Eating out with a child who needs a gluten free diet can be tricky.
Well, eating out with children who doesn’t have dietary problems can be difficult enough, but if you need to analyse every item on the menu as well as deal with the usual childish issues, it can be a real problem.
In fact, many adults don’t eat out either, once they realise they need to eat gluten free. According to the latest edition of Crossed Grain (the Coeliac UK publication), 67% are less likely to eat a meal outside of home once they are diagnosed.
This is a shame, for a number of reasons:
- Eating out is one of life’s pleasures …
I really enjoy not just eating a meal I haven’t had to prepare, but one I haven’t had to think of in advance or shop for (how many meals do you know that will suit all three children – not only a coeliac, but also a child who won’t eat vegetables, and one who won’t eat meat?) – and which I won’t have to wash up afterwards
- How to behave in a restaurant is an important skill for children to learn, whether or not they need a special menu.
I know it is hard work, but the more you do it, the easier it gets – honestly!
- Not eating out reinforces the view that ‘there’s no call for gluten free meals’ – if nobody asks for them, then they won’t offer them. That’s the way the market works.
- Explaining to a waitress – or even to chef, if need be – about the gluten free diet makes it easier for the next one along.
I’ve been vegetarian for over 25 years, and the changes that have taken place over that time are entirely due to individual vegetarians asking for vegetarian food and explaining why. Let’s do the same for gluten free!
So, where to eat? More specifically, where to eat out with a gluten free child?
Drum-roll, please … in reverse order:
- McDonalds. Yes, I know … but they have a very good allergen listing, and are reliably the same from town to town. When desperate, you know you can feed a child gluten free at McD’s.
- TGI Friday’s – or indeed any American-style restaurant. These places tend to be child-friendly, the service is good (in that the staff are prepared to amend orders, take notes and check with chef) and often there is a GF menu
- La Tasca. This is a Spanish-style chain, so I guess other Spanish restaurants would be the same. The menu is marked up with what is GF, and because it is basically tapas, you can order a lot of different things – there’s bound to be something that is both gluten free and acceptable to your child!
- My local chippy – Green Island Chippy. So OK, this isn’t so easy for the rest of you to get to … but they deserve a lot of credit for spotting a gap in the market and filling it with gluten free fish and chips, gluten free sausages and chips … They have a dedicated GF fryer, so they can cook gluten free whenever they are open, and they use their own gluten free batter
- Smollensky’s on the Strand. This isn’t just for children either – I’ve spent a lot of time drinking cocktails here, as a younger (child-free) woman. Smollensky’s menu is marked up with gluten free items in both adult, big child and small child size portions – both main meals and puddings. And they give out fantastic goodie bags for the children …
What are your recommendations for eating out? We’re always looking for good new places to try!
This post has been entered into the Problogger group writing project – just for fun. Do go and look at all the other entries …
… and then go out to eat tonight!
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I’ve written a book summarising what we’ve learnt over 20 years of dealing with the gluten free diet, and it might be just what you’re looking for. It packs the lessons we’ve learned into what I hope is a helpful and straightforward guidebook. It’s available on Amazon, as a paperback or for your Kindle… |
Great top 5. We’re in the States, but I’m going to forward this on to my mom (who eats GF) anyway. Last time she visited the UK, she said the only thing she could find to eat was chips, and I think that’s kept her from wanting to travel much since.
She did come back from that trip a few sizes smaller, though, and she liked that.
Hi Maile – thanks for visiting!
If your mother is visiting the UK again, I suggest she asks for help on the UK GF messageboard, saying where she’s planning to visit, and I’m sure someone will be able to suggest some places to eat, and/or good places to buy GF food locally. It is getting much easier to be GF, and I’m sure we can do better than just chips!
Great blog. I’m a fan of Gluten Free Girl too, not just for the recipes, but for her beautiful writing style.
Congraulations on joining Gack Ink. I have been with Gack Ink for just a short time, but I’m so pleased I joined, and I’m sure you will enjoy it too.
Hi Yvonne – and thank you. I’m hoping to learn a lot from the Gack Ink bloggers.
I love the layout of your blog. I must revamp this one sometime soon – so much to do and so little time!
Lucy – Learning from each other is what it’s all about. I look forward to your visiting my blog again. :)
Saw you on my blog and thought I would stop by yours as well. Little Pickel is gluten free/casein free…by our choice. He was tested 2 times for Celiacs and negative.
BTW, in the states McDonalds french fries are not gluten free. UGH
Hi Pickel, and thanks for visiting.
I wonder why McD does french fries differently in the US and the UK? Perhaps yours are coated in flour to make them crispier – or maybe there’s a cross-contamination risk?
It’s a shame, though, because McD (or Burger King) can be very convenient on long journeys. Is there a chain in the US which provides reliably GF food no matter where you are? Though GF/CF is more difficult.
where can i find a restaurant with gluten free meals around the cardiff and barry area of south wales please
Hi Sian
I’ve never eaten there (too far away from me!) but this looks good: The Canteen on Clifton Street in Cardiff.
Alternatively, if you just want to go to the pub, you could try a Wetherspoons, which has several outlets in Cardiff and a gluten free menu downloadable from their site.
If you find somewhere good, please let us know!
Great place to eat for gluten free diets when you come to Devon!
Bacon sandwiches, crumpets, and hot panitas (like paninis) greek salads with gluten free pitta breads which can also be served with greek meze and mediterranean dipping platter. Breakfasts but without the sausage (at the moment). Lunches, soups,and salads all made on premises so ingredients can be traced most days all gluten free. And lots of home made cakes to choose from to end your meal. Wow!!
The Country Table Cafe Newton Abbot.
Tel:01626 202120
Hi Karen – thanks for letting us know about your cafe! That sounds great. I always like to know about good places we could eat – though it’s been a long time since we visited Devon. We must come back!
Frankie and bennys will do gluten free but are no good for kids. I ended up arguing with the chef (if you can call him that) because he refused to do kids size portions for my 5 yr old coeliac. So clearly the meals are already prepared and portioned prior to delivery to the restaurant. The young girl serving us then said oh you can still have drinks here. We just walked out and 100 yds down the road went into TGI Fridays who accommodated our needs perfectly.
Hi David – how frustrating! Obviously a five year old isn’t going to eat as much as an adult… But I’m glad TGI Fridays worked for you.
There are lots more great places to eat these days, and many have a marked-up menu to show what is gluten free now. But there are still some that just don’t seem to see the need to be helpful…