Good family friendly restaurants?

[troutman]

I think all "family" servers are trained to greet you by getting on their knees to be at your level, and write their name on the paper tablecloth in crayon.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by jeep991

Going to Blue Star or the Nash is fine if you live near them but if you don't, who want's to drag a couple of hungry kids < 10 halfway across the city to eat? Maybe on a special occasion but if my wife and I are taking the kids out, its because we are not in the mood to cook and want someplace close to feed the kids. That's where BP's or Montana's comes in. They put up restaurants in suburban neighborhoods. There are 4 BP's within 15 minutes from where I live. I'm not saying BP's is great food, but the kids like it, its close, and the food for me is ok.

So you've managed to miss his EXACT POINT, huh?

If people would stop supporting this lazy crap instead of thinking "well, I know what I'm getting", there would be better restaurants in the suburbs and you wouldn't HAVE to drive halfway across the city for them. Then every time you eat out it's a "special occasion" where you get to go to a nice spot locally.

That's his argument. And I have to say, F that.

As someone without kids, if I go out to eat, I'm basically saying "to hell with dietary restrictions, and damn the expense, I'm going to have an enjoyable meal in a nice atmosphere". If someone decides that it's somehow their right to inflict their horrid, screeching brood on the heretofore lovely atmosphere of my chosen dining establishment, to the detriment of the enjoyment all other patrons who had the bad luck to be there that evening, I want those parents sterilized immediately. So please, please, stick with the Montana's and Boston Pizzas near your McDwelling in Narnia and stay the f*#* out of NoTable and Model Milk.

... I know, you were thinking, "there can't possibly be anyone who comes in here to post a more pretentious perspective than Peter12!" Well, you were wrong. Sorry, I just hate this behaviour.

[GGG]

^^ you can have well behaved kids at a restaurant. Its about expectations. Any of the louder open restaurants and no one can tell the difference. Im not taking them to rouge but the mid range not keg stuff along 17th im all over.

And I drive from the burbs to do it but would rather have good close options.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

So you've managed to miss his EXACT POINT, huh?

If people would stop supporting this lazy crap instead of thinking "well, I know what I'm getting", there would be better restaurants in the suburbs and you wouldn't HAVE to drive halfway across the city for them. Then every time you eat out it's a "special occasion" where you get to go to a nice spot locally.

That's his argument. And I have to say, F that.

As someone without kids, if I go out to eat, I'm basically saying "to hell with dietary restrictions, and damn the expense, I'm going to have an enjoyable meal in a nice atmosphere". If someone decides that it's somehow their right to inflict their horrid, screeching brood on the heretofore lovely atmosphere of my chosen dining establishment, to the detriment of the enjoyment all other patrons who had the bad luck to be there that evening, I want those parents sterilized immediately. So please, please, stick with the Montana's and Boston Pizzas near your McDwelling in Narnia and stay the f*#* out of NoTable and Model Milk.

... I know, you were thinking, "there can't possibly be anyone who comes in here to post a more pretentious perspective than Peter12!" Well, you were wrong. Sorry, I just hate this behaviour.

Thank you, sir.

The chicken fingers generation must die. As for good cheap suburban fare, there are Vietnamese and Thai restaurants everywhere.

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by troutman

i think all "family" servers are trained to greet you by getting on their knees to be at your level, and write their name on the paper tablecloth upside down in crayon.

fyp...:d

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Sorry, I just hate this behaviour.

You hate that children are allowed in the same restaurants as childless adults?

[peter12]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

You hate that children are allowed in the same restaurants as childless adults?

I think that what he is saying is that he wants nothing to do with the decorum level of a certain type of family that would regularly go to a place like BPs.

Obviously a generalization, and sort of an offensive one, but I see his point.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by peter12

Thank you, sir.

The chicken fingers generation must die. As for good cheap suburban fare, there are Vietnamese and Thai restaurants everywhere.

i get what you are saying, but get real, if your kids are grumpy, hungry and not eating what is offered, then dinner becomes a miserable experience........trust me i try and expose my kids to varying stuff, but in the end it takes a long time for them to enjoy new things.

in the meantime, i'll continue to hit up places that are close to me in narnia

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

You hate that children are allowed in the same restaurants as childless adults?

Young children? Yup.

If your kid is at an age and stage where they'll behave in a manner such that I do not notice them any more than I do anyone else in the restaurant, fine. This is often not the case. And if you want to go out to dinner but cannot be absolutely certain that your kid isn't going to interfere with other diners, get a sitter or stay home.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

If your kid is at an age and stage where they'll behave in a manner such that I do not notice them any more than I do anyone else in the restaurant, fine. This is often not the case. And if you want to go out to dinner but cannot be absolutely certain that your kid isn't going to interfere with other diners, get a sitter or stay home.

