What's Your Favorite Kid-Friendly Restaurant?

on August 18, 2009 at 11:00 AM

Photo by Jeanmarie1975

What makes a restaurant "kid-friendly," in your opinion? For starters, I'd have to say: ample clean high chairs; changing tables in the bathrooms; a kids' menu or at least smaller portions; and maybe even a crayon or two.

OpenTable.com recently announced its list of the Top 50 Kid-Friendly Restaurants in the nation. These places have all of the above and more...

Turns out quite a few of them are near me here in Chicago—including one outpost of the famous Italian chain Maggiano's. Are there any family-friendly restaurants near you? Check the list to find out!

What must a restaurant ABSOLUTELY offer for you to consider it "kid-friendly?"

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: eating out, family meals, food, kid-friendly

Comments (13)

aurorabunny

on Aug 18, 2009 at 1:09 PM

It's not a chain restaurant at all, but we have a vegan restaurant here called Eden Alley that is so awesome. The food is all vegan, cheap, local and mostly soy-free (and gluten free). AND they have a cool kids menu and a kids play area too. Most of the vegan/veg restaurants in my area are...I don't want to say snooty, but not really toddler friendly.

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Nonmember comment from Linda

on Aug 18, 2009 at 1:15 PM

A music level that covers up the sound of little voices but doesn't preclude conversation or cause ears to hurt. Famous Dave's has a good background-noise level.

Nonmember comment from Genna Cockerham

on Aug 18, 2009 at 1:32 PM

I've had so many drinks poured in my lap because the wait staff placed a full drink directly in front of a toddler! So any place where the employees know not to put full drinks or hot plates in front of toddlers is a winner in my book!

Cafe Cynthia

on Aug 18, 2009 at 4:52 PM

A waiter who knows to sit my husband and I and the two kids FAR AWAY from the grumpy older couple who wants to eat quietly and who keep shooting daggers at me as I try to drag my kids out from under the table.

Nonmember comment from Sylkozakur

on Aug 18, 2009 at 5:31 PM

Loud is always good. Good menu choices with quality food. For example, I want good mac n cheese, not Kraft Dinner. Staff who helps accomodate my breastfeeding is also awesome.

DanaWar

on Aug 18, 2009 at 6:38 PM

Red Robin franchise is the best because they don't rush you outta there. my people eat slow (I don't but....) I have to say that a relaxed atmosphere makes the kids relax...

areshea

on Aug 18, 2009 at 7:59 PM

Eat and Park Franchise. They have bibs, the holders for babies in carseats, free baby food and snacks for older kids. Their buffet is free for children 5 and under with the purchase of an adult buffet and its half price for children 5 and up. Its a great bargin and family friendly. Plus free Smiley cookies!

capemaygirl

on Aug 19, 2009 at 10:42 AM

i think its needs to have bigh selection starting with the menu it should be fun and healthy nurtious the bathrooms should have changing stations for babies and toddlers we all know accidents happen and have sinks that a child can reach and high chairs and booster seats always crayons and paper handy kids have a small attenion spand so have like cheerios or gold fish to munch on untill food comes it just keeps them calm and in there seat i like fridays, applebees and places like chucki cheese

Avarah

on Aug 20, 2009 at 12:39 AM

My three boys LOVE Red Robin. :)

toriandgrace

on Aug 20, 2009 at 8:11 PM

Bob Evans is my favorite kid friendly restaurant. They have bendy straws, so the cup can actually stay on the table while the child drinks from it. I also love how inexpensive their kid menu is and that it has pictures of all the foods and sides, so kids can easily choose what they want. They also send my daughter a birthday card every year with a free kids meal coupon. I just wish we had one near us! We moved out west, but we go whenever we're visiting family back in MI.