My little one (LO) is now 5 years old, and like most kids her age, she has started to get invites to birthday parties or other social events now that things are opening up again. My husband and I have become accustomed to packing LO’s lunch, snacks, and drinks from home. We do this because most places are not equipped to offer allergy-friendly options that avoid all her many allergens. We have not even bothered to consider having dinner out together at restaurants either because the menus are usually limited or unclear in their policies.
But recently, my kids learned about “Rainforest Café” and suddenly we were bombarded with constant requests to go. I really wanted to take them to this “magical” place but as parents we knew the limitations, risks, and likely disappointments. We figured the atmosphere was more the reason they wanted to go and decided to look for the nearest location to us.
As usual, I checked out their website to see if there was anything they mention about kids and allergies, since it’s a restaurant focused around kids. There was a note at the bottom of the online menu that stated- “Before placing your order, please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.” I’m use to waiters asking this when I go out, but thought the way they emphasized this was a little different. I decided to call them up and they informed me that they accommodate kids with all types of allergies to the best of their ability. I asked them in case I am uncomfortable can I bring my own food and they were perfectly fine with that option.
When we got to the café, we informed the waitress about my LO’s allergies, to which the waitress said the manager or the chef will come to our table. Promptly, the manager came with a slip of paper, kneeled down by the table with full attention to discuss with us her allergies and what options they could offer. Right away I noticed their attitude was towards helping me find anything they could offer my child and less of a “this is all what we have” approach.
Since my daughter has several allergies we had to improvise the menu and settled with hog dog and apple slices, both prepared separately from the other food. He then informed the chef about the allergies and personally brought the food out to our table. I was impressed by his attention to details, in particular the avoidance of cross contamination. He reassured us that my daughter’s safety was his primary concern. My daughter enjoyed her meal while my husband and I watched with joy because the entire family was able to order from the restaurant and we DIDN’T have to feed her pre-packed food from home. It was a simple event but for us it was special. Having the support of the staff and knowing they were attentive and cautious just like us meant a great deal to us.
There are more and more restaurants, like Rainforest Café, that are recognizing the need for a higher degree of allergy awareness. As we adventure out more and more, I will be sure to share my reviews here to help others enjoy dinner out as a family.
If you are planning a trip to Rainforest Café or any other restaurants, here are some recommendations to follow:
- Always call or get in touch with the restaurant ahead of time to clearly understand their policies.
- Have a personal chat with the chef or the manager if possible. You would be surprised how accommodating people can be when kids are involved.
- In your conversation with the staff, emphasis or gain a clear picture of how they are going to avoid cross-contamination and not just listing your child’s specific allergies.
- Be patient. The staff may have to go back and forth a few times to confirm any questions you have and they are trying their best. Running and working in a restaurant is never easy so consideration should go both ways.
- If your schedule is flexible, try to go at times or days when the restaurant isn’t crowded, that way the chef won’t be overwhelmed with your request. This is also something asking about when you call.
- On your first visit, still keep a back-up meal/snack handy. More so for your peace-of-mind if you have not been to that particular restaurant.
As always, I hope this information is helpful. There are many stories of food related deaths from restaurant visits that capture the headlines. News like these scare you to your core because you think of your child and their reality. However, if you are prepared, pre-plan, and educate yourself, you can take the necessary actions to avoid a serious outcome. I am very thankful to the Rainforest Café in Atlantic City for giving us the opportunity to enjoy a meal as a family and a special shout out to the manager, Alex, who went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable.
