Ignorant Server Of The Day

[Nancym]

That probably also has something to do with the fact that authentic Mexican food does not use any wheat. The primary grain is corn.

Probably depends if they're from the Spanish influenced parts of mexico or the purely Indian parts of Mexico. I live in a border town and I know that I'm risking glutening if I eat mexican food.

[ajay]

Very early on in my wheatfree life, I went to a lunch place near work. They made all the sandwiches at a counter & to order, so I figured they could make me a "salad" of sandwich fixins without the bread. Seems simple enough, I thought. So I asked the woman behind the counter to just put the lettuce, tomato, meat, etc. on a plate.

counterperson: "You don't want any bread?"

me: "I'm allergic to wheat"

counterperson: "Oh. I could put it on a pita..."

One of her coworkers heard this, and gave her such a look that it made it easier for me to just say,"no thanks. The pita has wheat in it, too." Somehow it's easier for me when I have a witness.

Another time, at a spiffy place, the waiter got hung up on what I couldn't have. "Our steak frites are fabulous! but of course, you couldn't have them... It's such a shame you can't try the fried calamari; it's our specialty!"

Er, thanks. Lots. Really.

On the other hand, I have had some *fabulous* servers.

- people who checked ingredients, returned to the table, and double-checked anything they weren't sure about, so I knew they were paying attention.

- Once I was sitting near the (partially open) kitchen and heard my server make someone prepare a new salad: "I need it *without* the bread. No, I can't take it off!" This was before it got to the table, even.

- servers who caught things I missed, like bringing a dish on salad greens without the dressing (even though the chef thought the dressing was fine) and bringing oil & vinegar instead. Turns out one of the dressing ingredients was cranberry sauce-- which had corn syrup in it.

- at one upscale place, after the hostess seated us, our waiter came by and went over the whole menu (about 6-8 appetizers and the same number of entrees) with me: "for X, we could prepare it this way instead," etc. He made me feel like he was just going over the menu, no big deal. It is a rare soul who can make it seem like my allergies are no more trouble than bringing over the pepper mill.

- i went to a catered post-wedding brunch. I asked the caterer about ingredients, and she went over everything. There were lots of baked goods, but lots of fruit and breakfast potatoes and other things, too. I had known there'd be muffins, so I brought some consolation gluten-free cookies, which she suggested I stash in a cabinet so no one would accidentally serve them or eat them before I got to them. Hours later, she approached me and asked if I'd had enough to eat. I thought that was sweet of her, especially since there was plenty of stuff going on & lots of people there.

I still don't have the guts to bring my own pasta anywhere (I'd want to follow them into the kitchen to make sure it didn't get mixed up)! But especially when I feel like I'm in good hands, I leave a good tip and make a point of thanking my server and the host/ess.

I definitely run into the problem of well-meaning relatives. Somehow my dad thinks he can "pre-screen" the menu for me and pick out what I can have (um, thanks dad, I think I have it down). One of my favorite stories comes from my sweetie's sister, who was checking out the ingredients of a snack:

"It looked fine, pretty basic, just added canola oil and salt. AJ could have this! Then I realized-- oh wait. It's popCORN. Duh!"

[steveindenver]

I was in Beaver Creek, Colorado this past weekend. Beautiful mountain town with ignorant servers throughout the area. On Saturday, I went to this little sandwich shop and asked the guy behind the counter (he was barely 19) if he can make me a lettuce wrap, as I can't have bread due to allergies (you know, saying gluten intolerance just never works at times). So he says sure. I ask him to clean the cutting board he was using, since he JUST finished making a sandwich, and he wiped it down, put down papertowels to start mine, and then pulls out tortillas. I asked him if those are corn or flour and he said, "Flour." I told him I asked for a LETTUCE wrap, and I can't eat bread, so how can I eat that?" I hate dumb people.

[mindaugas]

I honestly can't believe you guys. Most people don't even know what gluten is, let alone what contains wheat or not. I'm having a hell of a time figuring it all out myself. So cut people slack, expect them not to know and help educate them. Don't call them ignorant, stupid, or get frustrated because every waitress/server/or food service employee doesn't know about celiacs. I can't believe this is even a topic in the forum. Now I'm going to go to somewhere and get crap for having a disease because the celiac victim before me was a jerk to the waiter for not knowing.

