Question:
Restaurants not willing to serve you children's portions?
I recently ate at an italian restaurant called Tucci Benucch here in Minneapolis. They do have these restaurants in other cities. I asked to order off the children's menu and advised that I had gastric bypass surgery and could not even finish the child's portion. I was denied the child's meal. I wrote a nice letter to the General Manager of this restaurant, and this is the response I received back: <br> <br> Thank you for your feedback on your concerns regarding our children's menu and your surgery. We do value your business and appreciate all the people that you have brought to this restaurant over the years and would like to accomadate your needs as best as possible. Our childrens menu, however, is priced to be a value for families. We do not expect parents to spend 8-15$ for the children under the age of 12 to eat, but at the same time we want the families to enjoy an exciting meal here at Tucci Benucch. Essentially, we have structured the pricing of our childrens menu at the lowest cost possible, in order to accomadate these families. We will do smaller portions if you would like, but rather than ordering off the childrens menu we can offer a different alternative. I will instruct my staff and managers to allow you to offer half portions of our menu items. The price will be half the menu price plus 2 dollars. I hope that this alternative will allow you to dine here at Tucci and as you know from dining here, we do what we can to help any guest's need. Please feel free to call me directly or email me in return if you have any questions regarding this subject or any other concern you have with our restaurant. Thank you again <br> <br> Sincerely,<br> <br> Frederico Navarro<br> General Manager<br> Tucci Benucch<br> 952-853-0200<br> <br> <br> Now while that may SOUND nice, it still bothers me that they refuse to let us eat from the child's menu. I realize they need to make money, but I do not go in the restaurant alone. I go in a group. So, I will probably still go to this restaurant, but now, I won't order anything. I will sit there and eat their free bread, and pick off all my friends plates. So, in the end, they are still losing money. I refuse to order a half order and be PENALIZED an additional $2 and get nothing for it. <br> <br> Is it me? This just seems unfair to me. I eat LESS than a child. Why won't they serve me a child's portion? — Goldilauxx B. (posted on December 15, 2003)
December 15, 2003
They didn't even have to do what they did. I think that they're being
very accomodating in order to get your business and you're not even meeting
them halfway.
<p>
Personally, my wife and I (both WLS posties) eat at the Olive Garden -
which is a similar restaurant. We order appetizers and main courses and
bring most of each of them home for us or our kids usually :-() to enjoy
for future meal(s)...JR
— John Rushton
December 15, 2003
Although I am a newbie (and hopefully to become one of those on the
"other side" of the wls fence, I really don't agree with the
management of the resteraunt for several reasons:
1) You were being honest and forthright--and it was not like you were
trying to get something for nothing! Resteraunts can be costly these days
and sometimes taking food home for the next day is neither as good as it
was the 1st time around or sometimes you just dont want to eat it again as
soon as you have to before it goes bad.
2) You say you are likely to go back to the location and just nibble on the
freebies and possibly pick a little on a friend's. Ok that will hurt them
that day (cause you did not purchase anything) but what if you went the
other route and did not go back -- and told your friends, and so on and so
on and so on ....that could really end up hurting them moreso in the long
run.
It is not like 50% of their clients are in this situation so I cant
understand how come they cant accomodate your request. Our local support
group have come up with an possible solution to your problem -- wether you
want to try it is up to you. We have resteraunt cards explaining the
situation and present them to the wait staff should the siutation arise.
Some people carry them and others dont. Just something you may want to
consider. Take care.
Julie
— Julie M.
