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Family Humiliated And Charged Hundreds After Vegan Claims To Have Life-Threatening Allergies
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Family Humiliated And Charged Hundreds After Vegan Claims To Have Life-Threatening Allergies

Family Humiliated And Charged Hundreds After Vegan Claims To Have Life-Threatening AllergiesVegan Lies About Having Life-Threatening Food Allergies, Costs Their Family Hundreds Of DollarsFamily Turns On Vegan Who Lied About Allergies At A Restaurant, Making Them Clean For 2 HoursVegan Lies About Having Life-Threatening Allergies, Upsets Both Her Family And Restaurant StaffPeople Bash Vegan Lying About Food Allergies At Steak House: “They Got What They Deserve”Vegan Lies To Restaurant Staff So They Take Her Food Seriously, Doesn't Realize It Costs Extra“It’s People Like You That Make It So No One Takes Her Seriously”: Internet Condemns Lying VeganSister’s Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Costs Hundreds More As Vegan Pretends To Have Food AllergiesVegan Pretends To Have “Life-Threatening Allergies” To Have Something To Eat, Drama EnsuesVegan Lies About Having Life-Threatening Allergies At A Restaurant, Asks If She's The Villain
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For those with certain dietary restrictions or allergies, it’s crucial that restaurant staff knows exactly what it is that they can’t consume. However, some places don’t care much unless it’s the latter scenario they’re dealing with.

That’s why this redditor decided to lie about having severe allergies so they would be served something vegan. But vegan food was not the only outcome of their lie.

Seeking to learn more about the effect lying about allergies can have on customers who actually suffer from them, Bored Panda has reached out to an award-winning dietitian, medical educator and researcher, and the British Dietetic Association Spokesperson, Dr. Duane Mellor, who was kind enough to share his insight on the matter. Scroll down to find his thoughts in the text below.

Many people can’t have certain foods for one reason or another

Image credits: Rawpixel (not the actual image)

This vegan person lied to restaurant staff about having severe allergies

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Image credits: Yan Krukau (not the actual image)

Image credits: Loquacious-Box8284

Millions of people live with food allergies, many have experienced severe reactions because of them

“Although all dietary requirements need to be met, it is important that people do not lie about having a food allergy as this can lead to people with food allergies and related conditions such as coeliac disease not being taken seriously. That can mean that they are not provided the food they need to stay healthy and may not even feel safe to go out to eat and enjoy the social benefits of eating out,” Dr. Duane Mellor explained.

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“It is essential that people with food allergies are taken seriously and the food industry works to keep them safe, and this should be respected by people with other non-medically linked dietary restrictions and therefore they should not pretend their requirement is an allergy.”

Needless to say, food allergies are no joke, as they can cause all sorts of reactions ranging from unpleasant to life-threatening. (Nowadays, the estimated number of people dealing with allergies is 33 million in the US alone, roughly 5.6 million of which are children under 18.) Out of the adult population living with food allergies, more than half have experienced a severe allergic reaction.

The strong detrimental effects one might experience are why it’s important that people with allergies inform others about them in certain settings. For instance, when going out to eat, it’s crucial to not only make sure that the dish does not contain something they can’t consume but to let the staff know, too, so they take necessary precautions.

Taking precautionary measures is critical because skipping certain ingredients the person is allergic to is not enough; it’s necessary to prevent cross-contamination as well (which happens when an allergen is inadvertently transferred to the dish, by using a shared knife, for instance, or not changing the oil in the fryer). And while following protocol and doing everything they can to make sure the food is allergen-free can be troublesome for the staff, that is what they do to keep customers safe.

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“We, as the food allergy community, have to be respectful of what the restaurant goes through and be thankful that they’re willing to slow down the entire machine on a busy Saturday night to address our needs,” the Boston Globe cited the founder of AllergyEats, Paul Antico, saying, in addition to pointing out that some people fake allergies, “and that stinks”.

Image credits: Sam Lion (not the actual image)

Nowadays, vegans comprise roughly 1% of the global population

While people faking allergies is irresponsible at best, many restaurant workers have unfortunately witnessed customers lying (which is not difficult to spot when a person who just had a terrible gluten allergy realizes they don’t like any of their options and decides that a little gluten won’t hurt all of a sudden).

Chances are, the person lying has certain dietary restrictions or food preferences—as well as unfortunate experiences in the past, as the OP did with the establishment—which result in them having to lie in order to be taken seriously. And while that in no way justifies the lying, some people do have to go to extreme lengths or give up visiting some places altogether if they want to stick to certain food-related practices.

