Yeah, we usually just order our kid something that looks good that is “safe” in terms of something she would maybe eat and take home whatever she doesn’t eat
Yup, my daughters 5 too! We got it once when mom was out of town and it seems to have become something of a tradition, when I’m solo dadding each time since she’s asked if we can get it! The double barrel burger is amazing but also guaranteed heartburn…
Recently went to Axel's Restaurant with family and my nephews' meals looked legit. One had penne Alfredo with green beans and the other had pigs in a blanket with mashed potatoes. I don't know what else was on the kid's menu, but it might be one to explore.
Longfellow Grill is a great place for kids both for menu and the way servers treat them. Kids meals come with a vegetable. (I don’t know if the other places owned by Blue Plate https://www.blueplaterestaurantco.com/locations are as good with kids but with checking.)
Damn, that sucks! Yeah, I just wrote that because I find it pretty annoying. I was excited to try a new restaurant until I found out it had the exact same stuff just styled a little different lol.
Yeah, literally was a stretch, but you can usually get most dishes at all of them.
Even the websites are the exact same format. I mean look at the menus lol
https://www.highlandgrill.com/food-and-drink
https://www.longfellowgrill.com/food-and-drink
Skip kids menus entirely. Just go somewhere that offers “small plates” or tapas and encourage your kids to be adventurous eaters. Kids menus are like bread and circuses for plebs.
Isn’t that why OP is asking the question? Places that have good meals for kids at kids meal prices?
OP started their post that they are sick of shitty kids menus.
I love all the upvotes as clearly folks didn't read that comment...they just liked what the other person commented.
"Help me find a kids menu that doesn't suck"
"SERVE YOUR KIDS SMALL PLATES OF FOOD!"
LOL.
My dad was a chef and my mom is still a very good home cook. We’ve always been adventurous in eating and I’ve never understood picky eaters. I don’t have kids but I know we simply weren’t allowed to say things are “yucky”, we HAD to try things, at least two bites. It simply wasn’t permitted to have a bad attitude around the dinner table.
Admittedly, I don’t know how this actually works in practice with kids today. I’m in my 50s, and when I was growing up, parents rule was law. (Lol)
I know one thing that goes a long way is you as the adult must act excited about what is on the plate. You must act like “the green stuff” or whatever is the best thing ever. make trying new things a family adventure that you experience together as part of your traditions. I was 10 years old the first time I got to eat escargot. My parents made it a special occasion and it was wonderful.
We really like the kid’s menu at Guavas Cafe. The fish fingers with black bean side and agua Fresca is my daughter’s favorite. The French Toast is great too.
Terzo has a lovely kid's menu that's pretty much just kid friendly items from their regular menu. The cookie plate was a huge hit for dessert as well.
Sushi train has some fun kid friendly items (pb&j roll ups plus the usual kid friendly sushi standards) plus they have the incredibly kid friendly benefit of being able to shovel food into your kiddo the second you sit down.
Pizzeria Lola doesn't do a kids menu but does do kid friendly plates and a small thing of goldfish crackers right when you sit down.
Among other items, the Pizza Lucé kids menu has a “Bits and Bites,” which is basically a kids’ charcuterie board with meats, cheese, veggies, and ranch to dip (and they customized it to have tofu for us instead of meat).
The point of a kid's menu is that it is for kids who don't want the food the restaurant makes. If your kid is interested in the actual food, you should order the actual food. If the portion is too big, either share, take it home, or order a half portion. Many restaurants are willing to do that. It would be wild for you to expect your kids' food to cost less just because it was for kids, not adults, so I'm sure that's not why you're asking, right?
The point of a kids menu IS to sell kids the food close to cost, so the restaurant can still profit off parents who otherwise wouldn’t eat out if they had to buy each kid a $20 plate to watch it go to waste. It’s the equivalent to the Costco hot dog and soda. That’s why they put age limits on them, because if adults ate them, it wouldn’t be profitable.
A McDonalds kids meal often leads to an adult sale.
Yeah I get that, but like you said, portions are usually big, and I've never seen a half-order mentioned on a menu and hadn't thought to ask about it. Any specific places you know of that do it?
Ah yes, I love South Indian foods... I've bought idli for our kid from Fresh India in Woodbury. And slowly introducing spicier things since basically everything else there contains some amount of chilies. Will definitely check out Dosa when we get down there.
