Question:
Is it required for Rest. to serve you a kids meal if you have your surgery card?
I went to a Restaurant the other night ( Sweet Tomato's) in Scottsdale Arizona and I presented my card that said I had had the surgery and couldn't eat that much food. The manager was very rude and ignorant and wouldn't offer the kids meal price. What is the policy on this? are they required to give this price to you? we walked out. It is a buffett style salad bar. Any advice would be great! — Jennifer L. (posted on January 6, 2002)
January 6, 2002
No, no restaurant is required to serve you a kid's meal or to give you a
reduced price either, for that matter. Experience of the members seem to
indicate that buffet-style restaurants are the worst when it comes to
accomodating us. On the other hand, is being effectively exiled from an
all-you-can-eat of deep-fried, salted fat food trough really that much of a
tragedy? Not really. (When you think about it, it was places like that that
made it easier for us to become what we bacame, wasn't it?) After you've
had a chance to scope things out, you'll find you can be quite satisfied
with ordering appetizers, side orders, and sharing. And then there's always
those take home boxes.
Hang in there.
— Chuck O.
January 6, 2002
Well I am going to stop at a off time at a local Ponderosa I used to eat at
pre op. Fact one of my last suppers was there. They are a buffet place. I
will ask for the manager, show him my before picture, dining card,
incisions and tell him my story:) Then tell him a group of friends will
come in if he will honor my kids meal, heck I will even tell him I will pay
full price if he feels I ate too much before I leave. If he will accomodate
me fine, if not I will tell him my group will go elsewhere. Its there
choice if they want my groups business. If the manager really isnt familiar
with the surgery I truly dont blame them for being suspicious, and not
honoring the kids meal price.
— bob-haller
January 6, 2002
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I feel it's demeaning and embarrassing to
show a "surgery card" and ask for a kids' meal or discount. We
sure didn't have a problem paying full price for our outings before
surgery, and I don't mind paying full price now. I either leave what I
don't eat on my plate or ask for a doggie bag. To reveal myself so starkly
and place myself at the mercy of restaurant employees is NOT worth the few
bucks I'd save.
— [Anonymous]
January 6, 2002
I went to a buffet with my daughter and some friends. They refused my
card, so I decided not to eat. Well, unfortunately they saw me take a
piece of broccolli off of my daughters plate and charged me the 11$ for the
buffet! When I explained to them that I had surgery--they didn't care.
Needless to say I haven't been back and neither have my friends or family
and we don't plan to go back. Because of this I reported them to the
better business burea and I have a complaint on file. I decided to do this
when I saw on their sign that they accomodate special diet requests. So,
no, they're not required.
— Kristin R.
January 6, 2002
Restaurants are not required to honor your card. Buffets seem to be the
worst about accepting it. I live in Phoenix and haven't tried my card at
Sweet Tomatos as I've only been there once since surgery and didn't feel
like making a big deal over it as I was dining with a friend. I did go to
Prescott yesterday and had lunch at the brewery across from the courthouse.
The waitress told me the only thing I could order off the childre's menu
was a grilled cheese sandwich. When I explained why I needed to order
something small she said "that's our policy, grilled cheese
only." So I ordered a plate and ate off my husband's and daughter's
plates. I won't be going back there again because of their policy and the
food I did manage to bum off my husband and daughter wasn't that good
anyway. Are you a member of the azwls group on yahoo? We have a section
that lists restaurants that do and don't accept our cards. Email me if you
need the link or are intereded in joining the group.
— georgiacarol
January 6, 2002
I found that a local chain in Western PA, Eat-N-Park, not only doesn't
honor the card, but doesn't care either! Their policy is that the price is
the price, is the price. The also charge 3 prices for the same thing---one
if you are under 10, one if you are a senior citizen, and one if you are
any other age. After having one rude manager look at me and say that
"all fat people eat more than kids", I contacted their main
office and got the corporate policy line----and no appology! There is
revenge----I take a copy of my 10 year old son's birth cirtificate with us
to prove that he is 10, and always have him get the salad bar/buffet---can
soon to be teenage boys eat a ton!!!!
— Sue F.
January 6, 2002
Of course they are not required to accept your request for a
discount....your WLS is not a legal matter - does not give you "civil
rights". But - bottom line - there are a lot of people who don't eat a
lot to start with - they didn't have to have surgery to give them a small
appetite - and THEY have to pay full price as well. Maybe people who eat
small amounts shouldn't eat at All-You-Can-Eat/Buffet/Pig Troughs in the
first place?? (That's how I got to be almost 350 lbs)
— [Anonymous]
January 6, 2002
I am VERY surprised to hear that about Eat N Park. I always assumed I could
order a kids or senior meal. I generally share with my wife, so hadnt tried
ordering like this. Perhaps they need a wake up call so to speak! A group
of us could arrange a educational visit with management. If anyone is
interested in doing this email me. I understand there issues with the
buffet, theres no way to police if a non WLS customer tried getting away
with a cheap meal.
