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

In regards to the "offensive smells" argument, Let's say I'm in a fancy restaurant, and there is a person a table or two over eating something that smells fishy. Do I have a right to complain because the smell offends me? No. If a kid is in a restaurant with their parents, as long as the parents are eating something from said restaurant, I don't see the harm. If your experience is going to be so marred by seeing a kid eat out of McDonald's bag, you really need to get a grip. It's up to the parents to dictate how to raise their kids, not you.

***Excluding children with special needs, dietary or otherwise, there is no reason for parents to bring fast food into a restaurant for their children to eat. I'm completely OK with parents bringing food from home for their children if it is necessary. I know people whose children have food allergies and I don't think anyone would argue with them bringing food from home.

Where is it written that you have to eat out? When you have children you are forced to make concessions. You're children will not be in a difficult stage forever, unless of course, you give into their every whim. The only thing that you are teaching your child with that bag of McDonalds that you're taking into a nicer restaurant is that it's OK to be rude.

We eat out once a week with my three year old twins, usually because I need a break from cooking. We go to family friendly restauants (not chains) where I know they will find something to eat on the menu. If all else fails, they will eat a salad and I can give them something more when we get home.

Let's say I'm in a fancy restaurant, and there is a person a table or two over eating something that smells fishy. Do I have a right to complain because the smell offends me?

Michelle,
I think the answer to that question depends. If the "fishy dish" was prepared and purchased at the restaurant then it would be out of line to complain. However, if the offending "fishy dish" was from say Long John Silver's and brought into another restaurant, then you'd get a different answer from me.
Cheers,
Bill

There is almost never a physical indication of a child having special dietary needs. So, what is the criteria you use when deciding whether a table is being 'rude' or if they are offending you?

There is also nothing written that people with children may not eat out. If a restaurant wants to impose a policy that no outside food or drink is allowed in, then I don't see a problem with that. But, if they do not enforce such a policy, then who is technically being rude to the other diners - the table that brought food which isn't against any restaurant policy, or the establishment that allowed it in so that they could fill a table?

Here's another question - What if someone purchased a burger and fries from a fast food joint, removed them from their wrappers and placed them into Tupperware containers as if they had been brought from home? Is that more acceptable and/or less offensive?

This reminds me of what my Mom used to say when I balked about eating certain things:

"Eat it or go to bed hungry."

Back in the day, we only had two options: eating what was fixed (or bought) for us or going without. Then again I grew up in the era before fast food took hold, when a burger and fries from the local greasy spoon was a real treat. There were no such things as Happy Meals and chicken nuggets within 30 miles of my hometown.

I hated steak and salad as a child, mainly because I was too lazy to chew the cuts of steak my family could afford. My Mom's response?

"Take it or leave it."

As someone has already stated in this topic, there are parents who will give in under the misguided assumption that their child is going to starve if they don't allow them the nuggets. So by giving them junk instead of letting the child's natural appetite work as it's supposed to, we get children who are growing fatter by the decade. I get so ANGRY when I see a parent FORCING a child to eat their food at a restaurant. No wonder kids don't know when to stop. Conversely, no child (aside from dietary/health reasons) should dictate to the parent what the menu should be.

Let's say I'm in a fancy restaurant, and there is a person a table or two over eating something that smells fishy. Do I have a right to complain because the smell offends me?

Michelle,
I think the answer to that question depends. If the "fishy dish" was prepared and purchased at the restaurant then it would be out of line to complain. However, if the offending "fishy dish" was from say Long John Silver's and brought into another restaurant, then you'd get a different answer from me.
Cheers,
Bill

Yep. That was my point. Thanks, Bill. If someone is eating a dish that was prepared in the restaurant that I am patronizing, then of course I have absolutely no reason to be upset or complain if I wasn't happy about a smell. However, if I wanted to smell McDonalds, I would have gone there.

Is it rude to wear my UofL shirt into the UK store?

Yes. In fact, it is rude of you to wear it anywhere.

What's interesting about this thread. The OP more or less asked for opinions. You give your opinion and then get a lecture on why your opinion is wrong.

Seems to me we all have a diverse set of circumstances from which we've developed our viewpoint - there isn't a hard-core right or wrong on this issue as best I can tell. So what if I don't like the kid eatting McDonalds at a table by me...it's not like I'm gonna do anything...sometimes we just have to put up with each other in the pursuit of world peace.