Or... parents could take their kids to restaurants that are explicitly family restaurants, where all patrons understand that there will be kids present and make their choices accordingly. Which is kinda the whole point of this thread.

We have such peculiar expectations around kids in this country. Outside of North America and the Anglo countries, kids are welcome most everywhere. The default assumption in any public place in most of the world is it will be full of families with kids. Anywhere you encounter people - parks, malls, buses, restaurants, the streets - you will encounter children. That's why I get a kick out the presumed sophistication of the adults-only mindset. It's actually very parochial.

[Wormius]

I would try any of farmer's markets. Good food and variety, and kids can be easily entertained. I am not sure if it's considered good, but I have a soft spot for the Blackfoot Truck Stop diner.

Like others have mentioned 4th Spot is a good place, too.

[Erick Estrada]

I don't care what any food snob says Montanas is a great place to go if you have kids. They have a decent kids menu, little coloring books, and the ability to color on the paper table mat is a big plus as I play games with my kids drawing them and them guessing which one I drew then they have their go. It's not a place I would go if it's just me and the wife but the food isn't that bad and the kids like it.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Or... parents could take their kids to restaurants that are explicitly family restaurants, where all patrons understand that there will be kids present and make their choices accordingly. Which is kinda the whole point of this thread.

If you'll look at the context of my post, it was the argument that people SHOULDN'T take their kids to those generic restaurants, because doing so perpetuates said restaurants. Instead, the idea was, if you take them to good, non-cookie cutter restaurants (i.e. "NoTable costs the same as Earls"), maybe you'll see more NoTables out in the suburbs. Do you see where I'm coming from given that context?

That's why I get a kick out the presumed sophistication of the adults-only mindset. It's actually very parochial.

Sure, parochial. Whatever. Whatever it is, your progeny are none of my business and I'd prefer you refrain from inflicting them on me. Your freedom to swing your arms about ends (if not before) at the point where they'll come into contact with my head, and so on. Any expectation that others should have to put up with your kid's poor behaviour is beyond impolite. It's certainly selfish.

[OldDutch]

River Cafe is excellent with kids. We were there a few month's back for the babies post-Christening. They do a kids menu and my 4yr old son loved it.

I try and steer clear of Earl's, Joey's, Montana's, Olive Garden, etc. I really don't like the food or the price. As others have said there are better meals out for near same price, but if that is all that is around by all means do it.

Honestly these two exhausted parents actually cook or get take out. We never go to restaurants as cooking is less work than dealing with the two of them out. We just do not enjoy it. I remember my wife and I wolfing down Mac Nut crusted Opakapaka at Lahaina Grill so we could get the baby home before freak out time. It was the best 7 minutes of my life.

Anyways, Table5 had some great suggestions if you do want to go out as a family. Also look for kids menus or call and ask. I know this whole Jamie Oliver BS on chicken nuggets but you know what some kids like that as a treat. Eating out is a treat and your kids are supposed to enjoy dining out, not just the parents. Sometimes finding a place that serves cheese pizza, nuggets, mini burgers and has great adult food is a God send (like River Cafe).

So go out have fun, families are supposed to do that sometimes. I look forward to getting back there some day heh.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

River Cafe is excellent with kids.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Young children? Yup.

If your kid is at an age and stage where they'll behave in a manner such that I do not notice them any more than I do anyone else in the restaurant, fine. This is often not the case. And if you want to go out to dinner but cannot be absolutely certain that your kid isn't going to interfere with other diners, get a sitter or stay home.

You say it like groups of "adults" can't be just as if not more annoying...

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by MattyC

You say it like groups of "adults" can't be just as if not more annoying...

Oh they absolutely can! But just because adults CAN be annoying, rube, obnoxious and generally unfit for public does not give license to everyone else license to act similarly. And let's face it, a table of grown adults who can match an overtired two year old for sheer annoyingness is pretty rare. For the most part we're at the very worst talking about people who don't know how loud their voice is and are inviting surrounding tables into their conversation. Annoying, sure, but usually not evening-ruining.

[RyZ]

Try Buffalo Wild Wings. Good kids menu, reasonable price and they have tablets (in kid, and drunk adult, proof armor) with a bunch of pre-installed games on them that the kids can keep themselves busy with. We go there all the time on the weekends but the place gets pretty packed on weekend nights when the Flames are playing or any time on NFL Sundays.

[Table 5]

Like most parents, I always go out of my way to ensure that other diners aren't interrupted by my kid to even the smallest degree, but in this case, I wish I could deprive my 2 year old of sleep for a couple of days, get her all riled up on sugar, and then request to sit right next to CorsiHockeyLeague.

Get over yourself, you pompous self-important ass.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Get over yourself, you pompous self-important ass.

See, I feel like if I'd posted this or anything like it, I'd be immediately banned.