I thought I had heard it all

[wambam]

Jul 10, 2013 12:01:54 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

Jul 10, 2013 11:51:30 GMT -5 midnightrae said:

I called to ask first just in case. I did not order it. And if 99% of the menu is all similar fish dishes with the other being chips and salsa and guac, then it shouldn't be that hard to remember. It was a small menu. And I'm not saying that a server needs to be an expert, but they should have knowledge if their food contains any of the top 8 most common allergens. Most places have a list for the employees to look at to reference. Apparently this place did not. 

Have you worked in a restaurant? As a server? I was never given a detailed list of all the ingredients of a dish ever and I worked as a server at a bunch of places. You get the basic over view of the dish, but not the nitty gritty details like using milk as a binding agent in the breaded in flour fish.

If the server doesn't know, they should go talk to the chef.

[midnightrae]

I should also mention that most of the menu is fish or shrimp tacos or burritos . It is a place similar to Baja Fresh.

Sent from my ADR6330VW using proboards

[cleo29]

Jul 10, 2013 12:12:54 GMT -5 wambam said:

Jul 10, 2013 12:01:54 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

Have you worked in a restaurant? As a server? I was never given a detailed list of all the ingredients of a dish ever and I worked as a server at a bunch of places. You get the basic over view of the dish, but not the nitty gritty details like using milk as a binding agent in the breaded in flour fish.

If the server doesn't know, they should go talk to the chef.

I agree and  that is what I would have done, but the OP is acting like this server should have simply known the answer right away.

[midnightrae]

Jul 10, 2013 12:01:54 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

Jul 10, 2013 11:51:30 GMT -5 midnightrae said:

I called to ask first just in case. I did not order it. And if 99% of the menu is all similar fish dishes with the other being chips and salsa and guac, then it shouldn't be that hard to remember. It was a small menu. And I'm not saying that a server needs to be an expert, but they should have knowledge if their food contains any of the top 8 most common allergens. Most places have a list for the employees to look at to reference. Apparently this place did not. 

Have you worked in a restaurant? As a server? I was never given a detailed list of all the ingredients of a dish ever and I worked as a server at a bunch of places. You get the basic over view of the dish, but not the nitty gritty details like using milk as a binding agent in the breaded in flour fish.

I have worked in a restaurant,but not as a server. As a hostess, I was expected to know what was in each dish as well as how it was prepared and served. The servers were given more detailed information and if they didn't know it, they weren't allowed to serve. They would be tested randomly.

Sent from my ADR6330VW using proboards

[midnightrae]

Jul 10, 2013 12:18:25 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

Jul 10, 2013 12:12:54 GMT -5 wambam said:

If the server doesn't know, they should go talk to the chef.

I agree and  that is what I would have done, but the OP is acting like this server should have simply known the answer right away.

I asked detailed questions and I when she started guessing I asked her to double check with the manager and/or cook. It took over 10 minutes and she still didn't know.

Sent from my ADR6330VW using proboards

[midnightrae]

Jul 10, 2013 12:29:49 GMT -5 @scottydeux said:

As someone who has ALLERGIES!, I am consistently annoyed and frustrated by restaurants and how they handle allergens. The ones that actually get it are amazing and I love them. You really have to have ALLERGIES! to understand how f*cking annoying it all is. Yes, I just pulled a 'YOU HAVE TO BE A PARENT TO UNDERSTAND!' argument on all y'all.

Charts are awesome, if not that, an absolute knowledge is awesome. I will write that Taco Bell surprised the hell out of me with their schmancy allergen chart. Score for Dgradebeefville.

I love you. (Heart)

Sent from my ADR6330VW using proboards

[littlesthobo]

I once ordered something with no cheese. When it arrived, there was parmesan on it. I was like, "oh, I ordered it without cheese," and the server was all, "yeah, there's no cheese. That's just parmesan."

[bornbaker]

This drives me nuts - IMO, a server should know what is in a dish. At least if it contains the "major" allergens ie)dairy, nuts, soy, etc. If they don't know, I would much rather they say "I'm not sure - let my double check with the chef". Even if they don't ask the chef (but still check with someone) I would be much more satisfied!

[speckledfrog]

Jul 10, 2013 12:24:30 GMT -5 midnightrae said:

Jul 10, 2013 12:18:25 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

I agree and  that is what I would have done, but the OP is acting like this server should have simply known the answer right away.

I asked detailed questions and I when she started guessing I asked her to double check with the manager and/or cook. It took over 10 minutes and she still didn't know.

Sent from my ADR6330VW using proboards

I can see why this is annoying.  She sounds like a dolt.

