[nabs-l] food courts and counter restaurants

[Amy Sabo]

Hello Ashley,

Well, where do I begin on this topic. Well, when I go alone or with my sister who is also blind or blind friends we ask the person who is waiting us to read us the menus. But, most places that we normally go to we already know the menus since we have been there before. But, if I'm with a sighted person they read the menu to me.

As to the soda fountain thing I just ask someone who is near there where the soda or what I want to drink is and, then I can do it on my own. But, if there isn't anyone there then I have the person who is working the counter to do it for me.

As for getting my food I can carry a tray with one hand and use my cane with the other one. But, I prefer to have my food put in a bag instead of using a tray. So, I mainly ask for a bag for my food.

As to finding a place to sit if I'm alone I ask people if there's an empty place there or listen to where people are. If I don't hear anything I know that it's empty. But, if I go with my sister she mans the table for us while I get the food and, then tactually gestures me over to the table that she has kept for us.

But, if I'm with other blind friends we do the same too. I hope these ideas are helpful for you. Take care and, I will talk to you soon.




Hugs,
amy

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ashley Bramlett
Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2012 4:51 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: [nabs-l] food courts and counter restaurants

Hi all,

Food courts are crowded noisy places. They hand you the food on a tray. But often the customer has to get their own drink from a row of drink spickits. I am talking about the row of them where the cups are at the end and the drinks are gotten by pressing something to release the liquid.

So any tips on them?  How do you deal with these drink areas? Does someone help you? I suppose you could memorize it if you went there before. How do you find an empty table since your hands are full with the tray, unless you ask someone to carry it for you. Then, how do you find the trashcan? Do you explore where the trashcans are before you get your food? Do you ask someone to read the menu to you while in line, or do it beforehand? Some venues have their menu online which I use if possible; other times they don’t.

Next, how do you deal with restaurants requiring you to order at the counter and pick it up at the counter? A fast food place usually gives you the food right there at the counter. You do not  sit and wait. So that isn’t an issue. If I have to say, wait for fries, I do so right at the counter, as anyone else would.

Restaurants where you do this include:
Johnny Rockets in some locations
deli places such as Philadelphia mikes
Fudruckers
Corner Bakery



How do you find the counter and locate your seat? For me, I’m not good at reversing routes, and all tables look the same! I’m asking since I may order at such a restaurant with a blind friend and could use some tips on this.

Thanks.
Ashley
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