<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Dear Listmates,

Thanks so much to everyone who sent me the following information
regarding shopping and dining in San Diego. This is long, but well worth
it.  The San Juan Capistrano, and Bakersfield summaries will be sent
separately.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN GENERAL:

From Jeanne:  Check with Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) their web site
is www.celiac.org they are based in Southern Cal and will have lots of
suggestions for you.

From Michele and others:  You will find Trader Joe grocery stores
scattered throughout So. Cal. They have a GF list available in their
stores.


SAN DIEGO:

From Aggie:  I just returned from a conference in San Diego and had good
dining experiences in two places. One was the Wyndham Emerald Plaza
Hotel. Joseph was the chef in the kitchen and he prepared very tasty GF
meals for me. I am not sure though if he is the chef for the restaurants
there or if banquet facilities are different. It is also pretty price-y
and probably not particularly good for kids. The only other place I ate
at was the Fish Market down on the water. The manager there was great--
listened carefully and willingly and prepared an excellent meal. It is a
big place, doesn't take reservations except for large parties, but would
be appropriate for kids, I think. I would go early to ensure a separate
meal. We went about 5:30pm and it was great.

From Sidona:  At Sea World, we call ahead and ask for their restaurant
by Ship Wreck Rapids to set aside a filet of salmon.  They normally
marinate it.  When go to that restaurant about 30 minutes before eating
and let them know we're here and make sure they ahve the salmon set
aside.  A few times, the message didn't get through, but they still
manage to get one for us.  There's a place that sells ribs there.  We
were told that the sauce is questionable and to request they make some
ribs without the sauce.

We have eaten at Jakes in Del Mar several times.  There's a lot of
different fishes and the chefs are usually helpful.  They also have a
flourless chocolate cake. They use Hershey's syrup so I request it
without that.

I've heard that Selby's in LaJolla is good for celiacs, but we've never
checked it out.

We have Soup Plantations here that are great.  They're all you can eat
salad bars. My son usually gets vegetables and I bring a little Ranch
Dressing.  (Best Foods sells little packets now if you can find them)
He dips his vege's in the dip.

Then he gets a baked potato.  The chocolate frozen yogurt is o.k., but
the vanilla isn't based on the fact they've never returned my call.

From Danna:  As for specific restaurants, I can't say that we have any
that are "guarantee" GF.  But I just put together a list for someone
visiting from Texas, and here's what I told her:

1.  In-n-Out Burgers -- fast-food -- order the "protein-style" burger,
which comes wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun.  The sauce is GF, as
are fries.  EXCELLENT burgers, even by Texas standards.

2.  Tony Roma's (national chain -- kid-friendly) -- they have a list of
their GF foods.  800/286-7662

3.  Outback Steakhouse (national chain -- kid-friendly) -- they have a
list of GF menu items.  813/282-1225.

4.  Chevy's (regional chain -- kid-friendly) -- they don't have a list
of GF items, but they "get it" when you call and ask.  You need to check
each individual restaurant, though, because they each do things
differently. 800/4-chevys

5.  El Pollo Loco (regional chain -- kid-friendly -- fast food, but very
fresh and good) -- most of their items are GF. 949/399-2000

6.  Because of our proximity to the border, you'll find lots of Mexican
restaurants -- the more authentic, the safer (and better), since most
Mexican food is GF (except, of course, flour tortillas, and other
obvious no-no's).  You're usually safe with the shredded chicken or beef
in a corn tortilla, beans, Spanish rice.  Beware of the enchilada sauce,
although usually it's safe too.  The Spanish word for "flour" is
"harina" (don't pronounce the "h") -- the word for wheat is "trigo."  If
you say "no harina" or "no trigo," they usually understand what you mean.

7.  Because of our proximity to the Pacific Ocean, you'll find great
seafood restaurants.  Most restaurants here grill the seafood in a very
light sauce -- usually GF.  You can always request that it be drizzled
with butter and grilled.

You'll notice that some of those places are kid-friendly -- you'll
especially love In-n-Out Burgers, because you won't get that stare as
though you just asked for worms on your burger (when you
ask for it without the bun).  Protein-style is an accepted term.  (I
just learned that "animal style" means extra onions, lettuce, and tomato
-- NONE OF THESE TERMS ARE ON THEIR MENU!)

I wish I had specific restaurants to recommend, but I don't know of any
that would for sure be safe.  They should all be okay, especially if you
stick with the seafood and burgers for the kids.

I haven't been to the Zoo or Sea World lately, but just happened to call
Sea World this morning -- number is (619)  222-6363.  I would call in
advance and let them know that you're coming, ask about menu items, etc.
We used to go every Friday when my kids were little, and I would always
take food in.

They hate that -- they check bags at the gates -- but I would just say,
"he has a restricted diet and can get deathly ill if he eats something
with gluten in it" and that was enough to scare them into letting me go
through with my goodies.  So you might want to stop at the nearest store
and load up on yogurt, fruit, string cheese, etc. and take it in with you.

While you're in town, you might want to stop at a Trader Joe's or a
Henry's -- both are "healthy" stores (but they're not pricey like most)
that carry a lot of GF foods.  Both are locally owned, and loaded with
GF goodies.  There's also a Whole Foods in La Jolla that sometimes has
freshly baked GF muffins.