The Complete 2026 Guide
Ordering steak for a child usually means settling for a small, bland cut. The kids sirloin at LongHorn Steakhouse breaks that pattern. It is a real, fire-grilled steak portioned for younger appetites, and it has quietly become one of the most talked-about items on any casual-dining children’s menu.
This guide covers everything a parent needs to know about this popular dish, including price, calories, sides, and how it stacks up against the adult menu.
What Is the LongHorn Kids Sirloin?
The kids sirloin is a 6-ounce sirloin steak, seasoned and grilled over an open flame the same way LongHorn prepares every adult steak. It is not a separate “kid-friendly” recipe with different seasoning or a lower-grade cut.
The kitchen fires this steak on the same grill, using the same seasoning blend, as the full-size Renegade Sirloin served to adults.
Portion Size and Preparation
At 6 ounces, this steak is roughly half the size of a standard adult sirloin portion, which makes it manageable for a child’s plate without overwhelming them.
Servers ask how the child would like the steak cooked, from rare through well-done, and the kitchen grills it to that exact temperature. This detail matters: many family restaurants serve a single “kids” doneness for every plate, but this entrée is cooked to order like an adult meal.
What’s Included With the Meal
Every order of the kids sirloin comes with one side dish and one kids drink, which is typically 1% low-fat milk for children under 12, though juice, lemonade, soda, or water are also available.
A loaf of the chain’s signature bread is served to the table as well, so the full plate effectively includes bread, a protein, a side, and a beverage for one flat price.
Kids Sirloin Price Guide 2026
Pricing for this dish varies by location, but most guests can expect to pay somewhere in the following range. The table below breaks down the kids sirloin alongside a few other children’s menu items so you can compare value at a glance.
| Kids Menu Item | Typical Price Range | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Kids Sirloin (6 oz) | $9.49 – $10.99 | Steak, 1 side, 1 drink |
| Grilled Chicken Tenders | $7.49 – $8.99 | Chicken, 1 side, 1 drink |
| Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders | $7.49 – $8.99 | Chicken, 1 side, 1 drink |
| Cheeseburger | $6.99 – $8.49 | Burger, 1 side, 1 drink |
| Kraft Macaroni & Cheese | $6.99 – $7.99 | Mac & cheese, 1 side, 1 drink |
| Bite-Sized Corn Dogs | $6.99 – $8.49 | Corn dogs, 1 side, 1 drink |
Prices vary by location and change periodically, so it’s worth confirming with your local restaurant before visiting. As shown in the table, the kids sirloin is typically the highest-priced item on the children’s menu, yet it remains one of the better values relative to portion and preparation quality.
How the Price Compares to Adult Steaks
This is where the kids sirloin becomes genuinely interesting for budget-conscious families. A 6-ounce kids sirloin with a loaded baked potato and a drink runs about ten dollars at many locations, while the same cut served as the adult Renegade Sirloin with a loaded baked potato costs nearly twenty dollars.
The adult version swaps the drink for a soup or salad starter, but the steak itself is identical in size and quality. For an adult with a smaller appetite, or for a teenager old enough to eat a full portion but still within the children’s menu age cutoff, this price gap has turned the dish into something of a minor dining hack that has spread widely on social media.
Nutrition and Calories
Parents watching portion sizes will find this meal easy to plan around. The steak itself comes in at roughly 320 calories, which is a reasonable protein-forward number for a child’s main course before adding a side.
Because it is a lean cut, the sirloin delivers protein without excess fat, though sodium runs on the higher side, as with most seasoned steakhouse cuts. Compared to fried options on the same menu, this grilled entrée generally has a lighter calorie footprint before sides are added.
Side Options
Guests can typically choose from the following sides to pair with the steak:
- Steamed broccoli (roughly 35 calories)
- Fresh grapes (roughly 60 calories)
- French fries (roughly 500 calories)
- Mashed potatoes
- Seasonal vegetables
- Asparagus (small upcharge, roughly 130 calories)
Choosing a lighter side like broccoli or grapes keeps the full plate under 400 calories, while fries push the total meal closer to 800 calories. Parents who want a balanced dinner often pair the steak with grapes or broccoli, saving fries for an occasional treat.
Why Families Choose the Kids Sirloin
Several factors explain why this dish keeps showing up in family dining recommendations and social media food hacks alike:
- Real steakhouse quality. The steak is grilled on the same open flame as every adult cut, not a separate lower-tier preparation.
- Cooked to order. Doneness can be customized from rare to well-done, a rarity on children’s menus.
- Portion-appropriate size. At 6 ounces, it fits a child’s appetite without excessive leftovers.
- Allergen-friendly profile. Alongside grilled chicken tenders, this entrée is one of the few children’s menu items without common allergens baked into the preparation.