[midnightrae]

Jul 10, 2013 12:42:29 GMT -5 bornbaker said:

This drives me nuts - IMO, a server should know what is in a dish. At least if it contains the "major" allergens ie)dairy, nuts, soy, etc. If they don't know, I would much rather they say "I'm not sure - let my double check with the chef". Even if they don't ask the chef (but still check with someone) I would be much more satisfied!

App like!

Sent from my ADR6330VW using proboards

[cleo29]

Jul 10, 2013 12:42:52 GMT -5 speckledfrog said:

Jul 10, 2013 12:24:30 GMT -5 midnightrae said:

I asked detailed questions and I when she started guessing I asked her to double check with the manager and/or cook. It took over 10 minutes and she still didn't know.

Sent from my ADR6330VW using proboards

I can see why this is annoying.  She sounds like a dolt.

It's also possible she did go ask and no one could give her a straight answer which would make me dubious of the restaurant in general.

This is why I thank my lucky stars that K has the Duarte Variant Galactosemia. IF she had classic, I don't think we would ever eat out again or it would be very rare.

[juliagoulia]

Jul 10, 2013 12:33:28 GMT -5 @scottydeux said:

There is nothing more fun than calling ahead any time you want to try a new restaurant out of fear that you'll have sea cucumber lips amongst friends if you mistakenly eat the wrong thing. HOT!

I went to a place recently and ordered a Caesar salad (after carefully reading what was on it in the menu & letting our server know I am severely allergic to tree nuts and shell fish and please let the people in the kitchen know)

I took a bite and felt something weird so I spit it out quickly. Asked her what the sweet things were? Candied Pine nuts. She said "oh, I'm sorry, I forgot". 

So yeah, a lot of people I have come across in restaurants don't get it.

As a result we barely go out to eat, which sucks.

[roadstar]

Jul 10, 2013 12:29:49 GMT -5 @scottydeux said:

As someone who has ALLERGIES!, I am consistently annoyed and frustrated by restaurants and how they handle allergens. The ones that actually get it are amazing and I love them. You really have to have ALLERGIES! to understand how f*cking annoying it all is. Yes, I just pulled a 'YOU HAVE TO BE A PARENT TO UNDERSTAND!' argument on all y'all.

Charts are awesome, if not that, an absolute knowledge is awesome. I will write that Taco Bell surprised the hell out of me with their schmancy allergen chart. Score for Dgradebeefville.

I am a server and we have a very strict allergy policy:

1. Get details about allergy and take order,
2. Let manager know of allergy and order,
3. Manger speaks to customer to confirm order and allergy,
4. Manger speaks to kitchen manager about the order and to confirm the dish is ok to server,
5. Oder is placed and label with an allergy alert,
6. Separate cooking pans etc. are used to prepare the meal,
7. Meal is plated, covered and a manager serves it the customer.


We also have a pretty good gluten free menu and at least three vegan meals.

[wambam]

Jul 10, 2013 13:16:46 GMT -5 roadstar said:

Jul 10, 2013 12:29:49 GMT -5 @scottydeux said:

As someone who has ALLERGIES!, I am consistently annoyed and frustrated by restaurants and how they handle allergens. The ones that actually get it are amazing and I love them. You really have to have ALLERGIES! to understand how f*cking annoying it all is. Yes, I just pulled a 'YOU HAVE TO BE A PARENT TO UNDERSTAND!' argument on all y'all.

Charts are awesome, if not that, an absolute knowledge is awesome. I will write that Taco Bell surprised the hell out of me with their schmancy allergen chart. Score for Dgradebeefville.

I am a server and we have a very strict allergy policy:

1. Get details about allergy and take order,
2. Let manager know of allergy and order,
3. Manger speaks to customer to confirm order and allergy,
4. Manger speaks to kitchen manager about the order and to confirm the dish is ok to server,
5. Oder is placed and label with an allergy alert,
6. Separate cooking pans etc. are used to prepare the meal,
7. Meal is plated, covered and a manager serves it the customer.


We also have a pretty good gluten free menu and at least three vegan meals.

This policy gets a standing ovation from me!

[cleo29]

Jul 10, 2013 13:16:46 GMT -5 roadstar said:

Jul 10, 2013 12:29:49 GMT -5 @scottydeux said:

As someone who has ALLERGIES!, I am consistently annoyed and frustrated by restaurants and how they handle allergens. The ones that actually get it are amazing and I love them. You really have to have ALLERGIES! to understand how f*cking annoying it all is. Yes, I just pulled a 'YOU HAVE TO BE A PARENT TO UNDERSTAND!' argument on all y'all.

Charts are awesome, if not that, an absolute knowledge is awesome. I will write that Taco Bell surprised the hell out of me with their schmancy allergen chart. Score for Dgradebeefville.

