‘For $6, who cares?’: Applebee’s customer shocked after ordering both adult and kids’ cheeseburgers

Photo byGeorge Sheldon/Shutterstock @kayleighleon/Tiktok

‘This is a game changer.’ Ordering off the kid’s menu comes with a certain set of expectations. Small portions, lower prices—possibly an age restriction—but generally, nothing too off-base as far as ordering food.

However, one Applebee customer was shocked after ordering cheeseburgers from the adult and children’s menu, only to find that they were virtually the same order with a difference in price.

On TikTok, a video was uploaded by Kayleigh (@kayleighleon on TikTok) to share her surprise with 393,000 viewers.

How does the adult cheeseburger from Applebee's compare to the one for children?

“Applebee’s classic cheeseburger versus their kids’ classic cheeseburger,” the poster says while holding up to-go boxes containing both cheeseburgers, which are roughly the same size.

“So one is a kid, and one is a regular cheeseburger. Do you even know which one it is just from looking at it? Because I don’t, and I have it right in front of me,” she continues.

Kayleigh observes that the child's meal is half the price of the adult's version.

“The regular classic cheeseburger cost me $12.99, and the kid’s meal cost me $6.99 and it comes with a drink,” she shares. “I’m going to just assume that this one is the regular classic cheeseburger. They both have the same amount of fries. They literally weigh the same. I’m only assuming this because I feel like it definitely has a little more meat, maybe, than the other one. But like I said, they weighed the same in my hands, so I don’t know.”

Kayleigh then offers the audience a more detailed look at the two takeout meals, which are nearly identical, except for the smaller patties. By placing the burgers side by side and taking a clear bite, she determines that they are indeed identical.

What's the point of purchasing items from the children's menu?

Individuals who are single and in search of affordable and speedy meal solutions have turned to the simple kids' meal as a go-to strategy for obtaining portion-controlled, filling meals at reasonable prices.

Lately, the increasing prices of food and groceries have led everyday shoppers to get inventive in their approach to meal planning for themselves and their loved ones.

A number of people have shared their strategies on the internet, frequently depending on ready-made meals and takeout from well-known eateries to satisfy their dietary requirements. They discover that buying food this way not only cuts down on costs for them, as they only buy the precise amounts of ingredients necessary for cooking, but also frees up time.

Commenters weigh in on Kid’s Meal controversy

Some viewers commented on the video that Kayleigh’s video changed their perspective of kid’s meals, and that they might be more adventurous with their orders while dining out in the future.

“I work right next to an Applebee’s and I never thought of ordering a kid's item to go at lunchtime,” one user wrote. “This is a game changer for me there is so little close by if I forget lunch.”

“Ok I am looking to and I would definitely go for kids!” another added. “Thank you !”

Others were quick to encourage the poster not to speak too loudly about the similarities between the two orders, fearful of price hikes.

“And now that it’s posted it will change when will ppl learn to not post here comes the downsizes,” one commenter complained.

“Be careful doing that cuz, they will raise prices on kids' meals,” a further user speculated.