Bringing in kids meals to Restaurants

[nugov2]

Seriously people this was not a post on what you think children should be eating. The post was I have a 1 & 3 year old that wont (weather you like it or not) eat off some of the disney kids menus.Yay for you if your kids do. Last Oct they either picked and didn't eat because they were sick of looking at food or we bought them a second meal after. Disney is a strenuous vacation. They need patients to wait in lines which is hard for an adult to do if they haven't eaten well. It is also not an option to miss my Dh's favorite meals Le cellier and Cali grill because the kids meal consists of grilled chicken, steak, and salmon. (and please dont tell me there is pizza at cali grill because a kids pizza that comes out with slices of tomato on it is not a kids pizza) Our amazing waiter at Cali actually apologized for the lack of choices for small children last year so I know its not just my family.

How about uncrustable pb and jelly. I would freeze them and bring them in a little cooler for my picky eater when we were in WDW. I understand what it is to have picky eaters. All 3 of mine are/were. Now it is pretty much just my 3yr old that is, but I froze yogurt tubes(stonyfield has some good not packed with sugar ones) Also just plain a plain cheese sandwich, they have the goldfish bread at the CS restaurants with their sandwiches and you can buy it and just put it in a little cooler to bring into the restaurant. There are lots of things you can find at the QS that are not temperature sensitive that you can bring in with you. It is WDW, I don't find it rude there, plus you have already stated you will tip extra. Go, have fun and pack your kids little meals for the restaurants they don't like

 

[ttintagel]

Just because a menu doesn't contain the particular items your particular children happen to like, that doesn't make it "not kid-friendly." You're extrapolating your children's tastes onto the entire planet's population.

 

[CinderElsa]

 

[Adlergray]

Just because a menu doesn't contain the particular items your particular children happen to like, that doesn't make it "not kid-friendly." You're extrapolating your children's tastes onto the entire planet's population.

Really!?! Just Really!?! I guess I didn't realize I was so powerful that my opinion on disneys kids meals affected the entire planet. COME ON!!!!

 

[juliebug1997]

And, if someone asks, someone's going to answer. You may not like every answer, but you really should expect that not every answer is one you want to hear.

There are lots of nice (what could be categorized as signature or nicer) here in Dallas that do not have children's menus. Granted they're not at Disney World, but not every restaurant is going to have that. I'm sure if you had asked how the pizza came (is it tomatoes or tomato sauce?), then you would have discovered that it wasn't something that your child would eat. I'm not a tomato fan so, when I see "tomato" on a pizza, I ask if they mean tomatoes or tomato sauce.

 

[Adlergray]

Since this thread has gone way off topic in many different directions. I will thank the truly helpful people. I will probably "pack a meal" smoothie pouches, cereal, ect. to take with me like I keep in my diaper bag now in case they don't want eat. I was just hoping to find any easier option as we fly and never order groceries but maybe this is the year to try.


Everyone else chill out! I was just looking for a solution to a problem I am having. Not a "disneys kids meals suck everyone should boycott and bring in your own food" Also just because we are going to Cali grill and Le Cellier does not mean we are not going to other restaurants that are better able to feed my entire family. Those are just the ones we were having a problem with.

 

[Adlergray]

And, if someone asks, someone's going to answer. You may not like every answer, but you really should expect that not every answer is one you want to hear.

There are lots of nice (what could be categorized as signature or nicer) here in Dallas that do not have children's menus. Granted they're not at Disney World, but not every restaurant is going to have that. I'm sure if you had asked how the pizza came (is it tomatoes or tomato sauce?), then you would have discovered that it wasn't something that your child would eat. I'm not a tomato fan so, when I see "tomato" on a pizza, I ask if they mean tomatoes or tomato sauce.

Yes and the answers that stayed on the topic were fine even if they said they didn't think I should bring in food. However when people feel free to tell me how my children should eat or imply that we should focus more on our kids needs with out knowing anything beside the fact that we have 2 very picky eaters who wont eat anything at a few restaurants. That's not really answering the question now is it?

