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*?

If he wants to pay half price for a half size meal then I approve.

If his mate serves adult meals at half price to kids then he is stupid, and over-feeding the kids... and your DH is cheeky AF

When I was a kid I once asked my grandmother (who’d taken us out for lunch) why the kids meals were for under 12s only

’to stop tramps coming in and ordering them’ was her priceless reply

So was the kids meal free because an adults meal was purchased? I think that’s cheeky to eat it as an adult.

This was my immediate thought too. I hate meanness.

Ew

I agree that restaurants should add more "light bite/smaller portions to the menu. It wouldn't interest me personally, because I eat like a fucking horse, but my DM has such a small appetite these days, it would be much better for her.
It's also good older kids who don't want the nugget and chips offering but would like to try a a more grown up meal, without it costing me £20 for something they instantly decide they don't like!

Yes, I agree. But since the vast majority of the costs involved in running an establishment serving food are the costs of staff, venue etc, the cost for the half sized meal wouldn't be close to half that of the full size meal. It would be more like full-size £18.99, half size £15.99. And then people with children would be complaining about paying just a few pounds less for a childs meal, even though it probably costs the restaurant only a pound or two less to produce than the full size meal.

I've had a gastric bypass so often order a child's meal, if I can, if not I'll order a starter.Most places have been fine, once I explain.

I've done it. But I always ask the staff if it's OK first. If they say yes, I don't see the problem.

I'm completely with your DH here. I always order a kids meal if we go to a pub. Portion sizes are huge. They're still too big for children's portions. Why order an adult size then leave half of it?

Yeah, I do agree with this, and I always order drinks. He should have.

I often get a kids meal. Sometimes for the smaller portion size, sometimes for the simple fare if nothing on the proper menu appeals.

Some places will say no, which is fine by me, but I’ve never had any drama. Would you object to an adult ordering a happy meal?

you serve yourself at Toby? Just put less on surely?

Is he usually a tight f’ker ?
Not sure there’s a less attractive quality in a man for me 🙈

If he just wanted a smaller portion, okay. If he only wanted to drink water, okay there too. I often just drink water when I'm out but that's also my usual drink at home. However, being cheap at a business his friend owns would be a bit embarrassing to me.

If it's of interest, here in the US adults are usually not allowed to order children's meals.

I sometimes order a children’s meal as I can’t eat big portions but I would always order a drink I had to pay for

I don't see the problem tbh. If they allowed him to order from the kids menu, it was obviously okay. If you don't want a big meal, why should you be forced to order one when there is an alternative.

Often the type of food I like is only available on the kids menu (fish fingers, mac+cheese, cheese and tomato 4 slice pizza).
So yes if that's what I want - that's what I order.

But have you priced the ingredients vs the charge. Even with kids meals they are making a profit. Yes they need someone to cook it, but they are there anyway and the amount of power will be minimal in the scope of things.

If I was in the hospitality trade I would be happy selling kids meals to who ever wants one...after all they will be having a drink or 2, perhaps a pud.

Last winter me, my wife and her mum (mid 90s) went to a chip shop/restaurant, we were the only people in there at the time, about 12.30, 2 members of staff waiting on tables, they refused ma a kids meal. We left. That's over £30 lost .... Madness

I think it would depend on the venue. Some places. Some places will price for affordability for families rather than cost per amount per se, a ‘kid’ will range from tiny to 11 or possibly older, and venues will need to cater for the range. I’ve done it in wagamamas but asked first.

Edited to note that wagamamas kids’ meals aren’t free

If he was going to his mate's business on purpose to support him, then he should have paid full price and bought a drink, or it defeats the object (in fact, he took up a table, so might have blocked someone else from buying).

In a different situation (tiny MILs, Happy Meals etc) then I think it is OK for an adult to attempt to order a kids meal for themself provided it isn't age restricted and provided they are OK if the place says 'No'.

I order kids meal about 80% of the time as I know most adult portions are too big for me/ I don’t feel hungry.

DP and I often share a set lunch menu between 2 as we are old and don't need all those calories. But we will both order a drink. Given that when we do this we are generally in the kind of place where you can just order a drink anyway, it doesn't feel like the pub/cafe can complain when you also add (only) one meal.

However, as described by OP, having the kids' meal and also just drinking water seems a bit CF to me, especially if it's a friend's pub.

I suppose if they allow it it’s fine, if people
are doing it because they don’t eat much. However, coupled with the tap water, your husband sounds like a skinflint bastard

Some restaurants have rules where you can't do this. I eat much smaller portions than I did preciously so if I have a starter, dh and I usually get a main to share and he'll have a dessert whereas I don't. I'd consider ordering from a kids menu if the options were appealing and it wasn't against the restaurant's policy.