Last week I took the boys out for a sushi dinner after their music lessons. As I watched Teddy devour a bowl of miso soup followed by a huge helping of different rolls including California, tuna, and salmon (the boys ate five rolls total, 40 pieces, between them – they are definitely not cheap dates) I thought about how most of the time when we go out to eat he makes choices from a menu that’s aimed just at him. In fact, had the sushi restaurant offered a children’s menu Teddy would have undoubtedly angled for a hamburger and fries, his foods of choice (and of course, in certain situations, mine as well). Instead he had a good helping of brain food and we also talked about how in Japan he might have sushi in his bento box at lunch.
Food is important in my family’s life. We all love to eat and especially enjoy going to restaurants, whether that be the best restaurant Roanoke has or a fast food joint, and it is such an integral part of our travel experience. I firmly believe that a great way to experience culture – be it regional U.S. culture, immigrant culture, or the culture of a new country we are visiting – is through food. When we’re on the road, I plan our meals carefully, reading reviews of restaurants and surveying menus online to make sure that our dining experiences are interesting, high quality ones. At home I make a wide variety of foods from around the world including stir fries and curries, most of which Teddy eats happily.
But what I’ve come to realize lately is how often Teddy orders off the children’s menu when we dine out. His brother, who had a huge appetite, is always interested in growing up as quickly as he can, and also is a more adventurous eater, will usually order from the regular menu. But hand Teddy a pack of crayons and a menu with a word search on it and he’ll go for that every time. I can’t count how many times he’s eaten either sliders or corn dogs over the past year.
I’m not being a purist here, nor am I insisting that restaurant food always be healthy. I have nothing against a good corn dog or sliders per se. But the problem is that children’s menus are great levelers. All too often, these specialized menus aren’t about food or the specific dining experience you are meant to have at a given restaurant but about convenience. The offerings on them are often uncreative, not nutritious, and, although cheap, not really a bargain because they aren’t of the same caliber as the rest of the food on the menu. But what to do? We’re not going to stop eating out, and as more and more restaurants have children’s menus it’s not realistic to think that we can only choose to eat in those that don’t offer them.
After pondering this for a few days, I’ve arrived at the conclusion that moderation is the key. I’m going to use our upcoming travel this spring and summer (some of which will be in Europe where we aren’t likely to find menus aimed at children anyway) to experiment with having Teddy order off the regular menu at least half the time. He’s old enough that we can be explicit about this with him, telling him that part of the fun of eating in new places is to try new foods. I expect to meet some resistance, but after all, isn’t it my job as a parent to meet that kind of resistance with gentle encouragement to do the thing I know is better for him in the long run?
I’ll also acknowledge that there will be times when dining out will just be about each of us getting to make an easy and comforting choice – and that this is OK too.
And finally, I’ll keep looking for restaurants and resorts that do kids’ menus right – offering engaging, delicious options that are actually a reflection of the rest of the food the kitchen serves. The list at the bottom of this post includes links to posts about restaurants that are my favorites for this reason.
Do your kids order off the children’s menus at restaurants? Do you have any particular favorites or strategies for getting them to branch out? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
I think that children’s menus severely limit kids. I like what my parents did. They would order an entree and a set up for my Sister and I. They would split the meal between sis and I. Sometimes they would give us both bits off their own meal. That way we got to sample different foods. I had and still have problems trying new food. My sister credits that with her adventurous attitude when it comes to food. I’m have potentially deadly food allergies, so I’m less adventurous.
I don’t know that a kid’s menu is necessary, to tell the truth. Like you, I think that it can allow a child to put on blinkers and stick with the comfort food.
Having said that, I can see two circumstances in which a separate, defined kid’s menu could be a useful tool for a parent. One, if you’ve arrived at a restaurant absolutely starving and you need to get a dish in front of your child ASAP and you only want a limited set of choices to speed things along. Two, food allergies. I’m increasingly seeing restaurants where restaurants make up a kid’s menu that lists allergy-free dishes and/or list the allergens in a dish. That can be really helpful and reassuring for families with food allergies.
Also, one other thing – kid’s menus often present kid’s sized meals. That’s always nice!
I like kid’s menus when they are a reflection of the rest of the menu at a smaller serving size and price. Bravo in St. Louis does this very well, offering a vegetable with an entree that is just like what is on the adult menu but a smaller portion. When the kids’ menu is junk food and has only chicken nuggets and french fries type of options it is better to do without. My kids will order off of it when it is appealing.
I loathe children’s menus, as does our daughter – she NEVER wanted to order off the kids menu – the food is so very limited. She’d much rather get a real dish, and take some home, than to have a corn dog, or a tiny flat cheese pizza with ketchup sauce (lol). i wish they’d do it right – it’s insulting to the kids (and their taste buds).
I avoid the kids menu. I’d so much rather share what I’m eating or do small plate or some sides.
We are still lucky that our toddler is always more interested in what we are eating than anything else. I’ve even ordered something off a kids menu for him before thinking he might prefer it, but no, he wants what I am having. It’s what he has grown up doing why would he stop when we go out.
I do like the idea of a kid’s menu that reflects the restaurants larger menu, just in smaller portions or maybe with a little of the spice or something else cut out. That might be something we would be into as he gets older. But if I am having some fabulous Japanese meal (boy do I have a place for you to check out in Kyoto!), I don’t expect my son to get served mac n’ cheese or chicken nuggets. I think it actually discredits a restaurant a bit if they can’t get more creative than that. Who knows what will happen down the line, but for now, I order something I would enjoy and grab a small plate to be able to share with him.
Thanks for sharing this useful information. Sometimes, I’d prefer to order off of the children’s menu because the portions are smaller. Lol!
Seriously, I think it’s important to allow kids to select what they want to eat; however, I’d also encourage them to try new foods. If they don’t like it, don’t force them to eat it. I do this with my nephew. I’ll ask him if he’s had this or that food and if he says “no,” I’ll give him a small piece to try. If he likes the food, great; if not, that’s all right too. I won’t force him to eat something he doesn’t care for.