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

Well, I'm gonna wade into this hornets nest.

I know that my customers having, say a birthday or rehearsal dinner at local restaurants, show up with one of my cakes. These are not simple cakes of the type I typically see served in restaurants, but perhaps themed, or a specialty flavor (I offer 31 flavors, more than any restaurant I've seen) that the host has requested.

If the restaurant charged a plating fee, would that also be off limits? I see it as similar to the corkage fee for a wine brought in that is NOT on the restaurant's wine list.

Or is ALL food, other than special food required for allergies or special needs kids, considered rude?

It's thought-provoking, because when I first read the question, my gut response was, "Of course it's rude" but then I realized that I'm an enabler of such behavior

Well, I'm gonna wade into this hornets nest.

I know that my customers having, say a birthday or rehearsal dinner at local restaurants, show up with one of my cakes. These are not simple cakes of the type I typically see served in restaurants, but perhaps themed, or a specialty flavor (I offer 31 flavors, more than any restaurant I've seen) that the host has requested.

If the restaurant charged a plating fee, would that also be off limits? I see it as similar to the corkage fee for a wine brought in that is NOT on the restaurant's wine list.

Or is ALL food, other than special food required for allergies or special needs kids, considered rude?

It's thought-provoking, because when I first read the question, my gut response was, "Of course it's rude" but then I realized that I'm an enabler of such behavior

Leah-
I'm drawn to this thread like a moth to the flame.
I believe it is "rude" to show up at a restaurant with outside desserts such as one of your specialty cakes unless it has been cleared with the restaurant's management beforehand. If they give the OK, then they will be in a much better position to plate the item appropriately and enhance the experience. If approval is not forthcoming, the host can make other reservations.
Bill

That's fair. I can encourage my customers to get clearance or even do it for them.

The restaurant where I had my wedding reception (a lunch reception with a carved buffet) actually asked me when I called to book if I had a bakery that would be delivering a cake or if I needed them to provide dessert. They charged a flat serving fee (don't remember how much) and their employees took delivery of the cake that morning and served the cake after lunch.

Perhaps when someone makes a reservation for a birthday party or other event the same thing should be asked, if it's commonplace to bring in a dessert for something like that?

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!

Kirk- You may have picked one of the few restaurants where almost no accommodation is made for diners. They are really adamant about it. I think any other steakhouse in NY would be a more happy setting for your veggie daughter.

What would have been the harm in mom and dad bringing in a Happy Meal? It would have kept everyone happy, and our eardrums would still be intact.

I think the harm wouldn't have been to the restaurant staff or the other diners (other than painful ears). The harm is that this child, if constantly appeased, having every whim (and tantrum) catered to, will turn into one of those teenagers (and adults) who has never learned that sometimes we just don't get our way. We ALL know someone like that.

I do not have children, but I believe I have a right to speak on the issue because I WAS one of those temper-tantrum-throwing spectacles at a young age. It didn't take long for me to figure out that Mom and Dad made the decisions on where we went and what we ate, and if I didn't like the decision and decided to scream and cry, I knew where I'd wind up:

HOME, likely pouting in my bedroom, and likely with a spanked behind.

And guess what? I outgrew the behavior and dined out frequently with my parents and I am a fairly well-adjusted adult. My temper tantrums are reserved for computer meltdowns and bad drivers now.

Also, those of us that don't have children may have had siblings & parents. That offers an angle that's also relevant to this discussion.

http://www.wciv.com/news/stories/0510/735596.html

Many Mistakenly Think They Are Allergic to Food

While a considerable percentage of Americans report that they have a food allergy, the true incidence of food allergies may be far less, says Dr. Marc Riedl, an author of the paper and an allergist and immunologist at the University of California, Los Angeles.

"If you look at the numbers, roughly half of the people who believe they have an allergy, do not," Riedl says.

My reasoning behind our decision is pretty simple: if given the opportunity, i believe we are creative enough to present an adequate alternative to the happy meal.

We are "family friendly" and yet, we do not have a "kids menu" and we have, on several occasions, created special dishes to please particular children.

thanks
shawn

We have dined with our daughter at Shawn's establishment many, many times and have never had a problem getting her to eat from his menu. I mean...what kid wouldn't like a mashed potato pizza?

As a parent of a two-year old that USED to eat anything we gave her and as a frequent restaurant diner, I do not have any issue with whatever another patron of a restaurant brings to eat for their children. If the restauranteur has a problem with it...so be it. It's their establishment and thus it is their decision to make. I might not agree with it but I don't have to.

In my childhood days, when my GP's would take my family out to dinner at Mrs Ing's (chinese food ) in Chicago, I'd go a block down and get a hamburger and eat it across the street in a park. (I wasn't very adventurous as a youthful eater for some reason - or at least I preferred a burger).

But way back then I had the common sense not to bring the burger into the Chinese restaurant.

As for Happy Meals, or other disgusting fast food, with smells that are ENGINEERED to be particularly strong and enticing, no the heck way would I want those in a restaurant near me. If I'm paying good money for a good meal, I don't want to be smelling a big mac or chemically enhanced french fries.

Just like I don't let my students bring fast food into class (they can eat in the hall if they're starving), I wouldn't let a diner bring it into my restaurant. It will offend some nearby patrons.

If you need to bring in some outside food:
1. Clear it with the restaurant,
2. Choose something that won't potentially offend nearby diners.
3, If those don't work, find another restaurant.

For the aroma/smell reason, I'm saddened that the new arena will carry stinky nasty food for the next decade. Besides the animal abuse issues for the way KFC slaughters their chickens. But that is another topic entirely...

Cheers,

My husband and I get take out from our favorite restaurants when we are craving food that we know our young boys won't eat. Sushi for us and Qdoba for them and everyone is happy.

We are a counter service, fast-casual store which makes a difference when thinking about this question. I don't have a problem with it as long as someone in the party is spending some of their hard-earned money with us. I have had more adults than children eating outside food. They bring in big salads or subs (which they were obviously in the mood to eat vs. burgers/fish/chicken) and joining their family/friends who are eating Home Run's food. And they usually buy drinks from us. It is SO COMPETITIVE out there that I don't want to make any of my guests feel unwelcome - even if they are just buying a coke.

We did bring in "homemade" food for our son at Home Run burgers. But I did get him fries..and they were a hit! That's definitely the kind of place anymore that I feel comfortable in with my child. Get in and out fast ane everyone is happy.