December 15, 2003
I think they offered you a great deal. the major cost of the food is not
the price of the ingrediants, but the labor involved in preparing it,
serving it, and the cleanup after. They have a children's menu to bring in
families and make money off what the parents ordered. restaurants as all
businesses are in business for one purpose only - to make money. I have
never been to the restaurant you mention, but most children's menus are
CRAP food I wouldn't eat anyways. fried stuff, mac & cheese,
cheeseburgers, etc. If I dont want to eat a whole meal I order shrimp
cocktail and a small side salad, or a non-fried appetiser. Most of the
time I just order what I want off the menu eat what I wan and box up the
rest for lunch tomorrow or toss it in the garbage. Wasteful? maybe, but
when I was eating it all and gaining 150 pounds I was wasting it too by
eating more than my body needed- using my stomaach as the trash can. to be
quite honest I would be embarrassesd to go to a decent restaurant and pick
off my friends plates. They might just smack my hand and tell me to get my
own food. If the $2.00 is such a big deal to you maybe eating at home is a
better idea.
— **willow**
December 15, 2003
I think they are giving you a good deal. I do not believe that since I have
ahd WLS that I am entitled to order off the kids menu. I have never even
asked. I did not ask for special considerations before WLS and will not ask
for them now. What I do is get the whole meal and either A. Bring home
leftovers or B. I have given left overs to my lids or to a homeless person
on the street. I think it is a great offer you were given. I do not mean to
offend just wanted to give my 2 cents.
— Stephanie B.
December 15, 2003
I posted a similar situation/response involving Old County Buffet a few
months ago and was HORRIBLY TRASHED here. I am glad to see that the
responses so far have not been that nasty. I have a problem with buffets
not being willing to charge me less when I have a documented medical
reason. I don't mind paying full price for a meal if I can take what is
left home with me. Old County Buffet will not allow this. They even went so
far as to tell me that people enjoy the prices they charge. I have not and
will not go back to Old County Buffet.
Often times my husband will order a meal and I will order a small salad or
soup. He shares a bit of his meal with me. I eat so little that he doesn't
miss what he shares. The only draw back to this is I am afraid that he will
order something he thinks I would want rather than what he really wants for
himself.
— Kathy J.
December 15, 2003
I personally would not go back there. Or, if I did, I would just eat off
of my husband's plate. Food never tastes as good reheated over so I
wouldn't want the leftovers. A child of 12 can eat more than I can eat.
So far, I haven't had a problem eating off of a child's menu once I show
them the card that my surgeon gave us. For instance, tomorrow night my
support group is meeting at a Maverick for a Christmas get together and
they are letting us all eat off of the child's menu if we show our cards.
THAT is at least 25 people. Instead of paying $6.99 for an all you can eat
buffet, we will be paying $3.99. I am willing to pay that but would never
go to a buffet and pay full price when I can't eat that much. In your
situation, it might be a good deal to pay for a half order, but why are
they charging you an additional $2.00?
— Checker B.
December 15, 2003
Thanks for all your posts. The children's menu at this restaurant is small
portions of adult meals. There is no fried "crap" food on the
kids menu. This is one reason I really enjoyed this restaurant. While I
appreciate the manager offering to allow WLSers to order half portions, I
do not agree with the $2 surcharge. They are making almost half back of
the "half" they allowed me to take off the bill - without giving
me the food. And while it's nice that a lot of you take home leftovers,
this restaurant is in the Mall of America (400 stores). When we go to this
restaurant we are there to shop. You can imagine how long shopping is at
this mall. By the time the food could be refrigerated, it would be
spoiled, wilted and nasty. And I am aware of the cards explaining surgery
to managers. I do have one. This restaurant doesn't care. I just wanted
to share my experience with everyone. And I know this board is famous for
bashing comments like these. Frankly, I'm one of those who doesn't give a
rats ass. I will always voice my opinion. :)
— Goldilauxx B.
December 15, 2003
I do not understand why this restaurant manager did not understand our
situation regarding our surgery. In fact today I ate at Shoneys and they
honored my request. Does this restaurant want any repeat business? Let
this story get out over the country and they might change their mind.
— Gene F.
December 15, 2003
What I find upseting is the 2.00 charge for 1/2 of the meal. I myself would
order the regular meal and take what I don't eat home. I feel the
restaurant charging extra for 1/2 a meal is wrong. There is no extra effort
on there part to put less on the plate and have the rest left over for
someone else. The serving, cleanup is the same as if the plate were full.
