be adapted to have gluten free ingredients, this doesn’t guarantee it’s gluten free. In order to claim food is gluten free, it must match a set of standards that go beyond having gluten free ingredients. If they aren’t a restaurant that openly offers gluten free food, they may not be aware of the standards that are needed to be followed in order to call a meal gluten free. Therefor, for your safety it’s important that you find out what precautions the kitchen is taking and make sure you are happy with how they can accomodate your needs.

7. ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS?

Usually gluten free alternatives are more expensive, for example having a gluten free bun. If you are ordering an off menu alternative, you may like to ask if there will be a different price (if this is something important to you). That way there are no surprises when you go to pay for your meal.

8. ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THE RECIPE?

I know that when I find a restaurant I like, I will also have a favourite dish that I will get every time I go there. I would just like to say that even if you frequent a location, updates could be made to dishes at anytime, so it’s a good idea to check it’s what you are expecting.

9. HOW WILL THE CHEF BECOME AWARE OF MY ALLERGIES?

Just a precaution to make sure the message has been passed on. You could even ask to speak with the manager or chef when it’s time for you to place your order if you feel more comfortable. A couple of years ago when I went to Japan, I got a friend to write up some allergy cards for me. Whilst I took the time to learn enough Japanese to explain my allergies and what they were, I didn’t want any miscommunications to occur when it came to discussing cross contamination concerns. The allergy cards made it so easy. I could pass them to the person taking my order at restaurants so they fully understood my situation. As I was with a large group of friends, I also really liked doing this as I could discretely, accurately and quickly communicate my situation and know I would be safe.

10. IS THIS MY GLUTEN FREE WHEAT FREE MEAL?

When you get your meal, double check the precautions previously discussed have been taken.

PLEASE REMEMBER…

Your safety is so important and if you are at a restaurant that can’t accomodate your needs, it’s totally fine to thank them for their time and then go to find a meal elsewhere. Remember when you go out, you are treating yourself. You are there to have great food and a good time. Restaurants want you to have a pleasant experience. The questions in this post are what I wish I had of asked restaurants sooner. I’m hoping that you have gotten something from reading this post and can have an even better experience while eating out. Thank you so much for reading to the end.