FIRST ON RADAR: Kiddie meals aren’t cheap add-ons for adults

Children’s meals are designed with young diners in mind, and restaurants have good reason to keep them that way, according to Mama Lou’s owner and Restaurant Owners of the Philippines (RestoPH) president David Sison.

Sison weighed in after radar reported on a customer’s experience at Mary Grace, where a store manager reportedly refused to let an adult order fish and chips from the children’s menu.

Speaking as both a father of two and a restaurant owner, Sison said kiddie meals are priced as a courtesy to families, allowing parents to bring their children out to eat at more affordable prices.

He added that these meals are portioned for children and planned according to the number of young diners a restaurant expects to serve. Allowing adults to order them could leave children without the meals intended for them.

Sison, however, acknowledged that restaurants should accommodate adults who prefer smaller servings. He suggested offering half portions, side dishes or recommendations as alternatives, saying this is part of good hospitality.

His comments drew further discussion among customers, some of whom shared experiences of being allowed to order children’s-menu items as add-ons to regular meals.

Others questioned whether restaurants actually lose money when adults pay the listed price for a kiddie meal, while some said smaller servings suit their appetites better.

The discussion highlights the challenge restaurants face in maintaining menu policies while accommodating different customer needs. While businesses can reserve certain dishes for children, offering alternatives could help ensure adults looking for lighter meals still have something to order.