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Take vegans, for example. Nowadays, they reportedly comprise less than 1% of the global population; however, that translates to 79 million people worldwide, meaning that there are quite a few individuals who would hope to get their broccoli without butter and their iceberg lettuce salad without ranch.

“Being vegan or having dietary requirements which are linked to culture or religion may not be taken as seriously by some in the hospitality industry as they are not identified in food safety law and do not have the potential to represent themselves as potentially life-threatening or linked to significant litigation risks,” Dr. Mellor pointed out.

“This is despite veganism being potentially a protected characteristic under the Equality Act in the UK, and potentially different legislation in other countries, as it is often linked to belief, whereas dietary restrictions linked to religious or cultural heritage are clearly covered by similar laws. This is a matter of respect for an individual’s food choices, whatever the reason and every attempt should be made to meet these requirements.”

According to last year’s data, there were as many people in the US following a vegetarian diet as there were vegans (roughly 1% of people in the country). The most popular diet, which roughly 18% of the US population swore by, was the high-protein diet, followed by mindful eating, clean eating, calorie counting, and intermittent fasting respectively.

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“It is important that different dietary needs and requirements are taken seriously by the food and hospitality sector; people have good reasons for the way they have to or choose to eat,” Dr. Mellor said. “Ultimately the industry is providing a service and it is important they do this in a way that consumers feel safe and respected and not feel they need to lie to get what they need.”

Image credits: FitNish Media (not the actual image)

Many netizens considered the OP a jerk for lying about something that is life-threatening to others

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Others weren’t as critical of the redditor

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Miglė Miliūtė

Miglė Miliūtė

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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A writer here at Bored Panda, I am a lover of good music, good food, and good company, which makes food-related topics and feel-good stories my favorite ones to cover. Passionate about traveling and concerts, I constantly seek occasions to visit places yet personally unexplored. I also enjoy spending free time outdoors, trying out different sports—even if I don’t look too graceful at it—or socializing over a cup of coffee.

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Miglė Miliūtė

Miglė Miliūtė

Writer, BoredPanda staff

A writer here at Bored Panda, I am a lover of good music, good food, and good company, which makes food-related topics and feel-good stories my favorite ones to cover. Passionate about traveling and concerts, I constantly seek occasions to visit places yet personally unexplored. I also enjoy spending free time outdoors, trying out different sports—even if I don’t look too graceful at it—or socializing over a cup of coffee.

Dominyka

Dominyka

Author, BoredPanda staff

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I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, crafting captivating visual content to enhance every reader's experience. Sometimes my mornings are spent diving into juicy dramas, while afternoons are all about adding extra laughs to the world by editing the funniest memes around. My favorite part of the job? Choosing the perfect images to illustrate articles. It's like imagining a story as a movie in my mind and selecting the key shots to tell the story visually.

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Dominyka

Dominyka

Author, BoredPanda staff

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, crafting captivating visual content to enhance every reader's experience. Sometimes my mornings are spent diving into juicy dramas, while afternoons are all about adding extra laughs to the world by editing the funniest memes around. My favorite part of the job? Choosing the perfect images to illustrate articles. It's like imagining a story as a movie in my mind and selecting the key shots to tell the story visually.

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Corvus
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Obvious YTA. Vegans really need to understand that their dietary preferences do not grant them the right to break rules and act like some sort of entitled nobility.

Ms.GB
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree she's TA but I'm also surprised that they went through all that trouble and all they could come up with was dry noodles? They couldn't make a pesto or something?

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KatSaidWhat
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YTA - so are the people asking about scrubbing down - if someone has an allergy, you have to make damn sure about cross contamination which does mean extra cautions. Don't lie, just eat before hand or suck it up. Vegan is a lifestyle CHOICE for non-allergic people, and you just gave them more shade to get thrown at.

madbakes
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. The fact that she added "life threatening" is complete b******t. She called ahead of time anyway; she should have just explained why she needed to bring her own meal.

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xolitaire
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You. Get angry at a STEAK HOUSE. For not catering to your VEGAN choice of diet? Can you tell why so many people called you TA? That wedding is not about you. You are a guest. Behave accordingly and stop being entitled. Also: That restaurant sprinkled parmesan on your food? Jesus Christ calm down. Half my family is vegan and in case something like this happens you take it in stride and don't make a fuss.

