What do you do????

[Lynsey]

When you are going to something like a dinner theatre where the meal is part of the production and they aren't serving anything you eat? This is the story, I'm taking my daughter to the dinner theatre for a lunch matinee of Cinderella on Saturday, there is no option to see the show without purchasing the meal. The meal consists of Chicken nuggets, gold fish crackers, oreos, apple and apple juice. I asked if there was a meal substitue available, they said no, not at the children's theatre. I asked if I could bring a salad, they said no, they were considered a restraunt and no outside food is allowed to be brought in. Obviously the only option is to make sure I eat before going and decline the meal, but that will mean stopping by and picking up fast food between dd's dance class and the theatre, since I'll be leaving the house around 9 and will be going straight from one activity to another. It also kind of ticks me off that I have to pay for a meal I have no intention of eating, grrrrrr (rant off).

[*Emma*]

Re: What do you do????

thats disgusting, if they cannot cater to your dietary needs then you should be allowed to bring your own stuff...

id still take it, at least take lots of snacks, they aint gonna search you are they?

[kelly50]

Re: What do you do????

Hi, Lynsey. That seems very wrong that the restaurant won't let you bring something in. I would do it anyway if I were you. This situation has only happened once to me. I brought easy finger foods to eat: already peeled boiled eggs, bite size pieces of chicken and cheese, and frozen bottled water in a plastic bag to keep it cool until I ate it. Not the tastiest meal, but filling and legal. Have fun at the show!

[fatty mcfatison]

Re: What do you do????

My friend has a child with food allegies. She told me their is a law (in FL I know) that says people with special dietary needs are allowed to bring in their own food no matter where or what. I know she uses it for the theatre and other outings. I am not sure where you are at or if the law exist everywhere, but it would be worth checking into.

[Lynsey]

Re: What do you do????

Oh thanks Fatty, I'm in VA, I'll look into that, it could come in handy if they have that here.

[misplaced southerner]

Re: What do you do????

yea that stinks for sure but i say just pick your battles. it is a kids' theater production and i am sure their focus is not really on the meal. don't take it personally and is it really worth a fight? i agree with packing some fun little things you like to eat and bringing them along. eat a good breakfast, enjoy your legal treats and have fun with your kiddo at the play. it's all good.

[not2late]

Re: What do you do????

When you are going to something like a dinner theatre where the meal is part of the production and they aren't serving anything you eat? This is the story, I'm taking my daughter to the dinner theatre for a lunch matinee of Cinderella on Saturday, there is no option to see the show without purchasing the meal. The meal consists of Chicken nuggets, gold fish crackers, oreos, apple and apple juice. I asked if there was a meal substitue available, they said no, not at the children's theatre. I asked if I could bring a salad, they said no, they were considered a restraunt and no outside food is allowed to be brought in. Obviously the only option is to make sure I eat before going and decline the meal, but that will mean stopping by and picking up fast food between dd's dance class and the theatre, since I'll be leaving the house around 9 and will be going straight from one activity to another. It also kind of ticks me off that I have to pay for a meal I have no intention of eating, grrrrrr (rant off).

Eat your meal before you leave for this lunch matinee. If you're crunched for time, then prepare your meal in advance, so you can grab it and go.

You might want to have a small insulated lunch bag or cooler in your car filled with legal snacks in the event you are hungry DURING the matinee. Knowing that you have a cooler of food in the car will help you get through it easier.

[adreliluc]

Re: What do you do????

I've been in the same situation a few times, and it really bites. I mean - who doesn't have other meal options!! Not everybody can eat the same thing.
But as awkward as I feel, I don't eat anything at all in these situations. Even though I've technically paid for the meal...
I've just eaten before I went and sipped on water.
Explaining why I'm not eating grows old though!!
I feel for ya!
Hope you have fun!!

[apple]

Re: What do you do????

I'm for the eat a nice fatty/protein meal before you, pack a cooler so you have stuff to snack on if you don't have time after your daughter's dance class (like make a chicken salad or taco salad in a ziploc bag and chow down on the way...don't forget the fork) or have after the show, toss in snack-size ziploc bags with olives, cheese chuncks, cucumbers, meats, pork rinds, etc in your hand bag/purse and claim "hypoglycemic" when they try to frisk your purse.

Most of all...have fun!

[sallyseachange]

Re: What do you do????

Can't imagine not being able to take food in! I always take an Atkins legal dessert (usually a piece of almond flour cake) to restaurants I go to, because I hate having to watch friends eat the dessert around me when I can't have something. No restaurant has ever complained...but this is Italy; maybe it's different here.
I can understand their not wanting people to bring in a complete meal... but something... sheesh! Especially as they don't offer an alternative meal!

[Discolemonade]

Re: What do you do????

two words:
Big Purse

[BLAZING IN FL]

Re: What do you do????

or diaper bag, and say it's for your toddler, well if you have a toddler, that's how i get away with sneaking food in...hee hee.

[not2late]

Re: What do you do????

lol disco!

Some places do have policies about bringing food into their premises. But the strangest was a hotel restaurant (that shall remain nameless) that refused to provide a doggy bag to take food home.