Maggiano's Little Italy {a success story}

 

Last month, we took the family on a mini vacation to our favorite beach in Florida. It was perfect. As always. It's a place we can go and just totally relax and enjoy ourselves. There's something about the ocean that makes you forget everything stressful in your life. It's just pure enjoyment. That's not what this post is about, though. It was on our way home that this story takes place.

We planned to leave early enough so that we would arrive in Jacksonville right at lunch time. We had heard about Maggiano's from family members that had been there and we were really wanting to try it out. As a family that operates on the food allergy mindset, we had never taken our family out to an italian restaurant before because of the egg ingredient present in nearly all pastas. It's never a risk we've been willing to take because there are only a couple different pastas available in stores that my daughter can eat and pretty much every italian restaurant we've looked up online has no egg-free version. But we researched ahead of time {as always} and saw on Maggiano's website that they try to accomodate food allergies, etc. So, we made the decision to go. {There were plenty of other places nearby to eat in case we got there and it proved not to be allergy friendly. We always have a backup plan.} Upon arriving, it was a little busy outside the restaurant, so Hubs let me out of the car to go get a table. When I was greeted by the hostess, I asked her about the food allergies, specifically my daughter's allergies to milk, eggs and peanuts and she said they happily accommodate food allergies and that the chef would come to our table to speak with us about it. Sure enough, a few minutes later, the chef came out {which my daughter thought was awesome} and asked us about the allergies and then gave us our food options. He told us she could eat any of the straight pastas like spaghetti, etc. and then which sauces were appropriate for her allergy needs. When they brought out Callie's big bowl of spaghetti {her very first time eating it at a restaurant!!}, she was thrilled! Spaghetti is her favorite meal at home, but it was even better in a restaurant.

I had to take her picture because this was a moment to remember! Excuse the crazy hair and tired face. We had been traveling all morning.

I, of course, had Benadryl in my purse just in case, but it was completely fine for her and caused no reaction whatsoever. It was a real treat for her to eat pasta that day. I was so happy for her and thankful that she got to have this first-time experience. Wish we had a Maggiano's close to us!

I'm adding this to my list of allergy-friendly restaurants at my page entitled {Allergy-friendly Restaurants}. Go check out the others listed. If you know of some I have not listed, please comment and let me know!

Thanks for stopping by!
Amy

Eating Out with Food Allergies

Because food allergies pose such a threat to those who live with them, you may wonder if it's possible to go out to eat safely. I have to say it IS possible. I've created a tab at the top right of this blog labeled "Eating Out". It is a work in progress, but my goal is to update it as I find new restaurants with allergy menus and/or ingredient lists. I have already listed a few, but have several more to add to it. I will do that as time permits. If you have any that I do not have on the list, please reply to this post with that information and I will add it!
While we're on the subject of eating out, I thought I'd place a few cautious reminders on here:

• ALWAYS bring your EpiPens!! I carry 2 EpiPens at all times for my daughter. One may not be enough to get you or your food-allergic child to the hospital in time. I carry her EpiPens with us everywhere we go and I have 2 at home in an accessible place for our babysitter and/or anyone taking care of my child to reach easily. I thank the Lord that we have not yet had to use one, but we have them just in case! Think of them as a life insurance policy! You pay the price, hoping you won't ever need them!
• ALWAYS carry liquid Benadryl with you. I have a bottle of liquid Benadryl in my daughter's bag with her EpiPens, in an upstairs bathroom and in the kitchen on our main floor. I can't tell you how many times Benadryl has helped keep us from going to the ER. It is a lifesaver! In the most severe reactions, I suggest that the ER is still the best option (in addition to Benadryl and/or EpiPen) because allergic reactions can return even though you think the worst is over. When in doubt, call 911.
• ALWAYS take a copy of the restaurant's allergy menu with you so that you can show the waitress/waiter exactly what you want. You may want to even write your child's allergies on that paper so she/he can show it to the cook. It has been suggested that you should alert the manager of the restaurant, as well, to ensure that your food is cooked separate from all others. I know this may seem like a hassle, but it is better to be safe!! If there is not an allergy menu, you can take the ingredient list instead. Sometimes, I call ahead and talk to the manager about it to see if they are happy to accommodate the food allergies. I've done this for Ruby Tuesday and it worked to my advantage.
• ALWAYS be aware of the environment at the restaurant you are planning to attend. As I mentioned in an earlier post, some have peanuts served at each table and the peanut shells are tossed onto the floor (aka EVERYWHERE!) and this is obviously hazardous to someone who has peanut allergies. Know your surroundings before you go.
• You may want to carry disinfectant wipes or baby wipes with you to restaurants because you never know what has been left on the table and in the seat where your child will sit. I try to clean my daughter's chair, table, etc. when we go out to eat. I don't leave it up to someone else to watch over my child's safety where food is concerned. And in this case, I totally do not mind looking like a paranoid mother when I go out in public. I'm proud to be one.

Feel free to leave your tips/comments here, as well. Maybe someone else can benefit from your ideas!