The 2.00 charge is just to discourage you from patronizing their
establishment which I would do and hurt them in the pocketbook by telling
your friends. One person complaining does nothing but if you tell your
friends and they stay away they you have put a tiny dent in their earnings.
— natalcia
December 15, 2003
My opinion about restaurants not accomodating us weightloss patients is
just that.I don't feel that they should have to accomodate us.My surgeon as
do many do not promote the restaurant card.This surgery should help us to
eat in a more normal fashion...there are better options than ordering off
of the childrens menu,why should we assume that we should be entitled to it
just because we eat less.Most restaurants do offer half sized portions
without an extra fee.If they don't then I can always find something that I
can finish. We should adapt to our new circumstance instead of expecting
the restaurants to because that was a choice that we chose.
— jennifer A.
December 15, 2003
For me personally I do not understand why WLS patients feel they are
entitled to eat a childs portion and only pay for that. As the manager
indicated he is willing to accommodate your request in a slightly different
manner. As someone else said it's not so much the cost of the food but the
labor and facility overhead, hence the $2 charge.
<p>Personally I would not waste my money on a childs portion when I
can get lots more food for twice the cost. I went out to dinner tonight.
I ordered a $17 T-bone. I ate about 1/5th and brought the rest home along
with the potato. The cost of my steak, divided by the 5 meals I will get
out of it, comes out to the cost of a childs portion or even less. If I
don't want to eat it days in a row till it's gone I can choose to freeze
some of it in serving size portions.
<p>Just because we chose to have surgery does not entitle us to
special accommodations. I still do buffets and yes I do not get my money's
worth but it's one meal once in a great while. I do chinese buffets as
it's the best way for me to control eating that kind of food. If I get
take out and have left overs at home it's not a good thing. I keep grazing
on it till it's gone. So no matter how much I spend on a chinese buffet it
is money well spent as I can only eat so much at one sitting. It's worth
throwing away some money for me to enjoy that type of food and keep it
under control. I'm fine with leftovers of other kinds of food, but not
chinese. I go out for the companionship of the people I am with, not to
pig out any longer. Been there, done that and it got me to well over 400
lbs not once but twice in my life.
<p>You are certainly entitled to your opinion, just as I am. I guess
I'm enjoying my new healthy life so much that this is something not even
worth thinking about to me. I just found my way to deal with it and not
get upset about it. Another option is to ask if you can order off the
senior's menu as some restaurants will allow that.
— zoedogcbr
December 15, 2003
I think it was nice that they offered to allow you to order 1/2 size
portions from their menu for 1/2 price, but I do not agree with that $2
penalty fee. Some places will allow you to order from a child's menu...
other's won't. It is really their choice. But there is always
"something" that can be ordered in smaller quantities. I would
think that is a "small" problem to deal with.... as part of a
choice to have WLS. (((hugs)))
— [Deactivated Member]
December 15, 2003
I used to eat at both Old Country Buffet and Ponderosa regularly. After
WLS, I showed my scar and was able to eat at the Childs price for around
3-4 times. Honest, I ate hardly anything and knowing they were gving me a
break I went all out not to eat much anyway. Then both stopped. So I don't
go to OCB anymore UNLESS they have my favorite, Chicken and Dumplings. They
say they have it on Mondays. Usually they don't and I politely walk out.
I'm not paying almost nine dollars to eat around a cup of food if I can't
even eat my favorite item on their menu. IF my family insists on going
there, I will eat, barf and eat some more. Yeah I know it sounds bad. But I
hardly ever over eat and will not pay that kind of money for a cup of food
or less. An occasional over eating is not going to hurt the pouch. I know
as I've kept my weight off for over 2.5 years so I must be doing something
right. As far as Ponderosa, if I have to pay full price (and I do) I may as
well take some puny chicken legs/wings home to eat later. Usually I just do
my best to stay away from the ALL YOU CAN EAT places. I go with someone
else and order an extra plate. SO FAR, when I've explained to the waitress'
WHY I want the extra plate, they've all been very good. "SO FAR".