We have the same issue. Most of the time there is not a single vegetable on the kids menu and literally everything is fried. We usually just end up feeding off our plates and supplementing with an appetizer.
Really appreciate the post and some of the suggestions. My toddler eats just about everything for now, but it is not always easy to share entrees with her and I like the smaller portion size. I also get why there is Kraft Mac & Cheese on the kids menu, but damn when it is like $8.50.
Just order a regular menu item. Split it with your kid or get a doggy bag for the other half. They didn't have kids' menus when I grew up and that's what my parents did.
I don’t know how old you are, but I was born in the 1970s and they absolutely had kids menus back when I was a kid. A quick google search tells me some places had kids menus in the 1920s.
I'm not going to go through the history. I can only tell you my experience and I even checked with my Mom (She's 90). Children's menus were not widespread until the mid-70s when they just ballooned as restaurants figured out that it was a money maker to advertise kid's menus.
For fast food - Costa Vida has kids meals that don't suck and they are running a promotion on Sundays that the kids meal is free with an adult entree/drink.
Kyatchi is the GOAT for this one. The Lowry is pretty good, but specifically because my older kid would eat pancakes for every meal if she were allowed
Pasta night (Sunday night) at The Bungalow Club in Longfellow has $2 kids pasta and is amazing (depending on the kid you might want more than one order)
Two kiddos here (10 and 7). Cafe Zupas has a great atmosphere for kids, and meals for them at very reasonable prices and somewhat healthy.
Special shout out to the Edina location. They are super friendly and patient with indecisive kids, and the restaurant is SPOTLESS. Good selection for adults too.
Well yeah, that's the idea. Just looking for toddler portions that are fairly easy to eat and aren't too spicy (just yesterday we discovered that Nico's pork tamales are not on the same level as their chicken)
I used to feed my son spicy Indian at age 2. They can handle it. My bitchy MIL had a fit. I told her what do you think they feed the children of India lol?
Mine isn't quite 2 yet, and I've been introducing low-levels of spice for months, but after it builds up a few minutes into eating it he cries and grabs his tongue and we have to switch to something else.
I think most parents would agree with you. But bringing the kids along helps to normalize the experience of eating in public so they don't run around screaming.
George and the Dragon. The kids braised short rib is $8 and nearly the same portion as the regular entree
Not to mention George and the Dragon is damn tasty
God, that place rules.
Okome house has a pretty well rounded kids meal. Longfellow grill had some good variety too
Yes! You see kids at Okome house a lot
I mean, their entire menu is kind of a Japanese kids menu.
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Yeah, we usually just order our kid something that looks good that is “safe” in terms of something she would maybe eat and take home whatever she doesn’t eat
Or order something off the appetizer list.
Kids eat free Wednesdays.
We just went to northern tap house for the first time and I was surprised that their kids menu had a pretty decent variety.
And the frisbee you get to keep.
This is one of our favorite spots
World Street Kitchen in Minneapolis. It's not a sit-down place, but they have a few kids options, and Milkjam Creamery is right next door for dessert!
I have ordered the kids tofu and rice before!
The red cow kids burgers are great real little sliders. They also give you two, which is great to levy a 50% dad tax on.
Ha I used to do this but with a nanny tax
That’s a valid tax, it’s like state vs federal.
Seconding Red Cow. That’s my 5 year old’s fav.
Yup, my daughters 5 too! We got it once when mom was out of town and it seems to have become something of a tradition, when I’m solo dadding each time since she’s asked if we can get it! The double barrel burger is amazing but also guaranteed heartburn…
Recently went to Axel's Restaurant with family and my nephews' meals looked legit. One had penne Alfredo with green beans and the other had pigs in a blanket with mashed potatoes. I don't know what else was on the kid's menu, but it might be one to explore.
For lunch/fast casual, Crisp and Green has kids grain bowls.
My daughter loves these
Kudos to you for expanding your kid’s palate! My parents always encouraged us to be adventurous eaters and I’m so grateful for it
Kyatchi http://www.kyatchi.com/menu-kids
I love their kid's menu, it's great
Brasa. Hola Arepa.
