Can two teens with celiac and a gluten-free mom eat at The Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay? A better question would be… Do they want to. We set off for the water park with an insulated lunch bag full of gluten-free sandwiches and a hope that we would find something else to supplement our illegal “outside” food. The web site offered no clues and an email to the food service folks got no response. We decided to take emergency rations and see if questioning the staff would provide some clues. There is no dedicated fryer for the french fries. They swim around with onion rings, egg rolls, chicken tenders and other gluten-filled kid foods. The Burrito place has fillings that would make a good Chipotle rice bowl knock-off, but after observing the teen aged boys rub their noses, adjust their glasses, tidy their hair and straighten their caps, and open the doors all with the prep gloves on…. Well, cross-contamination(among other things) is inevitable. The only food I did find was a grilled chicken salad at the coffee place just inside the entrance. They also had yogurt and fresh fruit. The helpful young woman behind the counter even offered an ingredient label so I could check out the chicken. (It was more a formed, chicken-like substance than chicken breast.) The only thing that seemed safe besides our smuggled sandwiches was the Dippin’ Dots that I had read about on Dana’s Blog and from a discussion group. Even those are questionable. Although they check bags before entering the water park and make people leave large coolers outside the Zoombezi entrance, they also were okay with a small lunch bag, so really that is my gluten free food recommendation for the Columbus Zoo. Pack your own.
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Updates
Sometimes it is like that. I was encouraged to read that Hersheypark and Dollywood both have gluten-free choices. Hersheypark has many gf choices, even gf buns for hamburgers and hot dogs per my understanding. I went to the National Zoo last week and I ended up eating a cheeseburger with no bun, grilled on a part of grill where no buns were, and a bag of basic potato chips. I also had some ice cream. No issues, but very limited, somewhat risky, and not clearly gf just like your experience.
Shirley
Hi, in Spain is celebrated for the first time "The day of celiac" a major theme park (!)
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Everything will be gluten-free, thanks to the work of the association and individuals.
We have gluten-free restaurants at all theme parks, hotels and restaurants is maravillso.
The Celiac no boundaries
Hi Shirley.
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Sure, that's the problem the lack of diffusion in gluten-free menus. In Europe, it is mandatory to include gluten-free menus in those schools; hotel, I think this measure is essential for workers in restaurants, hotels …
There is still much to be done
We will continue working and claiming.
Thank you very much
sonia gluten free
Shirley and Sonia
Thanks for the comments and info. Let's hope one day soon we get more choices.