[penguin]

OK, you have your opinion. I don't think anyone on here was actually rude to the servers, and we come here to vent because, yeah, it's frustrating to eat out as a celiac. I don't think anyone expects anyone at your average resaurant to know a thing about celiac. It's a common bond we share, that frustration. Personally, I think it's a sad state of affairs that people don't know what bread is made out of, I mean really, turn over the loaf of wonderbread and read the ingredients. In spite of my awe at people's ignorance of what dietary staples are made out of, I'm never rude to anyone about it, it's a chuckle I have with myself later on.

If rye bread is made out of rye, and wheat bread out of wheat, then what is white bread made out of, white?

[keccles]

Here is one from me... not a restaurant experience, but a response from Mott's where I was inquiring about whether their product Clamato (main ingredient in a Canadian-based alcoholic drink called a Caesar) contained gluten. I posted an inquiry on their online form, so I don't have exactly what I wrote. Generally I keep things very brief and just say "does X product contain gluten". Here is their response (emphasis mine)

-----------------------------------------------

Dear Ms. Eccles,

Thank you for contacting us about the presence of gluten in our Mott's products. Consumer inquiries such as this are appreciated because they provide valuable feedback about our brands.

Gluten is a mixture of complex proteins found in the grain of wheat, barley, oats, rye, rice, corn, and other grains. All of our Mott's sauce and juice products are gluten free EXCEPT Mr. And Mrs. T Pina Colada and CLAMATO.

We appreciate your inquiry and hope you will continue to enjoy our brands. For more information about our company, please visit us on the web at www.motts.com.

Sincerely,

Consumer Relations

-------------------------------------------------------

Ridiculous!

[ehrin]

You know it truly is amazing what people do NOT know about food. I think I have an advantage, having "hippie" parents that did not allow processed foods and being a T1 diabetic for nearly my whole life.

Anyway, my roomate offered me an ice cream sandwich the other day. I informed him that I can't eat that and he looks at me and says:

"but you eat chips!"

I informed him that those are from a potato. Well I must have said it rudely because he looks at me and says "how am I suppoesd to know what wheat is?" Um....I dropped it.

Later on in the night he offered me pita bread.

[penguin]

"how am I suppoesd to know what wheat is?"

Because in second grade there is a unit on grains and where they are grown...

And, you know, those handy dandy ingredient statements...

[ehrin]

Because in second grade there is a unit on grains and where they are grown...

And, you know, those handy dandy ingredient statements...

He just doesn't have a glue about food in general. He's hefty, about 350 pounds, and you should see the crap he puts into his mouth. The other day we had frozen burgers left from a cookout. Apparently I've been the one cooking them for him because he takes them out of the freezer and asks why they're yellow. Um...they're not yellow, they're frozen! If you think they're coming out of the freezer pink and defrosted...

[eKatherine]

I'm sure that when I was in school they taught us that wheat was ground into flour, and flour was made into baked goods. Of course, back then it was still the norm for most people to realize that food is made from ingredients, as everybody knew somebody who cooked routinely from scratch. Seems like nowadays most people assume food comes out of a replicator a la Star Trek and cooking is limited to rich, eccentric self-declared "gourmets"

I think it also has to do with the education system. Nowadays they teach that facts aren't important, it's the theories that matter. So kids grow up knowing no facts, but because of this, they don't understand the theories, either.

I know I read ingredients labels on everything when I was a kid. But it seems like putting more nutrition information on labels has not resulted in more literate and informed consumers, but in a population in a constant state of information overload. Nutrition information - incomprehensible. Eating a healthy diet - something only a person with advanced degrees and lots of free time can do.

[penguin]

Do we not teach nursery rhymes anymore? No little red hen? With the picking, and the thrushing, and the grinding....

Seriously, what do people think white bread is made out of?