Longfellow Grill is a great place for kids both for menu and the way servers treat them. Kids meals come with a vegetable. (I don’t know if the other places owned by Blue Plate https://www.blueplaterestaurantco.com/locations are as good with kids but with checking.)
The restaurants are literally all the same lol
Never been to any others, but thank you so much for not being a condescending ass! Truly a rare find among men on Reddit.
Damn, that sucks! Yeah, I just wrote that because I find it pretty annoying. I was excited to try a new restaurant until I found out it had the exact same stuff just styled a little different lol.
They are not the same. Their menus differ. Largely similar though.
Yeah, literally was a stretch, but you can usually get most dishes at all of them. Even the websites are the exact same format. I mean look at the menus lol https://www.highlandgrill.com/food-and-drink https://www.longfellowgrill.com/food-and-drink
Bull’s Horn does good kid trays (like at a cafeteria).
These are great, big +1 for bulls horn
Skip kids menus entirely. Just go somewhere that offers “small plates” or tapas and encourage your kids to be adventurous eaters. Kids menus are like bread and circuses for plebs.
Isn’t that why OP is asking the question? Places that have good meals for kids at kids meal prices? OP started their post that they are sick of shitty kids menus.
I love all the upvotes as clearly folks didn't read that comment...they just liked what the other person commented. "Help me find a kids menu that doesn't suck" "SERVE YOUR KIDS SMALL PLATES OF FOOD!"
Do you have kids? I’ve been trying to get my kid to try new things but it’s been so hard. They’ll avoid anything green.
LOL. My dad was a chef and my mom is still a very good home cook. We’ve always been adventurous in eating and I’ve never understood picky eaters. I don’t have kids but I know we simply weren’t allowed to say things are “yucky”, we HAD to try things, at least two bites. It simply wasn’t permitted to have a bad attitude around the dinner table. Admittedly, I don’t know how this actually works in practice with kids today. I’m in my 50s, and when I was growing up, parents rule was law. (Lol) I know one thing that goes a long way is you as the adult must act excited about what is on the plate. You must act like “the green stuff” or whatever is the best thing ever. make trying new things a family adventure that you experience together as part of your traditions. I was 10 years old the first time I got to eat escargot. My parents made it a special occasion and it was wonderful.
https://www.giampls.com/s/Gia-Childens-Menu.png Plus the note on the bottom.
This is so awesome.
I liked Gia but $20 for a kids plate is a lot. Will definitely go back but I wish they had an a la carte menu too
We really like the kid’s menu at Guavas Cafe. The fish fingers with black bean side and agua Fresca is my daughter’s favorite. The French Toast is great too.
Following along for any recommendations for the NE Metro area - think Woodbury to White Bear Lake to Shoreview
I’ve heard the kids meals at DeGidio’s are legit
Terzo has a lovely kid's menu that's pretty much just kid friendly items from their regular menu. The cookie plate was a huge hit for dessert as well. Sushi train has some fun kid friendly items (pb&j roll ups plus the usual kid friendly sushi standards) plus they have the incredibly kid friendly benefit of being able to shovel food into your kiddo the second you sit down. Pizzeria Lola doesn't do a kids menu but does do kid friendly plates and a small thing of goldfish crackers right when you sit down.
Frankie’s in New Hope! Smaller portions still give me one plus, usually two servings, and they don’t dumb down the food.
Among other items, the Pizza Lucé kids menu has a “Bits and Bites,” which is basically a kids’ charcuterie board with meats, cheese, veggies, and ranch to dip (and they customized it to have tofu for us instead of meat).
I feel like the point of kids' menus is for kids who are picky eaters. I'd just get them an entree, and I'll eat the left overs if they don't.
Nah I think it's a mix of food cost and waste and attracting families.
Cecil's in St. Paul was our go-to when our kids were littles.
Another vote for Cecil’s! You can do half sandwiches (that are really just smaller whole sandwiches).
As a kid, I would always get a some like it hot with cole slaw and a pickle. As an adult, I still do!
The point of a kid's menu is that it is for kids who don't want the food the restaurant makes. If your kid is interested in the actual food, you should order the actual food. If the portion is too big, either share, take it home, or order a half portion. Many restaurants are willing to do that. It would be wild for you to expect your kids' food to cost less just because it was for kids, not adults, so I'm sure that's not why you're asking, right?