Ample Aardvark
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes it was really bad to lie (just take your own meal, that's what I do), but it can actually make you really unwell if you've been strictly vegan for years and suddenly, knowingly or not, ingest dairy or meat. Real parmesan is not even vegetarian.

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Ephemera Image
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm vegetarian. You know what? If I know a place caters only to meat eaters I will either not go or if it's a catered event, bring my own food if they can't accommodate me easily. Every business should NOT be forced to service a customer who is such a tiny part of their business model that it makes a huge amount of extra work for them. And vegan/vegetarian meals can be delicious, but only if you know how to make them. They shouldn't be forced to come up with dishes that they aren't experienced in making. Just my opinion.

Arya
Community Member
2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m surprised more people aren’t saying this. The way she phrased that last sentence was just gross. She did not *need* to eat a meal at that specific restaurant (though I do think the restaurant is also TA for not being transparent about the extra cost at the very least)

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Papa
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And she wonders why people are hostile toward vegans.

Mr. Jones
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The restaurant promised her on two occasions they would prepare her a vegan meal and both times the dishes were not vegan. So the restaurant lied just like she did. They just should have told her they could not honor the request. And Papa, we aren't all like you. We don't judge an entire microcosm of people based on one bad egg.

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Deborah B
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YTA. Lying about allergies makes life harder for everyone else. You already know that this restaurant struggles to accomodate veganism. Fair, given that they are a *Steakhouse*. The convo with the chef should have been: "I don't eat any animal products - no meat, no eggs, no dairy. I know this is off menu for you, and will be an inconvenience - can you accomodate this, and can we plan a meal? If you can't, I will bring outside food." Then you plan the meal, with the chef, for something they can accomodate. Also: The restaurant clearly knew you lied, and decided on malicious compliance - deep clean the entire kitchen because your "allergies" are "life threatening" and then bill you for it. The chef was not the one humiliated - your parents were, because they were called out for their child being an entitled, lying, condescending, b***h.

Margaret Shannon
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disregard for someone else’s food concerns makes life harder for those of use who have food issues. The OP had already tried the polite route and was served animal products. The restaurant already lied once.

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Enuya
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YTA "Why aren't there VEGAN options in a STEAKHOUSE??!!1!!?" Shocker. I get that vegan diet gets more and more popular but it doesn't mean that every restaurant needs too adapt.

Alexandra
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you off your rocker?? Claiming you have a deadly allergy when you don't have one is absolutely shameful. It doesn't matter why you lied: you shouldn't be lying. If your diet is that important to you, I expect you to tell your parents that this particular restaurant doesn't cater to your requirements and that therefore you won't be attending. Do you really think everyone is always going to cater to your dietary requirements? No, I can tell you that right away. So make a choice: let your veganism take a backseat every once in a while in favour of, say, your sister's rehearsal dinner, or make it the end all and be all of your life and accept the consequences.

Patricia Butler
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to work in the office at a popular steakhouse in downtown Chicago. If someone would call and request all kinds of changes be made to accommodate various allergies or sensitivities or special diets, the owner would basically say, "I'm sorry, but this isn't the restaurant for you." And that may anger some people, but I think it's totally fair. This was a very busy, very popular restaurant in a high tourist area, absolutely packed with restaurant and entertainment choices. Find one that suits your needs, or eat at home. But don't expect a major operation to come grinding to a halt and make itself into something it's not just to suit you.

tori Ohno
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What "ignorance and inconsideration"? Please tell me! You have CHOSEN a specific lifestyle, a lifestyle that others haven't chosen for themselves, why is it Ignorant or Inconsiderate for them to not be just like you? It's vegans like you that make people hostile (again, NOT ignorant), towards veganism. You're downright rude, entitled, and absolutely uncalled for in your treatment of others. Simply because of your Choice of food. Bring your own food next time princess, or better yet, don't bother socializing with other humans if you can't play nice. You're a rude little tw@t. I hope your family excludes you next time so they won't hurt your widdle feewings.

sturmwesen
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a wish not a need. She could just have called ahead " Hi, last time I ate at your place someone put parmesan in my vegan food. I wanted to give you a heads up so you have time to plan a purely vegan option. Thank you."

MR
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those defending don't realize that the special accommodations they made were for a food allergy that they needed to be sure there was no cross contamination. This wasn't about being able to make a vegan meal, but about avoiding exposing someone who may sue them if they end up hospitalized. That's a huge consideration and no small thing. Frankly, they should have just apologized and let you know that that would be too restrictive of their kitchen and they can't reasonably accommodate your request. But they tried. Because you lied.