I always read labels too, but that may be because of my chef-y tendancies. Screw catering, when I'm done with school, I'm going to make it my personal mission to teach kids how to cook

[2Boys4Me]

Excellent server of the day story: We are in Nanaimo, BC right now, visiting my parents. We went for a drive up Island and packed a picnic lunch. On the way home we stopped at this little ice cream shop called Whiskey Creek. They had Island Farms ice cream. My mom had emailed Island Farms a few weeks ago and so we knew which flavours were gluten-free. First thing we did was check if they had chocolate for Ty. I told the kid (about 16 or so) that my son couldn't eat ice cream cones, he couldn't have anything with wheat, rye, oats or barley and could they serve us the ice cream in a bowl instead of a cone. He said yes and grabbed a bowl. Then I asked if he could open a new container of chocolate because since they mostly serve cones there would be crumbs of cone in the ice cream. Sure, he said, and got the new package. Then he picked up a scoop and washed it, came back and said I just cleaned this, and put the ice cream in the bowl. Is that enough? He said and then put two more scoops in after I said yes. The rest of us got our cones and I put a big tip in his tip jar even though he said not to. Then later Ty said that the guy gave him too much ice cream. I don't think I've ever heard him say that before.

I had this flavour called "Moose Tracks" it's also gluten-free and sooo good. It was chocolate ripple with teeny chunks of reese's peanut butter cups. Only on the Island, eh? Pity.

[jhhigh]

That's so frustrating about what your mother experienced! And I had to laugh at your last comment, that is hysterical!! I went out to a salad place for lunch Thursday, I told the waiter I couldn't have any gluten and I too had two pieces of what looked like pita bread on top of my salad. I was SO close to saying keep the salad and walk out - I ate around it then walked over with my friends to Starbucks to drowned my gluten-induced sorrows in a Venti-soy no whip mocha!!

[wozzy]

Excellent server of the day story: We are in Nanaimo, BC right now, visiting my parents. We went for a drive up Island and packed a picnic lunch. On the way home we stopped at this little ice cream shop called Whiskey Creek. They had Island Farms ice cream. My mom had emailed Island Farms a few weeks ago and so we knew which flavours were gluten-free. First thing we did was check if they had chocolate for Ty. I told the kid (about 16 or so) that my son couldn't eat ice cream cones, he couldn't have anything with wheat, rye, oats or barley and could they serve us the ice cream in a bowl instead of a cone. He said yes and grabbed a bowl. Then I asked if he could open a new container of chocolate because since they mostly serve cones there would be crumbs of cone in the ice cream. Sure, he said, and got the new package. Then he picked up a scoop and washed it, came back and said I just cleaned this, and put the ice cream in the bowl. Is that enough? He said and then put two more scoops in after I said yes. The rest of us got our cones and I put a big tip in his tip jar even though he said not to. Then later Ty said that the guy gave him too much ice cream. I don't think I've ever heard him say that before.

I had this flavour called "Moose Tracks" it's also gluten-free and sooo good. It was chocolate ripple with teeny chunks of reese's peanut butter cups. Only on the Island, eh? Pity.

you can get moose tracks at the grocery store!

[debmidge]

A lot of school systems over past 10 years have reduced or eliminated their "Home Economics"

or "Foods" classes due to underfunding or lack

of interest. That could have something to do with

some people not knowing that wheat is a grain

that is used in bread, cookies, cakes, etc.

I don't think the educators have time to talk

about it as now they have mandatory politically correct

course topics to fit into their schedules.

Do they still have "Health" classes?

or is this the class where they teach "adult behavior" education only?

They may not have time to fit this in any longer.

However, when someone is in the food industry,

young or old and they've never

done it before, the food establishment should

provide a basic overview of what people request

(like some people request egg-white only omelets

or don't be surprised if some people order their salad dressing separate from their salad or some people can't eat bread or you may take an order from

someone who ask for no gravy -

this could be someone who is either celiac or lactose intolerant if gravy contains both milk and wheat).

I don't think we are asking too much for

servers to know their stuff or know about what

their food contains.

For example, not many people know that some

restaurants add wheat breadcrumbs into Tuna

Salad to stretch out the tuna salad.

