Latest news with #familydining
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Here's where kids can eat for free over the summer holidays
With the summer holidays just around the corner, you might be on the lookout for activities to keep the family busy. There are few things as special as a delicious meal with your family, but costs can quickly add up. That's why we've compiled a list of the restaurants, cafes and supermarkets where your kids can eat for free or for a reduced price during the school summer holidays. However, view the term 'free' with some suspicion. Most locations require you to purchase an adult meal in order to get your child's meal for free. With this in mind, we've also done some digging to find out how much an adult meal costs so you can estimate your total bill. Whether it's a coffee break in the middle of your weekly shop or a lunchtime pizza treat, there is a range of cuisines and options that suit different budgets. As you plan a day out, don't forget to check our list below to see where your kids can eat free or for £1 this summer. Where can kids eat for free or £1 this summer: Free kids buffet at Pizza Hut Pizza Hut's lunchtime deal includes one free kids' buffet when you spend more than £10 at the restaurant. Using the code KEF1 when you book will secure you the freebie, which you can redeem from Monday 21 July to Thursday 4 September, up until 3pm each day. Kids can choose from a variety of pizza, pasta and salad options, so there's plenty for even the pickiest eaters. If your kids love pizza and pasta, you can get a free piccolo meal (aka the restaurant's kids' menu) when you order any main course from the standard menu. The offer runs from Monday 28 July to Sunday 10 August, so it isn't around for as long as others. Kids receive dough balls to start, a pizza, pasta or salad as a main, plus a dessert and bambinoccino. Keep in mind that if you're going as a group, you'll only get one free kids' meal per adult at the table. A classic margherita at a Pizza Express in London costs £12.25, so you won't need to spend too much to make the most of the offer. Free kids' meal at Prezzo Children up to 12 years old can get three courses from Prezzo's kids menu for free, with the purchase of one adult main meal from Monday 14 July to Friday 5 September. Kids can tuck into a starter, main and dessert with fried mozzarella, bolognese, pepperoni pizza, and lots mor e. A kids' meal at the Italian restaurant chain usually costs around £8.50, so you can make a decent saving with this offer. An adult meal will cost you £15 upwards, depending on the location. Free kids' meal at Bill's Whether it's a stack of buttermilk pancakes for breakfast or a bowl of meatball pasta for lunch, children can tuck into a free meal at Bill's this summer. Up to two kids can eat for free if one adult orders any main, so this beats most restaurants, which offer one free kids' meal per adult. The offer is valid all day from Monday 21 July to Friday 29 August, excluding weekends. Adults can get avocado on sourdough for around £11.25 or a Greek salad for £13.95, so you're looking at spending around £20 as a group of three, once you add on a service charge. Free kids' meal at Ask Italian When you sign up for Ask Italian's rewards app, you'll get a code that entitles you to two free kids' meals with the purchase of an adult meal. Kids can pick from carbonara, pizza, chicken goujons, and more, so there's plenty to cater to different tastes. The offer is valid from Friday 18 July to Sunday 31 August, so it can be used throughout most of the summer holidays. Free kids' meal at Las Iguanas You can save all year round at Las Iguanas, not just during the summer holidays. Kids eat free when you download the Las Iguanas app and can choose from quesadillas, coconut curry, guacamole and more. The cheapest main at the restaurant is the rainbow salad for £14, so even with a drink, your bill could come to less than £20. French-inspired cuisine might not be top of your child's list, but Côte Brasserie has options for little gourmands, such as steak frites or French onion soup, as well as classic comforts like tomato pasta bake and burgers. Parents have from Friday 18 July to Monday 1 September to redeem the offer and need to order a main to get the free two-course kids' meal. The cheapest main at a Côte Brasserie restaurant in London is a chicken salad, for £14.95. Free kids' meal at Subway For lunch on the go, head to Subway, where kids can enjoy a free meal when you buy a footlong sandwich. These can start from around £8.49, depending on the branch. The kids' meal includes a 4in mini sandwich, snack and drink. The offer is available in participating Subway restaurants from Monday 28 July to Sunday 17 August. £1 kids' meal at Asda cafes Asda's £1 cafe meal deal runs all year round, and you won't need to buy an adult meal or spend a certain amount to use the offer. Kids can choose from pasta with meatballs, chicken nuggets, fish fingers or pizza, and they'll receive a free piece of fruit with their hot meal. Babies don't have to miss out either, with the supermarket offering a free Ella's baby food pouch for children up to 18 months with any cafe purchase. Free kids' meal at Morrisons cafes When you spend £5 or more on an adult's meal at a Morrisons cafe at any point in the year, not just the summer