Our daughter has a lot of food allergies that place a lot of restrictions on her diet. A corn allergy takes out a lot of foods, as does dairy. Many of the restaurants we go to don't have much of anything that our daughter is able to eat.
This leaves us with a few options: (1) get a babysitter each time we want to eat out; (2) bring her along and eat in front of her, or buy one item that she can have; or (3) bring her, have her eat food that we bring, and we order meals for us.
Most restaurants expect that newborns won't really be able to eat much that they serve, but after they can sit up and feed themselves (more or less) then that excuse begins to wear thin. I was expecting a lot of resistance from restaurants when we requested that our daughter be able to eat food we bring in.
Surprisingly, we've had no trouble doing this. The servers hardly blink when we whip out food for her and we explain that she has a lot of food allergies.
This is kind. Letting us do this is also good for their business: they get two meals out of us. If our daughter had to sit and watch us eat, it wouldn't really be pleasant for anyone, and we'd probably choose other restaurants that were a little friendlier, and they'd lose the two meals on future visits.
Lately I've been leaving good tips because the servers treat our daughter just as well as a child that gets a meal. It's a kindness I wouldn't necessarily expect a restaurant to extend, so it seems appropriate to offset the cost savings with a couple of dollars extra in the tip.
I have a food allergy, too, but mine is one that many restaurants are learning to accommodate. I find that servers are often very helpful and understanding. And there are times when it comes in handy: for example I carry my own food on flights. On one flight, we hit heavy turbulence. The flight attendants couldn't get up to sell food to people, so I was the only person on the plane who got to eat.
Good for them. If she's well-behaved then I'm sure she's more appreciated than paying monsters. But also, you are willing to spend money at their place (and perhaps stay longer and have dessert, since you don't have a babysitter to pay) and have a legitimate reason.
I could see some jerks refusing to put up with it, but it's the smart business thing to do.
As a former server (10 years), I can tell you you're extra tips are appreciated.
Just as much appreciated: a well-behaved child. No matter what you feed them.
I believe allergies may go off as ages. I have no idea but have dust allergy which leads to terrific bronchitis. So, you are making dauughter happy with home foods… inevitable but safe.