Restaurant causes controversy by charging adult diners extra to order from the kids menu: 'That's encouraging obesity and wastefulness'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Aug 31, 2026 2:00 PM EDT

Should an adult have to pay more for a meal that is the same size as a kid's portion?

No two appetites are exactly the same, and there are myriad reasons why a grown-up person may eat out at a restaurant and not want to order a full-size meal to eat. Depending on the place, some establishments are more than generous with their portion sizes, to the extent that even a hungry person may struggle to finish everything that they order. On top of that, various health and weight-related issues can make it worthwhile to choose a smaller meal than usual.

It makes perfect sense that a restaurant would want to cater to as wide a range of customers as possible, and part of that involves giving them an option when it comes to how much they want to eat. The most common smaller portion sizes come from kids' menus, and truth be told, many businesses could think about expanding their horizons when it comes to portion inclusivity. Ultimately, it is one of those things that has to be done at their discretion, and it is up to the clientele whether they accept that or choose to take their hunger elsewhere.

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  • The Adult Kids Meal price is $9.99

    This this. Jum @JesterJum me off when restaurants do If an adult only wants a kids portion, dont charge them extra for ordering off the kids menu. Thats just encouraging obesity and wastefulness.
    via JesterJum

  • A diner was annoyed when they went to a restaurant and saw that there was an addendum on the kids' menu. It specified that adults would be charged more if they wanted to order a kid-size portion for themselves.

    He believed that this policy was discriminatory against people who wanted to eat less for whatever reason. However, others were less sure that this was as much of an issue as he believed it to be. There were other solutions.

  • ADULTS WILL BE CHARGED EXTRA FOR ORDERING OFF THE KIDS MENU THE ADULT KIDS MEAL PRICE IS $9.99 Jefferson's WINGS BURGERS OYSTERS
    via JesterJum

  • Some thought that it was a more honest way to present the menu.

    H Lloyd @HLloyd7 I actually prefer this to when they just say you can't order the kids menu. If for whatever reason I'm just not that hungry it can be a good option
    via HLloyd7
  • Palmer Lynch Blied FRANKENSTEIN @PalmerLynch7 "Welcome to Jefferson's... order some food you don't want and can't finish, you cheap fl 99
    via PalmerLynch7

  • Adult portions aren't a possibility for everybody.

    Crimson-X @CrimsonX483623 Some people have had bariatric sur_ry and can't eat an "adult" portion
    via CrimsonX483623
  • Lisa J. @originallisaJ3 Restaurants should offer a small serving or light fare menu. For people who don't have the stomach for eating a large meal. I often can't eat the entire adult serving meal.
    via originallisaJ3

  • It is important that kids come first.

    T Taylor Thomas @thomthumb21 It's not about portions. It's about families being able to afford eating out. The kids are non-negotiable. Maybe they barely cover their own cost. The restaurant profits on the adults who otherwise wouldn't be there. Grow up.
    via thomthumb21
  • lan Burt $ @shortyman09 For anyone who doesn't know, kids' menu prices are typically set to be at or below the cost it takes to make the food. The reason being that kids generally don't have money, but restaurants want to draw in families so that the parents (the people with the money) will come in and spend more money on the meals that actually make money. Now, I totally get people want to have access to smaller portions, and I think restaurants need to start seeing the change in trends to acco
    via shortyman09

  • Adults shouldn't need to feed themselves like children.

    Overeducated Gibbon @MostlyMonkey 1) kid's menus should be offered at reasonably low price in order to incentivize parents to visit & as pro-natalist community service 2) adults should not order off the kid's menu
    via MostlyMonkey
  • DengekiHime @Dengekichan I've never had a lot of money and sometimes when friends went out I would have to order off the kids menu because I couldn't afford a full meal, and yes I got laughed at by waiters
    via Dengekichan

  • There are other workarounds for smaller portions.

    Elle's Tenacious Librar... @DefAMust Read As an adult, if you If you want a smaller portion of something, you can order a side, a half portion, or you can just eat some at the restaurant and take the rest home. You are not entitled to children's pricing simply because you think you should be.
    via DefAMustRead
  • Nymdok @Nymdok Lol. Imagine being a grown adult and ordering off the kids menu. I could never. Get a salad, an appetizer, a to-go box at the end. Whatever. But please, recognize the kids menu is for kids, and you are no longer a kid. Kids are afforded special treatment that adults are not.
    via Nymdok

  • A lot of people don't like to take the option for children.

    Bottomless Pit Superv... ❤ @PitBottomSuper I would personally be embarrassed to order off the kids menu as a grown ass man
    via PitBottomSuper
  • Dragonlily @Review_bra kids meals in a lot of places are proportionally sold cheaper than adult meals, they can be half the size but a quarter of the price. a lot of places sell kids meals basically at cost or even a loss.
    via Review_bra

  • It's possible to cater to everyone.

    Habeas Corpus Linguisti... @HabCorpLinguist Restaurants offer senior discounts all the time. This is no different.
    via HabCorpLinguist
  • Haunti @xXHaunterellaXx This is the most boomer thinking, to charge them extra because it's supposed to be the same portion as the children's menu. Yeah just keep charging your customers extra, I'm sure that will roll over well in the long term. Idiot.
    via xXHaunterellaXx

  • A price difference doesn't have to be unreasonable.

    Lady Reaper @LadyReapr I wouldn't mind this. I wish they would just make a "small adults" menu so small adults like me can get a reasonably sized meal and not need an awkwardly heavy to go box.
    via LadyReapr
  • JBen @JBen_80 Or be a adult and stop ordering off the kids menu because you're broke. Take home what you don't eat
    via JBen_80

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