A few months ago, my partner and I started the planning process for a wonderful weekend in Toronto. However, no sooner than we had the hotel, the transportation and the event tickets booked, we were reminded of what could be considered our Achilles’ heel when it comes to travel: finding restaurants.
It’s not just about finding great restaurants to explore the world of culinary delights. With me, it is a matter of gluten-free foods, while my partner is dealing with a dairy allergy.
Why is it such a big deal? If we consume the food that causes us trouble, the result would be a sensation comparable to a stomach flu. This isn’t exactly the ideal way to spend a vacation. Some might wonder, “Can’t you just take pills for that?” and the answer is no, for both of us. That’s just the way things are.
When I first started dealing with my intolerance to wheat products twenty years ago, I felt bad for inconveniencing servers and kitchen teams for any extra work that might be involved. But more recently, when keeping my ears open to what’s happening at other tables, I hear all kinds of modifications taking place. I don’t feel quite so bad anymore.
Just the same, I offer my deepest gratitude to the restaurants that already do their best in rolling out the red carpet to keep diners safe. Parenthetically, if I could offer one word of advice to the restaurants that do accommodate food allergies, it is to ensure that your restaurant’s web page or Facebook page mentions it.
When we succeed in finding restaurants that cater to our food allergies, it may not result in just one visit. When we find a safe place, it can quickly become our go-to for that trip and potentially for future trips. Ten years ago, when we were in New Orleans, we ended up eating breakfast at the same restaurant six days in a row, because they offered several options that were safe for us, and we wanted to try all of them. By the end of our trip, they recognized us and we were on a first-name basis with the serving staff.
On the flip side, I am disappointed with the restaurants don’t see the business opportunity in catering to people for whom allergies, intolerances or preferences are a reality. In particular, the places I have found to be food deserts when it comes to allergies, have been certain travel-oriented venues such as rest stops by the side of the highway, airport terminals and train stations. Of the ones I have seen recently, many are populated with fast-food chains whose food offerings do not work for us.
With few or no alternatives, it becomes a challenge to stay energized and satiated for a full day of traveling. I’m very sorry, but a plain salad with no source of protein will not cut it for maintaining my patience and sweet disposition through unexpected weather, mechanical issues or traffic.
I just wish that more restaurants could put themselves in our position and see the challenge it causes when there are no options for someone with a food allergy or intolerance. The bottom line is that if we are hunting for food, stressing over food and spending our time locating safe restaurants, it’s not much of a vacation. We might as well stay home with our tourist dollars.
Over the twenty years I have been eating gluten-free, things have improved significantly, but there is still room for improvement. I can only hope that more businesses, especially the fast-food variety, will see the opportunity in becoming better prepared for different food intolerances and preferences and helping folks like us spend less time stressing about food, and enjoying the visit.
P.S.: In the fast-food world, Subway has been my “oasis”, offering gluten-free bread and whose team members change their gloves before preparing my sandwich to avoid cross-contamination. I do pay a little extra for the gluten-free bread, but at least their menu offers me several satisfying quick meal options, for which I extend my deepest gratitude.
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Sincere thanks for reading!
Have a great day,
André
ANDRE BEGIN 
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