Is it acceptable to order a kids meal as an adult ?

[ThePunnyPeachDuck]

DH went out for lunch with his father to a pub his mate runs
He proudly came home and told me he ordered a junior pork meal and only drank tap water—because, you know, it was free.
I just stared at him and asked if he was being serious, because that is some next-level CF energy right there. He shrugged and said the kids meal was massive and why pay adult prices when you can get a solid meal for half the cost?
And to top it off, he actually phoned his friend afterwards to check if it was okay. As if the guy running the pub is going to say, "Actually mate, could you not fleece me next time?"
This isn’t about money—they’re both doing fine. So AIBU to think DH was being a proper cheeky f*?

That’s deeply unattractive!

I am from country where kid's meals are just smaller versions of adult meals and quite a lits of peopoe order them. Generally never been an issue for my mum for example. Though usually it's that the rest of the oarty orders full meals

I order kids fish and chips sometimes- it’s half price but it’s takeaway if that’s any better? I would always get a paid for drink and tap water in a restaurant.

It depends I guess I often do when I am in the US as portions are huge. My mum often does now as well because of the same reason.

as long as it isn’t a buffet or set menu why not

MIL used to. She couldn't eat much so why should we pay for a plate to send most back

Sometimes I can’t face a huge meal so I’ll order a starter instead of a main or ask for a small portion - occasionally I have been given a kids fish n chips or whatever. Can’t see the problem.

I have ordered kids menu food in Harvester as I can't eat an adult main and I love the salad bar.

If they allow it then I would say it's fine. I like getting the kids meal at Wagamama as it's just the same as the adult but smaller meaning I can get a side gyoza!

However, if they are tricking the place into providing him one, or being arsey if he is refused then it is unreasonable given it's a loss leader for many establishments.

I think in most cases I’d feel more comfortable ordering a couple of starters or sides than a kids meal. Possibly order an adult meal and not eat it all.

i don’t think it’s massively likely I would chose child focused unseasoned food for a meal out. I don’t think it’s terrible but not something to boast about

Some place won't serve children's meals to adults. Elderly mother was happy to pay full price but wanted a child sized portion. Nope, couldn't do that, so much food was wasted.

I think it's fine if you ask the bar staff and they say it's okay. Sometimes they are just for under 12s or are a loss leader or something.

It's fine. You are paying less money for less food not because of the age of the diner. Like a McDonald's Happy Meal. Adults are allowed to order those too.

It would make so much more sense for places to do "half portions" and not have a kids menu at all so everyone could order from it!

But I'd be embarrassed if my partner ordered a kids meal

Hmm, I put YANBU but then I do get kids fish and chips sometimes or a happy meal 🤣

I think it’s okay if it’s a smaller portion. I once witnessed someone arguing with staff at a buffet that she wanted to pay as a child as she wouldn’t eat much. She couldn’t at all grasp why they were saying no.

Reminds of the scene in afterlife with the kids fish fingers in the cafe.

Ehh no you can’t do this. They are offered restaurant at a discount for kids - ie on the understanding that they will be ordered alongside the full price adult food. It is CF-ery to order one as an adult imho - particularly at a small business and particularly at one run by someone you know.

If your DH said he had ordered it for his father, I would have thought it perfectly reasonable - my DSis would often order child meals for her DMIL in later life, because DMil was not that well and didn’t eat much. But for your DH to order a child’s meal for himself is just bizarre!

I've had a kids meal before but that was simply because I was craving chicken nuggets on holiday in Greece.
I wouldn't do what your husband did though.

So if a parent went in with three kids they would be running at a loss?

My dm is overwhelmed by an adult portion at the Toby carvery, she always has a child meal. Don't see the problem myself

YANBU , fish and chips / happy meals etc don’t count as they are take aways . Many restaurants won’t allow adults to order a kids meal and rightly so as they are often subsidised .

I more than make up for her eating like a bird

Well maybe? What difference does that make?

I don't understand the problem.
You pay for a meal.
You eat what you paid for.

Unless the restaurant has a rule that kids meals can only be purchased if an adult meal has also been purchased then he did nothing wrong.