Well, That Was a Bummer
On Saturday night, we went out to dinner as a family. It was only the second or third time we've eaten out since we confirmed that C is now allergic to shrimp and other crustaceans. The first times went okay - one was as a Mongolian barbecue kind of place that was very accommodating. The one other time I didn't think too deeply about it - but I've since learned more about the risks.
We went to a burger place the next town over. C was craving French Fries (one of the only two ways he will consume potatoes - the other is potato chips). In the car on the way over we practiced what he needed to ask about preparation and all that - I'm trying to empower him as much as possible in this learning process. We made sure we had the EpiPen.
I wasn't expecting to see fried shrimp on the menu. It kind of didn't occur to me. Then we asked the dreaded question: Is the shrimp fried in the same oil as the French Fries and onion rings?
Yup, it was.
Big, big bummer.
No French fries with his burger. No onion rings as an appetizer for the family. Using shared oil for frying both is a cross-contamination risk.
C was a sport and ordered coleslaw as his side.
We asked if they could be sure to prepare his food separately from any shrimp, and the server seemed hesitant. I asked if the server could go check. He did, and said that could be accommodated. But even in his checking and response to us it somehow didn't seem like he got it. Like the restaurant itself didn't get it, either?
In addition to all that, we were seated at a table that was so wobbly that drinks spilled every time the table moved and it was in the direct path of the front door draft, so we had our coats on the whole time. We ended up having them wrap our dinners and leaving.
I don't think we're going back there. And I think we're going to have to do some research on friendly, accommodating restaurants for people with food allergies. I just had no idea it would be like this. It's going to be an adjustment for all of us, not just C.
4 comments:
oh, that allergy seems *so* unfair. I'm sorry.
That's one lame-o restaurant, if you ask me. Waiters and chefs today should know that when people ask about these things, it isn't just for fun! Food allergies are very serious and they need to be dealt with in a serious way. If I were you, I would never step into that restaurant again.
eba - while this allergy is much more manageable than some - we have a friend whose son is VERY allergic to daity - it does feel unfair, especially coming later in his life. Because C really likes shrimp! He has felt really disappointed about not being about to try certain things....he was just getting into sushi, too!
And Asdis, I think I'm going to send an email to the restaurant. It's not like we WANT to be a pain. We don't! But this is a real risk for C now.
It's also a risk for the restaurant. Do they really want to put C at so much risk that an ambulance (often accompanied by police and fire trucks) pulls up to the restaurant and stays there with lights going? Does not look good for them. I like the idea of sending them some email, maybe raising their awareness a little, and saying that allergies are very real and very dangerous, not something to be messed with. Let us know what happens...
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