Eating Out
We have found that there are a few chain restaurants that offer gluten free options and can typically handle the food properly to not have too high a risk of cross contamination for our girls.
Disclaimer: Please use your judgement as your child's reaction to gluten may differ or be more severe. These options are obviously not perfect as they are not fully gluten-free facilities and you can run the risk of cross contamination.
Trusted Chain Restaurants
Chipotle
- Hard shell tacos or bowls are gluten free
- Alert the staff that you have celiac disease and request that they wash their hands and change their gloves
- One staff member will take you through making your meal
Jersey Mike's Subs
- They offer regular size subs with gluten free bread
- Alert the staff you are celiac upon ordering, ask that they wash their hands and change their gloves
- They will sometimes make your whole sandwich in another area in the back of the store or one staff member will make your whole sandwich and use different knives
Bonefish Grill
- Ask for their gluten free menu
- Alert your server that your child has celiac disease
P.F. Chang's
- Gluten free items marked on the menu and they have a dedicated separate area in the kitchen for prep
- You can request gluten free soy sauce
Tips for Exploring New Cuisines
There are cuisines that are naturally more friendly for celiacs as they don't typically use many wheat products in their cooking. We have had great luck going out to the following types of restaurants:
Ask for gluten free soy sauce (or bring mini GF soy sauce packets). When ordering make sure to avoid rolls with additional sauces, fried fish, crunchy add-ons. Simple chirashi, sushi and sashimi are best.
Look for corn tortillas, hard shell corn tacos and grilled meats.
Most Indian dishes are naturally gluten free as are their chickpea based crackers. Avoid any of the soft breads or fried pakoras. Ask the server if any wheat flour is used in the sauces as a thickening agent.
Now what's interesting is that as celiac disease has become more common, many restaurants you wouldn't think of as being gluten-free are offering options. However, as with all of the above, you need to be cautious and use your judgement if the restaurant in question will be careful enough about cross contamination for the needs of your child.
Many neighborhood pizza places now offer gluten free pizzas. Call and ask if they prepare them on a separate surface. Also many offer gluten free penne pasta with most sauces. Ask if they cook this pasta in a separate pot of water.
Many bagel shops and delis now have gluten free bread and bagels. The best is when the bagels are individually wrapped as you can then be sure they haven't been in contact with gluten sitting in the shop. Ask that the server washes their hands, uses new knives, etc.
Places to Watch Out For
Be careful about the flavors of ice cream your child eats. Many ice cream flavors contain hidden gluten so you will want to ask them for an allergen list. Also regular ice cream cones are made with wheat, so you will want to be a bit careful about how the servers are handling cones and then if they are able to use a new scoop to put ice cream in a cup for your child.