I glance at the meal that the server brings out, and although it looks and smells incredible, there is a dark, heavy sauce that has me questioning if he actually understands my food allergies. I have already asked him multiple times about the ingredients (after giving him my chef card, which he brings to the kitchen), so I decide I will go straight to the food source for ingredient clarification. I walk right up to the kitchen counter and start to explain in my mixture of Italian-Spanish. Luckily for both of us, he speaks some English. I show him my chef card again and ask if he can explain what is in the sauce on my chicken. He lists off the ingredients with ease, all of which are safe, looks at my chef card again, then reiterates everything is fine. He has made it all from scratch and I have nothing to worry about. The chef gives me a kind, confident smile at my assertive ways and I feel a lot safer. Now satisfied, I stroll back outside to my seat in the sun, ready to try my lunch. My friend and I are at a Mediterranean style restaurant that has rave reviews. It is my first opportunity to try something other than steak, and although steak is delicious, after having it a few nights in a row, I am ready for a little variety! I take it slow at first, then with no reaction, clear my plate. Another successful meal in Buenos Aires!
I had no idea what to expect when going out to eat with food allergies in Argentina. I was impressed with how simple the process was for me. Not one server did a double-take when looking at my chef card or refused to serve me. For a country with few common dietary restrictions (with the exception of Celiac disease and gluten intolerance), I found it surprising how accommodating restaurants were. Sometimes it can be exhausting to explain yourself at every meal, but I was delighted to find that I did not experience this feeling once throughout the trip!
Our first stop upon arrival and every morning after.
Bakeries are never a safe choice, but I had to post because it all looks superb!
Espresso for me, latte for my friend. As close to Italy as I’ve had in a while. The hottest coffee I have ever experienced! Almost burnt myself that first morning!
San Telmo, Cafe Del Arbol- Our first dining experience.
The server looking at my Spanish chef card (words on the front, pictures on the back)
¡Buen provecho!
Lots of options if you can eat potato. I can’t but I was still able to eat with success!
No bread for me.
¡Salud!
First of many steak dinners!
Lunch time.
Talking with my server and showing him my chef card.
Feeling a bit skeptical of the sauce, so I went in to have a chat with the chef.
No worries!
I ate every last bite :)
My new chef friends who made sure my meal was safe from my allergens!
Planning out dinner…
Looks nice!
Fun!
Dinner time…
Cava and chef card :)
Delicious Malbec!
Pretty intense!
Second steak dinner!
No AC in the restaurant= me melting.
The after dinner spot.
More cava for us :)
Beautiful night. ¡Salud!
We stopped here for lunch. It was unplanned and there wasn’t much in the area open. This restaurant was my one fail of the week. The only “safe” food was salad, and we were told not to eat salad until our stomaches adjusted. I ate a snack in my bag instead. No big deal!
At the grocery store with my cousins buying food for dinner. I wish I had a better picture! It looks like a European grocery store though (I know I have pictures of those in other posts).
My cousins knew about my allergies, but I still had to educate them about cross- contact. My cousin Laura made everything from scratch to make sure it was safe for me. She is the sweetest!
We arrived in El Calafate and were starving. After gasping over the incredible view from our hotel, we went into town to get some food.
We walked in to this restaurant and asked about my allergies. The server read through my card, brought it back to the chef, and then said there was no problem with the pizza.
Cute little tourist town in Patagonia!
It wasn’t anything amazing, but for hungry girls on the go looking for an “Allie safe” option, it worked!
Then we sat outside enjoying the sunshine and testing out an Argentine beer!
Dinner in El Calafate at Mi Rancho. AMAZING dinner! I highly reccommend it!
Tomato, basil, mozzarella
Wasn’t sure at first, but they read my chef card, double checked everything and no problems!
Dream meal: My first and only empanadas on our visit! So thrilling! I enjoyed every single morsel and dreampt of them every day after. I didn’t think I would be able to try any or find a safe option!
The actual dinner. Also yummy!
Dessert :)
Breakfast view.
The breakfast buffet at our hotel. Nothing safe for me, which is why I always pack food.
I find that breakfast is the most challenging for me outside of the U.S. (depending on the country, but in general)
My lunch on the go! Thanks to 88 Acres and Vermont Nut Free Chocolates especially! Two of my favorite “Allie safe” companies. I knew I wouldn’t be able to trust the packed lunch from the hotel for our hike, so I packed food I knew was safe to eat. It may not have been the most balanced lunch, but I was happy with it :)
This was the boxed lunch the next day on the kayak trip. I packed my own food again, knowing I would not be able to trust the lunch (even though they did ask about dietary restrictions). When I am in remote locations, I don’t take a risk!
Dinner recommendation!
Yup! More steak and veggies! :)
Happy to find safe food :)
Lunch before heading back to B.A. to fly home!
Yes, that is a fork. I thought it was a cool decoration idea!
Finally a break from steak! I had chicken and veggies this time :) It was a nice healthy, filling meal before a full day of planes and airports ahead of us!
Not dessert for me.
My dessert! Illy espresso :)
¡Salud! Cheers to an incredible trip and successful allergy-safe adventure!