Finding Safe Restaurants Anywhere

You’re in a new city. You’re hungry. You need to find somewhere you can actually eat.

Here’s how to find safe restaurants wherever you are.

The Research Tools

Find Me Gluten Free App

The most useful tool:

• User-reviewed restaurants rated for GF safety
• Comments from celiacs about their experience
• Menu items flagged as GF
• Location-based search

How to use:

1. Search your location
2. Sort by highest rating
3. Read recent reviews
4. Look for “celiac safe” or “dedicated GF” mentions

Google Maps

Standard search with GF filter:

• Search “gluten free restaurants [city]”
• Read reviews mentioning celiac or GF
• Check if reviews are recent

Yelp

Can be useful:

• Search “gluten free”
• Filter to your location
• Read detailed reviews

Caveat: “Gluten-free” on Yelp may mean GF options exist, not that they’re celiac-safe.

TripAdvisor

Good for tourist destinations:

• Search restaurants with dietary options
• Read reviews from other celiacs
• Especially useful internationally

Facebook Groups

Local celiac groups often have recommendations:

• “[City] Celiac Support Group”
• Members share trusted restaurants
• Can ask for specific recommendations

Dedicated GF Restaurants List

Maintain your own list:

• Restaurants that have worked
• Notes on what to order
• Locations in cities you frequent

The Research Process

Before You Go

When you know you’ll be in a new place:

1. Search Find Me GF for the area
2. Identify 3-5 options in different price ranges and cuisines
3. Read menus online to see what you’d order
4. Read reviews from other celiacs
5. Call ahead if you want to verify their process

At the Moment (Hungry Now)

When you need food immediately:

1. Open Find Me GF and search nearby
2. Filter for highest rated
3. Pick one with recent positive reviews
4. Call to confirm they can accommodate (if time allows)
5. Go with a backup plan (grocery store, known chain)

Questions to Ask

When Calling Ahead

“Hi, I have celiac disease, not just a gluten intolerance, and I need to eat completely gluten-free. Can you accommodate that safely?”

Listen for:

• Confidence vs. uncertainty
• Mention of specific protocols
• “We do this all the time” vs. “We can try”

Follow-up questions:

• “Do you have a dedicated prep area or separate fryer?”
• “Does your staff understand cross-contamination?”
• “What would you recommend I order?”

When You Arrive

To your server:

“I have celiac disease, an autoimmune condition. I can’t have any wheat, barley, or rye, and I need to avoid cross-contamination. Can you help me order safely?”

Their response tells you a lot:

• Knowledgeable and helpful = good sign
• Uncertain and confused = proceed carefully
• Dismissive = consider leaving

Restaurant Categories

Best Options

Dedicated GF restaurants:

• Entire menu is GF
• No cross-contamination risk
• Best option when available

Restaurants with dedicated GF protocols:

• Separate prep areas
• Trained staff
• Documented procedures

Cuisines that are naturally GF-friendly:

• Mexican (corn-based)
• Thai (rice-based)
• Indian (many GF options)
• Steakhouses (simple grilled proteins)
• Mediterranean

Riskier Options

Italian restaurants:

• Lots of flour in the air
• Cross-contamination from pasta
• Can work if they have good protocols

Chinese restaurants:

• Soy sauce is everywhere
• Shared woks
• Higher risk unless specifically GF-friendly

Bakeries and cafes:

• Flour everywhere
• Hard to get safe food

Pizza places:

• Unless they have dedicated GF process
• Flour contamination is significant

Chain Restaurants

Some national chains have GF menus and protocols:

Generally accommodating:

• Outback Steakhouse (GF menu)
• P.F. Chang’s (GF menu)
• Red Robin (GF bun available)
• Chipotle (bowls and corn items)
• Five Guys (lettuce wrap, dedicated fryer)

Check current status: Chains change policies. Always verify current GF options.

Advantages of chains:

• Consistent training (sometimes)
• Documented menus
• Corporate standards

Disadvantages:

• May be lowest-common-denominator accommodating
• Staff knowledge varies by location

International Travel

Finding restaurants abroad:

Research Before You Go

• Find Me GF works internationally (with variable coverage)
• Search “[city] celiac restaurants”
• Travel blogs from celiacs
• Celiac association of that country

Translation Cards

Carry cards explaining:

• Your condition
• What you can’t eat
• That cross-contamination matters

Country-Specific Resources

Some countries have dedicated apps or websites:

• Italy: AIC restaurants database
• UK: Coeliac UK resources
• Australia: Coeliac Australia

Default to Safe Cuisines

In unfamiliar places:

• Grilled meats
• Rice
• Plain vegetables
• Simple preparations

When Research Fails

Sometimes you can’t find anything reliable:

Emergency Options

• Grocery store (fresh items you can assemble)
• Hotel room service (may be able to accommodate)
• Airport restaurants with GF options
• Chipotle or known safe chain

Simplest Restaurant Strategy

If you must eat somewhere unresearched:

• Order the simplest thing possible
• Grilled protein, no sauce
• Steamed vegetables
• Rice
• Skip anything complex

Building Your Database

Keep Notes

After eating somewhere:

• Did it go well?
• What did you order?
• Any issues?
• Would you return?

Share Knowledge

• Review on Find Me GF
• Share in celiac groups
• Help other celiacs find good options

Return to Winners

When you find somewhere good:

• Become a regular
• They’ll learn your needs
• You’ll have a reliable option

The Confidence Factor

How a restaurant responds to your questions matters:

Confident and knowledgeable = trust more Uncertain but willing = proceed with caution Dismissive or annoyed = don’t eat there

Your gut feeling about their response is data. Trust it.

Finding safe restaurants takes work. But it’s possible almost anywhere with the right research and questions. Your growing list of reliable options is one of your most valuable celiac tools.