Little Palates, Big Flavors: Reinventing the Kids’ Menu

Kids are no longer subsisting on chicken tenders and fries alone as parents are increasingly demanding more diverse, nutritious, and high-quality meal options. This shift is fueled by more adventurous young palates and a desire for children's dining experiences to reflect the culinary sophistication enjoyed by adults. From independent eateries to major chain restaurants, chefs and operators are getting creative, introducing innovative dishes and customizable options for younger diners. 

For example:

• Legal Sea Foods features a kid-friendly, diverse, and budget-conscious menu that includes healthier choices, allowing children to customize their meals with a "first bite," main dish, and two sides, with popular options like grilled salmon and fish fingers.
• Morimoto Asia elevates classic children's menu items with Pan-Asian influences, exemplified by their "Bao Wow," a hot dog served in a bao bun, and also offers boba tea and donut churros. 
•  BRIO Italian Grille offers a kids' menu for ages 12 and under, featuring entrées such as Chicken Parmesan and Lasagna.
•  BRAVO! Italian Kitchen also provides a kids' menu for children under 12, with a "Create Your Own Pasta" option that allows personalization of pasta, sauce, and protein.
•  Maggiano’s Little Italy offers a full meal for kids with elevated entree options including Ziti Pasta, Spaghetti with a Giant Meatball, and Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Garlic Mashed Potatoes.

For a deeper dive into this trend and how it presents opportunities for restaurants to enhance their family-friendly appeal, Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine reached out to Matt King, President and COO of Legal Sea Foods, and Paul Snyder, General Manager at Morimoto Asia.

How are kids' menus evolving? Have their palates changed?

MK: Kids’ palates are evolving indeed. Children today are exposed to a variety of cultures and cuisines from an early age, whether through travel, social media, or community diversity. At Legal Sea Foods, we’ve responded to this shift by introducing more sophisticated, yet accessible options for kids.

Children today are exposed to a variety of cultures and cuisines from an early age, whether through travel, social media, or community diversity.

Our three-course style menu focuses on offering dishes that are simple and healthful, yet flavorful, such as our simply grilled salmon, which has been particularly popular among our young diners.

PS: Children are becoming somewhat more adventurous eaters at younger ages. At Morimoto Asia, we cater to this by offering approachable dishes they may be familiar with and adding unique elements. For example our Bao Wow takes something familiar like a hot dog, and adds a pan-Asian twist, crafting it with kewpie mayo, sweet sauce, cucumber and lettuce on a bao bun. 

What do parents want to see on kids' menus?

MK: Parents are increasingly interested in menus that offer balanced nutrition while still being appealing to their children. They also prioritize flexibility in choice and portion sizes that cater to children’s appetites. Our revamped kids' menu reflects this, giving families the ability to customize meals with a variety of sides and starters, enabling a personalized dining experience that can cater to dietary needs and preferences without compromising on taste.

PS: I believe parents want to see choices that are both nutritious and exciting to their children. That balance can be tricky, but offering something like whole-wheat noodles with ramen or vegetables as sides can be a good approach. 

What role is the desire for value playing in constructing a kids' menu?

MK: Value is a significant consideration — parents are looking for quality options that are appropriately priced for smaller portions. In response, when we redesigned our kids' menu, we made efforts not only to enhance our offerings but also to reduce prices on average. We believe that families should be able to enjoy a high-quality dining experience without stretching their budgets.

PS: We understand that parents want to ensure meals are reasonably priced and filling to their children. We focus on providing value by providing a kids menu prix fixe, with entree, drink, and dessert, for $17. We also work to enhance the overall experience with unique kids’ menu items and a warm and friendly atmosphere. 

How can restaurant operators optimize their kids' menus to better appeal to their guest needs?

MK: Optimization of kids’ menus can be approached by paralleling the dining experience offered to adults. This includes providing a culinary journey through a three-course meal format, which not only entertains but also allows for customization and portion control.

The balance between value, nutrition and excitement is paramount.

Focusing on high-quality, versatile ingredients and engaging presentation can make the meal both appealing and fun for children. This structure makes the dining process smoother for families, ensuring that kids feel engaged throughout their meal.

PS: The balance between value, nutrition and excitement is paramount. All three factors should be considered when crafting a menu. Additionally, considerations should be made for allergies and dietary restrictions. 

Have kids' menu classics like chicken tenders and fries fallen out of favor?

MK: While classics like chicken tenders and fries remain popular, we are seeing a tilt towards more variety and healthier options. There’s a growing interest in dishes that provide more nutritional benefits while still being enjoyable for children. At Legal Sea Foods, while we still honor the classics, we also provide options like grilled seafood and fresh vegetable sides, providing a balanced choice for our young diners.

PS: I think those classics will always be popular, but there is a desire from parents and children to see something more in children's menu options. More and more children want to try what their parents are eating, and we want to give them approachable ways to do so.