First was Grilled Cheese and Company. This restaurant is known for spicing up the boring grilled cheese sandwich. My son was SO excited when he read the words MEATBALL grilled cheese on the menu. He then attempted to order a half sandwich just like the only option on the kids menu. He was quickly denied and we were forced to order him an adult portion.
We had a similar experience yesterday when we went out as a family for our eighth wedding anniversary. My children are generally well behaved in restaurants. We are new to this town and do not have a babysitter, which means if we want to enjoy a good meal we take them with us to try a new adventure. It was our anniversary and we decided it would be fun to try Peruvian food at Pisco a Peruvian Cuisine and Ceviche restaurant. Guess what wasn't on the kids menu? That is correct there wasn't ANY Peruvian food on the kids menu for him to try! Not even a side of fried plantains. He was REALLY excited to see the word " Salchipapa" and asked what it was, thinking he may get to try a new food. Then he was sadden by hearing that "Salchipapa" was just a fried hot dog over some french fries.
He ordered the 1/8 chicken meal while stealing some of my husbands rice and fried plantains.
Am I the only one that is disturbed by the lack of variety on children's menus? Forced to pay for adult sized meals to please a pint size foodie? And loosing half their delicious food when out with children? Refusing to cultivate picky? Think about how often kids go out to eat because of busy schedules making it just easier to grab something fast or run to a restaurant. This has to be leading to a generation of children that survive on nuggets and grilled cheese! So PLEASE restaurants give our kids a variety of fun food in kid size portions! Because when they are adults you may just being serving nuggets and french fries to all your adult patrons!
You tell it! With having 3 boys, I usually end up packing our food before going anywhere and dread going to restaurants because of this very reason. Hopefully someone will see your post and help make some menu adjustments.
ReplyDeleteand all the menus are the same for kids!
ReplyDeleteYou're right - there isn't much selection, but in their defense, my son was picky before we went into a restaurant.
ReplyDeletethat's why we only go to known family friendly restaurants. otherwise, my son and I end up sharing a bowl of pasta. but yes, kids menu do need variation. it's either mac n cheese, fish n chips, burger, or chicken nuggets...so help us
ReplyDeleteWe are in that way right now with my kids.. they want the adult meal but cannot exactly finish, so we have to share..
ReplyDeleteI never stopped to think about this, but you are absolutely right...Kid's Menus ARE very boring and rarely offer the 'good stuff'.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the kids menus are not very creative. But since we go once in a while, my kids don't mind eating them
ReplyDeleteWe usually ordered an adult item and had the kids split it to get around this. The same menu does get boring.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a very valid point! ALL kids menus seem to have the SAME food offered.. where's the variety? Where's the restaurants specialty??
ReplyDeleteI agree all restaurants have the same boring child's menu. I hate that they have such tiny portions when they do have a menu for them too. At least have the option of something smaller or larger. I love your point though, it wouldn't have taken long to cook up half a sandwich.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed the same thing! It's hamburger, mac and cheece, chicken nuggets and pizza. How are they supposed to learn to eat new foods?
ReplyDeleteAt least he likes the healthier stuff! We have 3 small kids so we usually get an adult entree that they share.. it's healthier usually, cheaper - it works for now!
ReplyDeleteYaye! Finally. Finally someone voiced out something about the kid's menu at the restaurant. We don't even look at it at all when we go out to eat. We always, always share our food because I don't like the food that they offer for kids. They should have all the menus that the adults have only in small portions. Because there are kids that do enjoy the same food that we adults love. I know my kids do. I have two kids and one is a picky-eater, but eve then I don't order from the kid's menu. We should raise awareness to all restaurants about changing their kid's menu. Thank you!
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