Have you ever had this happen to you?
I went out to eat for a late lunch with my family on Labor Day to a Mom & Pop place in a nearby town. I ordered a burger with no cheese or bun, as usual. (Cross-contamination isn't a major concern since I'm non-Celiac gluten-intolerant so I didn't fuss about that). The food took FOREVER and when I spotted the waiter finally approaching with my order, my heart sank.
My burger was covered with melted cheese and beautifully wrapped in a light and fluffy bun. 5 years ago, blissfully unaware of my gluten-intolerance, I would have been excited. Now, seeing that burger headed my way, I fluctuated between feeling a little irritated to feeling like it was a cruel joke. Not having time to wait for them to remake it gluten-free (my 4 year-old was already way overdue for his nap), we had them take it off the bill. I sat for another 15 minutes watching my son and husband eat while I pondered how much being gluten-free can really suck sometimes.
Then, wouldn't you know it, the well-meaning restaurant owner comes toward our table toward the end of the meal with a big plate filled with 2 pieces of apple pie and 2 enormous scoops of vanilla ice cream. He wanted me to eat this to make up for their mistake! The man looked genuinely confused and disheartened when I had to reject it. Trust me, that's nothing compared to how sorry for myself I was feeling about having to turn away a delicious cheeseburger and free, homemade apple pie! Sufficed to say, when I finally got home and made a gluten-free taco for myself at 5PM, I was not a very happy lady. As many great gluten-free options as there are, there are some days I just wish I could go out and eat a cheeseburger in a bun with a chocolate shake on the side without a care in the world. How about you?
Much better to cry and whine than to eat it, which I have done, so good for you! You did not make yourself sick!
ReplyDeleteThanks, LS! It's not always easy to remain steadfast but I've learned from the past that "cheating" is just self-sabotage. I appreciate the support!
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ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! How I can relate! If I had a dime for every time I heard someone say, Oh, you can't have wheat? Then white bread is okay? ARGH!
ReplyDeleteMost of the time, eating with 'wheat eaters' doesn't bother me, but sometimes, it's almost painful. Sourdough bread is my weakness...
Laura, I know! I've started getting this frozen crusty bread from Against the Grain and it definitely makes a world of difference. I can have a baguette sandwich or dip it in oil and it's pretty darn good. http://www.againstthegraingourmet.com/products/
DeleteMy horror story. The had gluten-free buns on the menu. I ordered a gluten free burger, side salad with NO CROUTONS.
ReplyDeleteItem arrived, side salad on same plate with croutons. I'm horribly sensitive, and politely explained that this is unacceptable. Sent back.
Burger came, side salad on same plate with no croutons. Picked it up, looking forward a few moments of gluten free bliss. Find a crouton UNDER the bun!
Bring the manager in, change my order to gluten free pizza. Worry to heck about cross contamination, but dammit, I'm hungry. Waitress in the meanwhile goes back and makes a very nice plate sized salad.
After wondering what the heck is going on, the manager comes back and says that there is no more gluten free pizza crust left. And the entire group bill is free.
The disillusion about the simple joy of a gluten free burger at a restaurant is gone! Since then, I've had better experience, but it still left a scar.
Jenn - I can so relate to that. When the restaurant doesn't care I feel angry and bitter. when they do care but continue to screw up I feel frustrated, self-conscious, guilty, and disillusioned. And while I appreciate a free meal for friends, it doesn't quite fill your stomach. In those moments I have to dig deep to not run the the ladies room and get out a good cry in the stall. Here's hoping for better eating out experiences for all of us!
DeleteThanks for sharing this! I'm so relieved to know I'm not the only person who all of a sudden gets emotional over my food when I'm out with a large group and have to be THAT person. There's always so many questions, doubts, and restaurant staff involved, making it a 10 minute ordeal with the manager when I just want to know if the soup of the day is gluten free. :/ *sigh* I also crave burgers sooooo bad sometimes! And people always say "just get it without the bun!" but I don't WANT to spend $8 on just a meat patty. Thanks for the support, ladies. Glad I'm not alone!
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ReplyDeleteThis is why we do not eat out very often at all. It's my 4 year old son who has gluten and wheat allergies. When they mess it up, it's the smallest face at the table who is foodless. That is NOT an easy situation.
ReplyDeleteI have been gluten intolerant only for a short time (2 years) I get very frustrated at times too. I love ethnic foods, but now most Chinese, some German, English pub food, and many others are off limits. I may be able to find one or two items on a menu, but that gets boring while my husband and friends can have a wide range of choices. I live in a university town so the local restaurants are getting better at denoting what has gluten in.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have gone on this diet by choice, to not be completely allergic to all dairy products, to be able to walk in a place and know that their ignorant attitudes wont end up in some messed up way or another, sick as a dog for 2 weeks straight. The idea that there is so little care, or even thought that goes into what is being fed to our citizens, let alone those with medical issues...it sickens me, literally. The idea that most companies that produce 'Gluten-Free' products, make it for the people who have chosen to go onto this as a 'diet' not as a way to help relieve medical issues. There is so much milk stuffed into 90% of the foods that are labeled 'GF' that I cannot even eat those foods. I feel most of the food that is made, manufactured, or even just prepared to be 'GF' is just for the media driven, bandwagoning diet jumpers, not for those who's very mental, physical, and emotional health depend on it.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. Lettuce wrapped burgers were getting tiresome. Picking those croutons off my salad, just doesn't cut it. We have some wonderful places here in California that are very GF friendly. Two of our favorites, Sammy's Woodfired Pizza and BJ's Brewery, actually have an area in the kitchen set aside. We have a gourmet burger place, Slater's 50/50, now offering GF buns. Just this past weekend, we went to Dudley's Bakery, well known for their wonderful fresh breads, to sandwiches to take to one of the local wineries. I took a chance and took my own GF bread to see if they would make my sandwich with it. Not a problem, they made my sandwich. I'm not intolerant, just sensitive,, so I don't have to be as careful as my daughter-in-law.
ReplyDeleteJust remember, for every bad situation we've had, there are always way more many good one.
omg, thats happened to me too, its so humiliating... and then people dont understand how someone can be rude and reject that...ive tried explaining that i cant eat wheat instead of gluten, and i got a vegetarian burger on a regular bun, he thought i said meat....
ReplyDeletesnide comments from family are the worst though. i have some that say theyd eat something anyway even if it made them sick to be nice.