DC
Community Member
5 months ago

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Well, they decided not to understand the easy path... Made it harder on themselves.

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WonderWoman
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Year old posting from Reddit. This woman made herself the main character in the rehearsal dinner. She could have and should have eaten her meal before going to the restaurant and just had a drink. Instead she makes a call and has the kitchen go through all that for boiled pasta and fruit just so she could get her way. I think in life OP is an AH. edit for spelling

A S Mora
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Something tells me this is more on the restaurant trying to milk the Wedding Tax. I've worked in food service and that level of cleanliness to accommodate allergies is unheard of and not even necessary. The chef who is supposedly friendly with the family is the one who should be ashamed for providing such poor accommodations to OP in the past and further ripping off the family with whom chef is supposedly friendly. This has less to do with OP's veganism and more to do with a corrupt restauranteur with a pattern of providing poor service. People need to stop acting like accommodating a vegan diet is akin to inhaling cat p**s fumes and grow up.

Gabriele Alfredo Pini
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While normally I would go with YTA, this time no. The correct response from the steakhouse should be: "Sorry, we cannot serve you". Not disguising the food, not lying. Also I think they caught the occasion for a deep cleaning of the kitchen paid by a customer, as other said they could have simply prepared something in a small counter, not cleaned the whole place.

Ephemera Image
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lying about fatal allergies is NOT justified, no matter what. This is what she did, instead of making other arrangements. Commercial kitchens cannot change their menus drastically that easily. But I do agree, they should be able to say No, we can't serve you.

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FreeTheUnicorn
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the reason why people with actual allergies aren't taken seriously.

Mr. Jones
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This restaurant promised her on two occasion that they were going to prepare a vegan meal for her and did not. They should have just told her they don't do vegan meals. So, when you get down to it they both lied.

DC
Community Member
4 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

... one lied twice out of laziety and disregard, and one out of self defense, but, yes, they both lied.

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Panda Bear
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OP is the reason why so many people think that all vegans are arseholes. Eat beforehand or just accept that your food might have animal products in it.

Sabra Barker
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am deathly allergic to rice. This lie ticks me off. It creates the issue where the restaurant will not necessarily take a true allergy seriously because they know someone lies. The OP just created a potential problem for people who actually have an allergy. If I know rice is on the menu and there is a chance of cross contamination, I try to eat something ahead of time or pack an alternative. Sometimes substitutions are not possible. Lying about an allergy just makes more trouble for others

Adrian
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YTA, huge a$$hole! I have a friend who is celiac. She could literally die if she eats gluten. Her life has been made much more difficult and dangerous by people like you and the anti-gluten idiots...

daniel ikelman
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I go to a vegan restaurant, will they serve me a steak? No, of course not. Don't go to a steakhouse expecting them to cater to vegans. And stop naming your vegan foods after meat dishes. Its proof you really don't want to be vegan...

Sera
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ESH - YTA for lying about having life-threatening allergies you don't have when you could have just made yourself the martyr you people seem to desperately aspire to be, but it's also like, wildly unethical for a restaurant to charge several hundred dollars extra to a customer for requiring allergy accommodation, and might actually be an ADA violation.

Tyranamar Seuss
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like the people who pointed out she could've ordered her own vegan meal. For instance the garden salad with no cheese and dressing on the side. Or just order pasta with tomatoes, no butter or cheese. Or both. Voila- you've done what you wanted without advertising to everyone that you're vegan or making it difficult for them to do. But no, instead we've got all this can you make me "something vegan?" Then hating the something bc whoever doesn't understand the difference between vegan and vegetarian. And now we're up to "life threatening." You'd think she'd have thunk of how to order her own vegan food by now.

brookeannsimmer
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they charge extra for accommodating a disability, and are in America, they are committing an ADA violation. The whole being charged extra part makes me think no part of this is real, there's no reason they needed to clean the entire kitchen if they knew what they would make her, and if it causes an undue burden, at least in America, they can refuse to accommodate her.

Laura Annsmith
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only ignorant one here is the OP. You are exactly why nobody likes vegans, get over yourself. WTF goes to a steakhouse and cries and throws a toddler tantrum about no vegan options? Wow.

Aroace tiger (she/they/he)
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imma say esh cause giving a vegan a non vegan died and purposly hiding it is dangerous.

Mike T
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course you're the a** when you lie about something.

