Gluten Free & Dairy Free: Eating Out

April 13, 2012

Tips For Eating Out:

  • Choose a restaurant that offers a gluten free menu.  A high percentage of  restaurants now offer them.  For a list of restaurants who offer gluten free menus, check Charlotte Celiac Connection or Allergy Eats.
  • Check the menu in advance to determine what foods may be safe for you to eat. Most restaurants offer their menu on their website.
  • Call ahead. While food in a restaurant is typically made when you order it, a lot of the components that go into a dish are prepped ahead of time (i.e. meats are often marinated ahead of time). If you call ahead and ask the chef to skip the marinade for one portion to cater to your needs, this may be helpful. It will be easier to communicate with the chef over the phone (provided you call during a slow time of day) than at the restaurant while he or she is in the middle of a busy mealtime rush.
  • Be vocal about your food allergies and sensitivities as soon as you are seated. Be specific when you talk to the server and ask to speak to the chef, if possible.
  • Ask about how things are cooked and/or prepared. Meats and vegetables are often cooked in butter (dairy). Many chicken dishes are made with chicken and/or soy. Meats may be cooked with fillers (soy). Ask for all seasonings to be left off. Seasonings are full of gluten.

 

Local Restaurants That Offer Gluten Free Options or Gluten Free Menu

*These offer a gluten free menu and other allergy information.

 

Big Daddy’s Burger Bar

Longhorn Steakhouse

Bonefish Grill

McAlister’s Deli

Brixx Pizza

North of the Border

Carrabba’s

Red Rocks Café

Chili’s

Shane’s Rib Shack

Firebird’s

Sticky Fingers

Jason’s Deli

Zoe’s Kitchen

Moe’s Southwest

Fuel Pizza

Chick Fil-A

Outback Steakhouse

P.F. Chang’s

Romano’s Macaroni Grill

Mama Ricotta’s

Qdoba
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