这封信的作者是Yorktown High School in Arlington, Va 17 岁的Max Yoon，她是学生公开信大赛的前 10 名获胜者之一，我们收到了 9,946 份参赛作品。
Dear Restaurant Owners,
Why do you hate joy?
I ask this as a 17-year-old who — on occasion — simply wants to order chicken tenders and mac and cheese without being stared at like I’m out of my mind.
Let me be clear: I’m not trying to scam the system. I’m not cheating my way into a good deal. I don’t want the crayons and activity sheet (unless it has a cool maze). I just want the option — the freedom, as promised to me by the unalienable rights of common sense and maybe the Constitution — to order from the children’s menu without being told, “Sorry, that’s only for kids 12 and under.”
The children’s menu isn’t some exclusive country club. It’s a list of smaller, simpler, more affordable portions that appeal to a wide range of people beyond the age of 12. There are plenty of reasons why a teen or adult might prefer a smaller plate: dietary needs, health conditions, smaller appetites, financial limitations, or just wanting some comfort food without the calories of a fully loaded burger.
Some of us just want to enjoy grilled cheese without artisan sourdough, truffle aioli and “rosemary essence.” Some of us want applesauce instead of roasted cauliflower — and juice boxes without judgment. And some of us teens are simply nostalgic for a time when lunch came with crayons and no existential dread about SAT scores, climate change or what we’re supposed to do with our lives by age 18.
But beyond nostalgia, there’s a real issue here: food waste. According to the Department of Agriculture, the United States already throws away around 30 to 40 percent of its food supply each year — a problem exacerbated by the normalization of supersized meals in restaurants. If I know I’m not going to finish an adult-sized portion, why be forced to order it? Shouldn’t we be encouraging smaller portions and conscious consumption, not obstructing people from asking for less?
And let’s talk about affordability. Not every teenager, or family, can comfortably afford a $20 dish. But a $6 kid’s quesadilla? That’s more manageable. Sometimes the children’s menu is the only way to eat out without stressing over the price. Should consumers really be priced out of a meal that they’d actually finish?
Hear me out: Keep the toys, the crayons, the themed plastic cups — those can stay for the 12-and-under crowd. But the food? The food should be for everyone. Maybe call it the “Petite Plate Menu” or the “Modest Munchies for Maturing Mouths.”
And look, I get it — restaurants are stretched thin. Costs are up, margins are tight, and staying in business is harder than ever. Think of this not as a burden, but as a lifeline. A scaled-down, tapas-style option could draw in diners who might otherwise stay home. It’s not just cute. It’s strategic.
At the end of the day, menus should serve the people eating from them. That includes kids, adults and, yes — teens like me who are busy navigating independence, responsibility and the occasional craving for chicken nuggets.
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So, restaurant overlords, let us eat. Let us reclaim the kids’ menu with pride and dignity.
Sincerely,
Max
Works Cited
Severson, Kim. “Restaurant Portions Are About to Get Smaller. Are Americans Ready?” The New York Times, 24 Sept. 2024.
“Why Should We Care About Food Waste?” U.S. Department of Agriculture, 11 Dec. 2024.