— bob-haller
January 6, 2002
I have to agree with the last poster although I might have put it in nicer
terms. You don't need to be going to a buffet if you are less than a year
out. Reason? Even if you are lucky enough to pay kids price, you most
likely, still won't be getting your money's worth. At least at a real
restaurant, you can box up your food and take it home for one or two other
meals. Like someone else also said, you can also order from the appetizers
and al a carte. One appetizer anywhere is more than enough for me. Yes, I
realize that you might want "a real meal" but go to a normal
restaurant then until you are able to eat alittle more at least. I am 3
years out almost, and now, finally will venture into a buffet at the
casinos here because they serve Crab legs and shrimp and I can, for some
reason, eat my share of those. I eat nothing else on the buffet and still
pay full price but at least I am almost getting my money's worth. Stay
away from buffet's for now and don't put yourself into the position of
having to explain or apologize for your surgery. It is just gonna make you
feel bad.
— Barbara H.
January 7, 2002
I have tried to use the card once or twice to no avail. When I call ahead
it works, but now I don't even bother. I shouldn't have to justify myself
to food service people. I was at Ruby Tuesday's on Friday and oredered a
burger. I took it out of the bun, and ate about five bites and I was full.
The waitress saw all that was left on my plate, the bun, most of the
burger, and the fries, and took it off my bill. This is the fourth time
it's happened. They just feel bad about charging you. Pretty cool! I don't
even say I didn't like it, I just say I'm full, and don't want a box. I
hate leftovers... I don't expect this anywhere I go, but it's happened a
few times now, and it's a nice bonus!
— [Anonymous]
January 7, 2002
I called a buffet in advance and got approval to use the restaurant card.
The problem was that the manager I spoke with wasn't there the next day
when we were. They were very rude and acted like we were scamming them.
This is a buffet where the KID's price is $9 so it was very pricey for the
adults. We actually tried a second time with a phone call to go to that
buffet and were told "You better only take ONE plate". Result.
That restaurant lost a lot of business. I and my family were frequent
patrons and will not go back. No, they don't have to accomodate us, but
then again, we don't have to bring them our business. I have also found
restaurants who were very accomodating when I just explained the situation.
Red Robin actually brought me a cheeseburger with no bun. I told them
they could bring it, I just wouldn't eat it, but they listened and left it
off. This made me feel better about the whole waste issue and made me feel
like they were willing to do a little something for me. Them, I'll go back
to even though it's not really what I like to eat. We are consumers and
our power is in where we choose to spend our dollars. More power to us.
— kcanges
January 7, 2002
I don't expect to pay for a child's meal when I go to a restaurant. Most
restaurants make little to no profit on child's meals and only offer them
to entice the parents to come and eat there. Senior discounts are a
courtesy to those who are assumed to be on a fixed income. I don't agree
with any of the managers being rude, but I do understand that a restaurant
should be allowed to make a profit as they see fit.
— Julie S.
November 6, 2002
This is such an interesting question. I am still pre-op but had wondered
about what I would do at a buffet. I just figured I'd never go again... or
if I go my family for sure (hubby and two growing boys) would eat enough
for all of us and then some ;-) With restaurants, my favorite part (even
now) is having leftovers to take home... so I'm not worried about that.
I can see the point of the low profit margin of the restaurant (DH is a
chef) - and the fact that everyone eats different amounts... and they are
just trying to come out ahead on the average. I have a very very slender
friend that I go out with. She LOVES bufet food and let me tell you - she
definately gets her money's worth.
My thinking would be - the same as with any situation... if they are rude,
screw them. You can spend your money somewhere else!
Hugs! Thanks for posting this.
— w8free
November 6, 2002
I still haven't used my card, but what my surgeon said was that it is
really up to the restaurant. Some do honor the card, some don't.VI
— Vi F.
November 6, 2002
Hi!<br>
I don't have a restaurant card. A few times, I've said "I've had
surgery, and can eat next to nothing. Would it be ok if I ordered off the
children's menu?" I've never had anyone turn me down. No, I haven't
tried it at a buffet. A woman in my support group suggested that when at a
buffet to ask if you could pay the children's buffet price. Offer to let
them look at your plate and tell them if you have more food than a child
would eat, you'll gladly pay the adult price.<br>
I have a job in customer service, and I can assure you... it's a lot easier
to get what you want if you leave the attitude at the door. :)<br>
Kelly
— Kelly B.
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