Kids bringing fast food into restaurants: What do you think?

Last night, rand into a restaurant owner I know and told him about this thread and what his response would be.
First a little BG, it's a very successful resto he's owned for 27 years and although not a 'fine dining' resto, has a well-earned rep for good food.
He said that what this thread is about has never happened in his place and if somebody tried it, he'd tell them it's $25 per person cover charge to bring in food from somewhere else, and if they stayed and paid it (doubtful huh?) after they finished, he said he'd tell them not to come back.
I told him I hope i'm in his place so I can watch if anybody actually tries it on.

Last night, rand into a restaurant owner I know and told him about this thread and what his response would be.
First a little BG, it's a very successful resto he's owned for 27 years and although not a 'fine dining' resto, has a well-earned rep for good food.
He said that what this thread is about has never happened in his place and if somebody tried it, he'd tell them it's $25 per person cover charge to bring in food from somewhere else, and if they stayed and paid it (doubtful huh?) after they finished, he said he'd tell them not to come back.
I told him I hope i'm in his place so I can watch if anybody actually tries it on.

Sort of a Happy Meal corkage ("baggage"?) fee?

Seems reasonable to me.

I think if allowed, a $10-15 dollar kiddie charge should be added to the guest check if food is brought in. It should be just like a reasonable corkage.

[David M. Bueker]

I'm really glad I don't have kids.

As regards the parent bringing fastfood in for his children, that is the restaurant management's call. While a bit crass and I never did/would never do it, that's their business. Unless it affects me (e.g., his children are noisy, the fastfood odor reaches me, etc.), I don't particularly care.

I taught my kids to try anything at least once. The 3 boys, even the youngest way before he turned 10, love their escargots, foie gras, roasted bone marrow, ris de veau, rognon, sushi, sashimi, etc. I am proud they know how to eat.

I have no problem with dogs being allowed into restaurants (as they are in France) so long as they are trained to act in a civilized fashion, which means mostly laying there and not drawing attention to themselves. Otherwise, leave them in the car with a window cracked open.

The same rules work for kids.

PS - no comic books or ipods or cell phones (for kids or adults) to ruin the dining experience of others. If they can't sit still and shut up for an hour they shouldn't be there. I have asked that either the kids or myself be moved in restaurants and that if that isn't possible I intended to leave. Have done exactly the same thing when they seated people with a gallon of scent poured over them beside me when I was doing a wine dinner.

Guess I'm not doing much to relieve my reputation as a curmudgeon, am I...?

I have no problem with dogs being allowed into restaurants (as they are in France) so long as they are trained to act in a civilized fashion, which means mostly laying there and not drawing attention to themselves. Otherwise, leave them in the car with a window cracked open.

The same rules work for kids.

PS - no comic books or ipods or cell phones (for kids or adults) to ruin the dining experience of others. If they can't sit still and shut up for an hour they shouldn't be there. I have asked that either the kids or myself be moved in restaurants and that if that isn't possible I intended to leave. Have done exactly the same thing when they seated people with a gallon of scent poured over them beside me when I was doing a wine dinner.

Guess I'm not doing much to relieve my reputation as a curmudgeon, am I...?

Ahhhh...a man after my own heart!