Ether doing this, or ordering an apetizer works the best. I usually eat at
the same four or five restaurants/diners and they know about my WLS and are
very supportive and gracious. I know none of them owe us anything, HOWEVER
I DON'T OWE THEM ANYTHING ETHER! It works BOTH WAYS. So I support the
business that will some me some consideration. In turn, I will show them
consideration too. There are MANY places to eat. Choose ones that work for
YOU.
— Danmark
December 15, 2003
I can't imagine why anyone would want to eat off the children's menu,
unless you're a child. I've never seen one that was appealing. And I
suppose I will get flamed for this, but I don't understand why people think
they're entitled to special treatment. If you're not a child, you
shouldn't be served a child's dinner. Just get a regular one and split it
with a friend, or take it home. I make almost three meals out of most
restaurant food. That's most likely a better deal all around than the
children's menu. I guess I'm missing something.
— Lisa C.
December 15, 2003
The children's menu in lots of restaurants is like fast food and high in
calories, so I never look at it or look at a cheap way to eat. When I go
out to eat, I order what I want and eat what I can of it. We've all got to
get over this "wasted food" syndrome. If you don't eat it, ask
for a doggie bag, but don't expect special favors from a business that's
trying to make money just because you can't eat it all. And if they don't
accommodate you in the way you want, don't eat there. Very simple
solution!
— Cathy S.
December 15, 2003
You know, I spent most of my life being singled out for being fat and now
I'm actually enjoying appearing 'normal' to the rest of the world. I don't
ask for special accomodations anymore...why on earth would I want to be
singled out yet again!?!? I just figure I'm paying for ambience and the
joy of not cooking and cleaning up after.
— [Deactivated Member]
December 15, 2003
Me and jen share meals since were both posties or order off the appetizer
menu. At a regular restaurant theres nothing stopping you from ordering a
appetizer or side dish then sharing your hubbys meal. We also bring
leftovers home for the next days lunch. Buffets we avoid except for social
occasions. At 2+ years out we eat normal portions for thin people and I
dont expect a discount. Although Ponderosa offeres senior meals. They are
often smaller portions of the same food, yet another option. With WLS
becoming more popular restaurants to earn our business will be more
accomodating. Frankly leftovers are often very tasty!:)
— bob-haller
December 15, 2003
We go out to eat probably once a week. I order a salad and an entree.. I
get the salad, nibble on it a bit, then when I get my meal, which is
usually a chicken meal of some sort, I eat what I can, then eat more salad,
and have the entree wrapped and I bring it home. That way I get to enjoy
my meal twice or even 3 times. We don't go to buffets because I'm sure we
would be tempted to eat more than we truly need or want to eat, and I would
get sick. (Sorry, but eating, barfing, and eating more is NOT the answer,
that is bulimia, and is a very dangerous thing to do, physically and
mentally, and I feel should not be an option here.) The restaurant is
probably being as accomodating as it can be. I don't think we should
demand special treatment because we chose to have this surgery. I'm not
one that hides the fact that I have had surgery, I tell anyone who
asks..lol, but when I go out to eat, it's to enjoy the company of the
people I am with, it's not all about the food now. I don't want to spend
my whole time explaining over and over. Just my 2 cents. RNY 5/15/03 down
101 lbs. :-)
— KellyJeanB
December 15, 2003
Goldi,
I am sure I will get flamed for my answer. You are not a child an hence
are not entitled to a child's portion. To expect that is unreasonable.
Personally, I did not offer to pay more when I could eat more than my fair
share at 423 pounds. I don't require special pricing now. I eat out a
lot. Some places have offered me senior pricing as a courtesy because I am
a good customer (I am not that far from being entitled to those price.)
Hope you enjoy your next meal out. If you think it will cause you more
grief and upset, maybe some home-cooked meals would be better.
Best regards,
Ann
— Ann B.
