Hi I took my daughter who eats a gluten free diet out for tea, we thought we would have to have the usual, plain jacket potato or salad but we went past Nando's so we went in to ask. The staff were really helpful & gave us their allergy advice manual which listed all their dishes & what allergies & sensitivities they were suitable for.
It turned out that she could have all the chicken dishes & the salad & fries, & could have any of the different levels of spice on her chicken. She had a lovely meal eating the same as the rest of her family for a change.
The staff told the chef that we were eating gluten free so that he could take extra care to avoid contamination from bread products from other diners meals being prepared near hers.
I hope it's ok to mention restaurant chains on here, it's just nice to be able to share a positive dining out experience. We also visited Ikea recently & although there was only a choice of 2 mains for her, again the staff were incredibly helpful & well informed about the contents & preparation methods of their food.
Debs
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Debs11
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I think I might give Nandos a try..glad your daughter had such a good experience..more and more places seem to be becoming better informed...we ate out a few weeks ago in our local pub and they didn't know what coeliac disease was so the chef and manager went online to check it out then came back and told me my options
I've always been weary of Nandos, they always look so busy I have never had the (excuse the pun) guts to risk even asking. But now I will try my local Nandos thanks to you Debs11. Many thanks for sharing.
My daughter is a coeliac and we eat out quite often with her, as I feel it is important that her condition does not stop her doing what she wants to do. She always enjoys Nando's and find the staff very helpful. We have also have had really good experiences at Carluccio's and Wagamama. Even though her choice is never massive she can always find something she likes, although these choices are never on the kids menu. Tried to eat at Hard Rock Cafe yesterday but felt really unsure as they had no allergy menu and the staff were vague about what choices were available, so moved on elsewhere, very disappointing!
We discovered that Nandos was 'safe' last year and I have to say that they do put other chain restaurants in the shade for their understanding of the cross-contamination issue. I have eaten at other big name chains which offer GF listed items but have yet to come home unscathed, which is demoralising to say the least! Nandos, as an occasional treat, wins!
Must say I love Nando's too! And for any Bristolian GF diners, on the good old Gloucester Road Planet Pizza do GF pizzas (not for highly sensitive coels, as they are baked in the same oven) and Atomic Burger do GF buns with their burgers! Aren't things getting better for us!
These comments sound great - I'd like to try Nando's but not sure if they have one here in Rhyl, North Wales? Things seem to be looking up for us coeliacs!!
I like Nando's very much. My experience was the one in Covent Garden on a day out in London. I like that kind of food ( I think they describe it as Portugese). The staff were very nice and helpful. The atmosphere very bustly, happy and noise. Lots of tables full of friends and families. Unfortunately my wife doesn't like Nandos. We have one in Bedford. Pity.
Nando's is good as they have clear menus, but like most food outlets, they employ teenagers to do a lot of the work.
I know several people who have had cross-contamination issues - fortunately their kitchen/bar areas are usually open, so if it looks a bit iffy steer clear.
Wagamamas, Strada and branches of the Indiviidual Restaurant Company (Picollino, Bar and Grill, Bank) are good (particularly the latter). And if you get stuck and you are near a Novotel, they usually employ proper chefs and whilst their menu is a bit limited, they will go "off piste" and cook pretty much anything you want to order.
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Never eating out again.. :(
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