I went to lunch with my mom and sister yesterday. We went to Olive Garden. Our waitress was great, but the manager was a huge ass!!

I had asked the waitress if I could see the children's menu. I also handed her my special diet card. She told me that she was not allowed to let me order from the children's menu, but that she would show my card to the managers and ask for me.

Well, they said NO. Seriously. . . I couldn't even look at it!! LAME.

I ended up eating some of my mom's chicken breast, and a few shrimp from my sister's plate.

It was all fine in the end , but I was just pissed on the princeable. Because they refused to let me order from the kid's menu--I ordered nothing. Losers

It had to just be the manager for sure My Olive Garden lets me order on the kids menu.

If I was you I would write a complaint to the general manager.

Oh, and also let them know that you will not be returning to their restaurant. Explain the whole lapband/small pouch thing.

Well, that's where I say "Oh well."

I have to believe that if they clearly mark it that the children's menu is for a certain age only, then legally, they have that right to keep that age restriction.

But with that said, you are the customer, and have the right not to go there if they don't meet your needs.

Could you not have ordered an item from the kids menu "to go" and then eaten it there?

I hate to hear you had such a hard time. I love Olive Garden. I was visiting my folks a few weeks ago and we went to an Olive Garden near where they live. We don't have one here - that is good and bad. They let me order from the kids menu. I think it depends on the manager on duty. Some people just have sticks up their butts.

About a month ago DH and I went to Red Lobster - the waitress said it was their policy not to let anyone, but made an exception. I had the same thing at IHOP. I think it really depends on who you get. Sorry for your troubles and I'm glad you refused to order. People can be ignorant fools.

Why not just order a regular sized meal and get a "to go" box for what you don't eat? That's what I do. It really works out well because I can get a couple of meals out of leftovers and not have to cook.

There have been a couple of places I've been to that wouldn't let me order from the kids menu, but the menu clearly stated "for children 12 and younger only". Eh, what can you do? In that case I just order and have lots of leftovers, lol.

Well there's 2-sides to everything.

I don't think they should HAVE to take it, I mean they didn't tell you to get a band.. if they had to accomodate for everyone's weird quirks.. well, they'd be over their head. Some people allergic to this, or that, and some of this or that.. and they have to accomodate majority. Some people don't get full in the 'normal' portions, and sometimes the 'normal' portion is too much.

That being said, I never really understand why someone would deny you the kid's menu. The few times I ordered off of it (not at OG), I never got a problem. Whether you are 2,20,or 80.. a kid's menu size XYZ is the same size XYZ. And like someone else said, if you got it to-go they wouldn't know (and don't care). So it's a weird loop..

But I don't hold them at fault, if it's their policy that you have to be 12 and under, it's their policy. Just get a normal meal and take it to-go.. or like you did, eat off of other's plates...or if you're dead set on a kid's menu item, get it to-go.

We go a number of places that will not let us order from the children's menu. My son is a big strappin' wrestler but eats like a bird when we go out. He would love to order from the kids menu all the time. We just get him a regular meal and box automatically. That way either he, my husband, or I get the other half the next day.

So much less traumatic that dealing with impossible people at a restaurant. I, too, do not see why they cannot be accommodating for people who have proof of why they are asking to order from the kids menu but for the sake of stress it is just best to let it go.

I am sorry your experience was bad but awesome that you still ate right! Looks like you still had a good meal and Olive Garden food is soooo tasty!

I haven't even tried to use the card yet, I'm too embarrassed to ask.

I do agree with Georgia. I almost always get a to go bag even when I order from the kids menu. I still always end up with leftovers. Also order an appetizer instead.

I know that some places, like O'Charley's, can give you half orders. Like half of a chicken salad and a cup of soup instead of a bowl.

How do you go about getting a diet card...my doc never even offered me one.....

I haven't even tried to use the card yet, I'm too embarrassed to ask.

I haven't used my card either, but I am not embarrassed. It is my husband who feels funny. But he is the type who hates when I send back unedible food(even a really rare steak my son ordered well-done!) He just hates conflict of any kind. Good for our marriage, I guess:lol:. I can't wait to go out with my GF and see if Charlie Browns lets me order off the kid's menu. Anyone have any experience with Charlie Browns Restaurants?

How do you go about getting a diet card...my doc never even offered me one.....

You can download one from:

www.gastric-bypass-guru.com/restaurant-card-bariatrics-surgery.html

THANKS a lot!!! I was wondering after reading this why my doc didnt give me one but thanks