December 15, 2003
Goli, I'm sorry, but the $2 is a very nominal charge to serve a half
portion. Recently my granddaughter and I split a portion at a nice
restaurant and they charged me $7. The server said it was because they gave
us each a salad and vegetables. (she offered this info, I did not even ask)
If they are just serving you half of some items, like a steak or chicken
breast or nice piece of fish, and no one is splitting it with you - the
other half will have to be wasted. Since they don't know in advance what
you might order, I think they are being extremely accommodating.
— Sheryl S.
December 15, 2003
I agree with the others who said they didn't have to offer you anything.
No flames please, but we're just not THAT special. I worked in the
restaurant business for 14 years when I was young, and I had never seen or
heard of anyone who had any type of stomach surgery or medical issues which
forced them to eat less asking for special favors. Sure, go ahead &
ask, but if they say no, then just get over it. Sorry for being so blunt,
but come on, we got our money's worth in the past, and now we have doggie
bags...it's a great trade-off in my opinion.
— Leslie F.
December 15, 2003
I rarely use my WLS card, just because I don't want to be treated any
differently anymore. I don't want special treatment. <br> When my
hubby and I go out to eat, we order an entree we both would like, and I get
a salad or soup and have a few bites of what he is having. Or I get an
appetizer. <br>There is rarely a child's menu item I would eat as a
post-op. Usually fried chicken fingers and grilled cheese- no
thanks.<br>
— kultgirl
December 16, 2003
I have to agree with the others. I have never used my WLS card and do not
intend too. I have seen others complain about certain restaurants not
honoring these cards or not allowing you to order off the childrens menu
and have pretty much got the same response. Just because we had surgery
does not entitle us to some sort of special treatment.
— Dawn P.
December 16, 2003
I agree with some other posters that I really don't care if I get special
rates, etc. Last week, when we went out for my birthday, I ordered
crabcakes, the best and most meaty I've ever had in a restaurant. I think
the waitress told the chef that I had barely eaten any of my meal, and he
came out to check. At that point, I had already asked for a
"to-go" box, and I then told the chef how wonderful the meal was.
And he said, I guess you just weren't real hungry tonight, and I just
agreed with him. It was great to have another meal from that dinner, and I
also shared a bit of it with my hubby, who was most appreciative. I still
think I'm getting my money's worth, because I usually get several meals
from my restaurant orders. I do agree with you, though, that you shouldn't
be charged an extra $2 for ordering half. Half-price should be half-price!
— Carlita
December 16, 2003
I've got to jump on the bandwagon here and support the $2 fee. The
restaurant business is very narrow margin business (that is, it's hard to
make a profit), and has high overhead (their fixed costs are a substantial
portion of the cost of running the business--paying staff, equipment, heat
and lights, replacing broken dishes, etc.). Because of the high overhead
it does cost them more than 1/2 of the price of your meal to provide 1/2 a
meal--they are paying the cooks, the wait staff, the hostess, etc. the same
and washing full dishes, etc. regardless of whether you've gotten a full
meal or a half one. Even with a $2 charge they are not making money on
you. Don't be harsh on a business for trying to make a profit. That's
what they're supposed to do. I think the accomodation they offered is more
than reasonable.
— Vespa R.
December 16, 2003
Sorry, I have to add my two cents in also. I think the restaurant is being
very gracious in offering you the chance to order half a portion and that
$2 fee is nothing. Honestly, I don't think they need to do anything. I try
to order from senior menu's or childrens menus and if they deny me, I don't
get into an argument and announce to the world I'm a gastric bypass
patient. They don't have to do anything for you, they do to be nice and
keep your business. Order appetizers or order a whole meal, take it home,
eat some of it later. Big deal. Just because you've altered yourself
doesn't mean that everyone needs to be accomodating for your situation. If
it's that big a deal, quit eating out.
— Dee ,.