Livingwithcfs
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a vegetarian I really hate the vegan thing. They give us all a bad name. Lying about food allergies is really low blow as she's crying wolf. Her behavior has put others at risk because the restaurant will having trust these

ADZ
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel bad for people with genuine allergies eating out. Those of us who have worked in the food industry know almost all people claiming allergies are lying and unfortunately this usually ends with people who have legitimate allergies paying the price. Your insane diet you follow from a "self-taught nutritionist" who has done "their own research" isn'ta food allergy, it you being a self entitled rude dumb a**e.

BarkingSquirell
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I call total BS on this person. A self-admitted liar. There has not been even one recorded fatality from lactose ingestion.

Steve Hall
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The chef should have said no, we cannot accommodate you, get out!

megasmacky
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reading this spoiled, entitled child trying to justify her terrible behaviour makes me want a big juicy burger.

Natasha Clark
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YTA... hands down!! People that say NTA need to get their IQ checked IMMEDIATELY. As a dairy/gluten/meat free individual myself I'd say you crossed the line by claiming "life threatening food allergies". No restaurant on this planet revolve around you, many options available besides that if you know it's an issue. I'm with your family on this & they'll highly likely NEVER invite you anywhere again. Your "needs" caused them a great deal of embarrassment & loss of money. When you leave to go back home to a major city this will probably spread like wildfire throughout the rural town & may impact your entire family's reputation.

DC
Community Member
4 months ago

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NTA. Obviously, and everyone claiming YTA is also to be considered part of the group of exhaust orifices. They don't take her beliefs serious, but yet they decided to promise to consider them, just to not do so in the very same moment. I'd not go there, because such places deserve to go down and have a successor that takes customers seriously. If they don't accept your beliefs as valid enough, you gotta come up with something they will. Their choice. But, I wouldn't go there, because every penny spent in that shidhouse is one too many.

DC
Community Member
5 months ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

NTA. Omnivorres need to finally understand that, if taken seriously, nobody would resort to such means, but if they again and again and again feel entitled to dictate what we can eat and what we're allowed - how generous of them! - to know about our food, and then even have the audacity to feel somehow betrayed, yes, they got what they deserve - only part that doesn't apply to is charging the extra cost. They have betrayed that same person at least twice, and likely, she only went there because family, and family tends to drama. Beyond doubt, she's NTA. Also, the excessive cleaning to prepare a very basic dish, is their meas to cash in the "harassment" of having customers. In this time, anywhere civilized, a somewhat decent vegan meal cant't be an issue anymore. Every YTA, obviously, is again just seeking moral superiority over the oh-so-bad and oh-so-self-righteous vegans. We usually don't need to say a single word in that direction, and off they go anyway. Extra cost? Ask them to try in small claims or shut up.

Patricia Butler
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a *steakhouse*. It's not the only source of food available to this person. And they didn't "betray" her. It's not their job to accommodate her dietary choices, and if they confused vegan with vegetarian, the real news there is that they even agreed to attempt vegetarian. Again, IT'S A STEAKHOUSE. The "excessive cleaning" was absolutely necessary when someone claims to be "deathly allergic" to such a wide variety of food to avoid cross-contamination. You have to give kudos to this restaurant, too, for even agreeing to deal with this person and what she represented to be her life-threatening allergies. Most restaurants would have simply said no. And now that this woman has lied about this, the next time, when someone with a legitimate allergy, tries to get served, the restaurant probably will turn them away. And I don't know why you're wittering on about "small claims". If you read the story, you'll see that the liar's family paid and the liar paid them back. She's definitely TA.

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C.O. Shea
Community Member
5 months ago

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"Plethora" ...ooooh, somebody's showing off their community college degree.

Verena
Community Member
5 months ago

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It seems to be a bigger place with high turnover and a huge kitchen. Wouldn't it make sense to just reserve one station/one corner for "special attention"? Dairy or nut allergies are quite common.

KatSaidWhat
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look up cross contamination and airborne contamination. It's why they stopped serving little packets of nuts on aeroplanes.

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Corvus
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Obvious YTA. Vegans really need to understand that their dietary preferences do not grant them the right to break rules and act like some sort of entitled nobility.

Ms.GB
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree she's TA but I'm also surprised that they went through all that trouble and all they could come up with was dry noodles? They couldn't make a pesto or something?

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KatSaidWhat
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YTA - so are the people asking about scrubbing down - if someone has an allergy, you have to make damn sure about cross contamination which does mean extra cautions. Don't lie, just eat before hand or suck it up. Vegan is a lifestyle CHOICE for non-allergic people, and you just gave them more shade to get thrown at.

madbakes
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. The fact that she added "life threatening" is complete b******t. She called ahead of time anyway; she should have just explained why she needed to bring her own meal.

