Comments on: Even the best sometimes let us down – P.F. Chang’s http://www.allergyeats.com/blog/index.php/let-down-pf-changs/ Side Dish: Your Allergy Friendly Restaurant Blog Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:08:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Heather http://www.allergyeats.com/blog/index.php/let-down-pf-changs/comment-page-1/#comment-932 Heather Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:45:13 +0000 http://www.allergyeats.com/blog/?p=568#comment-932 Some people either don't care about their customer's satisfaction, or don't think they have the time to care. Too many times that has happened to me. You have to check all of it up on your own before coming to the restaurant. The staff may not be willing at every place, even if it is a chain. Some people either don’t care about their customer’s satisfaction, or don’t think they have the time to care. Too many times that has happened to me. You have to check all of it up on your own before coming to the restaurant. The staff may not be willing at every place, even if it is a chain.

]]> By: michele carrick http://www.allergyeats.com/blog/index.php/let-down-pf-changs/comment-page-1/#comment-897 michele carrick Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:19:47 +0000 http://www.allergyeats.com/blog/?p=568#comment-897 Having grown up in the restaurant industry and having a child, now an adult, with serious and multiple food allergies, I completely understand the disappointment that Audrey experienced. I have left many restaurants, over the years, that are unable or unwilling to meet my standard of diligence when it comes to eating out safely. Having said that, I accept the fact that eating at a restaurant is a risk for those with food allergies, one that we often assume. Even with futher education and policy, it is still a risk. I think milk is the most difficult food allergen to avoid in restaurants. It does not mean that you don't take that risk when you feel safe enough to do so. One problem that restaurant face are the frequent turn over in staff. Another problem is the commotion that exists in the back of the house, especially when it is a busy time for them. Another problem can happen when restaurants employ staff that do not speak English or it is not their native language. These are only a few issues that complicate the safety of eating out. It is amazing how well and how often restaurants can accommodate the public that have either food allergies or gluten intolerances. We have yet to eat at any asian food establishments because of our allergies to nuts and peanuts. I have not felt that any asian restaurant could accomodate us safely enough. So sites like these are only going to help us navigate this world of eating out, once a luxury, now an everyday occurrence. Calling the restaurant ahead of time helps, checking websites before you arrive also helps but always be prepared for an unexpected exposure and above all keep up the communication with the food industry, both positive and negative! Having grown up in the restaurant industry and having a child, now an adult, with serious and multiple food allergies, I completely understand the disappointment that Audrey experienced. I have left many restaurants, over the years, that are unable or unwilling to meet my standard of diligence when it comes to eating out safely. Having said that, I accept the fact that eating at a restaurant is a risk for those with food allergies, one that we often assume. Even with futher education and policy, it is still a risk. I think milk is the most difficult food allergen to avoid in restaurants. It does not mean that you don’t take that risk when you feel safe enough to do so. One problem that restaurant face are the frequent turn over in staff. Another problem is the commotion that exists in the back of the house, especially when it is a busy time for them. Another problem can happen when restaurants employ staff that do not speak English or it is not their native language. These are only a few issues that complicate the safety of eating out. It is amazing how well and how often restaurants can accommodate the public that have either food allergies or gluten intolerances.
We have yet to eat at any asian food establishments because of our allergies to nuts and peanuts. I have not felt that any asian restaurant could accomodate us safely enough.
So sites like these are only going to help us navigate this world of eating out, once a luxury, now an everyday occurrence.
Calling the restaurant ahead of time helps, checking websites before you arrive also helps but always be prepared for an unexpected exposure and above all keep up the communication with the food industry, both positive and negative!

]]> By: AEPaul http://www.allergyeats.com/blog/index.php/let-down-pf-changs/comment-page-1/#comment-893 AEPaul Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:14:56 +0000 http://www.allergyeats.com/blog/?p=568#comment-893 From Vicki Dyson via AllergyEats Facebook page: The best thing we can do is share what we know when we go into these restaurants. They are definitely not perfect and we are dealing sometimes with individuals in the kitchen that are there to put in their 8 hours and that's it. I am thankful that these places are trying to educate their staff but until this system is perfected I have to continue... See More to be responsible for my own food choices. I recently had a Gluten cross cantamination issue at PF's but I probably will go back based on the fact that they do try :-) From Vicki Dyson via AllergyEats Facebook page:

The best thing we can do is share what we know when we go into these restaurants. They are definitely not perfect and we are dealing sometimes with individuals in the kitchen that are there to put in their 8 hours and that’s it. I am thankful that these places are trying to educate their staff but until this system is perfected I have to continue… See More to be responsible for my own food choices. I recently had a Gluten cross cantamination issue at PF’s but I probably will go back based on the fact that they do try :-)

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