Circle Diner, Fairfield NOT WLS-friendly

Went out to dinner last week with my husband at Circle Diner in Fairfield. Since I really didn't feel too hungry, I thought maybe a child's portion would suffice, and politely asked the hostess if they ever allowed adults to order from the kids' menu. No, I was told. I explained that I had had WLS and could only eat small amounts of food. Still no. Offered to show her the card from Inamed that showed I had the surgery. Still no. Why not? "Because if we do it, people will abuse it." Uh...excuse me? "Abuse it" how? By EATING AT YOUR ESTABLISHMENT MORE OFTEN? By NOT throwing away perfectly good, but excessive amounts of, food? By NOT forcing your kitchen staff to box up the leftovers, and cause you to spend money on the packaging? As it turns out, the kid behind me ordered the "kids' portion" of spaghetti, and even THAT was huge - probably three times what I could have eaten and at least twice the amount that the average child should eat. I ended up ordering a burger (which, of course, is something humongous like 7 ounces), ate about an ounce of it and brought the rest of it home for the dogs. THEY, or course, were in heaven. I can't imagine the stir I would have caused if we had wanted to split a dish! I just don't get it. Will someone - perferably someone in the restaurant biz - please explain the logic behind making a customer UNhappy when they present a reasonable request? And what's the deal with protecting the sanctity of the kids' menu? If someone isn't hungry for a glutton's portion, shouldn't they be able to get "a little something"? Or am I being unreasonable? On the PLUS side, however, the Fairfield Diner and Vegetarian Enclave was willing, after I explained my situation, to welcome my future requests to be allowed to order from the kids' menu. Soooooo...Circle Diner thumbs down Fairfield Diner, thumbs up!

Hi Bette I am so sorry to hear this. I cannot believe how rude places can be. I have lived here in Fairfield for 10 years and have never been to the Circle Diner and now for sure I never will, nor will I suggest it to anyone. I have not run into that problem yet when I am ordering out and I hope I never will. I will keep you posted. Luis

In addition to formerly weighing over 500 pounds, in my prior life I also used to represent a number of restaurants (I'm a business lawyer). The issue with the kids menus is that they tend to generate a much lower profit than do adult meals but are offered essentially as an inducment for parents to order something for their kids so that the parents will order the bigger, more profitable entrees. As a result, many places tend to be pretty strict-- although there are a number of spots where the restaurants will allow adults to order off of the kids menu regardless of their medical conditions. For me, I don't worry about wasting food when I go out, as that was one (of many) behavior that lead me to always finishing what was left on the kids plates and polishing off that baked potato that I never really loved but was served with my entree. For the past couple of years, since surgery, I will tend to either order an appetizer or a small size portion of an entree (if it's available). Not that I make any excuses for rude service or disinterested restaurant owners, but there are business reasons for why a restaurant will risk losing someone as a return customer to insure the higher per plate profit that comes from keeping adults off the kids menu.

Well, just for that, I'm going to boycott them!! I hadn't gone yet but was tempted because it looks nice for a diner. Finding the right foods is such a struggle. I usually end up ordering an appetizer, but at a diner that really isn't much of an option. I guess we learn what places work & what places don't by trial and error. Phooey on the Circle Diner!! Kathy

Some places like to please their customers and other places do not. I really don't get it either. I went to my favorite Italian restaurant when I was just a little over 1 month out. At that point I could eat about 2 ounces of protein - and that was it. I've been to this place at least 1000 times (I'm not kidding) and I told them I would eat a few bites off my husband's plate, that I had just had surgery and I wouldn't be able to eat any more. They said they'd have to charge me a plate charge of $3 to do that. I offered to show my surgeon's card that indicates I had the surgery, and they would not budge. I asked to speak to the manager (who I know from going there so much) and he wouldn't even come out to talk to me. My husband didn't want to make a fuss, so we said fine to the plate charge - they brought his meal out in 2 plates. I told them this was not what we wanted, but they said it was the policy when splitting an order. I was very frustrated, and I didn't go back there for months. The problem is this - when they won't accommodate the WLS patient, then our family and friends don't dine there either. Don't they get it? On the other hand, Bugaboo Creek in Manchester lets me eat whatever I want. I usually get the kids menu, a small sirloin steak and a caesar salad for $5.99. I'm in heaven, the food is good, it is the right amount, and I'm totally satisfied. My husband gets a full entree and both boys get a child's meal as well, and they have us a regular, repeat customers. Its trial and error - I've learned to go with the flow when they object, and just not return there later. God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau Lap RNY 12/3/03 -98 lbs.

One other tip about the Circle Diner.... It may say Diner, but it has restaurant prices. What is and how does one get an Inamed card? Towanda (floch patient)