The Surprising Truth About Kids Menus for Adults: Rules, Portions and Restaurant Policies
Introduction
“The question of whether a kids menu for adults should be available can be surprisingly controversial.”
## Kids Menu for Adults: What Restaurant Customers Should Know
Imagine sitting down at a restaurant, looking through the menu, and realizing that you are not particularly hungry. You want something small, simple, and inexpensive rather than a full-sized entrée.
Then you notice the kids’ menu.
It has exactly what you are looking for: a smaller portion, a familiar meal, and a price that makes sense for your appetite.
But there is one problem.
The server tells you that adults are not allowed to order from the kids’ menu.
That situation can be surprising, especially for someone who has never encountered such a rule before.
The question naturally follows: Should adults be allowed to order from a kids menu?
There is no single answer that applies to every restaurant. Different restaurants create their own policies, and some menus are specifically designed for children rather than being simply smaller versions of regular meals.
For customers, however, the issue can raise interesting questions about portion sizes, pricing, food waste, restaurant economics, and dining preferences.
This article explores why restaurants may restrict kids’ menus, why some adults prefer smaller meals, and what customers can do when they are not very hungry.
What Is a Kids Menu?
A kids menu is a restaurant menu specifically designed for younger customers.
It commonly contains familiar foods and smaller portions.
Typical examples include:
- Chicken tenders
- Mini burgers
- Pasta
- Grilled cheese
- Pizza
- Macaroni and cheese
- Smaller sandwiches
- French fries
- Fruit
- Vegetables
-
Kids menus often feature familiar foods and smaller portions.
Kids menus may also include drinks or dessert as part of a meal combination.
The goal is generally to provide food that is accessible and appealing to children while keeping portions and prices appropriate for younger diners.
However, not every restaurant designs its kids menu in exactly the same way.
Some restaurants offer very small portions, while others provide meals that could easily satisfy an adult with a smaller appetite.
Why Do Restaurants Have Kids Menus?
There are several reasons restaurants offer special children’s menus.
Smaller Portions
Children generally do not need the same amount of food as many adults.
A full restaurant entrée may be too large for a young child.
A kids menu allows restaurants to provide a portion that is more appropriate for younger diners.
This can also reduce food waste because customers are less likely to receive significantly more food than they can eat.
Lower Prices
Kids meals are usually less expensive than standard entrées.
That makes sense because the portion may be smaller and the meal may contain fewer ingredients.
Families eating at restaurants can therefore order food for children without paying the same price as an adult entrée.
For parents with multiple children, the difference can be especially noticeable.