Restaurant accommodations

[DWillowBay]

My family is planning a trip to DLR next fall. As I begin my planning, I need to consider restaurants that are able to accommodate my autistic son's food preferences. He's a real simple eater....burgers, fries, etc. If my husband and I were interested in Napa Rose, might they be able to accommodate someone with more simple food interests? Or are they wed to their menus exclusively?

 

[Malcon10t]

They don't do a burger there, but they do have pizza.

Steakhouse 55 does a kids burger.

Carthay does a burger during lunch. You might call and see if they can make it work.

 

[DWillowBay]

Thanks, Malcon10t. We are more used to WDW restaurants being very accommodating of special needs, but it seems (though I'd be happy to be wrong) that the DLR restaurants are more wed to their printed menu items. You're right, a call couldn't hurt. Thanks.

 

[lalasmama]

Thanks, Malcon10t. We are more used to WDW restaurants being very accommodating of special needs, but it seems (though I'd be happy to be wrong) that the DLR restaurants are more wed to their printed menu items. You're right, a call couldn't hurt. Thanks.

Definitely call! They can be very accommodating, if they are alerted ahead of time of special situations. I'd be willing to bet that they could find something that would work--likely mac-n-cheese or such.

 

[DahliaRW]

I would imagine NR would be very accommodating. When we were there at the chef's counter a number of years ago, a request came in from parents asking that the carrot sticks for their child be cut the same size and shape as the french fries, and the kitchen did!

 

[Malcon10t]

I would imagine NR would be very accommodating. When we were there at the chef's counter a number of years ago, a request came in from parents asking that the carrot sticks for their child be cut the same size and shape as the french fries, and the kitchen did!

They can be quite accommodating, I agree. But as a burger isn't on their menu, I doubt you can get a burger for a child the way he might want it. However, you should be able to get mac and cheese or pizza.

I was at Napa Rose once when all a child wanted was a plain baked potato, that was all she would eat her parent said. They were unable to accommodate.

 

[Midnightred]

I have 2 autistic boys and Wine Country Trattoria made them buttered pasta with cheese (not on the menu), and the kids loved it! It just happened that way, I did not call ahead. I try to choose places with things on the menu they like.

Midnightred

 

[figment_jii]

Thanks, Malcon10t. We are more used to WDW restaurants being very accommodating of special needs, but it seems (though I'd be happy to be wrong) that the DLR restaurants are more wed to their printed menu items. You're right, a call couldn't hurt. Thanks.

I think the DLR restaurants can be accommodating, but even at WDW, it depends on whether they have the items in their kitchen. Napa Rose might not have a hamburger on the dinner menu and thus would not have the ingredients available or prepped. If it was me, I would start by looking at the menus (adult and children) and see if there is anything that can be modified (e.g., sauce left off, plain cooked, etc.) and go from there.

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

When you are at WDW do you go to Victoria's and Albert and ask for a hambuger for your child?
Napa Rose does ot have a hamburger on the menu. Perhaps you and your husband should use this as an adult meal? Or just stick to places that have the food he wants to eat.

 

[Malcon10t]

I have 2 autistic boys and Wine Country Trattoria made them buttered pasta with cheese (not on the menu), and the kids loved it! It just happened that way, I did not call ahead. I try to choose places with things on the menu they like.

Midnightred

BUT - They have pasta in the kitchen, so it is an alteration on something they have. If you go to Pizza port and ask for a hot dog, they will direct you to Coke Corner. It isn't that they aren't accommodating, it is they don't have it in the kitchen.

If at Napa Rose, you want a plain cheese pizza, they can do that. I don't think they even do fries there, but they have an adult tater tot, so that could work if the child is accepting.

 

[DWillowBay]

Thanks everyone. I didn't ever mean to give the impression that I expect above and beyond accommodations. I only used Napa Rose as an example, not that I expected them, specifically, to go beyond the call of duty. We have had some restaurants at WDW easily be able to accommodate his preferences even when it was not on their menus. Kouzzina's was amazing and we did not expect them to do all that they did for our son. And I must have given the impression that my son is a child. Sorry for the confusion, he is an adult. However, the autism limits his ability to participate in a wide-variety of foods. That's all. Of course I would begin by looking at menus with foods he likes. I was just asking for other's impressions of DLR past experiences with the need for accommodations.

 

[Malcon10t]

Thanks everyone. I didn't ever mean to give the impression that I expect above and beyond accommodations. I only used Napa Rose as an example, not that I expected them, specifically, to go beyond the call of duty. We have had some restaurants at WDW easily be able to accommodate his preferences even when it was not on their menus. Kouzzina's was amazing and we did not expect them to do all that they did for our son. And I must have given the impression that my son is a child. Sorry for the confusion, he is an adult. However, the autism limits his ability to participate in a wide-variety of foods. That's all. Of course I would begin by looking at menus with foods he likes. I was just asking for other's impressions of DLR past experiences with the need for accommodations.

I can relate. My daughter, also autistic, has food issues, and one great thing is we can order for her off the children's menu and get adult portion/adult price.

I can say over the past 4 years, her palette has expanded. So there is hope.

 

[StormyCA]

Remember that NR is right next door to Whitewater Snacks. They have a 'basic' burger on the menu. I don't see any reason why you couldn't pick up a burger 'to go' and take it with you (call NR first of course) or that NR wouldn't get one for you. I know that may be 'frowned on' in normal circumstances, but in your case I'm sure an exception can be made.

When I eat at Carnation Cafe (I'm celiac) they go get my fries from another restaurant because they don't have a GF fryer & the other place does. So there is a 'precedent' for getting/bringing food from one place to another.

<gets on soapbox> I understand how very, very important it is for those who have 'food problems' to be included in dining experiences, be it allergies, intolerances, or autistic-centered preferences. Food is so central to our 'celebration' culture and it is really hard to find yourself excluded by something you cannot control. I can remember more than one time, early on, where I was reduced to tears at having to sit in a restaurant with a cup of coffee whilst everyone around me ate a wonderful meal and talked about and tasted each others' food. <gets off soapbox>

I'm sure NR will work with you. If not, smuggle that burger in! I would!!

 

[chrisaman]

I know u used it just as an example but I think Napa rose would be more than accommodating. The chef there hates having a fixed menu and is constantly changing it. I would think he would rather make something off menu for him than make something on menu. Sort of like a challenge.

 

[DWillowBay]

Again, many thanks everyone. It sounds like there is hope beyond the quick service places.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I don't know if NR would allow it in the main dining room, but I was able to bring in a sandwich from Whitewater Snacks for my mom when we ate in the lounge. I spoke wih the CMs at the desk, and they said it would be fine. My mom did order something else from the menu (dessert? an appetizer?), so that might have made a difference.

 

[lovebug33]

<gets on soapbox> I understand how very, very important it is for those who have 'food problems' to be included in dining experiences, be it allergies, intolerances, or autistic-centered preferences. Food is so central to our 'celebration' culture and it is really hard to find yourself excluded by something you cannot control. I can remember more than one time, early on, where I was reduced to tears at having to sit in a restaurant with a cup of coffee whilst everyone around me ate a wonderful meal and talked about and tasted each others' food. <gets off soapbox>

[/QUOTE]

Amen! I have watched so many people eat dessert while I was unable to eat it (I'm egg allergic). I love Disneyland because they are willing to accomodate anything and usually have a kid pudding I can have!