Most Accommodating Restaurants for People with Food Allergies

People with special dietary restrictions can take note of these U.S. restaurant chains that have been ranked by the food allergy community as most accommodating when it comes to preparing menu items with certain allergies in mind.

AllergyEats, the leading guide to allergy-friendly restaurants nationwide, has just revealed the most accommodating restaurant chains, based on feedback from the food allergy community. Restaurants were rated solely on how well they’ve accommodated food-allergic diners, and not on any other factors, such as ambiance or food quality.

Greek Salad“We’re pleased to announce the most highly rated and recommended allergy-friendly restaurant chains in America. These chains have demonstrated their willingness and ability to accommodate guests’ food allergies and prepare meals in accordance with diners’ special dietary restrictions,” said founder and CEO of AllergyEats Paul Antico, who is a father of three food-allergic children and a passionate food allergy advocate.

Restaurant chains were grouped into three categories: Large (more than 200 units), Medium (50-200 units), and Small (less than 50 units). The following lists the most allergy-friendly chains through January 2013, based on diner feedback on the AllergyEats website and mobile app:

Large (more than 200 units):

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (4.47 rating)
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro (4.45 rating)
Chipotle Mexican Grill (4.38 rating)
Outback Steakhouse (4.34 rating)
Longhorn Steakhouse (4.30 rating)

Medium (50-200 units):

Bonefish Grill (4.50 rating)
Ninety Nine Restaurants (4.22 rating)
Zpizza (4.22 rating)
Uno Chicago Grill (4.22 rating)
Bertucci’s Brick Oven Restaurant (4.13 rating)

Small (less than 50 units):

Burton’s Grill (4.88 rating)
Maggiano’s Little Italy (4.76 rating)
Not Your Average Joe’s (4.73 rating)
Legal Sea Foods (4.65 rating)
Papa Razzi Trattoria (4.64 rating)

The following restaurant chains (of all sizes) were recommended more often than any other, with the highest number of positive ratings and reviews:

• Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
• Outback Steakhouse
• Chipotle Mexican Grill
• P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
• Not Your Average Joe’s

AllergyEats, a free, peer-based website and smartphone app, is dramatically improving the way food-allergic and gluten intolerant individuals find – and rate – allergy-friendly restaurants. The easy-to-use ratings and comment system allows food-allergic diners to instantly share their feedback about their restaurant experiences, helping others of the food allergy community find restaurants that cater to special dietary requirements while avoiding the ones that won’t.

“The AllergyEats peer-based ratings, reviews and recommendations come from food-allergic diners, and help others within the food allergy community make more informed decisions about where to dine – and which restaurants to avoid,” Antico says. “The innovative, interactive AllergyEats website, app, and online community provide a tremendous value to the millions of people with food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities.”

Also see:

How to Handle Your Child’s Food Allergies

Round-up of Cookbooks and Food Guides for Your Family