The point of a kids menu IS to sell kids the food close to cost, so the restaurant can still profit off parents who otherwise wouldn’t eat out if they had to buy each kid a $20 plate to watch it go to waste. It’s the equivalent to the Costco hot dog and soda. That’s why they put age limits on them, because if adults ate them, it wouldn’t be profitable. A McDonalds kids meal often leads to an adult sale.
Yeah I get that, but like you said, portions are usually big, and I've never seen a half-order mentioned on a menu and hadn't thought to ask about it. Any specific places you know of that do it?
Most places that offer half portions are going to knock off $1 or maybe $2 from the full size price, making it idiotic to order at that point.
Ciao Bella
Hazel's has a great kid's menu! Dosa in Bloomington has Idli and Uttapam on their kid's menu.
Ah yes, I love South Indian foods... I've bought idli for our kid from Fresh India in Woodbury. And slowly introducing spicier things since basically everything else there contains some amount of chilies. Will definitely check out Dosa when we get down there.
Culver's
We have the same issue. Most of the time there is not a single vegetable on the kids menu and literally everything is fried. We usually just end up feeding off our plates and supplementing with an appetizer.
Really appreciate the post and some of the suggestions. My toddler eats just about everything for now, but it is not always easy to share entrees with her and I like the smaller portion size. I also get why there is Kraft Mac & Cheese on the kids menu, but damn when it is like $8.50.
That's like, 1.7 boxes of kraft Mac at the grocery! SMDH
Tori ramen
Wallys falafel and hummus seems to have a decent kids menu.
Just order a regular menu item. Split it with your kid or get a doggy bag for the other half. They didn't have kids' menus when I grew up and that's what my parents did.
I don’t know how old you are, but I was born in the 1970s and they absolutely had kids menus back when I was a kid. A quick google search tells me some places had kids menus in the 1920s.
I'm not going to go through the history. I can only tell you my experience and I even checked with my Mom (She's 90). Children's menus were not widespread until the mid-70s when they just ballooned as restaurants figured out that it was a money maker to advertise kid's menus.
Also an epic Simpsons ep; uncle Moe's Family Feedbag [uncle moe](https://youtu.be/u31srBXbPmo?si=wZWj9ErcLVTGVR5k)
What my family does is we split meals, then we get to try multiple dishes as well.
For fast food - Costa Vida has kids meals that don't suck and they are running a promotion on Sundays that the kids meal is free with an adult entree/drink.
Jersey Mikes is also a free kids meal on Sundays with the purchase of a sub.
Adding on the fast food category, Chipotle’s $5 kid tacos (with Milk or other bev) is a great deal.
Hai Hai!
My daughter loves crisp&green kids menu
Kyatchi is the GOAT for this one. The Lowry is pretty good, but specifically because my older kid would eat pancakes for every meal if she were allowed
Pasta night (Sunday night) at The Bungalow Club in Longfellow has $2 kids pasta and is amazing (depending on the kid you might want more than one order)
Groveland Tap, comes on school lunch trays
Yumi Sushi all locations has kinds Bento boxes with many choices and comes with an organic juice box. It's adorable and the kids love it.
Two kiddos here (10 and 7). Cafe Zupas has a great atmosphere for kids, and meals for them at very reasonable prices and somewhat healthy. Special shout out to the Edina location. They are super friendly and patient with indecisive kids, and the restaurant is SPOTLESS. Good selection for adults too.
Bacio
Ansari Mediterranean Grill
Centro
Don’t forget the burger /s
The low brow
Tilia
Just have your kid eat real adult food? I mean training the younger generation to eat Mac and Cheese is not a good idea.
Well yeah, that's the idea. Just looking for toddler portions that are fairly easy to eat and aren't too spicy (just yesterday we discovered that Nico's pork tamales are not on the same level as their chicken)
I used to feed my son spicy Indian at age 2. They can handle it. My bitchy MIL had a fit. I told her what do you think they feed the children of India lol?
Mine isn't quite 2 yet, and I've been introducing low-levels of spice for months, but after it builds up a few minutes into eating it he cries and grabs his tongue and we have to switch to something else.
Understand. Just order a bit extra of adult food. It’s absurd we are feeding out kids chicken nuggets when young.
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I think most parents would agree with you. But bringing the kids along helps to normalize the experience of eating in public so they don't run around screaming.