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xolitaire
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You. Get angry at a STEAK HOUSE. For not catering to your VEGAN choice of diet? Can you tell why so many people called you TA? That wedding is not about you. You are a guest. Behave accordingly and stop being entitled. Also: That restaurant sprinkled parmesan on your food? Jesus Christ calm down. Half my family is vegan and in case something like this happens you take it in stride and don't make a fuss.

Ample Aardvark
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes it was really bad to lie (just take your own meal, that's what I do), but it can actually make you really unwell if you've been strictly vegan for years and suddenly, knowingly or not, ingest dairy or meat. Real parmesan is not even vegetarian.

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Ephemera Image
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm vegetarian. You know what? If I know a place caters only to meat eaters I will either not go or if it's a catered event, bring my own food if they can't accommodate me easily. Every business should NOT be forced to service a customer who is such a tiny part of their business model that it makes a huge amount of extra work for them. And vegan/vegetarian meals can be delicious, but only if you know how to make them. They shouldn't be forced to come up with dishes that they aren't experienced in making. Just my opinion.

Arya
Community Member
2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m surprised more people aren’t saying this. The way she phrased that last sentence was just gross. She did not *need* to eat a meal at that specific restaurant (though I do think the restaurant is also TA for not being transparent about the extra cost at the very least)

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Papa
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And she wonders why people are hostile toward vegans.

Mr. Jones
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The restaurant promised her on two occasions they would prepare her a vegan meal and both times the dishes were not vegan. So the restaurant lied just like she did. They just should have told her they could not honor the request. And Papa, we aren't all like you. We don't judge an entire microcosm of people based on one bad egg.

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Deborah B
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YTA. Lying about allergies makes life harder for everyone else. You already know that this restaurant struggles to accomodate veganism. Fair, given that they are a *Steakhouse*. The convo with the chef should have been: "I don't eat any animal products - no meat, no eggs, no dairy. I know this is off menu for you, and will be an inconvenience - can you accomodate this, and can we plan a meal? If you can't, I will bring outside food." Then you plan the meal, with the chef, for something they can accomodate. Also: The restaurant clearly knew you lied, and decided on malicious compliance - deep clean the entire kitchen because your "allergies" are "life threatening" and then bill you for it. The chef was not the one humiliated - your parents were, because they were called out for their child being an entitled, lying, condescending, b***h.

Margaret Shannon
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disregard for someone else’s food concerns makes life harder for those of use who have food issues. The OP had already tried the polite route and was served animal products. The restaurant already lied once.

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Enuya
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YTA "Why aren't there VEGAN options in a STEAKHOUSE??!!1!!?" Shocker. I get that vegan diet gets more and more popular but it doesn't mean that every restaurant needs too adapt.

Alexandra
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you off your rocker?? Claiming you have a deadly allergy when you don't have one is absolutely shameful. It doesn't matter why you lied: you shouldn't be lying. If your diet is that important to you, I expect you to tell your parents that this particular restaurant doesn't cater to your requirements and that therefore you won't be attending. Do you really think everyone is always going to cater to your dietary requirements? No, I can tell you that right away. So make a choice: let your veganism take a backseat every once in a while in favour of, say, your sister's rehearsal dinner, or make it the end all and be all of your life and accept the consequences.

Patricia Butler
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to work in the office at a popular steakhouse in downtown Chicago. If someone would call and request all kinds of changes be made to accommodate various allergies or sensitivities or special diets, the owner would basically say, "I'm sorry, but this isn't the restaurant for you." And that may anger some people, but I think it's totally fair. This was a very busy, very popular restaurant in a high tourist area, absolutely packed with restaurant and entertainment choices. Find one that suits your needs, or eat at home. But don't expect a major operation to come grinding to a halt and make itself into something it's not just to suit you.

tori Ohno
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What "ignorance and inconsideration"? Please tell me! You have CHOSEN a specific lifestyle, a lifestyle that others haven't chosen for themselves, why is it Ignorant or Inconsiderate for them to not be just like you? It's vegans like you that make people hostile (again, NOT ignorant), towards veganism. You're downright rude, entitled, and absolutely uncalled for in your treatment of others. Simply because of your Choice of food. Bring your own food next time princess, or better yet, don't bother socializing with other humans if you can't play nice. You're a rude little tw@t. I hope your family excludes you next time so they won't hurt your widdle feewings.

sturmwesen
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a wish not a need. She could just have called ahead " Hi, last time I ate at your place someone put parmesan in my vegan food. I wanted to give you a heads up so you have time to plan a purely vegan option. Thank you."