- Strong value. Compared to ordering a smaller portion off the adult menu, this option often costs less while including a side and drink.
- Introduces kids to steak culture. It gives younger diners an early, low-pressure introduction to ordering and eating a proper steakhouse cut.
Kids Sirloin vs Other Children’s Menu Items
Not every child wants steak, so it helps to see how the kids sirloin compares with the rest of the menu:
- Steak vs Chicken Tenders: The sirloin costs slightly more but offers a cooked-to-order steak experience; tenders are a safer bet for picky eaters.
- Steak vs Cheeseburger: The burger is faster and more familiar, while the steak introduces children to an actual steakhouse cut.
- Steak vs Mac & Cheese: Mac and cheese remains the lowest-cost, most reliable choice for very young children who haven’t developed a taste for steak yet.
- Steak vs Corn Dogs: Corn dogs are a fun, casual pick for younger kids, while the sirloin suits children who already enjoy meat dishes at home.
Tips for Ordering the Kids Sirloin
A few practical notes make ordering this dish smoother, especially on a first visit.
Age and Eligibility Rules
Children’s menu items, including the kids sirloin, are generally intended for children under 12. Policies vary slightly by location and by state, so it’s worth asking a server if there’s any question about eligibility, particularly for older children who may still fit the portion size. Some locations enforce this rule strictly, while others leave it to server discretion.
Customizing Your Child’s Steak
Because this steak is grilled to order, parents can request a specific doneness, ask for no seasoning if a child has a sensitive palate, or request the butter typically added on top be left off.
Swapping the standard side for a lighter option is also usually accommodated without extra cost, aside from premium sides like asparagus. Requesting the steak sliced before it reaches the table is another common ask for younger children still learning to use a knife.
Is the Kids Sirloin Worth It?
For families who enjoy a proper steak dinner but don’t want to overspend, this option is hard to beat. One food writer summed up the appeal simply, calling it “a genuine steakhouse steak at a reasonable price, with a side and drink included.”
That combination of authentic preparation and family-friendly pricing is exactly why the dish keeps earning repeat orders, from actual kids and budget-minded adults alike.
It also explains why the item has become a recurring topic in restaurant “hack” videos, where diners point out that ordering from the children’s menu can stretch a family dining budget further without sacrificing steak quality.
How to Get the Best Experience
A little planning goes a long way toward making this meal feel special rather than routine. Visiting during off-peak hours, such as an early weeknight dinner, tends to mean shorter waits for the grill and a less rushed server experience for the request-heavy customizations parents often make.
Calling ahead to confirm the age policy at your specific location can also save an awkward conversation at the table if a slightly older child wants to order from the children’s menu.
Finally, pairing the meal with a lighter side and saving dessert for a shared plate keeps the overall dinner balanced without feeling restrictive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the kids sirloin the same steak served to adults?
Yes. It is cut from the same sirloin used for the adult Renegade Sirloin and grilled on the same open flame, just in a smaller 6-ounce portion.
How much does the kids sirloin cost?
It typically costs between $9.49 and $10.99, depending on location, and includes one side dish and one drink.
Can adults order the kids sirloin?
Policies vary by location and age restrictions apply in many cases, since children’s menu items are generally reserved for children under 12. Some locations are flexible; it’s best to ask your server.
How many calories are in the kids sirloin?
The steak portion alone is approximately 320 calories, before adding a side dish.
What sides come with the kids sirloin?
Common choices include steamed broccoli, grapes, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and french fries, with asparagus available for a small additional charge.
Can the kids sirloin be cooked to a specific doneness?
Yes, servers will ask how the child prefers the steak cooked, and the kitchen grills it to that requested temperature, from rare to well-done.
Is the kids sirloin a healthy option for children?
It’s a reasonably balanced choice: a lean, protein-rich cut around 320 calories, though pairing it with a vegetable side rather than fries keeps the full meal lighter.
Conclusion
The kids sirloin stands out as one of the rare children’s menu items that doesn’t compromise on quality to hit a lower price point. It offers a real, cooked-to-order steakhouse experience for a fraction of the adult menu price, comes with a side and drink included, and gives younger diners an early introduction to proper steakhouse cooking.
Whether you’re feeding a young steak enthusiast or simply looking for a smart value on a family dinner out, this dish is worth requesting at your next visit.
References
- Chowhound “Why LongHorn Steakhouse Diners Are Quietly Ordering From The Kids’ Menu,”
- LongHorn Steakhouse Official Menu & Nutrition Information,
- USDA FoodData Central Beef Sirloin Nutrition Data,
- LongHorn Steakhouse Kids Menu & Lunch Specials Prices 2026,
- National Restaurant Association Family Dining Trends Report,