Informing restaurants of allergies, why don't they take it seriously.
By suspenseful
@suspenseful (40192)
Canada
May 6, 2008 2:15pm CST
On Saturday, we went to a favorite restaurant of my daughter's for an early mother's day. Now my daughter-in-law is allergic to carrots and celery. In fact, in both cases, it is a deadly allergy that if she does not take a shot, she will be dead in a little while. She informed the waitress to tell the cook not to have any carrots or celery in the food - it was a Chinese restaurant. Yet when they brought it, she could only eat two of the dishes, since the others had carrots either in a coleslaw under the chicken, or mixed up with the noodles or chow mein.
Now an allergy does not mean you hate the food and all you need to do is to try it out and you are just being stubborn. An allergy means that if you eat the food, you may get sick, break out in hives or rashes, and in some cases, you might die if you do not have your medicine with you.
My daughter-in-law has hers with her at all time, but what if she forget and left it at home?
If we did not notice, then my son might have been left a widower with a baby daughter to take care of.
17 people like this
28 responses
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
7 May 08
I would have spoken to a manager on this. They put her at risk and she could have had a serious reaction. They were very lucky she didn't. It would be nice if allergies were just simple problems but far too often they are not. They can be very serious and deadly. I have some food allergies and I have to be careful due to them. some are mild but others cause my throat to constrict so I cannot breath. If i told the restaurant to make sure they didn't have any on there and they ignored it I'd cause a scene.
I'm glad to hear she caught it before it became an issue. I hope you let the restaurant know about the situation and personally I wouldn't go back there again.
5 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
17 Jun 08
We have started to go to Tony Roma's where they do take her seriously as does Olive Gardens and there is a restaurant near where they live that they are friends with the owners, but for a change, they wanted to have Chinese food. I think next time, I should have to tell the hostess and then go to the back, and tell the cooks there. That should get their attention. I can really lay on the guilt.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
7 May 08
to bad they never listen to what ya tell them it happens all the time we order and tell them no pickles and always put pickles in there have to check and pick them out. I just wonder why no one listens to your order right!.
Hope ya didnt leave a tip
3 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
9 Aug 08
And now it seems like little Katie has inherited the same allergy. The family originated in Central Europe and that is a common allergy there. But it also could be that her mother does not want to take any chances. Trouble is if Katie is not allergic, would she not develop it by not getting used to the carrots and celery?
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
6 May 08
there is supposed to be a government watch dog for restaurants, you need to file a compliant, it was a small thing not to have a dish with carrots or celery and if it was already cooked in the pot, the waiter should have told you not to choose that dish and offer another one with out it,
Next time I do suggest that when you are order to say does this come with carrots and celery oh no I don't want that! Do you have any dishes with out it.
3 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
7 May 08
It was at a Chinese restaurant, so they mixed the celery and carrots in the chow mein, also they had coleslaw with carrots as decoration on the lemon breaded chicken, and I know she loves lemon breaded chicken, but when we go to Olive Gardens, they are considerate and make sure that she does not get anything with parsley, oregano, carrots, or celery in it. But she has not had Chinese food for so long and it was her First Mother's Day, so we wanted it to be special.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
7 May 08
you should still make that complaint to the government watch dog for restaurants in your area, that was totally not professional and a total disregard for human safety, that chinese restaurant has to be reported.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
9 Aug 08
They decided to switch restaurants and eat at home, like barbeques and stuff. They found a restaurant that does give you a choice, but you cannnot eat pizzas all the time. At least there you can get a choice.
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
6 May 08
I don't think people take you seriously unless it's a well known allergy like peanuts or bee stings and think you are just fussy. I had a friend who was allergic to eggs in the same way your daughter in law is (she'd go into shock and die quickly without a shot if she ate them) that was a nightmare as they are in nearly all ready prepared foods so there were loads of things she couldn't eat.
3 people like this
@ellie26 (4139)
• Malaysia
7 May 08
Some restaurants just seem to care about how much profit they make. They couldn't be bothered about what the customers' have requested as long as they have served the food. I think when things like this happen, we should refuse the food and/or reorder a new one. Alternatively, we should move away from that restaurant. After all, it is our money and we should get what we have ordered.
3 people like this
@kaustubh123_sawant (166)
• India
17 Jun 08
Hiee !!!
I guess they are just counting for money ....... money is all it matters to them ....... u musn't be their close ones na ....... after all,tey are forgetting that we all are human beings and related to each other ........ anywayz.........tc.........chao !!!!!!
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
17 Jun 08
There is enough non allergic people in the world, for them to make a profit. I hope it is not that Chinese hating white people deal. I certainly hope it is not. We are not supposed to be racists and yet they are allowed to be?
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
18 Jun 08
I hope that they do keep the ingredients in separate containers. They do that in Subway and we can choose what we want. It makes it easier.
@kaustubh123_sawant (166)
• India
18 Jun 08
KK.........lets hope for it only............no racism according to me .................. c ya...........tc......................chao !!!
