Restaurant/pub menus

[Crazyfrog007]

I am celiac and really struggle when looking for pubs/restaurants to eat out at because the majority don't bother putting whether their food is gluten free or not on their menus.

Every single pub or restaurant makes it clear, however, whether their food is vegetarian and it's becoming increasingly common that they also label the food which is vegan.

Whilst I understand that there are lots of good reasons for becoming vegetarian or vegan, and demand for this kind of food is likely to be higher than for gf, at the end of the day it is a life choice, not a requirement.

AIBU to be frustrated that restaurants/pubs cater for a life choice but not a very serious dietary requirement?

Please note--this is NOT a thread bashing vegetarians/vegans. I am simply frustrated at constantly seeing v/ve on menus but not gf/gfo.

Why should gluten free food information be more readily available than other allergens... that's what is making you sound entitled!

How would a menu work if they had to list all allergen free foods? All establishments have an allergy folder. As far as I can see that's the only solution unless you want to attempt to decipher a coded 30 page menu.

I really do sympathise that it's an absolute faff and very inconvenient having allergies but that's your cross to bear.

As I said, my too very young children have multiple allergies and carry epipens. We never have problems eating out... and when I anticipate a problem I take a packed lunch.

It absolutely my responsibility to keep them safe and request allergy folders and inform restaurant staff.

Crazyfrog, it's way better than it used to be though! Most chains you will be well catered for. Vietnamese food can be really good, have you been to Pho?

Most places you can just ask them. If they had to list every dietary and lifestyl choice on their they'd be like a novel!

OK hammerhorror, I do see that it would likely be impractical to include everything on a menu and do understand that if a restaurant/pub is to include gf, they should really include everything, but the online thing... As I said in a previous post, could an establishment not include on their website a 'we cater for x allergies'? I'm not meaning to sound entitled and do understand it's my cross but I'm just having a bad day with it today (I'm sure we all get them!)

Cottonsock- it is definitely better than it used to be. I'm very thankful for that. Never even heard of Pho! Don't think we have one in my area but will keep an eye out. Thanks for the recommendation.

I went to a Xmas dinner dance last night and clearly stated on my order (pre ordered) gluten free, when the main course came out, all silver served turkey with stuffing and a pig in blanket sat on top of it, i said to the girl serving us is it gluten free, she proceeded to flick the stuffing and sausage off and went yep, i was like no don't give me that it's still cross contaminated, so off she went for a second plate of turkey by itself, got that got my veg and poured the gravy on only for another member of staff to come up and say here's your gluten free gravy! Grrr I then had to sit and wait for a fresh plate to be cooked whilst everyone else ate there's. Even on gluten free menus in pubs I've ended up being badly with my stomach.