I am a server and we have a very strict allergy policy:

1. Get details about allergy and take order,
2. Let manager know of allergy and order,
3. Manger speaks to customer to confirm order and allergy,
4. Manger speaks to kitchen manager about the order and to confirm the dish is ok to server,
5. Oder is placed and label with an allergy alert,
6. Separate cooking pans etc. are used to prepare the meal,
7. Meal is plated, covered and a manager serves it the customer.


We also have a pretty good gluten free menu and at least three vegan meals.

Wow, where do you live?? lol

My friend's H has Celiac Disease and gets sick pretty quickly if his food is contaminated.

[roadstar]

Jul 10, 2013 13:20:40 GMT -5 cleo29 said:

Jul 10, 2013 13:16:46 GMT -5 roadstar said:

Wow, where do you live?? lol

My friend's H has Celiac Disease and gets sick pretty quickly if his food is contaminated.

I live in MA    I know restaurants around here need to post "please inform servers of any allergies before ordering" signs.  I don't have allergies so I don't if all restaurants follow this policy or if we just go the extra mile.  

[alare]

Jul 10, 2013 13:16:46 GMT -5 roadstar said:

Jul 10, 2013 12:29:49 GMT -5 @scottydeux said:

As someone who has ALLERGIES!, I am consistently annoyed and frustrated by restaurants and how they handle allergens. The ones that actually get it are amazing and I love them. You really have to have ALLERGIES! to understand how f*cking annoying it all is. Yes, I just pulled a 'YOU HAVE TO BE A PARENT TO UNDERSTAND!' argument on all y'all.

Charts are awesome, if not that, an absolute knowledge is awesome. I will write that Taco Bell surprised the hell out of me with their schmancy allergen chart. Score for Dgradebeefville.

I am a server and we have a very strict allergy policy:

1. Get details about allergy and take order,
2. Let manager know of allergy and order,
3. Manger speaks to customer to confirm order and allergy,
4. Manger speaks to kitchen manager about the order and to confirm the dish is ok to server,
5. Oder is placed and label with an allergy alert,
6. Separate cooking pans etc. are used to prepare the meal,
7. Meal is plated, covered and a manager serves it the customer.


We also have a pretty good gluten free menu and at least three vegan meals.

Do you work at a Disney restaurant? If I lived in FL I would eat at Disney places 24/7. They are so frickin' awesome with food allergies/sensitivities. The managers would come out, I'd tell them what I couldn't have, they'd go through all their stuff and figure out a meal for me. Awesome.

EDIT: Just saw you're from MA, not Disney!

[elleblue]

Jul 10, 2013 11:38:10 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

You are freaking the servers out! They don't want to be wrong and get fired/sued.That's why they are being all overly cautious and weird.

Heheh, I was waiting for that.

[sparkythelawyer]

Jul 10, 2013 11:30:42 GMT -5 midnightrae said:

when it comes to people assuming if things have or contain dairy in them.  I heard this last night. 
Note: I had asked about a fish product (which usually contains dairy or uses dairy)
"I don't know. It has flour in it if you get it breaded, but I don't know if that is dairy. Is it?"


Seriously? How did she even get a job? Especially a job working in a place that serves fish. 

If they use a milk wash to bread the stuff, maybe that is what she is referring to?

[Jalapeñomel]

Jul 10, 2013 11:40:46 GMT -5 wambam said:

I forget which chain restaurant I went to that had a gluten free symbol next to chicken fingers. *shifty eyes*

Maybe they used corn. 

[keyslover]

Jul 10, 2013 13:27:35 GMT -5 alare said:

Jul 10, 2013 13:16:46 GMT -5 roadstar said:

I am a server and we have a very strict allergy policy:

1. Get details about allergy and take order,
2. Let manager know of allergy and order,
3. Manger speaks to customer to confirm order and allergy,
4. Manger speaks to kitchen manager about the order and to confirm the dish is ok to server,
5. Oder is placed and label with an allergy alert,
6. Separate cooking pans etc. are used to prepare the meal,
7. Meal is plated, covered and a manager serves it the customer.


We also have a pretty good gluten free menu and at least three vegan meals.

Do you work at a Disney restaurant? If I lived in FL I would eat at Disney places 24/7. They are so frickin' awesome with food allergies/sensitivities. The managers would come out, I'd tell them what I couldn't have, they'd go through all their stuff and figure out a meal for me. Awesome.

EDIT: Just saw you're from MA, not Disney!

I loved our visit to WDW- eating out was so great.  It was so easy!  I love their policy.
I generally do not have issues (Dairy), but I think much of that is because of the places we choose to eat. 
If I am at a new place and the server doesn't know, I have them ask the chef.