California Grill allergy experience

[MariaR3]

We ate at California Grill Friday night, and did not have a great experience. I'm wondering if it was our server or my expectations were too high.

My husband has a garlic intolerance. Although thankfully not life-threatening, it causes stomach pain for days if he eats any garlic besides garlic powder or garlic salt. It is easiest to tell restaurants that it is an allergy so it is taken seriously. I've read in many places that Disney is great with dealing with food allergies. When we ate at BOG our server did not send the chef out, but she made sure that they could make what my husband wanted from the menu garlic-free. At Yak & Yeti our server sent the chef out, and he was willing to make anything my husband wanted on the menu garlic-free. (He even made the meal with chicken instead of beef, which my husband prefers, even though it had nothing to do with his garlic intolerance.) Even at Roaring Forks, the cashier who took our order was meticulous in making sure my husband got his meal garlic-free.

So I (maybe foolishly?) assumed that California Grill being a signature restaurant would be more than willing to accommodate my husband. However, that was definitely not the case. It started off with our server seeming irritated that he had to deal with this issue. He told us that pretty much everything on the menu has garlic in it, and almost acted like my husband shouldn't expect to eat an entree. He did end up letting us know that he could get a protein made for my DH without any seasoning (not sure why simple salt and pepper couldn't be used), but that he could only have mashed potatoes as a side and either green beans or asparagus as a vegetable. The server said that none of the accompaniments that came with any of the entrees were an option because everything was made with garlic. My husband ended up getting the pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes and asparagus, but was disappointed that those were his only options. The server never sent the chef out or even offered to.

I understand that there will understandably be some restrictions and that my husband won't be able to order anything he wants at every restaurant, but did the server handle this appropriately? Does California Grill really not have the ability to make any sides fresh so that they can leave out a seasoning like garlic when cooking it?

As I mentioned, the other restaurants were much more accommodating so I'm trying to figure out what happened at CG.

Thanks and sorry for the lengthy post!

 

[RADOPT]

From the experience I had at WDW with a citrus allergy, it was your server. Every place we went was accommodating even though not all chefs came out. I even had one server offer to go to a different restaurant to get me a citrus free dessert. Next time I would ask for the manager’s help if the chef is too busy but the server should know what the chef can and cannot change

 

[Jennasis]

Sounds like a server issue. If it happens in the future, ask to speak directly with the chef...and if the server gives you any pushback, request the manager.

 

[Allison]

Sounds like a server issue. If it happens in the future, ask to speak directly with the chef...and if the server gives you any pushback, request the manager.

I agree with this.

 

[MariaR3]

Thanks for the responses. I'm glad to know that CG is genreally more accommodating. Makes me sad we could have had a better experience with a different server, but next time I'll be less shy about asking to speak to the chef or manager directly.

 

[peteykirch]

It sounds like a server issue, but to be fair there are people who take advantage of how flexible Disney is when it comes to allergies/restrictions/etc.

During our last trip we had breakfast at the Wave, and the table across the way had a young woman who apparently while making the reservation told the restaurant she was allergic TO EVERYTHING. The server ends up bringing the chef to the table, and he's asking her basic questions, and she goes "Oh, I'm not really allergic, I'm just vegan."

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

It sounds like a server issue, but to be fair there are people who take advantage of how flexible Disney is when it comes to allergies/restrictions/etc.

During our last trip we had breakfast at the Wave, and the table across the way had a young woman who apparently while making the reservation told the restaurant she was allergic TO EVERYTHING. The server ends up bringing the chef to the table, and he's asking her basic questions, and she goes "Oh, I'm not really allergic, I'm just vegan."

It was definitely the server for the OP like you said.

And you are right, people definitely abuse Disney's goodwill. I can't count how many people I have seen talk to the chef or server, then laugh about how they aren't really allergic but they just don't like XYZ. Or like you saw, they are vegan and made out that they "allergic" to meat or whatever.

It irritates me because I have to be gluten free. I have Celiac and I was diagnosed 12 years ago. It isn't a fad for me.

 

[MariaR3]

I hear ya. And technically I used the word allergy when talking to the server when it's really an intolerance. As you mentioned though, I was worried that the sever would think it was just a preference of taste and not something that my DH actually reacts to. At least I know now that I shouldn't feel shy about asking for the chef. I don't think I'll pursue it with CG any further. I appreciate all of the input!

 

[Texans_loyal]

Email Disney and let them know what happened. I would hate to spend that much money on a limited menu.

 

[MariaR3]

Email Disney and let them know what happened. I would hate to spend that much money on a limited menu.

