I've never seen anything appealing on a kids menu. If I'm not that hungry I might get an appetizer. Or choose an entree that works for leftovers.

If the kid options are decent (which usually they aren't), I sometimes order from the kid's menu. I'm tiny. I always ask if it's okay. Otherwise, I'll order from the appetizers or order a soup. Cost-wise, it ends up being the same.

If it's a nice dinner or I'm out with people other than my family, I order from the regular entrees and take home leftovers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i will if i am allowed. i am tired of restaurants offering meals fit for two or more people. i just want to eat a normal small amount of food and not have to take home half of it because it is doesn't really age that well.

So much this! Why must portion sizes be so large? I don't make a plate of food that size at home; why should I eat it in a restaurant. Went out for ice cream last night and a small = 2 scoops. No I don't need or want 2 scoops of ice cream. I ordered one scoop. Apparently that's a kids size. So be it.

Ok that is fair. But it isn’t like they are going to have your “Adult” meal on the kids menu anyhow. Kids menu is pretty limited to hamburger, chicken fingers, hot dog; or if a nicer place something very plain buttered noodles, turkey and cheese sandwich. Is that what you really go to a restaurant to eat?

We get Indian from a place that has a “kid’s thali”. It’s a limited selection, but still the types of things I might order for myself anyway. Just smaller portions. And two of the Thai places we patronize have a kid’s menu with 2-3 authentic dishes to chose from and a dessert. It’s as delicious as the adult portions and healthier in terms of calories.

Fine for takeout, but still tacky in person. Indian and Thai foods make great leftovers.

IT's tacky in person.

It's fine for takeout or at a fast casual place like Panera with no tipping.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is such a tedious conversation. Unless you're a child or a senior, do not order from those menus! It's super tacky and rude.

A) Rude to whom?!

B) I don't give two Fs if you think I'm tacky, DCUM stranger.

Like a PP, I only order off the kids' menu if we are doing takeout.

A) rude to the restaurant owners (often family owned small businesses) and the waitstaff

B) ok but OP asked. And is not just me as a DCUM stranger. The actual human beings you stiff at the restaurants know it's rude and tacky. And the other clientele will snicker and roll their eyes at you.

I seriously doubt that. People generally don’t care what other customers are eating. They hardly even notice unless you order something showy like a sizzling platter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i will if i am allowed. i am tired of restaurants offering meals fit for two or more people. i just want to eat a normal small amount of food and not have to take home half of it because it is doesn't really age that well.

So much this! Why must portion sizes be so large? I don't make a plate of food that size at home; why should I eat it in a restaurant. Went out for ice cream last night and a small = 2 scoops. No I don't need or want 2 scoops of ice cream. I ordered one scoop. Apparently that's a kids size. So be it.

Ok that is fair. But it isn’t like they are going to have your “Adult” meal on the kids menu anyhow. Kids menu is pretty limited to hamburger, chicken fingers, hot dog; or if a nicer place something very plain buttered noodles, turkey and cheese sandwich. Is that what you really go to a restaurant to eat?

We get Indian from a place that has a “kid’s thali”. It’s a limited selection, but still the types of things I might order for myself anyway. Just smaller portions. And two of the Thai places we patronize have a kid’s menu with 2-3 authentic dishes to chose from and a dessert. It’s as delicious as the adult portions and healthier in terms of calories.

No because it’s usually crap anyway. I do often share an adult meal with my child.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is such a tedious conversation. Unless you're a child or a senior, do not order from those menus! It's super tacky and rude.

A) Rude to whom?!

B) I don't give two Fs if you think I'm tacky, DCUM stranger.

Like a PP, I only order off the kids' menu if we are doing takeout.

A) rude to the restaurant owners (often family owned small businesses) and the waitstaff

B) ok but OP asked. And is not just me as a DCUM stranger. The actual human beings you stiff at the restaurants know it's rude and tacky. And the other clientele will snicker and roll their eyes at you.

You realize any order is better than no order. It’s not rude.

NP. I don't think it's a problem with takeout. I do think it's a problem when you are looking at table turnover for in-person dining. I mean, it may not a problem when literally just one person ever does it, especially if it is the fourth person in a group that would be using that table anyway, but it's never just one person -- it's a precedent. And groups of kids that order an minimal amount for one or persons but linger over sharing it for hours are a real thing in the restaurant business. That's not you, of course, but it's hard to write rules to exclude one and include the other for in person dining.

Of course, people who 1) dislike the large portions and 2) don't want to deal with packaging or find it wasteful can always just ask for a smaller amount but pay the same price. That doesn't seem to be very popular, though, even if it addresses the price per tabletop and turnover issue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i will if i am allowed. i am tired of restaurants offering meals fit for two or more people. i just want to eat a normal small amount of food and not have to take home half of it because it is doesn't really age that well.

So much this! Why must portion sizes be so large? I don't make a plate of food that size at home; why should I eat it in a restaurant. Went out for ice cream last night and a small = 2 scoops. No I don't need or want 2 scoops of ice cream. I ordered one scoop. Apparently that's a kids size. So be it.

Ok that is fair. But it isn’t like they are going to have your “Adult” meal on the kids menu anyhow. Kids menu is pretty limited to hamburger, chicken fingers, hot dog; or if a nicer place something very plain buttered noodles, turkey and cheese sandwich. Is that what you really go to a restaurant to eat?

I don't only because I don't like the options, but I had WLS and cannot eat a whole meal from the regular menu. I usually order what I know will reheat well and get a doggy bag.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course you are being cheap. You are stiffing the staff. Most people won’t allow adults to order off the kids menu.

Nobody knows in this take-out/Door Dash world.

This.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't want a big meal, then don't get one. Order the dinner sized salad. Many times even the fancier salads come in regular or big "entree" size. Order off the sides menu. A baked potato. Or baked potato and steamed veggies. Ask if you order a only sandwich without the fries is it a reduced price.

It says child's menu for a reason. It's for children. Not for tacky adults.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Uh, I only used it that once. Only post I made.

Definition of tacky (Entry 2 of 2): not having or exhibiting good taste:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tacky#:~:text=1%20%3A%20not%20having%20or%20exhibiting,by%20lack%20of%20style%20%3A%20dowdy

Pretty consistently for take out. Or we’ll order three full-size entrees and split among the four of us. Math wise, the restaurant is better off I order three adult entrees and a kid’s meal than just three adult meals. However, if they think it is rude to order a kid’s meal at all, I’ll go with the latter.

Anonymous wrote:i will if i am allowed. i am tired of restaurants offering meals fit for two or more people. i just want to eat a normal small amount of food and not have to take home half of it because it is doesn't really age that well.

So much this! Why must portion sizes be so large? I don't make a plate of food that size at home; why should I eat it in a restaurant. Went out for ice cream last night and a small = 2 scoops. No I don't need or want 2 scoops of ice cream. I ordered one scoop. Apparently that's a kids size. So be it.

Anonymous wrote:If you don't want a big meal, then don't get one. Order the dinner sized salad. Many times even the fancier salads come in regular or big "entree" size. Order off the sides menu. A baked potato. Or baked potato and steamed veggies. Ask if you order a only sandwich without the fries is it a reduced price.

It says child's menu for a reason. It's for children. Not for tacky adults.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.