If you have a food allergy and you order delivery, you have probably done this: typed “peanut allergy” into a dish’s comment box and hoped for the best. That comment box is not an allergy system. A life-threatening allergy might be buried among notes like “extra napkins” and “ring doorbell.” There is no guarantee the kitchen sees it, no way to confirm they understood it, and no indication it triggers critical safety protocols like clean utensils, separate prep surfaces, or gl

Welcome back to our Restaurant Spotlight series! During my winter break, I visited Clearwater Beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast, a place known for its sunshine and beautiful water. One of the highlights of Clearwater’s food scene is its seafood. But as someone with allergies to crab and lobster, dining at seafood-heavy restaurants can also come with real risks. Despite that, I had several positive dining experiences where restaurants took my allergies seriously. I wanted to spotl

Welcome back to our Restaurant Spotlight series! I recently visited Main Street Sweets, an ice cream shop in Tarrytown, and was impressed by how seriously they take allergy safety. What is Main Street Sweets? Main Street Sweets is a small shop on the main drag of Tarrytown offering both homemade ice cream and freshly baked treats.  My Experience When I mentioned my tree nut allergy, the staff responded immediately. They acknowledged the risk of cross-contact and walked me thr

While online ordering services have made getting restaurant food significantly easier, they can also introduce new risks for food allergy sufferers. When you can’t ask clarifying questions, confirm preparation practices, or advocate for yourself in real times, allergens can slip through more easily. Today, I want to highlight a lesser-known but incredibly helpful feature on DoorDash that can give allergy sufferers more confidence when ordering out. I’ll also be spotlighting a

Welcome back to our Restaurant Spotlight series! Last time, I shared the story of MP Taverna, and I’m back to highlight another...

I’m excited to kick off our new Restaurant Spotlight  series!  In each post, we’ll share stories of restaurants in Westchester that are...

For diners with food allergies, the menu is more than a list of dishes. It’s also a safety guide. Clearly labeling allergens upfront...

If you’ve ever had a reaction even after being told a dish was “safe,” you’re not alone. The likely culprit?  Cross-contact....

A recent partnership between FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) and EveryBite  has the potential to make a significant change in...

If your restaurant wants to better protect food allergy sufferers, understanding the legal landscape is a critical first step. This...

With food allergy rates rising across the globe and a significant portion of the United States population affected , it’s more important...

Imagine a romantic kiss almost turning deadly because of your food allergy. That’s exactly what happened to Phoebe Campbell-Harris in a...

Updated July 21, 2025: We've added links to trusted food allergy tools for safe dining abroad in the “Final Thoughts” section. Safe Plate...