For those with food allergies and special diets, picking a restaurant can be an in-depth endeavor. Unless you're already familiar with a restaurant, it's hard to know if they can accommodate your needs, and different types of restaurants have different risk factors. Here are some tips on how to choose a restaurant or Diner that can cater to your specific dietary needs. 

What You Can Do Before You Arrive

Research Restaurants

Before making dinner plans with friends, you can get a good idea of how restaurants will handle allergies and special diets by visiting their websites. Most restaurants have online menus that may include ingredient lists or specify which dishes are vegan, gluten-free, or made with common allergens. The menu also allows you to see how many of their foods contain allergens. The risk of cross-contamination is generally higher in restaurants that serve a lot of dishes with ingredients you can't eat. Buffets, bakeries, and seafood restaurants tend to have high cross-contamination, but diners and places that prepare foods individually are often safe.

Call Ahead

Once you have narrowed down which restaurants are most likely to accommodate your needs, it's good to call ahead and ask to speak with the manager on duty. Call soon after open—before the lunch or dinner rush, when a manager will have more time to talk—and inform them of your plan and dietary needs. The manager will be equipped to tell you about the restaurant's safety practices and whether or not employees receive food allergy training. If you like what you hear, you can make a reservation and request that the manager leaves a note about your allergy and diet needs so the waitstaff will be prepared when you arrive. 

How to Communicate Your Needs

Many people feel nervous or bad about asking for special accommodations, but your health and safety come first, and the restaurant employees will understand that. If you called ahead and spoke to a manager, tell the host that and ask to see the manager to confirm your situation. If not, inform the host of what foods you must avoid and ask to speak with a manager about it too. The manager should keep the staff apprised of customer needs, but it's still good to remind your waiter when they arrive.

If you're reluctant to do all this, it can be helpful to wear any medical jewelry and carry a chef card. A chef card makes your job easier by putting all the relevant dietary information in one spot. The card can be given to the chef preparing your food to ensure that your meal is made without those ingredients and away from any foods or surfaces that would risk cross-contamination.

If you have food allergies or special dietary needs, grab a bite at 416 Diner in Dayton, OH. A classic diner with a modern twist, this restaurant offers allergen-free, gluten-free, and vegan options, and all staff are trained to treat every customer's dietary needs with care and caution. Browse their menu online, and call (937) 461-0416 to book a reservation.