holidays, you'll also get a free kids' meal for those under 16 years. If your child is picky, they can build their own breakfast or main meal, and they'll get a drink included too. Two adult meals with a drink each cost £15 in total, so if you're a family of four, you can all eat at Morrison's cafe for just £15. Free kids' meal at Tesco cafes and coffee shops You can spend as little as 65p on a piece of fresh fruit at a Tesco cafe or coffee shop this summer, and you'll be able to claim one free kids' meal worth up to £4 when you use your Clubcard. Breakfast options for little ones include pancakes and beans on toast, while the lunch menu has fish fingers, chicken goujons and tomato pasta shells with garlic bread. The offer is valid in England and Wales from Monday 21 July to Friday 29 August; in Scotland from Thursday 7 July to Friday 22 August; and in Northern Ireland from Monday 30 June to Friday 29 August. £1 kids' meal at Dobbies garden centre Take a break from garden centre shopping this summer with Dobbies's offer. Kids can get a meal for just £1 when you buy a traditional adult breakfast or main course lunch option, both of which start from around £9. Kids can choose from cooked breakfasts, jacket potatoes, fish fingers, pasta and more. Some Dobbies restaurants also have soft play areas, so you can relax while they play. Free kids' meal at Heathrow airport If you're flying from Heathrow airport this summer, there are restaurants across the airport's terminals where kids eat for free. When you spend £14.95 or more on an adult meal at a participating restaurant, such as Leon or Giraffe, you'll get one free meal from the restaurant's children's menu. You can claim a maximum of four free kids' meals per table, and the offer can be used all through summer from Friday 18 July to Tuesday 2 September.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
To Clean Or Not To Clean, That Is The Question (For Parents When Kids Make A Mess At Restaurants)
Some people may prefer that dining -- apart from fast food and so-called "family" restaurants -- be an adults-only affair, but you know what? Having a kid doesn't mean that you're content with eating nothing but chicken nuggets. If you're thinking, "Isn't that what babysitters and date nights are for?" I'd like to point out that this isn't an option for everyone. I raised my kid as a single parent, and since I've always enjoyed his company, I started taking him to a wide variety of restaurants before his first birthday. He developed a fairly sophisticated palate by the time he was a toddler, meaning he never would order off the children's menu. He was always pretty well-behaved, too, but he could be messy. I usually tried to "help" the servers by cleaning up as best I could, but it turns out this might have been the wrong call. Kate Ferrin, former general manager of the restaurant Brooklyn Roots Italian, explains why. According to Ferrin, "I like when a parent offers to help and apologizes for the mess, but I'll never let them clean up the mess -- that's our job!" She did relieve my mind to some extent, however, by revealing that restaurant staff typically don't mind when little ones spill stuff (as they inevitably do). As she told The Takeout, "Kids are kids. If it doesn't impact the other diners, enjoy yourself, and we'll clean it up!" Sure, if your kid seems intent on emptying a salt shaker on the ground, you can move it out of their reach. But if they accidentally spill some water on the table, just politely flag down your server, and they'll be happy to wipe up the spill. Read more: Things You Should Never Say When Ordering A Drink At A Bar, According To Bartending Experts Kate Ferrin did say, though, that there are a few things parents can do to mitigate any child-related damage and make dining out with kids less of a hassle for all concerned. One is to do your best to try to prevent your child from wreaking major havoc or otherwise doing anything that might upset the other diners. (Besides merely existing, that is.) As Ferrin put it, "If your child is screaming in the restaurant, don't ignore it -- it impacts everyone. Try to distract them, and we'll do the same." If you manage to rein your child in to any extent, the servers will be grateful. "We're accommodating and appreciate when we see parents actively doing what they can," Ferrin assured us, adding, "but kids are kids, and we understand that." Another thing you can do is to compensate the server for any hassle. "Tips should reflect the extra impact on the staff and the rest of the diners in the restaurant," said Ferrin. If automatic gratuities (unpopular though they may be) are up to 18% in some cases and 20% is the new normal, you might want to think about tipping at least 25% if your server has to clean up a child-related mess. As per Ferrin, "Just being aware and tipping my wait staff more for this inconvenience goes a long way and shows you care." For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Servers blast parents whose kids make their jobs hell: ‘It's not a McDonald's PlayPlace'
