Restaurant Requests

What this lesson covers

Start with a clear question. Tell your server that the meal needs to be gluten-free because of celiac disease, ask what the kitchen can do to reduce cross-contact, and listen for a specific answer. A gluten-free label or menu item does not automatically explain how the food is prepared.

Then ask about tools and surfaces. For pizza, ask whether it will be prepared on a clean surface and cut with a clean, dedicated cutter. If that cannot be confirmed, ask for the pizza to be left uncut and use a clean cutter at home, or ask what safer option the restaurant can offer. Never assume an ordinary cutter is safe.

Ask about shared equipment too. For fried food, ask whether the fryer is shared with breaded foods. For pasta, ask whether the cooking water, strainer, and utensils are separate and clean. For sandwiches, ask whether the grill, gloves, and prep area can be cleaned and changed before your meal is made.

It is always okay to choose another meal. If the staff cannot answer clearly or cannot make the requested precautions, you can choose a packaged food you have checked, eat a meal you brought, or pick another restaurant. Speaking up is a safety skill, not being difficult.