Tips for Eating Out with Dietary Restrictions

Dietary restrictions make eating out a challenge for many. It’s especially appreciated when a restaurant has menu options or prepares your order your way. Perhaps this sounds familiar? Are you someone who knows this drill? No nuts, no dairy, gluten-free, no salt, no pepper, no spices, dressing on the side, and the list goes on and on. One thing is certain — it’s not always easy for the diner who has specific needs.

If you’re looking for Southern comfort food and have dietary challenges, Chapmans Café in Sandy Springs is a welcoming choice dedicated to making dining more enjoyable for those with special requests. They are devoted to their customers’ enjoyment and well-being and recently moved into a larger space, personalizing their dining experience. While more restaurants around Atlanta are willing to cater to customers’ needs, there’s certainly a growing trend to consider dietary restrictions, however not all are able.

Chapmans Café, run and owned locally, cares about its customers beyond measure. They enjoy interacting with customers and agree it’s important to know how a restaurant prepares the food and what’s the best match regarding your dietary restrictions. For example, most menus identify gluten sensitive vs. strictly gluten-free and there’s a significant difference. Ask questions and learn before you order. Call ahead and see if a menu has options that cater to your needs. Be mindful of the restrictions that apply to your individual dietary restrictions as it’s important to know before you go.

Cheryl Orlansky, RDN LD CDCES, a registered, licensed dietitian nutritionist and certified diabetes care and education specialist (www.orlanskynutrition.com) shared a helpful example, “Gluten intolerance is a condition where some people experience symptoms after eating gluten in foods. Those with gluten intolerance can eat in restaurants that are not strict with cross contamination. A small amount of gluten exposure is fine for those that are sensitive. However, people with celiac disease must follow strict guidelines and eat in establishments that have trained staff in keeping all gluten containing products in separate areas.”

Diners looking for a local restaurant that is willing to adjust a dish to fit your needs will discover a variety of choices at Chapmans. It has been and continues to be a fan favorite. Bert and Andrea Chapman have welcomed a loyal following over the past 12 years since they opened Chapmans, which is a popular dine-in and take-out restaurant.

With iconic training at the Culinary Institute, Bert Chapman has a sought-after career working at Pricci, The Buckhead Diner, and Bacchanalia, to name a few. Chapmans presents a Southern comfort food flair to his new Sandy Springs location on Roswell Road. According to Chef Bert Chapman, Chapmans’ primary focus is delicious food that’s healthy.

He said, “It is very important to me to use local farmers and growers around this area to support small businesses. Chapmans is easily discovered as we source local produce and make most items on premise from scratch, so we know what goes into our food and take precautions.”

Delicious items at Chapmans include a variety of soups that are seasoned to perfection, not too much or too little, like their chicken and rice, gazpacho, and alternating weekly choices. Their soups do not lack anything in taste or texture.

Bert Chapman adds, “Our refrigerator cases are also filled with casseroles and a variety of take-out options, both frozen and fresh meals available to serve immediately. Our customers come back for favorites like our egg salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, curry chicken salad, and don’t miss my balsamic vinaigrette. We’re in the business of just making people happy. Our food is about eating here and relaxing, with friends or family and having a good time. It’s easy to pick up a full dinner for a party or dinner for one and many of our customers love those meals where it looks like they even made it themselves.”

He continued, “I try to do different options every day. We’re often told our food is coined as clean. I don’t personally like to eat processed foods so why would I serve that, so you stay focused on healthy eating. We serve clean food, great salad sandwiches, and our customers are like family, having supported us for almost two decades. People can now sit and talk and dine and talk and it’s nice and clean. Customers are even here playing canasta or mahjong.”

Marty Alterman said, “I’ve been a customer for a long time. I love their chicken salad and turkey sandwiches. Bert listens carefully and even as a result, has what he calls Marty’s bread, which is my favorite. I take out lunch a lot and it’s delicious, easy, and we play canasta there in his new location. Bert is so generous, and we feel at home, even taking home frozen dinners and having lunch plus having a great time playing cards.”

It is clear Chapmans Café will be in the cards with a steady following of happy customers. Be sure to let them know if you want them to put the dressing on the side or have any other requests. For more information and hours, check out Chapmans at www.chapmanscafe.com.