# Should restaurants get rid of the kids' menu? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 30, 2025, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279 "2025-06-30T00:56:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/41 "2025-06-30T15:34:06Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > And even if you feel you could win a battle of attrition with your kid, most parents will give in long before the child does. I’d also say (as several others have already mentioned): Even if you feel you could win a battle of attrition with your kid, unless you know from experience that that battle will be quiet and unnoticeable to people around you, please don’t choose a nice restaurant, where other people are trying to enjoy a meal in a nice setting, as your battlefield. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/42 "2025-06-30T15:34:18Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Why force kids to eat something they don’t care for? Many kids don’t like a lot of things (I certainly didn’t when I was young). They grow out of it, or they don’t. Neurologically, childrens’ taste palettes are also developing from infanthood where they naturally desire things that are sweet and fatty, and many just lack the complexity to appreciate savory, bitter, or complex spiced dishes. Children are also really much more sensitive to the texture and temperature of foods than adults. I find it somewhat hilarious that this complaint [is coming from the guy who considers White Castle ‘burgers’ to be good food..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friday-night-2-000-at-the-casino/1017555/216) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/43 "2025-06-30T15:44:24Z")
> [@MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](#): > > Like at an Asian restaurant something like plain fried rice or sauteed broccoli. Sorry, I just re-read this. Plain white rice isn’t much better for you than grilled cheese - in fact, Grilled cheese at least has protein ( Kraft Singles American cheese slices contain 4 grams of protein per slice) and honestly is not very palatable as a stand alone. And _sauteed broccoli_? Lots of luck with sliding that past a young kid. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/44 "2025-06-30T15:45:54Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Seriously. I’m a father of 3 and grandfather of 4. I’m done with that stuff. The last thing I want to see at a restaurant, especially a higher end restaurant, is anyone under 25. _distributes obligatory bunch of belt onions_ ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/45 "2025-06-30T15:57:19Z")
As has been said many times, it’s much easier to let your child order something that they’ll definitely like and try to get them to sample something interesting you ordered, than to force parents into forcing their kids to order/eat from the main menu. When my kids were little, the oldest ordered off the kids menu until she was like 16, the middle one started off the real menu by the time she was 8, and the youngest had a bunch of allergies so often wound up with (very good) special-order chicken fingers. I fail to see how that affected other diners. > [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > I find it somewhat hilarious that this complaint [is coming from the guy who considers White Castle ‘burgers’ to be good food..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friday-night-2-000-at-the-casino/1017555/216) Don’t forget [why don’t authentic Mexican restaurants serve queso dip?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451) ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/46 "2025-06-30T16:00:10Z")
On a cruise, though, the specialty restaurants have access to the main dining room and its freezer. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/47 "2025-06-30T16:06:51Z")
Keep dino shaped cookie cutters in your go-bag. Any restaurant will have an item that can be cut into a dino shape. Chicken Katsu → instant dino nuggets. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/48 "2025-06-30T16:07:41Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > I fail to see how that affected other diners As an “other diner,” I’d much prefer to have a happy kid at the next table and not have to hear a power struggle over the sushi mom wants the little one to try. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/49 "2025-06-30T16:20:27Z")
Well exactly. Our kids ate what they wanted and no one heard a power struggle. The “other diner” I was referring to is the OP whose dining experience is apparently lessened by seeing the words “chicken fingers” on the children’s menu. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/50 "2025-06-30T16:21:56Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Well exactly My comment perhaps made it appear that I was disagreeing with you. I was not. We’re in agreement. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/51 "2025-06-30T16:44:25Z")
