Restaurant Spotlight: Main Street Sweets

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 through which flavors were safe, clearly knowing the information from memory.

This level of awareness matters especially at ice cream shops, where scoopers are often used across multiple flavors and cross-contact is a real concern. It was reassuring to see staff who clearly understood the risk rather than brushing it off.

I ended up ordering the Oreo Bomb, and it was delicious! I highly recommend it!

Practical Information for Allergy Sufferers

If you have a tree nut allergy and want to visit Main Street Sweets, here's what I learned:

• Their protocol: They will walk you through what flavors are safe for you as long as you notify them of your allergy.

• A note on risk level: Nuts are used in the facility, so true zero-contact is not possible. If you have a severe contact-level allergy, you may want to call ahead to discuss your specific needs. 

The Main Street Sweets Website

I also want to give a quick shout-out to their website for being upfront about allergy safety. On their "Flavors" page, they note:

"Our ice cream is egg-free, and we offer gluten-free cones, vegan ice cream, and dairy-free scoops! Nuts are used in our facility, so cross-contamination is possible. Please let the scoopers know about any allergies so we can keep everyone safe!"

Their ice cream is free of one major allergen (egg), and they offer alternatives for two others (dairy and gluten). Crucially, they are transparent about tree nut cross-contamination, which allows customers to make informed decisions before they even walk through the door. This kind of public disclosure should be standard practice.

What They Did Right

For restaurants looking to improve their allergy safety practices, here's what Main Street Sweets does well:

1. Staff training: Employees understood cross-contact risks without needing explanation.

2. Clear communication: They could identify safe flavors quickly and confidently.

3. Public disclosure: Their allergy policy is posted on their website, not hidden.

Want to Be Featured?

If you know of a restaurant that deserves recognition for its allergy-safe practices, let me know! I would love to feature more places that are setting the standard for safe and welcoming dining.

Thanks for reading, and I will see you next time!

Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider or allergist about managing your specific food allergies. Individual reactions can vary, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another. In case of a severe allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention.