mrsdrake625
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2012
- Messages
- 508
Hello all! Just got back from a surprise visit to the World, meaning I had about a day to plan for food. We did only counter service this time, which we didn't do at ALL last time. I was a little nervous about finding GF food at CS places not doing a ton of research, but it worked out wonderfully. I just wanted to share my experience for anyone else in that situation.
Overall:
The process seems to be the same at all CS places.
1 - Inform the CM that you have an allergy, first thing, before you try and order anything. They page a manager/supervisor, who comes to greet you.
2 - The manager has an allergy book and discusses what you want and how they can modify it for you, or what items you can/can't have.
3 - They take your order, ring you up, and give you a receipt. The same manager who spoke with you will bring you your food - not the counter servers like everyone else.
A few notes - one, the allergy food does take longer. About 10+ minutes average.
Two, read carefully. One manager caught some ingredients I hadn't, but that may not happen everywhere. It's still your responsibility to know what you can/can't have. After you order, it's their responsibility to see that it gets done.
Three - a few places we went were crowded, and forgot something (a side, some sauce, etc). Be prepared for that - they are busy, and you have a different order than normal. Don't be afraid to gently question - "hey, was I supposed to get two sides?"
Four - the best strategy is to wait for the manager before trying to order. The cashiers really can't say anything once you mention the word "allergy." (see review for starring rolls below).
Specific reviews
1 - Art of Animation Landscape of Flavors
Meal: Butter Chicken, Dinner
It was crowded when we went so everyone was running around. I don't think I got all of the sides I was supposed to get, but the chef was extremely accommodating and kind. I didn't pursue it so that's on me.
The girls who were serving the food (not chefs) could not answer any of my questions about allergies, but they paged the chef who was extremely helpful and made my plate up for me personally.
The food was pretty darn good for $10, too. I'd get it again. Landscape of Flavors has good options overall but was crowded and felt a little like a zoo, but that's another issue!
2 - Columbia Harbor House, Lunch
Meal: Lobster Roll (GF bread)
Crowded as well.
I informed the cashier I had an allergy and he paged a manager. This manager was very slow and hard to communicate with, but she got me what I needed. You have to read the ingredient list yourself to make sure you can have whatever you are ordering - I said I just wanted the sandwich on a GF roll, which I figured would be fine, but she still made me read the book first. I think that's policy.
Service was a little slow here - took about 10 minutes to get my order made after waiting for the manager for about 5. I think that was unusual though, judging by the comments of the other cast members. I did feel bad for the people behind me in line but they were cool about it.
The lobster roll was very good! I'm not a huge seafood fan, either. They toasted the bread for me. The house made chips were delicious. Not sure what they are fried in, but that doesn't tend to bother me so I didn't ask. You may need to confirm.
3 - Casey's Corner, Dinner
Meal: Hot Dog Meal
Not as crowded, so a much more pleasant experience.
I said "I have allergies." They brought out the book while I waited for the manager. I ordered originally the pork/slaw dog, but she immediately said, "you can't have the BBQ sauce." I checked and she was right, I had missed an ingredient (soy sauce). So that was a very reassuring experience. She was extremely friendly and helpful, as were the two cashiers, and the whole thing made me very happy.
The hot dog came with fries and there was a toppings bar. The ketchup and mustard are in dispensers that may touch other people's hot dogs, so if that is a cross contamination issue for you, perhaps you may want to ask for ketchup from behind the counter.
4 - Starring Rolls, snack
Meal: none
I got in line just to ask about a gluten free cupcake, but nobody would answer my questions until a manager came. The cashier sounded slightly irritated (not at me) that the policy dictated he not say anything to me once I say the word "allergy."
I didn't want to wait so I just left. Just FYI - they really won't even try to answer your questions. The idea is probably to prevent misinformation, which is good, but it would have been nice to at least get a "maybe" or "no" or "yes!" But oh well. That's what the Disboards are for.
-- same thing happened at Sweet Spells, but a gluten free cast member kindly informed me that even if any of the things that are dipped in the chocolate were GF, they dip everything into the same chocolate so the cross contamination would have been a problem. She said she had gotten sick herself eating it. So that was kind of her and much appreciated.
