I know this might sound ridiculous, maybe even laughable, but I’m going to say it anyway. The other day, I wanted a grilled cheese sandwich. Not some truffle-oil-infused, sourdough artisan creation with caramelized onions and three types of cheese. No. I wanted the plain, square, humble grilled cheese—the kind that shows up on the kids’ menu.

You know the one: comes with a side of fries or apple slices, sometimes even cut into triangles if the kitchen staff is feeling generous. After a rough day, that little sandwich felt like the exact comfort I needed. So when I saw it listed beneath cartoon mascots and crayon drawings on the laminated menu, I asked the waitress for it. And the look she gave me was something between amusement and confusion, like I had just asked to borrow her earrings. “Um… that’s for kids only,” she said, with a tone that made me feel like I was asking to sneak into a bouncy castle without paying admission. Apparently, we now live in a society where grilled cheese sandwiches are age-restricted. Cool, cool, cool. But that moment got me thinking—why is it so strange for adults to want to eat kids’ meals?

I mean, aside from the fact that they’re delicious. Once someone has told you that you’re “too grown” for mac and cheese, your brain starts asking questions. Is this really a widely shared belief? Are there actually people out there getting fired up about an adult asking for a mini corn dog? Turns out, yeah. There’s some kind of unspoken battle happening, and I stumbled into it just because I wanted a sandwich with no frills and maybe a side of apple juice. But seriously, there are plenty of reasons why an adult might choose something off the kids’ menu. First off, not everyone is walking around with the appetite of a linebacker.

Some folks are on medications that affect appetite, others just want a small bite that won’t sit in their stomach like a brick. And sometimes, we’re hungry—but only in a very specific, comfort-food, beige kind of way. And let’s be real here—money matters. Fast food receipts these days can climb higher than a sit-down dinner, and sometimes that $6 burger and fries on the kids’ menu looks like a smarter, tastier option than a $17 combo meal you’re only going to eat half of. If I’m trying to eat light and save money, why is that a problem? Also, a lot of the food on kids’ menus? It slaps. Chicken nuggets?

Always a win. Buttered noodles? Hug in a bowl. PB&J? The emotional support sandwich of champions. These meals are straightforward, satisfying, and come without the drama of deconstructed sauces and microgreens that nobody asked for. But I do understand why restaurants might not love the idea. Kids’ meals are often priced as loss leaders—cheap options meant to bring families through the door. They’re not designed to be profitable on their own. So when grown-ups start ordering off that section, the financials get weird. Then there’s the consistency problem. If one server lets it slide and another doesn’t, you end up with angry Yelp reviews, social media rants, and a manager getting yelled at because someone was denied their dinosaur nuggets.

And let’s not ignore how complicated adults can make it. “Can I swap the apple slices for sweet potato fries? Can I get gluten-free bread? Can I sub in grilled nuggets instead of fried?” And suddenly the kitchen, already buried under brunch orders, has to fulfill a modified toddler meal for a 37-year-old. I get that it’s annoying. But still. There’s also this weird energy around the whole thing—a social stigma that you’re somehow immature or less dignified if you want a small, simple meal. Like you’re not a real adult unless you order something with a “reduction” or a protein that costs more than your last Uber ride. And if you just say, “Actually, I’d rather have the nuggets,” it feels like points get quietly deducted from your adult credibility.

But really—what’s the big deal? Isn’t it better to order the $7 grilled cheese you actually want and will finish than to spend $24 on salmon just to pick at it and push it around your plate? Thankfully, some restaurants are catching on. A few now offer “light bites” or “small plates,” which is just a fancy way of saying, “We know you want the kids’ meal, and that’s okay.” Others let adults order kids’ meals with a small upcharge—like $2 extra. That feels reasonable. They’re running a business, and everyone wants to meet halfway. But the real solution? Just be upfront. Either let adults order the kids’ meal or don’t—but don’t make it awkward. Post it. Say it clearly on the menu. No side-eyes or passive-aggressive remarks required. Because sometimes, all someone wants is a box of nuggets and the chance to color outside the lines. And honestly? If you’re down for that kind of meal, I’ll meet you there—crayons and all.