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I thank everyone for your answers to my complaint about restaurants who were rude to me because of my gluten allergy.  I am very thankful that I am able to discuss things and get answers from the wonderful people who are on this list.  I should have told you what part of the country I am in because I think that makes a difference as to whether there are very many restaurants who have knowledge about the gluten allergy.  I live in Fort Walton Beach on the Florida panhandle where we have beautiful beaches.  I am a senior citizen and published artist and teach four painting and drawing classes a week so I don't have time to do much cooking as some suggested, and am often too tired to do much when I get home.  I have had  problems all my life and it was diagnosed as everything under the sun until about a year and a half ago I found out the real cause was Celiac Prue. 

It was suggested that I print the menus for a chain retaurant on the internet and take it with me which is a really good idea but that night my computer was acting up and wouldn't let me.  I was told by some of you that the chain restaurants that I mentioned were wonderful to gf diners in their area and I also received answers from some who had found problems with those same restaurants in their area.  One lady told me that they ordered from their gluten free menu at Chilis but the food came out with obvious and not-so-obvious gluten ingredients.  One person told me that a chain restaurant refused to show her their gluten free menu - the waitress said for her to tell her what she wanted to order and she would go look up the status.   So, I guess it is really who cares and who doesn't at any restaurant.  

There were several chain restaurants that received high praise but a lot of them aren't in my area or even my travel areas.  The ones that I do have in my area that got a lot of praise are Outback, P. F. Changs, and Paneras.   I do eat at Chang's and Outback at times but they are in a nearby town and I am usually too tired to make the effort after I teach.  In my area Ruby Tuesday, Panera's and Red Lobster are very good to me.  I was just wishing for a little more variety.   

Some told me that I would be much better off avoiding the higher cost restaurants and trying the mom and pop places because they try harder.  Some others thought that the higher cost restaurants gave more time and care than the chains.  Sometimes I eat at those but my budget screams "ouch" and I have had some problems there too.  Some believed that the smaller locally owned restaurants were the ones where you had a better chance of finding a really good one and I have found some of those when I traveled. 
 
It was suggested that I ask for the manager to explain my allergy to them and see what they suggest.  I have found that a really good idea most of the time, but some of them have been rude in letting me know they would prefer I leave.  One lady told me about a restaurant that said they had gluten free food but the manager came to the table and told her that they could not guarantee that they were serving her gluten free food.  It was suggested that I try gluten free frozen dinners and I would love that but have not found any available in my area.   
 
One lady said that she believes our society as a whole has forgotten polite manners and it wasn't just because of allergies.  I know that there are a lot of wonderful people out there but as an artist who is very observant of everything around me I have to agree that we are "as a whole" becoming less polite.

One told me, "Don't ever patronize any restaurant that does not value your business", and that is the standard that I intend to go by.  Thanks to all of you - you are appreciated.

Barbara 



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