For Diners
I'm glad you're here. I hope that you, like me, had the benefit of friends and family who understood you can't control whether you can enjoy some foods. Either way, I hope you will pay it forward, be that person for someone else.
But this is not a one-way street. Getting surprised by an ingredient you don't enjoy is unpleasant, and we want to change that, but it's not an excuse to be rude.
Be the easy table. Be kind.
Thats how I think change should be made here.
So, what do we ask of you
Sign the pledge, so restaurant's know there are real customers pushing for change
When feasible, ask before you order.
When feasible, don't ask for substitution. If it's cooked into the dish, just order something else.
Thank the venues that let you know before you order. When you can, leave a positive review about their disclosure, such as if they clearly list it on the menu.
I don't endorse name and shame campaigns, and nor do I think they are very successful. If you want to drive change, reward what you want to see, rather than using reviews to try and punish what you don't.
What to ask at venues
Asking can be hard. And sometimes, it's hard to even know you should have asked until the dish is already there. Until disclosure is a standard, unfortunately, the burden still falls on you.
The generic ask:
"Does this have any herbs, like cilantro or parsley, as a garnish or cooked into the dish or sauce?"
If you're on a delivery app, the special instructions are not always read. Unfortunately for now, when in doubt, call and ask the kitchen.