December 16, 2003
I think the restaurant is offering a fair deal in response to your
comments. I used my restaurant card once, early on, and decided never to
use it again. Some restaurants have luncheon portions, and they will allow
you to order that, rather than the regular dinner portion.(Olive Garden is
one restaurant where I have done that. I can't finish the luncheon protion,
but I usually don't take home what's left.) My DH and I have both had RNY,
so we either split an entree, or split an appetizer and have a cup of soup
each. If I am out with another group, I order an appetizer or cup of soup,
or I order a chicken sandwich - no bread, and sub a small salad for fries
or chips or whatever thing they serve with the sandwich. You just have to
learn to be creative when you order.
— koogy
December 16, 2003
I've decided that what I was going to do is when I decide to go to a
restaurant I wasn't going to ask for any modification. This decision I
made for me and this decision I alone will deal with. I'll ask for a
doggie bag and If I can't eat it all I'll just give it away (I have a
husband and 8 children, someone will eat it). I recognize the restaurant
has to make money and the children's menu is to make it so that FAMILIES
will still come to the restaurant without using "i have children"
as a reason not to go. Why not pay the full price, order the menu as you
desire and then take the rest home with you. Then everyone's happy. Eat
on it for a few days or decide to give it away.
Love you and hope all is well with you.
Terri Taylor 5 days post op down 13#
— tinky471
December 16, 2003
Ok.. some of you got the point of my post. Others didn't. It's not that I
feel i DESERVE to order from a child's menu. In fact, they had let me
order from it many times before (and it's adult food, just children's
portions). The POINT of this post was that to so "graciously"
offer me a HALF order but to pay 3/4 the price isn't a "deal." I
would have gladly accepted the "order half the meal at HALF the
price." But, to UPCHARGE me $2? How is that a deal? I'm paying MORE
for LESS food. I have never shown a restaurant a card for weight loss
surgery. I don't even have one. This is the ONLY restaurant that I asked
for a child's portion because they have REAL food. None of that fried
crap. And when I sent a letter explaining kindly the situation of why I
would like to order a smaller meal, I didn't see how basically offering me
$2 off the regular price, but HALF the food was a deal. And, like I said,
this is in a HUGE mall. You do not want to drag food around with you for
HOURS and then try to eat it later. It's just gross. If I had someone to
split it with, I would do that instead. And, I don't mind the post
bashing. You know what is said about opinions... and how everyone has
one... :)
— Goldilauxx B.
December 16, 2003
— Evett B.
December 16, 2003
I'm with the posters who say order the regular menu item and take the rest
home for another meal or two. This is what I do all the time. I have read
a number of postings from post-ops who seem to expect the rest of the world
to accommodate their new lifestyle. There will always be restrictions we
have to follow and adjustments we have to make. It's the price we pay for
this wonderful new life we have. I'll happily pay full price for the great
life that I've been given.
— [Deactivated Member]
December 16, 2003
Well, I guess if you would like to keep arguing with the people you are
REALLY upset with, keep arguing with the chain restaurant with the goofy
name. <br><br>
Nearly every menu I have looked at, where it lists the "Children's
Menu", it says something about the items being for customers 12 and
under. Pretty cut and dried. If that is their official policy, to be blunt,
you're kind of $crewed. Sorry. Pardon the pun, but your going to have to go
higher up the food chain on this battle. <br><br>
Good luck, but whenever I have complained to any restaurant about anything,
all I get is more coupons for a place I hated in the first place.
— kultgirl
December 16, 2003
It's never been a big deal to me and I've never ordered off the children's
menu. I'm an adult and I figure I'm getting the same thing I always got
when I went out to eat - a good, satisfying meal that I didn't have to cook
or clean up after, in a pleasant atmosphere in the company of friends. Why
should I pay less, really? I'm still full even if I didn't eat the whole
meal, so mission accomplished, LOL. IMO, I make out on the deal because I
get two or three meals out of the price of one. Besides, I rather like the
idea of just not being able to finish a meal, just like a "real"
skinny person. <g>
And why anyone would complain about paying full price for a buffet is
beyond me. The whole principle of a buffet is that you pay one price and
eat whatever you like, as much as you like. Aren't we still doing exactly
that? If they're going to charge us less now, shouldn't they have charged
us MORE before when we could eat twice as much as a normal person?