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
17 Jun 08
She ate the dishes she could, but there was hardly any vegetables. And she could not eat the lemon breaded chicken. They put coleslaw on the page, and if it was not that we were looking for it, well she would not be alive. There was enough food for everybody, and she ate most of the prawns since she could not eat much else and she had the plain rice, but the real healthy stuff she could not eat because they sneaked in carrots and celery.
My husband paid for it. He usually wins when it comes to paying the bill.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
6 May 08
I hope you did not pay for the meal and reported the restaurant to the appropriate authorities.
2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
6 May 08
BTW If that was a favorite restaurant of your daughter she must a have been there before and had the meal served correctly so why not this time. It could have been a deadly mistake.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
7 May 08
It has happened before. She told the server and she told the cooks, but I guess they did not listen. I would suppose my daughter-in-law should have gone over, given them the doctor's list of her allergies, but with her having to take care of the baby, I did not think she had to. And there were so many dishes she could not have. In fact, the only way she can get a healthy meal with veggies and salads is at home or if we go to Olive Gardens.
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
7 May 08
It would be good IF these restaurants cared,but i have found that in this life if you have an alergic problem you have to be very careful and watch what you eat,or order something that has none of these things that you are alergic to in them..No one seems to care anymore....Even doctors now days give you things that do not mix with your exisiting medications you are already taken.....I read a book about these types things and it talked about doctors and how you just have to look out for yourself,and cannot put your trust in anyone...I am sorry that your daughter in law could not eat only 2 dishes,its hard for the ones that have these alergies...I do not know why people are so unconcerned ,but as you see they are...
2 people like this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
6 May 08
If the cook gets the food already pre-mixed, there is no way he can cook it exactly to order. Next time, have your daughter order plain rice instead. Far as I know, most chinese food has carrots mixed in it.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
17 Jun 08
I have no idea why they do. Carrots are not considered Chinese. Also they have the ingredients separate at the side, and just mix in them in order. I would expect it should be the same as in Subway. We go there, and we can pick and choose what we like, and in the Restaurant Makeover shows, they have little plastic or metal partitions or cups with each separate ingredient and with all the experience in these Chinese restaurants, they know exactly how much green onions, bok choy, or whatever to put in and if you are a real Chinese cook, you do not mix all the ingredients together. And I do not want you to decide that my daughter-in-law has to eat plain rice. It is like telling me who have wide feet and bunions that I have buy clothes in a men's store.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
6 May 08
Most restaurants have their food already made up and it would be nearly impossible to separate the food..Since she does have this allergy, it may be wise to call a couple days ahead of time and see if the restaurant will work with you and make up a special dish just for her.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
8 May 08
I think that is a good thing to do. It was at a Chinese restaurant and they make the food as they go, so I figured they should have least done something, but I guess they have this preconceived idea that we as Canadians will not eat food unless there are carrots in them.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 May 08
You said it was mentioned to the waitress not to add carrots but did you say why? They may have taken it more seriously if they knew it was because of an allergy and not because you didn't like them..
1 person likes this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
27 May 08
My partner is allergic to shellfish, and we have to be very careful when getting take away or eating at a restaurant. Sadly, the health restrictions that restaurants have to abide by don't take peoples allergies into account.
Both my partner and I love sushi, but the only place where we live that makes it makes the seafood ones along side the chicken and beef ones, so he has to miss out for fear of contamination.
2 people like this
@Aingealicia (1905)
• United States
7 May 08
Oh boy, hummm, I am debating how to answer this question with out getting upset at the restaurant. There is not a way to do it. I have been an Executive Chef and let me tell you what, if that would have been my place, in no way, shape, or form would carrots or celery been on those plates that your daughter-in-law was eating. How irresponsible and ignorant of them. A lawsuit waiting to happen and a cut to the profession I hold so dearly.
That is horrid and if I were you I would report them to your local companies, BBB, food inspectors, building inspectors, ets, that are in charge of food and food handling. Someone could very well die from their lack of education and customer care. Yes, I think it is that serious.
I had to report a kitchen I worked in and ran for some of the very same issues. I would not even cook pork in the same pan as beef because of health reasons. Forget about peanut or nut allergies, you have to have a whole set of pans for that.
Ainge
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
17 Jun 08
I have watch the Food Network channel and also Restaurant Makeover and they have separate pans for everything. Not only that they have separate containers so that in no possible way could they put any thing in that someone was allergic by mistaken or intention. Yet the Chinese restaurant my daughter-in-law likes does not really care. I think that is the problem.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
7 May 08
restaurants should listen to their customers as an
allergy is a serious matter. I am very allergic
to msg monosodium glucomate and get very sick if I
eat any chinese food containing it.some restaurants post
that their foods do not contain it while others do not.
this is a very scary situation as you have to hope they listen
to you when you tell them no msg.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
17 Jun 08
Msg does not bother me, and I can eat almost anything, except I have to be careful of wheat, too much and I start coughing phelgm, but my daughter-in-law is deadly allergic to carrots, celery, oregano, cilentro, and anything in the parsley family, so it is not only Chinese but also Italian food she has to be careful of. Olive Gardens listens to her and so do Tony Roma, but do the Chinese restaurant that is half way between our house and their's? NO way.
