Link (Archive)
Traveling, as they say, expands the brain as you experience new places and different cultures. This trip is proof of that in the sense of a culinary expansion. But it also got me wondering why restaurants back home don’t offer any kids meals the way Disney does it.
Here are some highlights:
“Most kids' meals are made from frozen items—for speed, convenience, and broad appeal. Parents don’t want to deal with crying kids in a restaurant because they’re trying something unfamiliar, so these ‘safe’ foods dominate the menu,” explains dad of four Mark Bucher, co-owner of Medium Rare, a steakhouse with several locations nationwide. “Many restaurants find that perishable items like fruits and vegetables often go uneaten, especially if kids aren’t familiar with them,” Bucher says.
Jamie Farella, owner of Brothers Smokehouse in Ramsey, New Jersey, adds that the types of food you see on kids' menus are influenced by the prevalence of fast food chains in the United States. “Many children grow up with diets centered around items like chicken nuggets and fries, and restaurants often aim to accommodate these established preferences,” Farella says.
But for most business owners, this idea isn't always economical. Bucher believes that Disney’s model works because they serve hundreds of thousands of kids a day. “At that volume, they can prep fresh food without worrying about waste. A typical restaurant, by comparison, might serve 60 to 100 kids a day. Prepping fresh food for a small, unpredictable group—especially one that doesn’t drive dining decisions—can lead to a lot of waste and lost revenue.”
However, there are options! At Medium Rare, they offer smaller portions of the regular menu for kids at half price. That includes their award-winning Culotte Steak, fries, bread and yes, can you believe, even a mixed greens salad.
“We're not the norm in this regard,” Bucher admits, but it works. “We hear it all the time, 'this is the only salad my kid eats.’ I think that's because other restaurants don't offer salads for kids, they don't have the opportunity to try it."
That said, kids can sometimes surprise you! When it comes to restaurants, certain foods can also be a novelty. ”Just last night, we had a four-year-old celebrating her birthday who specifically requested to come to Brothers Barbecue for our ribs," says Farella. "This demonstrates that kids often know what they want and enjoy returning to their favorite spots for specific dishes."
How Disney World Turned My Picky Eater into a Food Explorer
Theme park food is something I get anxious about, as it feels like the options tend to be limited. As a kid, I remember a lot of chicken nuggets and fried dough. So, when my husband planned a trip for our family at Disney World, I was skeptical about the dining experience, especially for my 2-year-old. Turns out, I had it all wrong. There were so many great options to choose from—and it even got my 2-year-old to try new foods!Traveling, as they say, expands the brain as you experience new places and different cultures. This trip is proof of that in the sense of a culinary expansion. But it also got me wondering why restaurants back home don’t offer any kids meals the way Disney does it.
Our Disney Food Routine
We opted for three sit-down meals a day as rest from the heat and walking. For $9 at the Coronado Springs Hotel where we stayed, those sit-down meals came with a smoothie and a small tangerine. At the parks, kid menus were loaded with healthy proteins and came with the choice of two side dishes. The price was reasonable, too, which made us feel at ease ordering without spending a fortune on food our child might not eat.Here are some highlights:
- At the Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen in the Magic Kingdom, we ordered the grilled chicken with a side of white rice and watermelon. My son tried a bite of chicken.
- At Yak & Yeti in Animal Kingdom, the kids' menu had photos of each of the items which helped my son pick what he wanted to eat for lunch. He slurped down the stir fry noodles like Lady and the Tramp. The sauce and preparation was a first! At home, his spaghetti is always topped with olive oil and cheese.
- At Coral Reef in EPCOT, my son spoon-fed himself chicken noodle soup that was on the menu while overlooking the aquarium.
- At Three Bridges Bar & Grill back at Coronado Springs, he ate mac & cheese for the first time. Sliced grapes were a side dish at every meal.
Why Kids' Meals Are Often Lacking in Variety?
Back home, kids' meals in New Jersey cost anywhere from $12, $16 or recently, $20 for a plain bowl of spaghetti. Menus are loaded with grilled cheese, quesadillas, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, and heavy mac & cheese. They are the same old choices mostly everywhere we dine. Few and far between are there options for a small portioned size of grilled chicken or salmon that come with sides of veggies or fruit.“Most kids' meals are made from frozen items—for speed, convenience, and broad appeal. Parents don’t want to deal with crying kids in a restaurant because they’re trying something unfamiliar, so these ‘safe’ foods dominate the menu,” explains dad of four Mark Bucher, co-owner of Medium Rare, a steakhouse with several locations nationwide. “Many restaurants find that perishable items like fruits and vegetables often go uneaten, especially if kids aren’t familiar with them,” Bucher says.
Jamie Farella, owner of Brothers Smokehouse in Ramsey, New Jersey, adds that the types of food you see on kids' menus are influenced by the prevalence of fast food chains in the United States. “Many children grow up with diets centered around items like chicken nuggets and fries, and restaurants often aim to accommodate these established preferences,” Farella says.
How Can Restaurants Follow Disney’s Lead?
“Disney's magic, right?,” quips Lauren Galifi, MHA, RD, CDCES, a Clinical Nutrition and Chronic Illness Program Manager at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Jersey. “I do think it would be helpful for more restaurants to offer [more] options. It might make it easier for families to choose things that they know that their child likes, but also, offer that opportunity to try new things if more of those options are available.”But for most business owners, this idea isn't always economical. Bucher believes that Disney’s model works because they serve hundreds of thousands of kids a day. “At that volume, they can prep fresh food without worrying about waste. A typical restaurant, by comparison, might serve 60 to 100 kids a day. Prepping fresh food for a small, unpredictable group—especially one that doesn’t drive dining decisions—can lead to a lot of waste and lost revenue.”
However, there are options! At Medium Rare, they offer smaller portions of the regular menu for kids at half price. That includes their award-winning Culotte Steak, fries, bread and yes, can you believe, even a mixed greens salad.
“We're not the norm in this regard,” Bucher admits, but it works. “We hear it all the time, 'this is the only salad my kid eats.’ I think that's because other restaurants don't offer salads for kids, they don't have the opportunity to try it."
When It Comes to Trying New Foods, Repetition Is Key
I can’t even count how many times I’ve tried to give my son a new food that he’s refused to eat. Expensive kids' meals at restaurants often go uneaten. Maybe it was fairy dust or the thrill of fireworks that helped him conquer the soup and new noodle variations. But it's worth noting that it can take multiple, repeated instances of exposure before a child might try a new food.That said, kids can sometimes surprise you! When it comes to restaurants, certain foods can also be a novelty. ”Just last night, we had a four-year-old celebrating her birthday who specifically requested to come to Brothers Barbecue for our ribs," says Farella. "This demonstrates that kids often know what they want and enjoy returning to their favorite spots for specific dishes."