MR
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those defending don't realize that the special accommodations they made were for a food allergy that they needed to be sure there was no cross contamination. This wasn't about being able to make a vegan meal, but about avoiding exposing someone who may sue them if they end up hospitalized. That's a huge consideration and no small thing. Frankly, they should have just apologized and let you know that that would be too restrictive of their kitchen and they can't reasonably accommodate your request. But they tried. Because you lied.

DC
Community Member
5 months ago

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Well, they decided not to understand the easy path... Made it harder on themselves.

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WonderWoman
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Year old posting from Reddit. This woman made herself the main character in the rehearsal dinner. She could have and should have eaten her meal before going to the restaurant and just had a drink. Instead she makes a call and has the kitchen go through all that for boiled pasta and fruit just so she could get her way. I think in life OP is an AH. edit for spelling

A S Mora
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Something tells me this is more on the restaurant trying to milk the Wedding Tax. I've worked in food service and that level of cleanliness to accommodate allergies is unheard of and not even necessary. The chef who is supposedly friendly with the family is the one who should be ashamed for providing such poor accommodations to OP in the past and further ripping off the family with whom chef is supposedly friendly. This has less to do with OP's veganism and more to do with a corrupt restauranteur with a pattern of providing poor service. People need to stop acting like accommodating a vegan diet is akin to inhaling cat p**s fumes and grow up.

Gabriele Alfredo Pini
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While normally I would go with YTA, this time no. The correct response from the steakhouse should be: "Sorry, we cannot serve you". Not disguising the food, not lying. Also I think they caught the occasion for a deep cleaning of the kitchen paid by a customer, as other said they could have simply prepared something in a small counter, not cleaned the whole place.

Ephemera Image
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lying about fatal allergies is NOT justified, no matter what. This is what she did, instead of making other arrangements. Commercial kitchens cannot change their menus drastically that easily. But I do agree, they should be able to say No, we can't serve you.

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FreeTheUnicorn
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the reason why people with actual allergies aren't taken seriously.

Mr. Jones
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This restaurant promised her on two occasion that they were going to prepare a vegan meal for her and did not. They should have just told her they don't do vegan meals. So, when you get down to it they both lied.

DC
Community Member
4 months ago

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... one lied twice out of laziety and disregard, and one out of self defense, but, yes, they both lied.

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Panda Bear
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OP is the reason why so many people think that all vegans are arseholes. Eat beforehand or just accept that your food might have animal products in it.

Sabra Barker
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am deathly allergic to rice. This lie ticks me off. It creates the issue where the restaurant will not necessarily take a true allergy seriously because they know someone lies. The OP just created a potential problem for people who actually have an allergy. If I know rice is on the menu and there is a chance of cross contamination, I try to eat something ahead of time or pack an alternative. Sometimes substitutions are not possible. Lying about an allergy just makes more trouble for others

Adrian
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YTA, huge a$$hole! I have a friend who is celiac. She could literally die if she eats gluten. Her life has been made much more difficult and dangerous by people like you and the anti-gluten idiots...

daniel ikelman
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I go to a vegan restaurant, will they serve me a steak? No, of course not. Don't go to a steakhouse expecting them to cater to vegans. And stop naming your vegan foods after meat dishes. Its proof you really don't want to be vegan...

Sera
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ESH - YTA for lying about having life-threatening allergies you don't have when you could have just made yourself the martyr you people seem to desperately aspire to be, but it's also like, wildly unethical for a restaurant to charge several hundred dollars extra to a customer for requiring allergy accommodation, and might actually be an ADA violation.

Tyranamar Seuss
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like the people who pointed out she could've ordered her own vegan meal. For instance the garden salad with no cheese and dressing on the side. Or just order pasta with tomatoes, no butter or cheese. Or both. Voila- you've done what you wanted without advertising to everyone that you're vegan or making it difficult for them to do. But no, instead we've got all this can you make me "something vegan?" Then hating the something bc whoever doesn't understand the difference between vegan and vegetarian. And now we're up to "life threatening." You'd think she'd have thunk of how to order her own vegan food by now.

brookeannsimmer
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they charge extra for accommodating a disability, and are in America, they are committing an ADA violation. The whole being charged extra part makes me think no part of this is real, there's no reason they needed to clean the entire kitchen if they knew what they would make her, and if it causes an undue burden, at least in America, they can refuse to accommodate her.

