Alright folks, buckle up because I’ve got a story that’ll make you laugh, cringe, and maybe even relate a little too much. So my wife and I were looking to escape the kids for a little bit and have a nice dinner. We heard about this fancy restaurant that had great gluten-free options, and we were excited to try it out.
We walked in, and it was perfect. The lighting was just right, the ambiance was just cozy enough, and the menu looked amazing. We informed our waiter about our celiac disease, and he seemed to understand completely. “No cross-contamination here!” he assured us. We were thrilled and ordered everything under the sun.
Fast forward to six hours later, and my wife is writhing in pain in bed. Her stomach was doing cartwheels, and I couldn’t help but feel bad for her. We had been glutened! Can you believe it? All we wanted was a nice dinner, and now we’re paying the price.
At first, we laughed it off. It was ridiculous! We go out to eat, and we end up with stomach issues. But as the night went on, the laughter turned into frustration. We had plans for the weekend, and now everything was canceled. We were stuck at home with two kids and the dreaded cocomelon on repeat.
But you know what they say, every cloud has a silver lining. We decided to turn this negative experience into a learning opportunity. So, here are three practical steps to
follow when trying out a new restaurant:
- Call ahead and ask to speak to the chef or manager. Don’t do it during peak hours, though, because they’ll be too busy to help you out.
- Talk to others in the celiac community and get recommendations. They’ve been in your shoes and will know the best places to go.
- Be assertive! You’re not being needy; you’re protecting your health. Be specific about your needs and make sure the staff understands how severe your condition is. It’s better to be safe than sorry, after all.
So there you have it, folks. A cautionary tale turned into a learning opportunity. Don’t let our story scare you away from trying new things, just be smart about it. And if you have any funny or relatable stories, feel free to share them in the comments!