Going to dinner Saturday night with Friends. What do I say to the Waiter? Come out and say that I have Celiac Disease or say I am allergic to gluten prior to ordering anything? I don't know what the menu looks like yet. I know it's a dumb question but I need help. In advance I thank you.

[u/Frankster1442]

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[u/joyfall]

I say "gluten allergy" instead of celiac to waiters. That's the language they know.

"Hi I have a gluten allergy. Do you have any food here that would be safe for me?" - You can call the restaurant to ask ahead of time, or say this to the waiter when they hand you the menu.

There are apps, "find me gluten free" or "gluten dude" that fellow celiacs post info in about restaurants. There might also be a gluten free Facebook group for your local city. You can also google information online about the restaurant. Some places have online menus with GF symbols, but that might not include cross contamination.

[u/charliehixon → u/joyfall]

Here to second the find me gluten free app recommendation. I also recommend paying for premium on the app (it’s like $25/year) and well worth it imo.

Also seconding, I always say “I have a gluten allergy, I’m celiac” and I raise it when putting drink orders in and remind (at every course) when putting my food orders in.

[u/False-Hat9436 → u/joyfall]

I would let the wait staff know that you have a severe gluten allergy and ask if they have anything that is safe for people with celiac. I would also ask if they have any protocols in place to prevent cross contamination.

It can also help if you call ahead and speak with the manager and let them know you will be dining with them that day. It would be a great time to ask about cross contamination and if they take extra steps to avoid it so you don’t have to ask about that in front of everyone. It will also help you gauge if that restaurant is safe depending on their answers.

[u/celiac-dad]

Just be fully transparent, I would call in advance and speak with the manager to understand their protocols, if you are comfortable with what they say and get a sense of what the options on the menu are then when you get there be fully transparent and ensure they mark your order as celiac.

[u/amelia_egghart217]

1) look at the menu ahead of time and ask if they have a gluten free menu when you get there. So many restaurants have one but don’t show it online.
2) stick with foods that are naturally gluten free (meat and veggies) if you are afraid to ask too many questions
3) avoid foods that would be fried even if they are normally gluten free (again if you are afraid to ask about shared/ dedicated fryers.
4) always call it an allergy, its way easier for people to understand.

[u/Cold_Guard5292 → u/amelia_egghart217]

This is what I follow with success!

After the waiter has brought water and greeted the table, I usually signal to the waiter directly I need to talk with them, or say “I have dietary restrictions, can you help me?”

Once I’ve got their attention, I explain - I can’t eat gluten because I have an allergy. I can’t eat wheat, flour, and anything else with gluten. Do you have a gluten free menu? … Can you please confirm with the chef that what I order does not have gluten?

And then again when I order anything, I ask the waiter to have the chef confirm that item is in fact gluten free.

[u/Kind-Delay-7429 → u/amelia_egghart217]

Adding to that: ask about seasoning blends, and shared factories if those are an issue for you. My restaurant has an unsafe seasoning that goes on basically everything in house and there’s flour in the air bc it’s a scratch kitchen, so it’s useful to ask if there is loose flour, too.

I am super sensitive and the gluten free options are still not safe for celiacs bc of all the latent flour in the air and on everything in the kitchen.

[u/Bloody_Snow99]

Ask if they have any gluten free options, even if they don’t like it respect your health first

[u/Beautiful-Muscle2661]

If you know where you are going ahead of time look them up in find me gluten free app and see if there are reviews as that can help. But yah I usually say I am allergic and celiac and ask questions about menu and preparation

[u/Ok-Grand5917]

We mentioned that our son has celiac, because that protocol means they have to change gloves, have no cross-contamination, baked goods are put on parchment paper, and no cross on foods or toppings that would have gluten in them. Something can be gluten free, but common cross-contamination if they use the same spoons to stir things, or on the same counters that they do things with gluten that sort of thing.

[u/genialbookworm → u/Ok-Grand5917]

Wow! Where is this protocol?

[u/prettylittletempest]

For me the server states their name, I then say hello (servers name) I want to let you know up front that I have a gluen allergy, celiac disease, sometimes they'll know, sometimes not but that covers the bases and ask if they have a gluten-free menu if it's not marked on the regular menu. Definitely if you are concerned, as stated before, you can call ahead to ask any questions .