Laura Annsmith
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only ignorant one here is the OP. You are exactly why nobody likes vegans, get over yourself. WTF goes to a steakhouse and cries and throws a toddler tantrum about no vegan options? Wow.

Aroace tiger (she/they/he)
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imma say esh cause giving a vegan a non vegan died and purposly hiding it is dangerous.

Mike T
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course you're the a** when you lie about something.

Livingwithcfs
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a vegetarian I really hate the vegan thing. They give us all a bad name. Lying about food allergies is really low blow as she's crying wolf. Her behavior has put others at risk because the restaurant will having trust these

ADZ
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel bad for people with genuine allergies eating out. Those of us who have worked in the food industry know almost all people claiming allergies are lying and unfortunately this usually ends with people who have legitimate allergies paying the price. Your insane diet you follow from a "self-taught nutritionist" who has done "their own research" isn'ta food allergy, it you being a self entitled rude dumb a**e.

BarkingSquirell
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I call total BS on this person. A self-admitted liar. There has not been even one recorded fatality from lactose ingestion.

Steve Hall
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The chef should have said no, we cannot accommodate you, get out!

megasmacky
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reading this spoiled, entitled child trying to justify her terrible behaviour makes me want a big juicy burger.

Natasha Clark
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YTA... hands down!! People that say NTA need to get their IQ checked IMMEDIATELY. As a dairy/gluten/meat free individual myself I'd say you crossed the line by claiming "life threatening food allergies". No restaurant on this planet revolve around you, many options available besides that if you know it's an issue. I'm with your family on this & they'll highly likely NEVER invite you anywhere again. Your "needs" caused them a great deal of embarrassment & loss of money. When you leave to go back home to a major city this will probably spread like wildfire throughout the rural town & may impact your entire family's reputation.

DC
Community Member
4 months ago

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NTA. Obviously, and everyone claiming YTA is also to be considered part of the group of exhaust orifices. They don't take her beliefs serious, but yet they decided to promise to consider them, just to not do so in the very same moment. I'd not go there, because such places deserve to go down and have a successor that takes customers seriously. If they don't accept your beliefs as valid enough, you gotta come up with something they will. Their choice. But, I wouldn't go there, because every penny spent in that shidhouse is one too many.

DC
Community Member
5 months ago (edited)

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NTA. Omnivorres need to finally understand that, if taken seriously, nobody would resort to such means, but if they again and again and again feel entitled to dictate what we can eat and what we're allowed - how generous of them! - to know about our food, and then even have the audacity to feel somehow betrayed, yes, they got what they deserve - only part that doesn't apply to is charging the extra cost. They have betrayed that same person at least twice, and likely, she only went there because family, and family tends to drama. Beyond doubt, she's NTA. Also, the excessive cleaning to prepare a very basic dish, is their meas to cash in the "harassment" of having customers. In this time, anywhere civilized, a somewhat decent vegan meal cant't be an issue anymore. Every YTA, obviously, is again just seeking moral superiority over the oh-so-bad and oh-so-self-righteous vegans. We usually don't need to say a single word in that direction, and off they go anyway. Extra cost? Ask them to try in small claims or shut up.

Patricia Butler
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a *steakhouse*. It's not the only source of food available to this person. And they didn't "betray" her. It's not their job to accommodate her dietary choices, and if they confused vegan with vegetarian, the real news there is that they even agreed to attempt vegetarian. Again, IT'S A STEAKHOUSE. The "excessive cleaning" was absolutely necessary when someone claims to be "deathly allergic" to such a wide variety of food to avoid cross-contamination. You have to give kudos to this restaurant, too, for even agreeing to deal with this person and what she represented to be her life-threatening allergies. Most restaurants would have simply said no. And now that this woman has lied about this, the next time, when someone with a legitimate allergy, tries to get served, the restaurant probably will turn them away. And I don't know why you're wittering on about "small claims". If you read the story, you'll see that the liar's family paid and the liar paid them back. She's definitely TA.

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C.O. Shea
Community Member
5 months ago

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"Plethora" ...ooooh, somebody's showing off their community college degree.

Verena
Community Member
5 months ago

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It seems to be a bigger place with high turnover and a huge kitchen. Wouldn't it make sense to just reserve one station/one corner for "special attention"? Dairy or nut allergies are quite common.

KatSaidWhat
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look up cross contamination and airborne contamination. It's why they stopped serving little packets of nuts on aeroplanes.

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