The server has to know that to communicate that

to the customer. When I did Atkins diet that information was critical to me.

Maybe it's time for restaurant owners to be licensed

to sell foods...maybe the owners should have to

take a nutrition course at local college before they

can own a restaurant and it would be incumbent upon

them to train their staff about food allergies and intolerances and special diets (whether it be low fat, no sugar, no gluten, vegetarian, etc.).

I don't think this is too much to ask.

[wozzy]

Yeah you'd be surprised how many people in college don't even know how to cook pasta. They're 21 years old and they've never cooked for themselves before.

[2Boys4Me]

you can get moose tracks at the grocery store!

I've never seen it in our stores. Maybe they keep it in the "pricey" section of the freezer. I'll be on the lookout for sure.

[kalanfan]

I have to admit that i prob. would have been an ignorant server.......you really dont know how much food has wheat in it till you look....like soy sauce.......

The no wheat cash only is just soooooooo priceless

I went to the heritage festival yesterday and gave up on food after asking 5 different pavilions what was in their food....i just watched my friend eat everything...lol

When i went to the "fair" in my city i REALLY wanted a carmel apple (i love them so much) so i got to a stand that sold carmel apples and had a sign that said "STOP if you have any food allergies ask about our ingredients" so i went to order and asked if the carmel apples were just carmel and apples and got a "yes" with a DUH sort of look.....so then i said "and the carmel is just like melted sugar and butter?" and then by that time i had all three guys working at the stand looking at me like i had something growing out of my head and finally one guy says " i dont know what carmels made of" i was gonna say " Then take down your good damn sign!!!!!" but i was just mad cause i wanted one.....i guess it wasnt the guys falt but yeah....i found another booth where the guy was really helpful and told me that i could have all the fudge except two that had marshmellows (i didnt even know i couldnt have marshmellows) and said the carmel apples were fine and werent made in the same area as any gluten......so it turned out fine.....i guess when the other stand said food allergies they meant nuts....lol

[elonwy]

Not related to Celiac, but still mind blowing.

Stopped by a Hamburger Hamlet with a friend from Germany the other night. We sit down and the waitress comes up and asks if we want drinks. My friend replys "yes I'll have sparkling water please". She looks straight at him and says "Do you want that with bubbles or without?" Ummmm.... with?

Elonwy

[mindaugas]

Awesome server

Went to Buffalo Wild Wings here in Denver (Park Meadows location) and had an awesome server. I told her I didn't mean to be difficult but that I needed to know the ingredients of the sauce they used. She went to the back without complaint and checked each sauce for me. Not only that she was all around great, and very attentive. An awesome experience from me and my non celiac co-workers. I was discussing the dressing for a ceaser salad and without asking she checked that also, I never even asked her.

[elonwy]

I'll add an awesome server one while I'm at it.

Sushi place down the road from me, went once two months ago. I bring my own soy sauce packets with me. Show them the Japanese Triumph dining card, she loves it, discusses options, I order a Philly roll minus a couple things, and she takes the card with her to double-check before ordering it. At the same time the person I'm with orders a crazy appetizer which is monkfish sauted in butter and soy sauce served on a Hot Stone. Looks amazing, but of course I can't have it. She comes back, lets me know the Philly Roll is fine AND THEN!! offers to make the MonkFish appetizer for me if I can give them an extra packet of the soy sauce AND says "we'll use a clean pan for it too" I was floored. The food was amazing, and I actually ordered the monkfish again the same night cause it was so good.

It gets better.

I go back last week (its been two months, this is my second time here) and bust out my dining card. The waitress says "oh yes we remember you, did you bring your soy sauce with you?" It was a completely different server! I wasn't even with the same person! I may never eat sushi anywhere else in LA.

Elonwy

[mindaugas]

thats killer elonwy ... we've got a place here called Mystic Wok (Denver, Chambers and Parker) that offers a gluten free menu and uses a local shop for all their ingredients. I know their food was awesome with gluten, but I have yet to try the gluten free versions lol.