Personally I don't do buffets unless they're at a party or unless I go with
the work crowd to the Chinese buffet for lunch. Buffet restaurants seem
like an excuse for gluttony to me, most people are trying to stuff as much
as they can down to get their money's worth and it's a part of my past I'd
just as soon leave behind!
If this restaurant is special to you and you say you can't take the
leftovers home because it's a huge mall, can't you schedule your meal after
your shopping so that you can leave directly afterwards?
— sandsonik
December 16, 2003
Obviously most here have NOT been to the Mall of America (we live an hour
away). It is the LARGEST mall in the United States. It has 4 levels and
takes days not hours to shop. You can't get through it in a day if you want
to hit a lot of the stores. It's so large there is an amuzement park in the
middle, complete with water rides and roller costers! As the poster said,
IN THIS CASE taking left overs is NOT an option as there was no way to keep
them cool. It is not uncommon to eat all three meals of the day while at
the Mall of America becuase it is so huge.
Personally I feel that restaurants should try to keep ALL their customers
happy not just WLS customers. Maybe that means saying yes to special
requests. How often do they actually get a special request such as oderding
a child's portion? I have over heard lots more people asking for special
accomidations such as no salt, no msg, no sour cream.... No, these
accomidations are not the same as charging less, but in light of good
customer service most places are willing to do it.
I rarely go out to eat alone. They need to realize that if they loose MY
business, it's not just one meal---it's atleast 4 or 5 becuase I and my
family will go elsewhere. I have only used my card a couple of times early
post op when I couldn't eat much at all. I avoid some places altoghter
because of the way I have been treated both pre and post op.
— Kathy J.
December 17, 2003
I live within minutes of the MOA... when I go I have at least 4 shopping
bags to carry. I don't think a doggie bag would be too much more.
— BlueSue P.
December 18, 2003
Hello and Merry Christmas! First let me say that I'm a nice person even
though I'm probably going to express an opinion that's not too popular. To
echo some folks who previously answered - if a restaurant has a policy that
states the children's menu if for 10 or 12 and under then they are simply
doing us a favor by allowing us to order from it. They are not required to
do it. If someone is nasty about it that's one thing but frankly, I think
the response and the alternate solution you got from Tucci Benucch was
AWESOME! Most businesses who say "no" simply say "no"
and that's it. This business went out of it's way to accomodate you.
Again, businesses are not required to bend their rules for us simply
becuase we've had surgery. It's kind of like my other unpopular opinion
regarding Southwest Airlines - if a Morbidly Obese person actually takes up
two seats on an airplane then what's wrong with paying two fares? We are
worthy and deserving individuals - we deserve to be treated equally.
However, nowhere does it say we deserve "special" treatment -
just equal. I hope I didn't offend you and I actually hope others will
patronize Tucci Benucch since they seem to have gone out of their way to at
least bend the rules. I've been to several places that looked at me like I
had 3 eyeballs when I asked to order from the children's menu because I had
surgical weight loss. Merry Christmas to each and every one of you
wonderful folks!
— ronascott
December 18, 2003
I do not see the good in going to a resturant to eat for free. I think they
are being very fair. Just because you had surgery does not qualify you for
the children's menu. This is like saying that a 15 year old girl who
happens to not eat big portions should be allowed to order off of the kids
menu because she doesn't eat much. No, she is over 12 years old and that's
the rule. I agree with the last person who posted. You had this surgery to
live a normal life. Normal adults order normal meals. Bring it home for
later if you can't eat it all. Even before surgery, I didn't always finish
my meals. So I took the rest home. I'm not trying to offend anyone. I too
know what it's like to be a gastric bypass patient. Some places will allow
you to order of of the kids menu, some won't. I think this is fair.
— Sarah K.
December 18, 2003
Boy, I'm glad that I don't have to sit at the same table with those of you
who keep shouting "CRAP! food".