Parents are being served up some serious etiquette lessons. A server says many in the industry dislike when mindless moms and dads dine at restaurants with their unruly kids in tow. But while other patrons may direct their ire at the offspring, many professionals say parents are the ones who should shoulder the blame if their children misbehave. 'Servers don't want to shame families or discourage them from going out to eat,' Alana Fineman, a comedian and server who posts restaurant skits on TikTok, told 'Parents are usually…trying their best.' However, Fineman, who hails from Southern California, says there are some mistakes moms and dads do make in restaurants. 'The phrase, 'The customer is always right' is dying out,' the server dished. Below, the errors that reveal more about the parents than they do about their children. Part of being a kid is making a mess, but when parents leave it to the bussers to clean up, that's when it becomes a problem. 'It's one thing when a baby throws food from his high chair — it's another when kids rip open sugar packets and dump them on the floor or finger-paint with ketchup on the walls,' Fineman said. 'That usually means that a parent is not paying attention or allowing it to happen.' If a kid throws up or there's food all over the walls and floors, it's the busser that cleans it up. Most restaurants don't have the space for children to be running around wildly, which could lead to destruction. If a child runs into a server, broken glass can end up on the floor, food can fall and there's the potential of delayed orders and injuries. 'If you're carrying a tray of five martinis or plates of boiling-hot food and a child runs in front of you, you can drop it on the floor or onto a person,' Fineman said 'Kids shouldn't run through a restaurant — it's not a McDonald's PlayPlace,' she declared. During an incident at her restaurant, there were kids that 'climbed over a fence and onto the street, where they threw rocks onto the dining patio.' While no one got injured, an employee at the restaurant 'did the parenting' and lectured the children. When kids get to a certain age, they're able to express themselves and order their own food. Oftentimes, the parents will say to their child, 'Tell the lady what you want.' And while Fineman mostly finds this kind of conversation 'funny and endearing,' it can sometimes be an issue if the child won't speak for themselves — and the parent persists. 'Every so often, a parent says, 'We're not moving on until you learn to order,'' Fineman explained. 'I can't always be a part of it when I'm really busy.' Typically, picky eaters aren't a problem for servers at restaurants — unless the parent has big expectations, Fineman said. She claimed that some parents will get 'irate' if the restaurant's menu is restrictive or if the chef can't make a very specific meal. 'If it's a slow day, they might be able to…but not every time,' says Fineman. 'There needs to be a contingency plan for what your child can eat.' There's apparently a 'fascinating phenomenon' where parents don't include their children in a reservation, not realizing that they, too, count as guests — even if they'll be using a high chair, taking up the same space as a regular chair. Fineman guessed that perhaps some parents do this to not have to pay automatic gratuity for larger parties, but she believes that most simply don't realize. This could lead to a problem on busy days when the family will ultimately end up waiting longer for a table that can accommodate them. 'There can be an unfortunate domino effect in the restaurant industry,' Fineman said. 'Miscalculating three people can affect the next 45 minutes.'
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
5 Things Parents Do at Restaurants That Most Annoy Servers
A restaurant server is sharing the worst ways parents misbehave at restaurants. 'The phrase, 'The customer is always right' is dying out,' Alana Fineman, a comedian and server in Southern California who posts restaurant skits on TikTok, tells Dining out with young kids is draining, between picky eaters, spilled food, whining and restless wanderers. Fortunately, kid-friendly restaurants are equipped with coloring activities, playful decorations and the swift delivery of kids' meals to quell complaints. Sometimes, it's parents — not their children — who misbehave. 'Servers don't want to shame families or discourage them from going out to eat,' says Fineman. 'Parents are usually ... trying their best.' Here are five mistakes families most often make at restaurants, according to this server. Kids make messes and that's part of the experience, according to Fineman. 'It's one thing when a baby throws food from his high chair — it's another when kids rip open sugar packets and dump them on the floor or finger-paint with ketchup on the walls,' says Fineman. 'That usually means that a parent is not paying attention or allowing it to happen,' she adds. Big messes are typically cleaned by bussers, whom Fineman calls one of the 'hardest-working' employees in her field. 'If someone vomits, it's the busser who cleans it up,' she explains. 'Kids shouldn't run through a restaurant — it's not a McDonald's PlayPlace,' says Fineman. Most restaurants lack appropriate spaces for children to cut loose, says Fineman. A high-speed collision with a server can cause broken glass, fallen food, delayed orders and injuries. 'If you're carrying a tray of five martinis or plates of boiling-hot food and a child runs in front of you, you can drop it on the floor or onto a person,' she says. Fineman recalls a hazardous incident at her restaurant. 