1 person likes this
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
6 May 08
I'm definitely with you on this. And, I've noticed that it's not just with food allergies, but allergies in general. Some people think all that will happen to you is that you will get a stuffy nose or a stomach ache. No, allergies can be very serious and life threatening. I've been hospitalized several times for complications caused by allergies.
It must be nice not to have allergies and have no idea of what kinds of suffering that they cause.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
7 May 08
I had a friend who was allergic to bee and wasp stings and a couple of times, he had to go to the hospital because a bee stung him. That, however, I take as unfortunate, but when you are in a restaurant and if a small bit even an herb (my daughter-in-law is allergic to things in the parsley family as well) can harm you, you do not want to be relegated to eating and cooking your meals. You want to get out once in a while. I just have allergies to chemically based perfumes in soaps and there are those who are allergic to peanuts, but what about the rest of the people? They live in danger every day.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
5 Aug 08
That is so awful suspenseful, did you pay full price, did they give you a discount?
1 person likes this
@naseefu (1607)
• India
7 May 08
I think if the waitress do not take your words and put all allergic things in your food,then you can avoid that food and restaurant.You do not have to pay the bill.Then only they will take care about it.They must take care about it.As you said it will be very dangerous if we forgot the medicine in that time.take care and thanks 
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
18 Jun 08
Suspense,
By all MEANS record it! Do you have a camera phone, too? Whatever, get it on record. You can always delete it 'til the next time, if nothing goes wrong. And then you an also use the film to start a list of safe restaurants!
Maggiepie
@nicholejade (2430)
• Canada
17 Jun 08
I have never had any problem with letting restraunts know of something I cannot stand or something that I am allergic too. One thing I did notice not to long ago with going to one restraunt I asked them if they were still serving tomatoes because of the salmonella. They said they were and being the concerned one knowing what it is like to have that food poisioning I asked them not to put them on my sandwich. However they did and by the time we got our food I just couldn't care anymore as the service was horrible, the sandwich was so unappealing, I did pull out the tomates, the sandwich itself was cold and disgusting, the fries were cold. After waiting that long for the food I just ate it and felt sick for a good 3 days after.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
18 Jun 08
That is a shame, because I suppose you really enjoyed the food and the service there. I hate it when you have been to a restaurant all the time, and then because the employee or employees they hired does not really care about the patrons. We were at a restaurant when we first got married, and asked for a bologne sandwich and the girl just slapped the bread with maymonaise, on the table, no plate or anything. Needless to say, I told my husband that we are going to a good restaurant and not some cheap joint like that one.
@nicholejade (2430)
• Canada
18 Jun 08
It's quite sad to say the least. But I won't loose sleep over it or anything. There are so many other restraunts that I can go to so I am not too worried about it anymore. No plate wtf? What was the waitress on to do that?
1 person likes this
@nicholejade (2430)
• Canada
18 Jun 08
The funny thing about this restraunt that we always went there and never ever had a problem with the food. I think its just this day and age of servers and cooks that they employee. I for one will never go back to this restraunt chain ever in my life.
1 person likes this
@Elixiress (3878)
•
7 May 08
You should complain to the restaurant, they should listen to people's requests. Even if it was just the fact that she does not like the food then they still should not serve her due to the fact that is was not what she asked for.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
17 Jun 08
If it were just not liking, then the restaurant feels that they do not have to listen, but they seem to confusing not liking with allergy. allergy means you will die if you eat the food, or you will have to taken into the hospital because you broke out in a horrible rash, but I guess in the latter case, if they saw someone come out of the restaurant with boils and rashes over their face, they would think twice about eating there.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
18 Jun 08
Only there is a difference between eating something that will kill you and not wanting tomatoes in your salad. Usually the allergy is something that is not that noticeable like you all have celery salt in soup stock. I do not like white bread, so I can say "please give my rye bread instead," and often they give you a choice, but my daughter-in-law cannot even order soup and no cook is going to make a whole batch of soup stock using peppers and sweet potatoes instead of carrots and celery. So it is easy for me to leave what I do not like on the side of the plate and even if it soaked into the food, it would not hurt me, whereas it would hurt my daughter-in-law.
@Elixiress (3878)
•
17 Jun 08
That is right, but if the customer does not like something then they should not be made to eat it, that would also give the restaurant a bad reputation and many customers would even refuse not to pay.
1 person likes this
@bluemoon4ever (288)
• South Africa
6 May 08
i am very sorry to hear that. Being a manager in a restaurant i think this is totally unacceptable. In my experience, i tell my waiters that if the customers stress on what they cannt have for any reason, they must let the kitchen know. As a medical student, i know that some foods to certain people may just take their lives.
Anyway to your problem, i am sure the waiter served you may just did not understand you well enough to tell the kitchen that she is allergic to certain foods. it is not that
2 people like this
