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Living the gluten-free good life in D.C.

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To gluten or not to gluten? That is the risky question.

January 17th, 2009 by Brandi

This weekend, while visiting friends in Williamsport, PA, we decided to venture out into sub-zero temperatures for some good diner grub. Our trip took us to Williamsport’s newest greasy spoon - the Five and Dime on Pine St. The bright atmosphere was welcoming and the promise of homemade hot chocolate seemed to make the trip worthwhile.

I ordered my standard – homefries, veggie omelet, no toast. When my food arrived, there was a pleasant sprinkling of breadcrumbs on the plate and the eggs. My typical reaction is to sigh in frustration and scrape the tainted foods to the side of my plate. After which, my husband usually sends it back on my behalf (how nice – I’m always mortified). This morning, I ate my meal about 20 minutes after everyone else and my fun breakfast outing was spoiled.

So I ask, what do you do when the server just doesn’t get it? Scrape the gluten-filled foods to the side? Return the food? Or wait for your partner to speak up for you? Comment back or www.twitter.com.

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2 responses so far ↓

  • 1 stacy Feb 7, 2009 at 1:49 pm

    I have no problem sending food back because even a crumb will make me deathly ill for at least 24 hours, with a 7-day hangover afterwards when I can’t work. So I explain up-front that no wheat-products can even touch my plate and ask that they put a note with my order (for the cook) and be very careful. This works better some places than others, tends to be best in places that have a GF menu, even if I am adjusting a non-GF item to be GF. They know how to prepare it! Other places are always a risk, and can harbor invisible gluten from cross-contamination. Obvious gluten, I ALWAYS send back.

  • 2 Brandi Mar 15, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Stacy! It’s always such a let down when you’re out for a meal and people don’t quite understand your dietary needs.