Experiences with food allergies and restaurants

[Anonymous]

We have a DC who is very reactive to eggs. DC is fine sitting next to someone acting eggs, but any small ingestion of eggs causes anaphylaxis.

The allergist says restaurants are ok to eat in (less safe than home but not super unsafe) but I am a bit nervous to go anywhere but national chains which have ingredients and allergens posted online so I can check it myself before we go out to eat.

I hate limiting our family meals at restaurants to chain restaurants. Would love to hear from others with food allergies if you have had good/bad experiences with eating at local restaurants? Mostly wondering if you had an exposure to a menu item they assured you was safe.

TIA!

[Anonymous]

Seriously look into oral immunotherapy. My son just did OUT for peanuts /tree nuts and it has been great.,

[Anonymous]

^oit not out

[Anonymous]

I've experienced all levels of sensitivity, including national chains failing my request for "x" to be omitted (think something simple to not add like onions on a salad). How to find sensitive, non-chain places? Ask your allergy local group or neighbors, explaining your needs.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, the national chains are best at dealing with this -- because of 1) defense against lawsuits 2) prescribed recipes.

My recos
1) Get good at advocating and leading this conversation in a restaurant.
2) Ask to speak to the chef.
3) Make a chef card. Here is a link for a free one I've used. https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/food-allergy-chef-cards

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the national chains are best at dealing with this -- because of 1) defense against lawsuits 2) prescribed recipes.

My recos
1) Get good at advocating and leading this conversation in a restaurant.
2) Ask to speak to the chef.
3) Make a chef card. Here is a link for a free one I've used. https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/food-allergy-chef-cards

+1
I have a friend with severe food allergies and we usually meet up at Seasons 52.