Canobie Lake Park

GF options for 2023 posted here: https://www.canobie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-Summer-Allergy-Guide-2.pdf

Have been advised by others that GF options sometimes run out so get food early.

We got GF pizza at Pizza RIA. GF chicken tenders are only available at the International stand. GF pizza only available at Pizza Ria in main park, or Petey Pizza in water park. Per allergy guide the soft serve ice cream is NOT GF, but reg ice cream is.

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Average

Other Characteristics

• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers outdoor seating

Some options but low allergy awareness.

There is an allergy guide posted on Canobie’s website and with a QR code posted at food places in the park. It’s nice that they have it noted which foods have gluten (and other allergens) as ingredients on the guide.

However, at the booth with roasted turkey legs/drumsticks that are labeled “GF” on the sign I asked about how it was prepared and whether precautions were taken to prevent cross-contamination. The staff at the register (where you order) didn’t seem to understand what I meant but let me know that grilled cheese is made in the same part of the kitchen at the same time. I tried to ask whether people were touching grilled cheese and then touching the turkey, or using the same utensils and surfaces, but they didn’t seem to understand and I got frustrated and gave up.

Last year at that same booth I had talked to someone in charge and they had assured me the turkey was safe and answered my questions. There is also Mexican street corn (on the cob) sold there. Last year I asked about the ingredients and preparation for the street corn and it sounded safe so I had that too. It isn’t labeled as GF on the sign though. Of note: I have celiac disease but don’t get any symptoms when exposed to gluten so I can’t vouch either way for that.

I also had some Dole whip (dairy free and gluten free), which is pineapple or strawberry flavored (or you can get a twist with both). I got it in a bowl so it’d be GF.

And I got some popcorn, which was listed as without gluten on the allergy guide. The person at the booth couldn’t tell me anything about the ingredients or preparation of the popcorn and just referred me to the guide. In my experience with popcorn in general it is safe with little risk for cross contamination so I went with it.

Last year I also got cotton candy (similar to popcorn—generally prepared away from gluten and doesn’t contain gluten), and had asked questions and gotten satisfactory answers.

And last year I also got French fries made in a dedicated GF frier (only make French fries in it).

I almost think it would be great if they created a food place at the park that only served Gluten Free foods and where they trained the staff at that location to be able to answer GF questions.

They clearly aren’t prioritizing making it an allergy friendly experience. It seemed like the staff expected the online allergy guide to answer all questions rather than understanding that cross contamination is a central issue for allergies.

We ate a bunch of food we had brought in the parking lot before going in but found that they didn’t check our bags for outside food or drink this year anyway. I don’t know if that’s always the case at Canobie now?

And also: I’ve heard that if you have food allergies that places that don’t allow outside food and drink WILL let you bring your own, as a disability accommodation. This may even be protected under the ADA.

So I would echo what another reviewer had said: just go ahead and bring your own food, rent a locker if needed.

And I would add that if you feel like asking questions of staff who aren’t trained in allergies then maybe you can eat something else too, but at least you’ll have something good you brought and won’t be hungry.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good for takeout
• Offers outdoor seating

PLEASE if you have Celiac or a gluten allergy Do Not Eat In The Park!

SODEXO USA makes grand claims on Canobie.com but the cross contamination and complete lack of knowledge of what gluten even is is rampant.

Stay safe! Rent a locker, pack your food!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Poor