Surprisingly, one place that offers a more adventurous kid’s menu is Walt Disney World. Many of the table service restaurants offer steak or fish options for the little Mouseketeers. ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/52 "2025-06-30T16:45:46Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > The “other diner” I was referring to is the OP whose dining experience is apparently lessened by seeing the words “chicken fingers” on the children’s menu. Given that my experience of even pretty high-end establishments is that the children’s menu usually comes on a piece of paper covered with games and puzzles, I’m wondering how OP is exposed to it at all. Give those crayons back to the kids! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/53 "2025-06-30T16:49:58Z")
Once your phone is out of juice so you can’t Dope while dining alone, a guy’s gotta do _something_ to occupy his time. Doodling on the paper kids’ menu with the crayons can be a fine diversion. And you get something to hang on your fridge with your dino-shaped magnets. 😉 FTR: I am dining (well, lunching) alone and Doping on my tablet just now. No crayons; no kids menu. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/54 "2025-06-30T17:37:23Z")
> [@abcdefghij](#): > > Give those crayons back to the kids! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BT2fteBsL0s/hqdefault.jpg "The Simpsons - Another Placemat Sir") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT2fteBsL0s) ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/55 "2025-06-30T17:56:05Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > As @kenobi_65 pointed out, successful restaurants are making decisions based on their market, But how accurate is their perception of the market? Is there circular reasoning going on that they only sell X, Y & Z on their menu then justify it saying people are ordering X, Y & Z? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/56 "2025-06-30T18:05:25Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > But how accurate is their perception of the market? Is there circular reasoning going on that they only sell X, Y & Z on their menu then justify it saying people are ordering X, Y & Z? Little chains and mom-and-pops, sure you might see such circular reasoning going on. I’ve worked with several large, national casual-dining and fast-food chains during my career, and they have an entire pipeline system to come up with new ideas, which, yes, _does_ include talking to customers (and potential customers) to learn what they might be interested in, doing surveys and focus groups, and conducting test markets of promising new ideas. is their understanding _perfect_? Undoubtedly not. Are some chains missing some idea that could be huge for them? Maybe. But, they probably do have a pretty darned good view of what their customers actually want. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/57 "2025-06-30T18:16:09Z")
Given the relative difficulty of working up a new menu item for a national chain restaurant system versus whipping up a variation on an e-commerce site, I wonder how much **[A/B testing - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%2FB_testing)** goes on in that industry? ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/58 "2025-06-30T18:18:33Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > [The auteur chef](https://youtu.be/3CR_U8066OY?si=jdMGCLQk0rbAlBkU) in [every movie](https://youtu.be/tIHz3UOgf_g?si=zBYMN2ZzE5DYGEYs) about [high cuisine disagrees with you.](https://youtu.be/Z6ZFc_jiNxc?si=vz1YBxkTGFc7aOcY) I think you misfiled this. The [Extremely common in TV or movies but almost never happens in real life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-extremely-common-in-tv-or-movies-but-almost-never-happens-in-real-life/932311) thread is down the hall. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/59 "2025-06-30T18:20:09Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I wonder how much **[A/B testing - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%2FB_testing)** goes on in that industry? A/B testing is a very common technique in consumer market research. It isn’t appropriate for every research project, but I can assure you that the big chains use it, among a number of other research techniques. For example, a chain might have a potential new recipe for an existing menu item: the new recipe might represent a cost savings, might use an ingredient from a different supplier, etc. They recognize that tinkering with the current recipe of a popular item has a big potential downside (i.e., angering loyal customers who like the current formulation), and so, they’d almost undoubtedly conduct one or more market research studies before making the switch across their chain. Those research studies would likely include an A/B test among current customers who regularly eat that menu item, testing the current recipe (cell A) and the new recipe (cell B), to see if there are any significant differences in how customers experience and like the recipes. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279/60 "2025-06-30T18:26:50Z")
My completely amateur and unscientific experience is that restaurants tend to open with larger menus and then pare back as some things prove unpopular or unprofitable. I wouldn’t be surprised if smaller/family restaurants tend to open with a slightly more extensive children’s menu then take off the kid’s meatloaf and kid’s chicken parm after it turns out that most of the kids are happy eating cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-restaurants-get-rid-of-the-kids-menu/1020279.md?page=4)