To order off the kids menu?

[Tinyeater]

As a 35 yr old woman?
Long story short due to medical issues I can’t eat a full size meal so eating out I find it embarrassing leaving loads of food uneaten (example if I ordered a burger,
Id only manage half of it) and worry that the servers will think I didn’t enjoy it, so typically I avoid eating out.
Some places offer smaller plates which usually works out well, however not everywhere does.
AIBU to order from the kids menu as I don’t see the point in paying for an adult one when I can’t eat it?
DH has pointed out some places have an age limit which seems unfair because surely your paying proportionately for the smaller portion.

Also to add I have 4 teenagers who order from the adult menu so it’s not like we are buying one adult meal and 5 children’s meals but if it’s just me and DH would it be weird?

I think its a bit unreasonable depending on where. I think restaurants have an age limit as they are not making much profit.

It's fine if they let you (and if the kids' menu actually has something you want to eat!)

Why worry about what the server might think about what you eat or not?

You could just order a starter when everyone orders a main? It would probably be nicer than something from the kids menu.

I think if it's you and four teenagers it feels okay (because proportionally it's not as much of the meal), but if it's just you and your husband then I don't think it is.

Often they price children's meals lower than adult meals not because they cost proportionally less (still have to be prepared, brought to you, plate washed up etc) but because they want to get the parents through the door.

I think it's perfectly reasonable. You could also ask if they do a 'seniors plate' essentially the same portion size as a child's plate but less likely to be chicken nuggets and baked beans! My elderly mum always has the senior's plate if there is one.

Depends if they have an age limit.
Yes you're paying for the fact the portion is smaller but the idea is they can afford to "waste" seats on children and their smaller plates because children would be accompanied by adults having an adult sized meal. Without age limits there would be nothing stopping a table of 10 adults all ordering a kids meal each, and the pub loses the ability to earn the typical revenue associated with a table of adults.

Your other option is to order a couple of sides or starters instead? There won't be an age limit for those.

I don't think YABU. Why order/pay for more than you want/can manage? If questioned about it I'd just explain to the waiter/waitress that, for medical reasons, you can't eat much so a child's portion would suffice.

I can never see the issue with this, apart from if you watch Ricky Gervais, where he tries to order fishfingers and chips off the kids menu that's quite funny.

I've had weight loss surgery and have thought about this. Most kids menus arnt great and very unhealthy. And I don't want to eat pizza / chicken nuggets. I tend to order a starter.

Starter plus a side usually is my go to if I'm not hungry enough for a main.

Usually the starters are the most exciting bit of a menu for me anyway :)

The children's menu can be a bit limited, with reduced seasoning. It also might be priced either close to cost or as a loss-leader, to encourage families through the door. For those reasons, It wouldn't right to order from the children's menu. However I wouldn't judge anyone if they did!

I'd personally order a starter as a main. I went out for dinner with my DM last night and she did that; nobody blinks an eye. The food is generally nicer than the crap you get on most children's menus. I generally order a starter for my DS (who is 4) for that reason too.

I do sometimes as I can’t eat massive meals, & some places just love to overfeed & it’s such a waste. If there’s an age limit, then I’ll pick a few bits & pieces off the menu. Even if you think you’re having a salad it comes with fat bastard chips, & thick crusty bread. I’ve tried asking for a small meal & offered to pay the full price, but they just give you even more food.

It's fine op. Of it's you and DJ or DH and a child, it's taking up the same table space, same service etc. why but did you know will just go in the bin

Ordering a starter as a main is a good idea, If we order a takeaway I’ll order from the kids menu (because how would they know) and the options are quite limited so this could be a good option for me.

I think it’s a bit cheeky.

My friend who has had gastric surgery just orders from the starters or sides menus.

im like this sometimes i order the main meal and take home a doggy bag if i cant get through it as most restaurants do them quite happily , or if i cant find something i fancy that night i get a couple of starters and a side to go with them and ask for that at the same time as my OH has his mains most restaurants are happy with this too i have had some really nice meals this way but if i cant finish all my plate never get uncomfortable about it as the food on the plate is costed to make them money and they are not worried if it goes in your stomach or in the bin

I often do because I prefer "children's" meals - fish fingers and chips, mac and cheese etc. But I never go anywhere fancier than a Whetherspoons.....

There is a fish and chips place near my house that lets me order a children’s meal. So much better now that I am pregnant and barely able to fit anything in!

I wish this was an option for all restaurants, especially when some foods are not as tasty the next day in a doggy bag.

What's the actual difference tho between ordering a starter or a side and ordering a kids meal? Is it cheeky if I order my kid a meal off the full menu or buy them coke instead of a fruit shoot?

Just order a starter. I often have a starter and salad if I don't want a big main. Ordering a child's meal as an adult is quite odd, unless you particularly like eating fish fingers or chicken nuggets in a restaurant.

Something like tapas or meze might work for you? Everything is small plates rather than starters / mains, so you could order what you needed and share with your dh.
Otherwise, I’ve ordered a starter before to be brought with the mains and no one batted an eye. Ds recently ordered a “sharing platter” type starter as a main for himself lol and the waitress thought it was a really good idea.

Just order what you like, it's your legal right. I've ordered two kids portions for myself before because I prefer the food offered. Got a weird look but they can't refuse.

What are "fat bastard chips"? A special type of chip or are you implying that people who eat them are fat bastards?

If you go somewhere because you want to buy things from them… buy what you want.

stupid to have waste. Also they should be aware some people can’t or don’t want to eat large portions.

And I don’t see how it’s cheeky to order a kids chicken burger but not to order a calamari from the starter menu?

What "legal right" would that be that means they can't refuse?