Now on the second part I'm not sure where you came up with the fact that I didn't know how the pizza at cali grill was prepared. You obviously don't have children because you would then know that they don't give you a spreadsheet of what they will and won't eat at 14 mths and 2 1/2. I did know that the pizza came with tomato slices on it. We let them try it. Its how picky children learn to eat new things. They could have loved it. My youngest ate vegi pizza from Crystal palace and loved it but wouldn't touch Cali's. Now we know. We also may order it for them again for the same reason but I need to make sure my children are eating well and wanted to be proactive this trip instead of reactive. I would be more than happy to hear if you have an actual opinion on this.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Seriously people this was not a post on what you think children should be eating. The post was I have a 1 & 3 year old that won't (whether you like it or not) eat off some of the disney kids' menus.Yay for you if your kids do. Last Oct they either picked and didn't eat because they were sick of looking at food or we bought them a second meal after. Disney is a strenuous vacation. They need patience to wait in lines which is hard for an adult to do if they haven't eaten well. It is also not an option to miss my Dh's favorite meals Le cellier and Cali grill because the kids meal consists of grilled chicken, steak, and salmon. (and please dont tell me there is pizza at cali grill because a kids pizza that comes out with slices of tomato on it is not a kids pizza) Our amazing waiter at Cali actually apologized for the lack of choices for small children last year so I know its not just my family.

There are more reasonable ways to provide enough food to keep a child energized throughout a strenuous vacation day than to bring food purchased elsewhere into a restaurant.

Imagine being a restaurateur willing to make adjustments to kids' menu items (but not to permanently change the menu) but still lose revenue because diners bring food from outside.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I disagree. Most places will have chicken fingers if there are no chicken nuggets. However, a "panko crusted chicken finger" is not a child friendly chicken finger. My son took one look and would not even touch it I think it was at the Wave. Maybe if they made it Mickey-shape, he might have tried it.

We have taken food from QS locations into TS restaurants for my 4yo. I've even had to open a lunchable a few times. A few TS locations we tried ordering and he refused to eat it, then DH went out to get him food from a QS.

I say save your money. If the waiter is going to make a big fuss over the $6 kids meal, then they are not very good. And kids under 3 can share from your plate, so you don't have to worry about your 1yo.

How is Panko different from [standard] bread crumbs? "Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb traditionally used as a coating for deep-fried foods such as tonkatsu. The biggest difference between panko and standard breadcrumbs is that panko is made from bread without crusts, says Pam Becker, media representative for Progresso, which makes both types.

Panko’s crustless bread is coarsely ground into airy, large flakes that give fried foods a light, crunchy coating. The flakes tend to stay crispier longer than standard breadcrumbs because they don’t absorb as much grease."
http://www.chow.com/food-news/54616/how-is-panko-different-from-breadcrumbs/

 

[aubriee]

So I know its uncouth to bring outside food in to a restaurant, but last year my 1&3 year old only ate at about 1/2 the restaurants we went to. With all the new non kid friendly kids menus there are a few places I am thinking about getting a QS chicken meal before we go in. Now I know its not proper but I am tired of paying for food that my kids don't eat. As long as we tip well and The 4 "disney Adults" eat off the menu. Do you see anyone saying anything about it. Disney days are long and these kids need energy and them not eating is not a good thing.

I haven't even bothered reading the rest of the posts, since these threads always go the same way. Someone knows something is wrong, but wants justification for doing it anyway. However, I think you answered your own question. You know it's "uncouth" and "not proper". It seems like you just want to know if you can get away with it. If I was you I'd just feed the little munchins before we went and then order them a dessert and a drink. No way would I ever consider bringing food from one restaurant into another. As you yourself said, it's just uncouth.

 

[Topper]

Everyone else chill out!

At California Grill order the kids pizza without the tomato slices, or ASK what the kitchen can do.

At Le Cellier ASK what the kitchen can do. Buttered noodles, mac & cheese, grilled cheese, etc.

You are not limited to what is on the menu, the kitchen can and will make small accommodations.