<p>
And before you start bashing me, too, if you're this judgemental about
food, I'd *really* hate to eat with you.
<p>
I'm *very* distal (60" common channel), and have a *hard* time getting
enough fat in, so fried food is *not* a problem.
<p>
Also, not eating enough fat can actually slow your weight loss. YOur bod
needs fat to burn fat. And fat satisfies, sugars make you crave.
— RWH G.
December 22, 2003
My husband and I tend to go out quite a bit. What I do is I order what I
want and I remember that I cannot eat all of it so I doggie bag the rest.
There are times that I take a few bites and I am done or I have eaten only
half. I mainly eat my protein and veggies first and if I can eat some carbs
I will but I usually cannot eat my carbs. remember some food is better at
the next sitting. I don't believe we should be allowed to get children's
prices. Senior prices or half price maybe, but remember this was OUR choice
to have the surgery. Maybe one day someone will open a restaurant for
bariatric patients, small portions with small prices. :) HaPPY HOLIDAYS...
5/15/03---- DOWN 74 POUNDS AND LOST 7 DRESS SIZES.
— Martha L.
December 23, 2003
About child portions: I have a card that asks to be served child portions,
but I have not once had to use it. Most of the time I end up ordering just
a side dish or eating from my husbands plate. I do have a young child so
when she is with me I just order a regular meal and split it with her,
since she won't eat the stuff from the children's menu anyway.
I have a problem with wasted food and hate the thought of leaving more than
half of one of those full size meals most restaurants have on my plate.
Taking a doggie bag is wasted food to me as well since by the time I get
home in most cases it isn't fit to eat. In the cases where I can get a
smaller portion, I will do so.
— Steph Elaine
December 25, 2003
This has been debated on here numerous times....My opinion is that I chose
to have the surgery and I shouldn't expect anyone to accomodate me. The
children's menu is for children and the senior citizens discounts or menus
are for seniors.We should be grateful that most restaurants even offer
those.Why make a big deal out of it when there are other alternatives when
eating out.
— jennifer A.
December 30, 2003
i just wanted to say that i just had the same expierence ....now first off
when i go to regular restaurants i do order a normal meal and take home
what is left...now a few weeks ago we were going with a large group to fire
mountain grill in lansing michigan...which is more of a buffett type of
place...now we had about 6 couples with us anyway there i did ask them to
please charge me an childs price and explained to the manager why i wanted
it"that to pay 11.99 for an adults meal when i could only eat as much
as a five year old"anyway he was rude and flat out refused..so in
essence he turned away 11 other full paying people cause he didnt wanna
sacrifice i think it was 4 dollars..now some might say why not just pay the
11.99 and get on with it...for me it was all principal..he was flat out
rude about it...maybe if he had been nicer i would have just said ok
understand and we all eat there but the way he acted we went to
applebees,pry spent 400.00 between us all and they treated us great...i
justwant to add that i have been many places since my surgery and this has
been the first time anyone has ever treated me this way...cheri
— cheri S.
December 31, 2003
Let me put this very simply. You are not a child. Therefore, you are not
entitled to order off of the child menu. Period. End of dicussion. They
gave you an explanation of their policy. So, let me turn this around to
you and ask... Why would you think you are entitled to order off of the
childrens menu? Because you choose to eat 'less than a child' does not
satisfy as an answer. On another note, how very nice of this establishment
to accomodate you by offering half portions. Kudos to them for valuing
their customers. If I ever run across one, I will be sure to eat there.
— LMCLILLY
June 14, 2005
My surgeon also gave me a card that I could use at restraunts and I think
I've used it once. My husband use to complain about me not using it more
and wasting food/money. Well I no longer think or feel guilty for not
finishing my food or whats on my plate. My thoughts are this, food is to
nourish the body and so what if it only takes a 1/2 cup to 1 cup of food it
nourished MY BODY so I think it was money well spent. He does't complain
anymore :)
— niteshadow181
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