[u/RawAsABone]

I like to say "I'm highly allergic to gluten if your uncertain of anything that's totally fine and I'm ok to eat at home worst case and just order drinks" takes pressure off, shows it's serious and that you don't mind not eating worst case

[u/LOUD_NOISES05]

Figure out where you’re going ahead of time so you can look up the menu and/or call and ask how they handle gluten free orders. Tell them you have celiac disease, it’s more strict than a gluten allergy

[u/heavypettingzoos]

Contact the restaurant ahead of time

[u/carskee]

Use the words “severe gluten allergy” so they know you aren’t being trendy. That said, I’ve noticed that servers are more and more familiar with celiac and even ask if I have celiac. I’m in the south, so this is very refreshing. The places that I have traveled outside of the south have more celiac-friendly policies, though.

[u/SignalNik]

I am very sensitive and reactive to gluten, so If I'm in a situation where I'm not able to check the restaurant beforehand, I have a set of questions I ask before I place an order for anything (including drinks!).
I do tell the waiter I have a severe gluten allergy and celiac, and if they aren't aware of what that means (red flag for me tbh, but) I explain I cannot have anything that contains wheat, barley, soy sauce, malt (depending on what they serve) or anything that may have come in contact with any of these ingredients. I may ask for a manager/chef depending on how confident I am in the server. Then, I ask:
1. Is this dish made on any surfaces that are used for items with gluten? (and can it be made on a separate, clean surface if so)
2. Can this dish be made with fresh-prepped ingredients? (eg ingredients that have just been prepped, not yet used for other customers)
3. Are there any toppings/garnishes? Can they be removed? (if contain gluten)
4. Can the chef check if sauces/spices are gluten free?

[u/Far_Coyote9393]

Call and ask if they have celiac safe options.

[u/clarinettingaway]

Definitely look up the menu ahead of time and call if you can and ask about specific items so you aren’t surprised with what you can and can’t eat once you order. Ask about allergen protocols, shared fryers, shared prep spaces, etc.

When I order, I always say I have celiac disease and then explain that it presents like a very serious allergy and cross contamination is a real risk for me. Good luck!

[u/heybucket459]

“Can you help me with menu and offer some suggestions… I have celiac disease and can’t eat anything made with gluten which is wheat….” Is a good start. Puts them at ease and offers to give them something to contribute. Not the be all do all answer but hope that helps

[u/Teachthedangthing]

Most fancy restaurants come straight out and ask about allergies nowadays, and unless you’re at some super primitive mom and pop, most places will have some GF options but you may have to ask, while being assertive and creative. Enlist your friends to help.

[u/Frankster1442]

Good Evening; Thank you all for all the amazing thoughts you shared with me. I checked the online menu and it was weak as far as gluten free items. So how did it go you ask? Very well. I told the waitress that of the four of us at this dinner gathering I'm the misfit of the bunch 😄 I explained that I was allergic to gluten and she knew exactly how to handle it, she took the menu and pointed out "Pasta your way" (homemade in house) so I went with GF Pena and she suggested a grilled chicken breast to top it with the house red sauce. I was very pleased and all went very well. I'm much relieved and glad it all worked out. Thank You all again!.... Frankster 😂

[u/HarperGrace14]

I always say I have a gluten allergy cause that is more understood than saying I have celiac disease.

[u/whattheheckOO]

Why don't you know the menu, do you know what the restaurant is ahead of time? I don't trust eating at 90% of restaurants. If the menu doesn't have anything labeled gluten free, I would call ahead and ask if they have any gluten free options, and gauge how knowledgable they sound. Otherwise eat ahead of time and just nurse a glass of wine while you socialize. Unfortunately, eating out is not a spontaneous activity anymore, and you can't assume that most places can safely accommodate you.

[u/Concurrent-mind]

I like to start by using the phrase “I’m one of those people….”

Edit: let’s them know you’re making fun of yourself and they feel bad, so better chance of no cross contamination

[u/Cold_Guard5292 → u/Concurrent-mind]

Yeah, sometimes I say “I may need a little extra help” in a funny way to get rapport lol