Tips for avoiding Dairy when eating out

July 13, 2011 by Dairy Free NYC

Do your homework before you go out to eat – Most restaurants have their menus online, and many national chains even include nutrition information on their websites. Check them out! And if you can’t find the information you need, call the restaurant, and ask what you’ll be able to eat.
Pick the right restaurant! If you have a choice, pick a restaurant you know has items you can eat – or at least a place that seems like it will be accommodating (based on your research and phone call).
If you can, don’t eat out at a peak time – You have a better chance of getting attentive service if you avoid the rush. The wait staff and the kitchen staff won’t be as rushed, and they will be able to pay attention to your special requests.
Let the wait staff help you – The kitchen will only know about your allergy if the wait staff tells them. And the wait staff will only know about your allergy, if you tell them. Explain your allergy thoroughly (don’t assume they know what it entails), and be polite (you are creating more work for them).
Don’t be afraid to ask questions – If you’re not sure, or the wait staff doesn’t seem to know, don’t be afraid to ask about the ingredients of a dish, or to ask for any changes to a menu item. If the waiter/waitress doesn’t know, he/she should ask the chef.
Don’t risk it – Don’t eat menu items with sauces you’re unsure about. Ask for sauces and condiments on the side.
Be Aware of Cross-Contamination – Food is often cooked on the same grill/flat top/pan, etc. as dairy items. Be Careful – look for cheese that has fallen from another dish, ask for a clean pan for an omelets, etc.
Look for Kosher or Vegan Dishes – Kosher is a set of a Jewish dietary laws. But the important rule for those with a dairy allergy is this – you can’t mix dairy and meat products in the same meal. Therefore, if you find a kosher meal with meat, all other items in the meal are dairy free (even mashed potatoes, or creamed spinach!). Also, vegan dishes avoid all animal products (so that means dairy too).
Watch out for Butter – Ask if menu items can be prepared with oil instead of butter. Often they can just swap in olive oil, and out the butter. It’s dairy free, and healthier too.
Check how items are prepared - Order items that are baked, grilled, broiled, poached, or steamed – these are more likely to be dairy free.