Bringing food into restaurants

[Guest guest]

Maybe I'm just lucky, but since being diagnosed 6 years ago, I have

brought countless toasted Kinnikinnick hamburger buns to Mcs

and In/Out, tortilla chips and warm corn tortillas to Chipotles and

other Mexican restaurants, g-f corn muffins to Marie Callendars, g-f

muffins to Fresh Choice and g-f bread & salad dressings to most

restaurants without any questions asked.

I do not try and hide any of my food either. No one has ever

questioned me in any of the sit down restaurants or fast food

restaurants I have been to. I do have a doctor's note explaining my

celiac disease that I will be glad to share in case that ever

happens (not sure it would help if it is against the law, but at

least the restaurant would understand my problem). If a restaurant

ever told me I could not do this, I just would not frequent that

restaurant again.

We just dined in a nice Italian restaurant this weekend, and I

ordered their risotto (after all of the typical gluten questions

about the ingredients, broth base, cross contact issues, etc.).

When I was served my risotto, I took out my warm small-size

Kinnikinnick pizza crust with melted mozzarella cheese on it (along

with my homemade ranch dressing to dip it in) and put it on a plate

on the table and enjoyed my bread with my risotto. I know that the

server saw all of it on the table as he checked on us during our

meal, but he did not ask me any questions. I think the servers just

understand how hard it is for me to eat after I give them the " third

degree " about the ingredients in the food when I order - and they

just leave me alone to enjoy what food I can eat!

Sue

P.S. By the way, a warm microwave gel pack in a small fabric lunch

bag really keeps bread, muffins and corn tortillas warm. I warm

everything up just before I leave for the restaurant.

> >

> > > From: Sharon P <hosnar@>

> > > Subject: [ ] Club Waziema in SF - won't allow me to

> bring rice!!

> > > " "

< >

> > > Date: Thursday, October 23, 2008, 10:09 PM

> > > I just got off the phone w/ Club Waziema, an Ethiopian

> > > restaurant in SF. They confirmed that they add wheat flour

> > > to their injera. So I asked them if they served rice, and

> > > they said no. I then told them I had a medical condition

> > > that prevented me from eating wheat, and asked if it was ok

> > > to bring my own rice. They said that they don't allow

> > > any outside food. I tried to explain that it was

> > > discriminatory, but she didn't seem to understand.

> > > After putting me on hold for a while, they asked me to call

> > > back later and hung up on me.

> > >

> > > I believe that ADA would apply. Reasonable accomodation

> > > for a disability. So I could probably make a good case, but

> > > I don't think I want to patronize them any more, and

> > > don't feel like going through all the trouble.

> > >

> > > Has anyone else had this problem at Waziema? Can anyone

> > > recommend an Ethiopian restaurant in SF that serves rice, or

> > > allows you to bring your own?

> > >

> > > Sharon

> >

>