I was originally thinking of sending an email, but then decided to post here first to find out if I had unrealistic expectations or if it really was the server. He wasn't terrible and I don't want to "get him in trouble", but it was a definite disappointment for us, especially at a signature restaurant.

Would others here go ahead with an email or just treat it as a learning experience to ask for the chef or manager next time?

 

[sponica]

I was originally thinking of sending an email, but then decided to post here first to find out if I had unrealistic expectations or if it really was the server. He wasn't terrible and I don't want to "get him in trouble", but it was a definite disappointment for us, especially at a signature restaurant.

Would others here go ahead with an email or just treat it as a learning experience to ask for the chef or manager next time?

I would email because they need the feedback.

ETA: He could have been having a bad day or he was just ill trained in that regard.

 

[MariaR3]

Would you include the server's name in the email or leave it vague with no name?

 

[sponica]

Would you include the server's name in the email or leave it vague with no name?

If you had a name, I would include the name. If you had anything positive to say about him, I'd include that as well.

 

[baler31]

I would include the name. However, be aware that it is not always the server. Sometimes a chef lets it be known that they don’t want to be bothered that night or time etc. In any case send the email, it will get flagged if they notice a pattern.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

If you had a name, I would include the name. If you had anything positive to say about him, I'd include that as well.

I agree. You need to use to the name otherwise they won't know who needs the extra training.

And, yes, please let them know about anything that he did right. Complaints are better when also given with praise.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Last year, when I was on a low sodium diet, I ended up with a plain steak and some plain potatoes at CG. And a dry salad. But that was true everywhere lol

 

[MariaR3]

Last year, when I was on a low sodium diet, I ended up with a plain steak and some plain potatoes at CG. And a dry salad. But that was true everywhere lol

That's good to know and makes some sense as to why my DH didn't really get any side options.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

That's good to know and makes some sense as to why my DH didn't really get any side options.

One of the problems is that the restaurant only has what it has. So, if most of the seasonings contain garlic, then you maybe out of luck with seasonings. Same with salt.

I come across it all of the time with gluten. Every location only has what it has.

 

[DisLiss]

It was definitely the server for the OP like you said.

And you are right, people definitely abuse Disney's goodwill. I can't count how many people I have seen talk to the chef or server, then laugh about how they aren't really allergic but they just don't like XYZ. Or like you saw, they are vegan and made out that they "allergic" to meat or whatever.

I hear ya. And technically I used the word allergy when talking to the server when it's really an intolerance. As you mentioned though, I was worried that the server would think it was just a preference of taste and not something that my DH actually reacts to.

I find myself feeling guilty about the whole allergy/intolerance verbiage sometimes. I have an actual, doctor diagnoses allergy that causes hives to break out all over my body. I also have an intolerance that causes me severe stomach cramps. Like, go lay down in the fetal position and moan and groan like you're dying cramps. I would much rather deal with hives while on vacation than those stomach cramps. So, yes, I would definitely use the term "allergy" instead of "intolerance" if it was what I felt I had to do to avoid the food that causes the cramps. But because I'm very much a rule-follower by personality, I feel so guilty about it. :-/

I wish it could always be easy & pleasant for everyone with dietary restrictions/allergies/intolerances to have a safe and enjoyable meal.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I find myself feeling guilty about the whole allergy/intolerance verbiage sometimes. I have an actual, doctor diagnoses allergy that causes hives to break out all over my body. I also have an intolerance that causes me severe stomach cramps. Like, go lay down in the fetal position and moan and groan like you're dying cramps. I would much rather deal with hives while on vacation than those stomach cramps. So, yes, I would definitely use the term "allergy" instead of "intolerance" if it was what I felt I had to do to avoid the food that causes the cramps. But because I'm very much a rule-follower by personality, I feel so guilty about it. :-/

I wish it could always be easy & pleasant for everyone with dietary restrictions/allergies/intolerances to have a safe and enjoyable meal.

The problem isn't people that actually have a restriction or intolerance. It is the people that are just giving something up. The "I've decided to try paleo, so no gluten or dairy for me and its VERY IMPORTANT, well until it comes time for dessert, because that strawberry shortcake with cream looks just incredible." Or the "I'm not eating gluten because I've read that it is just so bad for you. So no gluten." (Then the waiter sees her sneak a few bites from her neighbor's plate.)

Those are the people that I am talking about.

Heck, I remember a thread here about someone starting a Whole 30 diet right before they went to Disney. Criminy, start a new diet when you get back.