5 - ABC Commissary, lunch
Meal: Chicken Blue Sandwich/fries
(I can eat fries with usually no problem, but I think they are fried in the same oil as other things, just to clarify.)
Again - "I have an allergy," they got the manager. By this time I was used to the routine and everything went pretty smoothly. He did forget the blue cheese sauce and I didn't want to ask him to go back and get it/wait, so I just said fine. But other than that, very easy. They said they could make any sandwich on the menu for me with GF bread.
This was more of a GF hamburger roll, and the chicken breast was very juicy so the roll disintegrated almost instantly. But it tasted fine and I have no other complaints.
6 - Pizza Planet, dinner
Meal: Udi's GF pizza with veggies
This was the only item that I had an upcharge on because it was GF, but since it was Udi's and a bit bigger than the normal pizzas, I totally understand. It was $10 for the pizza, no side - "normal" pizzas are $10 with a side salad, or you can opt out of the salad for $1.50 less.
The manager asked if I was gluten intolerant or celiac. I am intolerant, so I don't know if that means it's baked in the same oven as other pizzas or not. You may want to specify if you are celiac in case they don't ask at all the places. I have a feeling they will use another oven if you ask.
The pizza was pretty typical GF pizza but it was delicious and cheesy. They put veggies on it for me (the pizza itself is just a cheese pizza I think), and they MAY put their own cheese on it, not sure. But it was definitely better than frozen pizza normally is.
Summary -
The managers seem to be trained very well, and the cashiers are trained to get the manager. It's more helpful to be clear about your needs instead of trying to concoct a solution yourself - don't just ask for GF bread, say that you are "celiac" or "gluten intolerant." They will be much better able to help you that way, I think. And read the ingredients!
Also be willing to be patient. Your order will take a little longer but that's a sign that you're getting it fresh made. It's a little awkward standing up there at the counter while people shove past you and they may grumble. Oh well.
Hubs and I paid separately to avoid him having to wait on his food, but at Pizza Planet they were able to join the orders and have everything come out at the same time, which was very helpful.
Last thing - It probably would be better to go during un-busy hours. It's a much more pleasant experience and much easier to communicate when there aren't a billion people around you.
Do not fear! Counter Service works!
Hope this helps someone on their trip.
Overall:
The process seems to be the same at all CS places.
1 - Inform the CM that you have an allergy, first thing, before you try and order anything. They page a manager/supervisor, who comes to greet you.
2 - The manager has an allergy book and discusses what you want and how they can modify it for you, or what items you can/can't have.
3 - They take your order, ring you up, and give you a receipt. The same manager who spoke with you will bring you your food - not the counter servers like everyone else.
A few notes - one, the allergy food does take longer. About 10+ minutes average.
Two, read carefully. One manager caught some ingredients I hadn't, but that may not happen everywhere. It's still your responsibility to know what you can/can't have. After you order, it's their responsibility to see that it gets done.
Three - a few places we went were crowded, and forgot something (a side, some sauce, etc). Be prepared for that - they are busy, and you have a different order than normal. Don't be afraid to gently question - "hey, was I supposed to get two sides?"
Four - the best strategy is to wait for the manager before trying to order. The cashiers really can't say anything once you mention the word "allergy." (see review for starring rolls below).
Specific reviews
1 - Art of Animation Landscape of Flavors
Meal: Butter Chicken, Dinner
It was crowded when we went so everyone was running around. I don't think I got all of the sides I was supposed to get, but the chef was extremely accommodating and kind. I didn't pursue it so that's on me.
The girls who were serving the food (not chefs) could not answer any of my questions about allergies, but they paged the chef who was extremely helpful and made my plate up for me personally.
The food was pretty darn good for $10, too. I'd get it again. Landscape of Flavors has good options overall but was crowded and felt a little like a zoo, but that's another issue!
2 - Columbia Harbor House, Lunch
Meal: Lobster Roll (GF bread)
Crowded as well.
I informed the cashier I had an allergy and he paged a manager. This manager was very slow and hard to communicate with, but she got me what I needed. You have to read the ingredient list yourself to make sure you can have whatever you are ordering - I said I just wanted the sandwich on a GF roll, which I figured would be fine, but she still made me read the book first. I think that's policy.