 

[mzozzietj]

I have a super picky water and I have brought snacks and food in small baggies for her as a backup plan in the past. I'd definitely bring something for snacking but ask the server if they can accommodate. At be our guest we got plain pasta no sauce, butter, or cheese. At ohana I was surprised when they brought her chicken nuggets. I've found Disney to be more accommodating than most places. Good luck!

 

[nalajms]

How is Panko different from [standard] bread crumbs?

There's nothing wrong with Panko. But for a picky 4yo, the panko chicken fingers looked like a spiky cactus. DH ended up eating it. My 4yo is sensitive to look and texture. We ordered a mac & cheese at flying fish, specifically asking for very something basic. They prepared it with a tuby fusilli and large shavings or cheese on top. One look and he said no.

 

[maxiesmom]

There's nothing wrong with Panko. But for a picky 4yo, the panko chicken fingers looked like a spiky cactus. DH ended up eating it. My 4yo is sensitive to look and texture. We ordered a mac & cheese at flying fish, specifically asking for very something basic. They prepared it with a tuby fusilli and large shavings or cheese on top. One look and he said no.

I can't even fathom how hard it must be to eat out with a child that is that particular about their food.

 

[Adlergray]

I haven't even bothered reading the rest of the posts, since these threads always go the same way. Someone knows something is wrong, but wants justification for doing it anyway. However, I think you answered your own question. You know it's "uncouth" and "not proper". It seems like you just want to know if you can get away with it. If I was you I'd just feed the little munchins before we went and then order them a dessert and a drink. No way would I ever consider bringing food from one restaurant into another. As you yourself said, it's just uncouth.

Actually I was looking for other options and some people have been nice to provide them.

 

[Adlergray]

At California Grill order the kids pizza without the tomato slices, or ASK what the kitchen can do.

At Le Cellier ASK what the kitchen can do. Buttered noodles, mac & cheese, grilled cheese, etc.

You are not limited to what is on the menu, the kitchen can and will make small accommodations.

We did, we are not idiots! My child will not eat those things either. If there was a way to feed them normally we would.

 

[texasroni75]

My youngest has sensory/texture issues, as well as a severe nut allergy. We skipped most TS options this past WDW trip, but we do eat sit-down meals at restaurants near home at least once a month. I have never resorted to bringing an entire meal from home, but I do supplement with snacks brought from home that I know he will eat. Typically, he will eat maybe one or two things from the menu (for example: mandarin oranges that come as a side).

If, however it was a week straight of every meal being a TS meal, I would consider bringing more food from home in with us, in addition to asking at length about what options they have that would work for him. I have no problem explaining his dietary restrictions if they questioned us about bringing in "outside food" if there really were no options we felt comfortable with, although nobody ever has. We do as OP mentioned and adjust the tip to make sure the server is compensated.

 

[MisterGoofy1]

1) Bringing outside food into a different restaurant is tacky and classless.

2) If there aren't things your kids won't eat, either feed them before, or go to a different restaurant.

3) What's with all these people with picky eaters? When I was growing up, we ate what was fixed. We didn't like it, we didn't eat. Children are just too coddled nowadays.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

just remember that restaurants can not heat up food from outside if you bring from home or buy and bring it. also if looking at counter serves that have mac and cheese, you still may not be able to get plain mac as it could come premade and heated there.

 

[lillygator]

Seriously people this was not a post on what you think children should be eating. The post was I have a 1 & 3 year old that wont (weather you like it or not) eat off some of the disney kids menus.Yay for you if your kids do. Last Oct they either picked and didn't eat because they were sick of looking at food or we bought them a second meal after. Disney is a strenuous vacation. They need patients to wait in lines which is hard for an adult to do if they haven't eaten well. It is also not an option to miss my Dh's favorite meals Le cellier and Cali grill because the kids meal consists of grilled chicken, steak, and salmon. (and please dont tell me there is pizza at cali grill because a kids pizza that comes out with slices of tomato on it is not a kids pizza) Our amazing waiter at Cali actually apologized for the lack of choices for small children last year so I know its not just my family.

that sounds like NO fun. Definitey not a vacation.

I am lucky to have kids who will eat most everything, but we always fed them what we had for dinner, we didn't make seperate meals to cater to them.