'Kids in a party of 10 were running around,' she says. 'They climbed over a fence and onto the street, where they threw rocks onto the dining patio.' While no one was struck, the children were lectured by an employee, who Fineman says, 'Did the parenting.' 'Kids get to a certain age when they can order their own food and the parents will say, 'Tell the lady what you want,'' says Fineman. She finds most of this banter 'funny and endearing,' but if the child won't speak up, the server now has a parenting problem. Fineman says gentle prompts from a parent is usually encouraging enough, however, 'Every so often, a parent says, 'We're not moving on until you learn to order.'' 'I can't always be a part of it when I'm really busy,' says Fineman. Picky eaters are usually not a problem for servers — unless parents have big expectations. Fineman says some parents get 'irate' with restricted menus or if chefs cannot produce a specific meal, due to limited ingredients. 'If it's a slow day, they might be able to ... but not every time,' says Fineman. 'There needs to be a contingency plan for what your child can eat.' Fineman proposes that parents plan for kids with dietary preferences by reading the digital menu before coming in. Fineman points to a 'fascinating phenomenon' wherein parents don't necessarily mention when children are included in a reservation. Maybe they hope to sidestep the automatic gratuities that some restaurants apply to larger parties, says Fineman, but most don't realize that children count as guests, even when they require high chairs, which take the same space as a chair. The miscommunication is more of a problem on busier days, when families may have to wait longer for a sizable table. 'There can be an unfortunate domino effect in the restaurant industry,' says Fineman, adding, 'Miscalculating three people can affect the next 45 minutes.' Fineman says parents can rectify this by notifying the restaurant when their party size changes, even by one child. This article was originally published on
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Restaurant's bizarre requirement sparks fiery debate about adults ordering off the kids' menu
Who knew that kids menus could come with such intense restrictions? That's exactly what TikTok user @ discovered when she went to place a phone order for an Italian restaurant her and her family eat at pretty often. In a now-viral TikTok video, she explained that after putting in the order for her and her husband she asked for the spaghetti and meatballs off of the designated kids' menu for her eight-year-old daughter. But she was told by the restaurant that she wasn't allowed to get anything off the children's section over the phone because the eatery couldn't verify whether or not it was actually for a youngster - and it sparked a massive debate. 'So I order it and they tell me that they don't take orders for kids' spaghetti and meatballs over the phone because they think it's adults buying the spaghetti and meatballs kids' portion and eating it themselves,' the woman said. 'So you can only [get] kids' spaghetti and meatballs if you eat at the restaurant.' She ended the video by posing the question, 'Is this normal?' and social media users definitely had thoughts. Many people flocked to the comment section to share their thoughts, launching a fiery argument about whether or not restaurants should require confirmation that kids' meals are for kids. 'Not normal and frankly asinine,' one TikTok user said of the restaurant's rule. 'Never heard of a restaurant doing this,' another chimed in. A different user commented: 'That's so odd. If I'm buying something, then I don't need to be questioned. If you don't want my money... bye.' Other users pointed out that even if it was an adult ordering off the kids' menu it wasn't hurting the restaurant in any way. 'Kids portions are less money because they are smaller portions and or less expensive food groups,' one said. 'So there should be no business reason for them caring if an adult eats it.' Another TikTok user wrote: 'I'm so confused? Who cares who eats the kids meal? You are paying less because it's a smaller portion. 'Some elderly people needs kids portions as well. That's crazy business.' It launched a fiery argument about whether or not restaurants should require confirmation that kids' meals are for kids Some users even suggested that she cancel the order Very few users explained that allowing adults to eat off of a kid's menu would be bad for business Some users even added that the poster should have canceled her order immediately. 'Please tell me you said, "Cool cancel the entire order,"' one user wrote, to which the original poster replied, 'They offered me the option of getting a side of spaghetti and adding a meatball. So dumb.' 'A sale is a sale - you don't want to sell me a kids meal, I'll go somewhere else. Simple,' another user offered. And while most comments mirrored similar sentiments, there were a select few who didn't find an issue with the restaurant's policy. 'Kid menus are usually a financial loss for the restaurant. The menus exist to entice in families,' one person offered. 'TikTok has normalized adults purchasing kids portions so I kinda get their reasoning but they should know when to enact this 'policy' and it's not when someone is ordering other stuff,' another said.