Service was a little slow here - took about 10 minutes to get my order made after waiting for the manager for about 5. I think that was unusual though, judging by the comments of the other cast members. I did feel bad for the people behind me in line but they were cool about it.
The lobster roll was very good! I'm not a huge seafood fan, either. They toasted the bread for me. The house made chips were delicious. Not sure what they are fried in, but that doesn't tend to bother me so I didn't ask. You may need to confirm.
3 - Casey's Corner, Dinner
Meal: Hot Dog Meal
Not as crowded, so a much more pleasant experience.
I said "I have allergies." They brought out the book while I waited for the manager. I ordered originally the pork/slaw dog, but she immediately said, "you can't have the BBQ sauce." I checked and she was right, I had missed an ingredient (soy sauce). So that was a very reassuring experience. She was extremely friendly and helpful, as were the two cashiers, and the whole thing made me very happy.
The hot dog came with fries and there was a toppings bar. The ketchup and mustard are in dispensers that may touch other people's hot dogs, so if that is a cross contamination issue for you, perhaps you may want to ask for ketchup from behind the counter.
4 - Starring Rolls, snack
Meal: none
I got in line just to ask about a gluten free cupcake, but nobody would answer my questions until a manager came. The cashier sounded slightly irritated (not at me) that the policy dictated he not say anything to me once I say the word "allergy."
I didn't want to wait so I just left. Just FYI - they really won't even try to answer your questions. The idea is probably to prevent misinformation, which is good, but it would have been nice to at least get a "maybe" or "no" or "yes!" But oh well. That's what the Disboards are for.
-- same thing happened at Sweet Spells, but a gluten free cast member kindly informed me that even if any of the things that are dipped in the chocolate were GF, they dip everything into the same chocolate so the cross contamination would have been a problem. She said she had gotten sick herself eating it. So that was kind of her and much appreciated.
5 - ABC Commissary, lunch
Meal: Chicken Blue Sandwich/fries
(I can eat fries with usually no problem, but I think they are fried in the same oil as other things, just to clarify.)
Again - "I have an allergy," they got the manager. By this time I was used to the routine and everything went pretty smoothly. He did forget the blue cheese sauce and I didn't want to ask him to go back and get it/wait, so I just said fine. But other than that, very easy. They said they could make any sandwich on the menu for me with GF bread.
This was more of a GF hamburger roll, and the chicken breast was very juicy so the roll disintegrated almost instantly. But it tasted fine and I have no other complaints.
6 - Pizza Planet, dinner
Meal: Udi's GF pizza with veggies
This was the only item that I had an upcharge on because it was GF, but since it was Udi's and a bit bigger than the normal pizzas, I totally understand. It was $10 for the pizza, no side - "normal" pizzas are $10 with a side salad, or you can opt out of the salad for $1.50 less.
The manager asked if I was gluten intolerant or celiac. I am intolerant, so I don't know if that means it's baked in the same oven as other pizzas or not. You may want to specify if you are celiac in case they don't ask at all the places. I have a feeling they will use another oven if you ask.
The pizza was pretty typical GF pizza but it was delicious and cheesy. They put veggies on it for me (the pizza itself is just a cheese pizza I think), and they MAY put their own cheese on it, not sure. But it was definitely better than frozen pizza normally is.
Summary -
The managers seem to be trained very well, and the cashiers are trained to get the manager. It's more helpful to be clear about your needs instead of trying to concoct a solution yourself - don't just ask for GF bread, say that you are "celiac" or "gluten intolerant." They will be much better able to help you that way, I think. And read the ingredients!
Also be willing to be patient. Your order will take a little longer but that's a sign that you're getting it fresh made. It's a little awkward standing up there at the counter while people shove past you and they may grumble. Oh well.
Hubs and I paid separately to avoid him having to wait on his food, but at Pizza Planet they were able to join the orders and have everything come out at the same time, which was very helpful.
Last thing - It probably would be better to go during un-busy hours. It's a much more pleasant experience and much easier to communicate when there aren't a billion people around you.
Do not fear! Counter Service works!
Hope this helps someone on their trip.
