Kids bringing fast food into restaurants: What do you think?

I really had no idea that a restaurant would fix something off the menu for my child! They are nearly grown now, and eat everything. I wish I had realized that I might be able to order off the menu!

My daughter is a vegetarian. The rest of the family wants to eat at Peter Luger's Steak House in July, but I feel like it might be uncomfortable ordering just the side dishes for her at such as an expensive restaurant. I will probably make up for it by ordering desserts. I'm sure the Luger's Brooklyn servers will give me "the look!" LOL!

I had no idea, either, until Marsha said something last night. You learn something new every day!

WOW! 10 pages of posts overnight! All great perspectives and valid viewpoints from both sides of the fence. I'll share how one restaurant approached this problem with our (then) child.

Years ago, Sal Rubino once had a little seafood restaurant near Dutchman's Lane. The name escapes me now. We entered with our (then) 4 or 5 year old who almost immediately put on her pouty face because she didn't want to eat there. (Too bad kiddo, this time mom and dad are picking the restaurant. You picked last time.) There was a great food server there named Jerry. She was Jamaican with a very thick accent. She sized up the situation quickly and immediately took control. She said, "Oh no little one, I have something special just for you. I only make it for my favorite friends so I will make it for you !" She brought out our meals, daughter's meal was simple buttered spaggetti with some raw veggies and the plate was garnished very attractively. That's all it took. Kiddo was thrilled. After that Sal's place was the only place she ever wanted to go and Jerry was the server she had to have when there. Simple. A little attention put our daughter into a comfort zone where she was willing to accept food from other than her usual sources.

I realize special needs kids are totally different situations. This was just the usual, run-of-the-mill picky eater scenario but I liked the proactive approach of our server. She made all the difference.

I really had no idea that a restaurant would fix something off the menu for my child! They are nearly grown now, and eat everything. I wish I had realized that I might be able to order off the menu!

My daughter is a vegetarian. The rest of the family wants to eat at Peter Luger's Steak House in July, but I feel like it might be uncomfortable ordering just the side dishes for her at such as an expensive restaurant. I will probably make up for it by ordering desserts. I'm sure the Luger's Brooklyn servers will give me "the look!" LOL!

Just go ahead and tell them the situation and I'm sure the chef will come up with a wonderful vegetarian meal for your daughter. Several years ago we were at one of the nicest restaurants in Orlando with friends for Christmas dinner. Their daughter like yours was a vegetarian so we asked for a special dinner for her when we placed our orders. What came out was so beautiful and tasty we all wished we were vegetarians for the day. We didn't get any strange looks or anything. I'm sure your experience at Peter Luger's would be no different.

I thought about commenting, but discovered only members with children are able to give an opinion. Sorry everyone; maybe next time when Single White Males in their 30's thread begins a discussion on food in their refrigerators.

Sorry everyone; maybe next time when Single White Males in their 30's thread begins a discussion on food in their refrigerators.

Lemme guess: mayonnaise, beer and bacon? Sorry, couldn't resist.

I think I just died and went to some kind of heaven. Mark R. and I seem to be agreeing on something.

Don't take me for granted, Mark! You and I have to make each other really work for every consensus betweenus.

You know we have to agree once in awhile and even though we spar on some subjects we both are very passionate about food and our own opinions! Besides, your cakes are two good to get on your bad side!

Lemme guess: mayonnaise, beer and bacon? Sorry, couldn't resist

I'm not sure, but it keeps looking at me.

Lemme guess: mayonnaise, beer and bacon? Sorry, couldn't resist

I'm not sure, but it keeps looking at me.

Haa! Just close the door and call Animal Control, the exterminator, and a priest.

I think I just died and went to some kind of heaven. Mark R. and I seem to be agreeing on something.

Don't take me for granted, Mark! You and I have to make each other really work for every consensus betweenus.

You know we have to agree once in awhile and even though we spar on some subjects we both are very passionate about food and our own opinions! Besides, your cakes are two good to get on your bad side.

I second that. Her cakes really are THAT good.

Sorry everyone; maybe next time when Single White Males in their 30's thread begins a discussion on food in their refrigerators.

Lemme guess: mayonnaise, beer and bacon? Sorry, couldn't resist.

What? No Baconnaise?

It would NEVER occur to me to bring in outside food to a restaurant, whether from home or Mickey D's. Actually, especially not from another restaurant. There is always something a kid can eat, whether it is sides, an app or just dessert. I think it is incredibly rude to bring in outside food, I can't believe it is allowed or that anyone would even think of doing it.

On the vegetarian meal note, there are a lot of vegetarian people in NYC. Seriously, even McDonald's had a veggie burger the last time I was up there. So I am sure the steak house will be able to accommodate your daughter.

I was vegetarian for a time in college, and was attending an end-of-year banquet where the main dish was to be chicken cordon bleu. When the server came around to collect salad plates and refill drinks, I asked if I could have my plate with just the mashed potatoes and veggies (side dishes to be served with the chicken). She said that would certainly be possible, and she'd let the chef know. Well the chef went above and beyond -- what I received was a beautiful and delicious plate of sauteed vegetables with a side of mashed potatoes...roasted red peppers, asparagus, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms...all kinds of things. My plate had about 3x the amount of food as the people who had the chicken. Others at my table were wishing they'd asked for the vegetarian entree too! So never be afraid to ask for a vegetarian option...you'll likely be very surprised with what the chef is able to produce. And you've provided him or her with a creative opportunity!

What do I think?

I think you show them the door....

I am seriously surprised that this is even an issue. Why would you even consider bringing in fast food? And, yes, I have three children, so I suppose I'm qualified to talk.

If your kids have allergies or other health conditions, you can bring something from home. But food from another restaurant? No. No way. We sometimes bring dried fruit to munch before the food arrives, but otherwise, we don't bring their meals.

Also, there's always SOMETHING on a restaurant menu. If it's just a bowl of rice, that's okay. We rarely order from the children's menu...there's always something on the appetizer or side-dish menus, or, if not, there's almost always pasta or some other starch. The kid isn't going to lose his health from eating one meal that isn't well-balanced (but he might lose his health from eating fast food regularly).

I wouldn't recommend going to a restaurant that doesn't have something that your child(ren) can eat. For example, if you want to eat at Cracker Barrel & your kids will only eat McDonald's (which is your 1st clue that something is wrong) then maybe you should be eating at McDonald's as well (which is your 2nd clue that something is wrong).