[schuyler]

I honestly can't believe you guys. Most people don't even know what gluten is, let alone what contains wheat or not. I'm having a hell of a time figuring it all out myself. So cut people slack, expect them not to know and help educate them. Don't call them ignorant, stupid, or get frustrated because every waitress/server/or food service employee doesn't know about celiacs. I can't believe this is even a topic in the forum. Now I'm going to go to somewhere and get crap for having a disease because the celiac victim before me was a jerk to the waiter for not knowing.

I have never been rude or impatient with a server. It's just frusterating that I take the time to explain things to people, give them my restaurant card to look over, only to have them not listen or act indifferent.

They should care enough to listen to what I'm telling them and to take me seriously.

I posted on here a few months ago because I was frusterated that my server didn't know that white pancakes contained wheat. For that matter, she didn't even know that flour contained wheat.

Like Chelsea and others have mentioned, that is elementary school stuff.

When servers are in doubt about wyhat I can have, they should ask (I always tell them to ask me if they are unsure about any ingredients). I am happy to answer any questions.

Not all servers are bad. A few weeks ago, my family and I went to a restaurant at our mall, and the server was fantasitc. She went over the menu with me, and I decided to get a tostada minus the shell and with beans instead of meat.

She checked every ingredient with me, and she made sure the chef used fresh ingredients instead of things that could have possibly come in contact with non gluten-free foods (like the refried beans, which could have been contaminated by a spoon touching other food).

I had a great meal and a great experience.

I wish all servers were like her.

[queenofhearts]

I'll add an awesome server one while I'm at it.

Sushi place down the road from me, went once two months ago. I bring my own soy sauce packets with me. Show them the Japanese Triumph dining card, she loves it, discusses options, I order a Philly roll minus a couple things, and she takes the card with her to double-check before ordering it. At the same time the person I'm with orders a crazy appetizer which is monkfish sauted in butter and soy sauce served on a Hot Stone. Looks amazing, but of course I can't have it. She comes back, lets me know the Philly Roll is fine AND THEN!! offers to make the MonkFish appetizer for me if I can give them an extra packet of the soy sauce AND says "we'll use a clean pan for it too" I was floored. The food was amazing, and I actually ordered the monkfish again the same night cause it was so good.

It gets better.

I go back last week (its been two months, this is my second time here) and bust out my dining card. The waitress says "oh yes we remember you, did you bring your soy sauce with you?" It was a completely different server! I wasn't even with the same person! I may never eat sushi anywhere else in LA.

Elonwy

Oh, my, what a beautiful tale... it actually brought a tear to my eye! I think I'd just camp out there if I were you... I do love sushi... now if I could only have the beloved barbecued eel once more...

Leah

[powderprincess]

we were in a small little market that carries a lot of different beers (we had just moved to town) and my boyfriend was being nice and asked the guy if they carried "new grist GLUTEN FREE beer" the fella behind the counter said "uh sir, all beer is vegan..."

ha. um. yeah...

haha. . weird.

p.s. not did he get what you were asking all wrong. . .not all beer is vegan!

I'll add an awesome server one while I'm at it.

I go back last week (its been two months, this is my second time here) and bust out my dining card. The waitress says "oh yes we remember you, did you bring your soy sauce with you?" It was a completely different server! I wasn't even with the same person! I may never eat sushi anywhere else in LA.

Elonwy

That's SO cool!

haha. . weird.

p.s. not did he get what you were asking all wrong. . .not all beer is vegan!

That's SO cool!

I had a funny experience at a Thai restaurant. I was asking the server about the sauce. Sometimes I press my luck due to language barriers, but not on this day. No language barrier at all so I was all excited to get a meal I could eat safely. I was asking the server about a sauce and she said she would check. Next time she somes to the table she gives me an incomplete explanation and she looked a little lost about what I wanted to know. Then I remind her to check. Next time I see her I remind her to check because she. . . just didn't. She was really sweet and nice, I just thought she kept forgetting or was avoiding me. She finally revealed that she could not read the sauce ingredients becasue they were written in Asian characters! I felt bad for getting frustrated, I wish she just said that in the first place instead of avoiding the issue!

It was a fabulous meal sans mystery sauce