"Small eaters" at the cafe
Hey everyone!
Not a barista/coffee question, but something that's been on my mind for a while and I'd love to hear how other cafes handle it.
My partner and I opened a small cafe about 5 months ago. We often have older customers (60+) and sometimes middle-aged customers asking to order from the kids menu (items are $12–$15) because they're "small eaters."
We do offer a build-your-own breakfast option using the extras listed on our menu, so there are alternatives. At first, we didn't mind to make kids portions for adults, but we quickly realised it was becoming a regular pattern.
Today, I politely explained to a customer that our kids' meals are for children under 14. He wasn't happy about it and ended up leaving with his friend.
I'm curious, how common is this in Australia?
How do you handle these requests in your cafe? Do you allow adults to order from the kids menu, or do you have a similar policy?
I'd love to know what your management's approach is and what seems to work best.
Cheers!