Allergy “Friendly” Restaurants – Updates

Dining out in a restaurant is something we did ALL THE TIME …before we had kids.  I’m sure many readers can relate. Then our son got to be a couple months old and we would try lunch, then a little older & he was actually a lot of fun in a restaurant! We loved giving him french fries with ketchup and little samples from our plates. Then one day we tried a milkshake!!! We thought it would be so much fun to watch our one year old have his first milkshake! But he didn’t want it. So we gave him some whipped cream on the straw & watched the hives light up!

We’ve learned a few things since then. We also quit restaurants for a while. But in my effort to show my son the world as I know it, my motto let’s find what we CAN do prevailed and I began searching for allergy “friendly” restaurants. “Friendly” is not to be confused with safe. Nothing is safe. ”Friendly” refers to those restaurants who have made an effort to understand food allergies &  develop procedures in order to serve the allergic population.

There had been at one time a website devoted to listing “allergy friendly restaurants.” It no longer exits – due to Liability http://www.peanutaware.com/safe_restaurants.html. So once again I will state Firmly…this list is by no means a listing of safe restaurants, only a list of “friendly” restaurants. It is in the parent’s best interest to contact the restaurant manager on the phone and in person to discuss the individual case. If for any reason you do not feel comfortable eating at the restaurant…DON’T do it!!!!!  This is your child’s life you are dealing with. If a restaurant can’t put you at ease…LEAVE.

On with the exciting part….call the restaurant in advance, ask for manager upon arrival, and good luck!

1. McDonald’s    http://www.mcdonalds.com/usa/eat/mcdonalds_menu.html we have had much luck here. The menu is detailed on the web and the only peanuts they use are in a sealed package for sundaes. I wouldn’t recommend using the play place, especially if there is eating inside, due to cross contamination. ALSO – WATCH for DOG TREATS in the drive thru – they had peanut butter ones there today!
2. Red Robin  http://www.redrobin.com/home/locate.aspx?from=menu we have been there several times. The former kitchen manager had a peanut allergy. They can print a menu for the specific allergy. The manager can then personally cook & deliver the meal. Make sure you ask him/her to do this. Eric – the peanut allergy Kitchen Manager was moved to Amherst almost a year ago 
3. Nino’s Pizza   1737 Orchard Park Rd, West Seneca, NY 14224, Phone: (716) 674-9066. They have been excellent with us. They do not have peanuts and there is a peanut allergy in the “nino’s family.” We have eaten in and taken out. We love pizza!
4. TGI Friday’s   http://www.fridays.com/home/welcome.aspx   we have not eaten here yet, however I have spoken to the manager in person. She printed a Excel list of all menu items and what allergens they possess
5. HSBC Arena Box Seats http://www.hsbcarena.com/ my husband’s work let us use the box for the Wiggles Concert. (it was excellent by the way!) Chef Paul and his staff were fantastic. They read all the packaging for us & Chef Paul prepared all the food himself. We had a great time & my son was able to safely play with his cousins & eat the food!!
6. Costanzo’s Bakery http://www.costanzosbakery.com/index.cfm Not necessarily a restaurant, but we don’t have a category for them yet & they’ve been great with us! They no longer make doughnuts!!! They accept call ahead orders & questions!
7. Forestview Restaurant located at 4781 Transit Road in Depew  displays a sign stating “Now serving gluten free pancakes”.  Their phone number is 716-656-8760. map
8. You’ll be happy to know we’ve found a new website www.foodallergyfriendly.net/  it’s still in the early stages, but looks like it will be a great resource for restaurants and allergy friendly products
9. Curly’s -of Lackawanna http://www.curlysgrill.com/- received a great review from one of our readers, after sitting through Krista’s presentation & taking the tour of the restaurant, I feel very comfortable bringing my family for a special occasion
10. Pizza Hut- has received mixed reviews – I thought i read somewhere they use peanuts to thicken some of their sauce, someone else says they’ve checked & found it to be ok.
11. Red Lobster- we overheard they are very accommodating, I have not checked into it myself.
12. Denny’s - They assisted FAAN in writing their Restaurant Guide. Although each store is different, so ask questions before attempting.
13. Swiss Chalet -http://www.swisschalet.com/home.php We visited the Transit/French location in Lancaster. The manager was well aware of food allergies and very knowledgeable. We had a great experience! Wednesdays from 4-8 kids eat free & receive free balloon animals.
14. Italian Ice – New spot in Orchard Park. We cannot eat the gelato, however they have the ingredient lists for all the italian ices and use a separate scoop! We’ve been there twice!
15. Olive Garden – according to post below
16. Pasquale’s – according to post below
17. BW’s Barbecue Catering – http://www.bwbbq.com/ Called them to ask about bbq pork, grilled chicken and boiled potatoes. They make the catered food in a separate facility. There are peanuts present in the restaurant. The catered food was delicious, however I don’t think my 3 year old felt like eating that day. But it was nice to know we could let our guard down – slighlty.
18. Cinco de Mayo- http://www.5demayogrill.com/ closed
19. Little Ceasar’s Pizza – claim no peanuts are used in their facility.

It’s a short list, but I am always looking for new places to try. We would love to hear about other restaurants and experiences – good or bad….it’s very important to communicate this to the group!!!

Below please find a list of DEFINITE NO NOs…..

1. The Original Pancake House – uses Peanut Oil in their pancake batter
2. Cheburger Cheburger  of Amherst- fries in peanut oil
3. JP’s in Hamburg – fries in peanut oil
4. Tops Carry out Cafe – watch out for those lingering Tim Horton’s Peanut Doughnuts cross contaminating everything!!!
5. Eileen’s West Seneca Bakery – although there are rumors out there they are peanut safe, they cannot guarantee any cross contamination has not occurred.
6. Pizza Plant – this is a tough one. The Transit Road location has gluten free pizza dough on Wednesday night, however they serve peanuts at the bar at both locations. They have vegan options as well & we loved this place, but the peanuts in the shell are a deal breaker.
7. The Roycroft – http://www.roycroftinn.com/ Strike the original good reivew as I had a HORRIBLE experience there. I do not believe they are providing any training.