This question was raised earlier in the thread, but I'll ask it again. Are there restaurants that would refuse a request for an off-menu item that you know you child would eat? Seems to me that approach is reasonable and offers a solution for kids, parents, chefs, owners and other diners. What am I overlooking aside from the "special needs" issue or the fact my child absolutely has to have a "happy meal" and stubbornly refuses to eat anything else.?
Cheers,
Bill

Terri, you bring up a point that was in my head: pickiness is a privilege.

That statement of course excepts people with special dietary needs, etc.

And really, since there are several posters who feel that this topic infringes too much on their right to raise their children as they see fit, I will just stick with the way to appease a picky child while still going out and giving a restaurant business. I think there is an acceptable way to appease your picky child without bringing outside food, whether in tupperware or the original bag, into a restaurant.

So again, I go back to - what's wrong with asking the restaurant (calling ahead if necessary) if they can provide something to accommodate their child? It would only take a minute, and I'm sure most restaurants would be OK with the stuff I mentioned before - raw veg., plain pasta, bread, plain chicken, etc. There will be plenty of restaurants who will be happy to accommodate - chefs and cooks go off the menu all the time. I'm not really offended by someone bringing in outside food, but I think there is a way to make all sides happy.

Let's say I'm in a fancy restaurant, and there is a person a table or two over eating something that smells fishy. Do I have a right to complain because the smell offends me?

Michelle,
I think the answer to that question depends. If the "fishy dish" was prepared and purchased at the restaurant then it would be out of line to complain. However, if the offending "fishy dish" was from say Long John Silver's and brought into another restaurant, then you'd get a different answer from me.
Cheers,
Bill

I've been stuck (at a local place) sitting next to someone eating something that smelled so awful, that it was vomit-inducing. Did I complain? No, as that gentleman had as much right to eat his stinky fish as I did to not eat it, we were both paying customers. As long as someone at that table is paying for food from that restaurant, and there are no rules posted about bringing outside food, I don't see what the issue is. Again, if seeing a McDonald's bag (or other outside food) offends, ask to be moved, or avert your eyes, as that person has a much right to be there as you do. Really, who is it hurting? So some kids are adventurous. Some aren't. My brother and I loved ethnic food, even as young kids. My niece, on the other hand, will eat 3 things. Chicken fingers, pizza, and burgers. That's it. He's tried, her mom has tried, and I have tried. Granted, he doesn't take her out to eat much, but if he did, I don't see what the harm would be in bringing something she WILL eat. If it offends you to see outside food brought in, you REALLY have too much time on your hands, and too little other "stuff" to worry about. Seems like more typical "it offends me so you can't do it" talk. I'd much rather smell McDonald's than fish.

(not directed at you, Bill, just in general)

Now that I think about it, and after posting 2 or 3 times in this thread, I've concluded this is a non-issue for me. I cannot recall a single instance of a patron bringing in "outside food" with the possible exception of a box of Cheerios for the high chair set, into a restaurant I've been dining at.
Cheers,
Bill

What's interesting about this thread. The OP more or less asked for opinions. You give your opinion and then get a lecture on why your opinion is wrong.
.

Yes indeedy. The OP also did a good job of "posting and dashing"...at least when I post something with the covert intention to "stir the pot" I stick around and take my lumps.

Reading this thread makes me want to bring my own food into Mr Gatti's Funland or Chuck E. Cheese because I couldn't possibly eat that crap. Or perhaps I'll bring a pizza into Outback because I don't feel like eating a steak or anything off the menu there.
By the using same logic, that would be OK right?
I really don't see the difference between a child and an adult when it comes to patronizing an establishment. As an adult would you feel comfortable doing this?

I still can't believe that people think this is acceptable.
The poor server that waits on your family still has to clean up the mess your little darlings left behind without the benefit of the tip they would have made if you had ordered for your child off of their menu.
I'm of the opinion that you should either leave the kids at home or eat at the restaurants that your child will eat at.

Just my two cents.....

I am of the opinion that restaurant owners and other patrons should shut up about this issue..

This was too fun to pass over

First, at the CPC we do have a policy of "no outside food" in our restaurant (dietary issues aside), we do not allow our patrons to bring in food from another establishment.
We established this policy because of McDonald's food being brought into our restaurant for young children.

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