dining out with kids

It was pointed out in another forum topic that these days most restaurnts only offer chicken tenders, hamburger, grilled cheese sandwich and fries for kids. s food professionals we should help each other to provide better choices. My wife and I are limited sometimes because of what is offered to the kids. Texas Roadhouse offers ribs and kid steak as offerings. Most of the Japanese restaurants have kid size steak, chicken or shrimp entrees habachi style. Cheddars will allow salads as substitute for fries, but too often restaurants just offer the same ole same ole. Maybe my kids are just a bit more adventureous thn most, but I don't think so. Kids who's parents love food usually love food and cooking too.

Who has gone "out of the box" and is offering healthier and more adventureous options for kids? As a parents, we sometimes stay at home versus going out because there just aren't many good options for kids. I would be interested to see if this is focus for any of our gret resturants.

Hi Kurt,

I don't have kids, but I used to be one, was an adventurous eater myself. I definitely don't feel that kids should be limited to the 'classic' nugget, burger, and grilled cheese option. How many kids do you have? Maybe they could split an 'adult' dish? Not sure if this would be economical, depending on the restaurant, but just a thought. Maybe some restaurants would offer a kids' portion of something if you asked the manager? My philosophy is, 'ya never know unless you ask'. Again, just a thought.

My boys are pretty good eaters, and we have the added challenge because they do not eat meat, but enjoy fish. Our favorite places to bring the kids are: California Pizza Kitchen- they offer kid salads, pasta, fresh fruit and veggies, and of course pizza, Japanese (big sushi eaters, miso soup, salad), Havana Rumba (sweet potato fries seem like a much healthier option), Mexican (for veggie tacos- our new favorite place is Santa Fe, which is close to UofL), Red Robin (veggie burgers).
We have also taken them to more upscale places and asked the waiter if they could prepare an adult entree in a childs portion and that usually works out well.

I find this an interesting topic....I have fed the better part of the next generation the usual suspects(Chicken Fingers, Grilled Cheese, and the like).

I always hear parents asking for better food options for kids but when they are available they don't seem to order them. For example, at most places, there is almost always a fresh fruit, vegetable, or salad option instead of fries, but seldom are these ordered.

Also, if your dining with younger kids, I feel(and I'm making a VERY broad generalization) that most families are what we call in the bizz "High Maintenance" (Yep, you don't have to clean up the smashed cracker crumbs on the floor, but some one else does. By the way, where are those sippy cups and straws?) So there is a better than average chance that you may not get the same type of service dining with children as opposed to hiring a babysitter and eating out with your significant other sans kids.

In my experience(as a chef) with feeding kids these days, you have to stick with the norm. It seems that we have bred a whole generation of people to eat things that are "crispy" or covered in cheese.

If you have a child who is willing to try different things, then by all means let them try some of your dish or ask if the chef can make a smaller portion of something else.

Unfortunatly, most places will stick with the same old kid menu we all know because that is the statis-quo.

Let me say that I understand high maintenance. We are not the high maintenance crowd. My kids are 9 and 10 and know how to act in a restaurant. We have gone the route of splitting adult entrees, but unfortunately they don't always like the same thing.

I can't speak for other families but my kids like to try new things. When limited to chicken nuggets, burger or grilled cheese it isn't a place they want to go. McDonalds in their research found that 70% of the dining out decisions are made based on where the child would like to go, 70%. That is why Mickey D's focuses so much advertising to children.

Asking for child size portions is a good idea, but since I try to be low maintenance is not something I have done often unless I know the chef. I appreciate the feedback so far and hope that some can help to point us in a direction of restaurants that give kids healthy and trendy options.

We offer the kids menu with the same old stuff however it is made per order and with good ingredients (our chicken fingers are white meat cut and then breaded in panko, buttered noodles are bowtie etc.) We offer those at a reduced price for the kids as a way to say thanks for coming in. If the kids want more then I suggest order off the menu like the adults. There are plenty of options and the portions are not that much larger. I find most kids 9 and 10 can eat the same amount of food that the average lady can consume. What is left can be taken home.

When I was a child there really were not many kids menus. You ate what everybody else ate.

What kills me is the adult who wants the chicken fingers.

I'm in the same boat except our kids are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Our blended family includes teens who haven't ordered from the kiddy menu in years and a toddler who still doesn't eat much of anything.

My toddler is happy to eat off my plate at this point, but she won't be forever. I'm interested in some alternatives as well.

Maybe a la carte? Sometimes there will be something interesting on the appetizer section? I ordered fried tofu from the Thai place across from Bazo's the other night thinking she might eat some...

Sushi is a good option, too.

I guess I was a weird kid. I loved Chinese food, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts.

I feel bad for my 4 year old niece, who won't eat it unless it's fried, full of sugar, wrapped in a bun, covered in cheese, or you can dip it sauce.

What kills me is the adult who wants the chicken fingers.

I guess word got out that you use real chicken and panko!