Some Allergy Friendly Restaurants

We had a FACTS (Food Allergy Community of Tennessee) meeting tonight and we discussed traveling with food allergies and shared some restaurants that are more than willing to accommodate those with food allergies. If you were not able to make it, here is the handout that was passed out...

Sit Down Restaurants

• Bonefish Grill-(Cool Springs)-cook to order/aware of food allergies
• Carrabba’s Italian Grill-cooked to order/aware of food allergies
• Outback-cooked to order/aware of food allergies
• P.F. Changs-cooked to order/aware of food allergies
• J. Alexander’s-Layne has had a good experience with them
• Cantina Laredo-Ginger recommends
• Bahama Breeze (Memphis, Atlanta)-while traveling we dined here and had a wonderful experience
• Cracker Barrel-the manager gave me a list of options that would work with my son’s allergies
• Corky’s
• O Charley’s

Tips for Dining Out

• Call the manager in advance and ask if they can accommodate with the food allergies and let them know when you are coming in to dine. Get their name and ask if they will still be on shift. If not, ask what manager to speak with when you arrive.
• Try to go at a time when it is not too busy (when the restaurant first opens or at an odd time is great since the manager will have more time to spend with you and the kitchen will not be slammed…this means less chance of a mistake/cross-contamination).
• Tell your server about the food allergies
• Ask to speak with manager (if you have the name of the manager, that is even better) once you are seated at your table.
• Hand a Chef Card (there is one on FAAN, HERE) to the manger so he can give to the chef so he/she has a hard copy of the allergies that they avoiding while cooking
• Thank them…Thank them…Thank them (make sure to give your server a good tip)
• Grab (or ask for) the manager’s card and follow up with an email thanking them or even email corporate to “brag” on the manager/restaurant if they have done a great job (mostly likely, they will remember you when you go in to dine again)

A quick Bite to eat

• Honeybaked Ham-ham and turkey are free of the common allergens: dairy, soy, gluten and nuts. They are also open for lunch (coupon HERE). There are also coupons in the inserts in the paper sometimes.
• Tossed (Cool Springs)-dairy free/gluten free tomato basil soup and salad options.
• Garlic Jim's (Cool Springs)-gluten free pizza/have non-dairy cheese available if you pay extra
• Red Robin-Layne has had a good experience

I am certain there are many more restaurants that are safe and/or accommodating in our area. The most important thing to do is get online, look up the menu, find out if there is something that looks like it could be safe and give them a call to make sure. It would be disappointing to get to the restaurant only to find out that nothing is safe to eat or the staff is not accommodating. You will get a feel for it on the phone if they want to take care of you and make sure the food is safe.

I have some of these restaurants and others under Safe Options for Eating Out


*Bonefish Grill, Outback and Carrabba’s Italian Grill are affiliated and more than willing to take care of those who have food allergies. Again, just mention to your server and the manager when you arrive.

Enjoy an Allergen Free Night Out!