I am sitting on the last leg of a vacation - my son and I are sitting in ohare waiting on our flight back.

I was recently diagnosed with celiac disease. This is my first trip away since then. I used the Find Me gf app and found some delightful places to eat. I had to think and research where to eat - not just “ whatever “. I had a cache of GF food with me In case nothing was available.

A couple of places were small regional chains but I quizzed them about their food handling policies as I ordered (and I left generous tips for all the questions ). We ate at a quite a few local joints and it strikes me that the regular menu was quite good at these places too - as evidenced by what my son said. We did have to travel a few miles from the hotels to find a place sometime but it was worth it. I had yummy Korean food, pizza, pulled pork BBQ , salmon , noodles , etc.

All of these places seemed to cook it all themselves. Several places were obvious local hangouts where the proprietors greeted the regulars by name. I was pleasantly surprised by this - all discoveries of nice places forced on me by the celiac diagnosis.

But we were in urban-ish areas (although Brattleboro VT is not a big place - it good choices there too).

In rural communities it might be a different story.

I’m reading this discussion at 4:30 am, in a truck with 3 other guys and the topic of conversation is “which gas station has the best breakfast?” In the North Dakota oilfield there are a couple places that cook eggs and bacon for their breakfast menu, but most stuff comes in shrink wrapped plastic. I’ll nuke a sweet potato and add some meat for my breakfast - stays warm for a couple hours and save a ton of money.

Forgive me for getting political, but I believe this is an example of the corrosive power of money in our government. Since the 1980’s when the Sherman Antitrust Act began to be ignored our country has seen the explosion of strip malls and chain stores that have come to homogenize and dominate our landscapes. Neither party has done a thing to change it.

I can’t recall which Mel Brooks movie it was, but he had an international corporation named “Engulf & Devour” - which was very prescient in my opinion.

EASY FIX - avoid restaurant chains and search out a place with a real cook or chef. I eat at a local place who gets fresh meat from the butcher, 2 doors away, fresh veg from shop 3 doors the other way and fresh breads from baker 50 yards down the street. (I just happen to buy meat veg fruit and bread in same places)

Many do frustrating but some here cook fresh

In Wenatchee, the healthiest restaurants are Vietnamese food. No MSG. They cook everything from scratch.

I understand your frustration. To watch the Democratic presidential candidate debates, to my disgust, it is always held at Bob's Burgers and Beer. I don't eat beef or drink beer.

Last time, I ordered a green salad with grilled chicken breast. How hard is that?

The "chicken" was processed mystery loaf. It was shaped like grilled chicken pieces, but didn't smell or taste like real chicken. Disgusting.

I asked for Balsamic vinaigrette. It was chemicals and high fructose corn syrup. Disgusting.

All I ate was four cucumbers slices. $16.95 plus a tip.

Yes that happens at chains. Have to find independent restaurants. I try and shop small business if I can.

Definitely NOT the case in my part of Spain. They'd lose all their customers!