BIG thumbs up for Bugaboo in Newington, NH

[chanisco]

My husband and I went out to dinner with our two little boys last night (ages 7 months and 3 1/2 years). We decided to take a chance at Bugaboo Creek in Newington, NH (Portsmouth) because we were going to the mall and it was nearby - plus the boys enjoy the moving animals on the walls. My husband is the only non-celiac in our family.

Although I knew otherwise, I asked the waiter if he had a GF menu and he said "No, but I can answer any questions you may have about ingredients". I ordered the Snowbird Chicken and figured I'd share it with my son. A few minutes later a gentleman named Mark came to our table and introduced himself as the manager. He sat down and told me he wanted to go over my menu choice to make sure it was okay for us to eat. He said he wasn't sure about the seasoning on the fries so he was giving us unseasoned fries. The rest of the food checked out okay though. He also gave my son a free orange sherbet after dinner and was giving out $5 gift cards that night so we got one of those as well! He even checked with me once our food was brought out to make sure it was okay. It was perfect! The waiter was wonderful as well. They said that they are getting more and more celiacs in, (in fact there was one in about 30 minutes before we were), and more people with food allergies and intolerances in general and they feel they have to start paying attention more closely to the ingredients in their food. They truly want to accommodate us! My husband was floored. He thought that was so great of them to do. He knows what a hard time I usually have at restaurants. Mark also mentioned that celiacs were so patient. He said the food takes longer (due to making some things from scratch!) but celiacs are so understanding about it. I told him that we are just so happy when people try to accommodate us, it's worth the wait!

I hope this helps some of you in the Portsmouth area. I will certainly be going back!
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Christine in NH
Celiac mom to two little celiacs!

[aklap]

Hi Christine,

Welcome to the board!

Thanks for the review

Did they fry your fries in another fryer? That can be a cross contamination point if NGF items were fried in the oil 1st.

WOW - I think I'd go there just to see the moving animals

Thanks again!
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[chanisco]

Thanks for the welcome! I didn't ask about the fryer. I forgot to! Luckily, I don't seem to openly react to stuff being fried in the same oil as gluten. I know I could be reacting internally though, even though I don't notice it. My son and I actually didn't eat many fries. We chowed down on the smashed potatoes instead. I guess that's a good thing!

I think I'll write a nice letter to the manager thanking him, and send him some tips on serving GF food - such as dedicated oil the fryer thing. Plus explaining about cross-contamination, modified food starch, etc.

Tanks for reminding me of that. We eat fries at McDonalds a lot so I sometimes forget to ask about the dedicated oil thing.
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Christine in NH
Celiac mom to two little celiacs!

[Noatak]

Thanks for posting that information, Christine. I live about an hour south of Portsmouth so will keep them in mind if in the area. What a nice thing to do!
Sometimes when you try and tell restaurant employees about Celiac's and what you have to avoid, they still have trouble getting it. You really have to know food to understand.

I, too, am one who doesn't react outwardly to a bit of cross contamination and as a result, sometimes don't pay too much attention to that. I follow the diet religously 99% of the time so if a miniscule amount slips past the guard, I don't fret about it. It takes about 2 small doses of gluten before my intestines let me know I have misbehaved and a lot more before I get downright sick. I am always amazed at some of the postings here detailing how reactive some are and thank God I am not that bad.

[chanisco]

Yes, I guess in a way it's fortunate, but I have to wonder sometimes if I'm getting gluten and not knowing it. I've never been a classic case. I never had any gastro symptoms ever. In fact, I have what some would call an iron stomach. It wasn't until my son came down with the classic symptoms as an infant (weight loss, slowed growth, huge bloated belly, hair loss, paleness, yeast problems, dev. delays), that I researched it and realized that I probably had it too. I had chronic anemia, 6+ years infertility, miscarriages, autoimmune disease, thyroid problems, blood sugar problems, weakness, weak teeth and bones, etc. but because I didn't have diarrhea or anything - the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong and would write me off as a nut! I was tested (per my request) but it was borderline negative. I went GF anyway and there is no doubt that I have celiac. I've been GF almost 2 years now! Now when I eat gluten (not on purpose mind you), I do get stomach cramps, diarrhea and feel yucky for a while. It was worse when I started the diet, but now my intestines have healed and I can handle slip ups better I think. My son (also GF for almost 2 years) became almost normal overnight, and has gained his weight back and is doing so well! It looks like my 7 month old has it too. We triend introducing gluten at 6 mos and it didn't go well, so he's GF as well.
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Christine in NH
Celiac mom to two little celiacs!

[Professor]

[chanisco]

Go there and ask for Mark the manager, or make sure Mark is going to be there. He will help you out!
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Christine in NH
Celiac mom to two little celiacs!

[MaineFyrman]

Hello all,

Christine, I live in Kennebunk so I am down that way all the time. My wife and I love to eat out. Here are a few places you also want to check out,
Smokey Bones, Excellent food they even have stuff on their website on which stuff in GF.
Outback, GF Menu
Olive Garden, The mixed grill and salad without the croutons

Well that where we go when we are down that way.

I hope you and your family and everyone else out there have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Steve

[chanisco]

We have done all of those except Olive Garden - but that will be the next one to try. My husband loves it there.
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Christine in NH
Celiac mom to two little celiacs!

[Burt55]

Not to far from where a recent poster ate at Bug A Boo Creek. My wife and I ate at The Outback Steak House across from the Filene's parking lot at the Newington Mall. You can ask for GF menu I ordered the prime rib which was GF and I wanted the Aussie Chips (French Fries), but they aren't GF so I opted for the bake potato. The special menu for the asking is very helpful.