NPCER: Why do all kids menus suck ass?

Sibil · March 2012

hindsight's_a_biotch:
Sibil:
I'm stuck on something from the first page. Why is it abusing a kids menu to have an adult who wants less food which should then cost less? Given the unreasonably gigantic portion sizes of so many restaurantsit makes perfect sense to do. I can't tell you how often h and I just split an entree, and he still walks away full.

Because for many restaurants, the kiddie menu is a loss leader. It's rarely priced to make a profit. I guess that's not abuse as much as it's a restaurant looking at their costs.

But in something like a hibachi restaurant, wouldn't it just be proportionally priced? I don't think mcd's makes a lower margin if I order a junior vs a big mac is how my thinking goes.

mysticporter · March 2012

Sibil:
hindsight's_a_biotch:
Sibil:
I'm stuck on something from the first page. Why is it abusing a kids menu to have an adult who wants less food which should then cost less? Given the unreasonably gigantic portion sizes of so many restaurantsit makes perfect sense to do. I can't tell you how often h and I just split an entree, and he still walks away full.

Because for many restaurants, the kiddie menu is a loss leader. It's rarely priced to make a profit. I guess that's not abuse as much as it's a restaurant looking at their costs.
But in something like a hibachi restaurant, wouldn't it just be proportionally priced? I don't think mcd's makes a lower margin if I order a junior vs a big mac is how my thinking goes.

McD's doesn't have to pay the hibachi chef, the server, the hostess, etc. They need to make more money over food cost that McD's to make a profit. It's one reason huge portions with higher cost is a better deal for them, the overhead stays the same, but they can charge more relative to the food cost which increases the margin (e.g., if they charged $5 for an entree that cost $2 in food and $1 in labor, they make $2. If for twice the portion they charge $10, minus $4 in food and the same $1 in labor, they make $5).

Sibil · March 2012

That makes sense, mystic.

I still think the implications of those who order small portions are somehow taking advantage of the restaurant. They offer a smaller portion and price it differently. If they didn't want to do that, they don't have to. And if they find too many adults ordering kids menus, maybe they need to look at their prices/portion sizes. I feel like going on a gordon ramsey rant about portion sizes

Gretchenindisguise · March 2012

I put this in the other parenting post and figured I might as well c&p it here too.

My kid likes to eat off the kid menu.

Here's the best part - I never buy kraft mac n cheese at home (she likes Amy's the best)- but have been known to get it for her when it's on the menu out. She likes it.

I used to be very "omg, my kid will never eat off the kids menu!!" and then I had a kid. She eats a fair variety of foods, but also goes through picky spells where she doesn't want to eat much. And she's already underweight, so anything I can do to beef her up is a-ok with me.

mysticporter · March 2012

Sibil:

That makes sense, mystic.

I still think the implications of those who order small portions are somehow taking advantage of the restaurant. They offer a smaller portion and price it differently. If they didn't want to do that, they don't have to. And if they find too many adults ordering kids menus, maybe they need to look at their prices/portion sizes. I feel like going on a gordon ramsey rant about portion sizes

I think kids menus are sort of like ladies night at the bar. It's only worth it to do it because of the money spent by the other people (guys or parents) it brings in.

I feel you on portion sizes, though. I wish more places offered smaller portions on the adult menu. I don't even mind if it's not as good a deal for me (spending over half the price for half the food, KWIM).

Knitty · March 2012

MisfitMe:
Knitty:

Both of mine were eating broccolli and hummus at 18 months, and plain pasta with grated cheese at 2.
Is there a point here ?

Yes, dumbass, I was replying to the posts I carefully included in mine.

Knitty · March 2012

Sibil:
hindsight's_a_biotch:
Sibil:
I'm stuck on something from the first page. Why is it abusing a kids menu to have an adult who wants less food which should then cost less? Given the unreasonably gigantic portion sizes of so many restaurantsit makes perfect sense to do. I can't tell you how often h and I just split an entree, and he still walks away full.

Because for many restaurants, the kiddie menu is a loss leader. It's rarely priced to make a profit. I guess that's not abuse as much as it's a restaurant looking at their costs.
But in something like a hibachi restaurant, wouldn't it just be proportionally priced? I don't think mcd's makes a lower margin if I order a junior vs a big mac is how my thinking goes.

Apparently the reason why portions are double what they should be in US restuarants is because the cost of the actual food is negligible compared to the overhead. SO they can really load your plate to give the impression of good value.

MisfitMe · March 2012

Right. It still didn't seem to have any relevance. But I don't want to argue with you about it.

sabrina69barnes · March 2012

We eat at Ruby Tuesday's and Max and Irma's a lot. DS has allergies and that have a variety of safe things for him there. I know both of their kid's menus have fresh fruits and veggies as sides. DS usually either gets grilled chicken breasts or pasta with tomato sauce for his entree.

dontcallmeshirley · March 2012

hindsight's_a_biotch:
We'd shiit ourselves stupid if anyone mentioned their skanky ghetto hot mess cousin on welfare in a food stamp thread.

I'm going to try really hard to incorporate this phrase into my day today.

NPCER: Why do all kids menus suck ass?

Re: NPCER: Why do all kids menus suck ass?

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