Parents magazine today released its 10 Best Family Restaurants, based not just on the children's menus but also whether there were crayons on the table and changing tables in the restrooms. They also asked about whether the restaurants had eliminated trans fats and could accommodate children with food allergies. Here's their list:
1. Legal Sea Foods
2. Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes
3. Mimi's Café
4. Uno Chicago Grill
5. Chili's Grill & Bar
6. Red Robin
7. The Old Spaghetti Factory
8. P.F. Chang's China Bistro
9. Denny's
10. Claim Jumper
Obviously, all the restaurants are national chains, but I’m always on the hunt for locally owned, family-friendly restaurants. Our favorite is Casa Reynoso in Tempe. The gollo burro, filled with green chile, pork, beans, cheese and onions is amazing, and the salsa is hot but addicting. There’s always a Reynoso running about the place, and they’re great with kids, putting their food on cool-to-the-touch and even accommodating the requests of a little girl who doesn’t like the rice and beans to touch the taco.
What are your local favorites?
Karina Bland is raising her 9-year-old son in Tempe with a lot of love, humor and support from her friends and family. A longtime journalist covering child welfare and education issues for The Arizona Republic, she blogs about raising good kids.
We like Cracker Barrel...you
We like Cracker Barrel...you get a lot of good food for a fraction of many other restaurants.
We like Red Devil Pizza in
We like Red Devil Pizza in Tempe. They are great with my girls and the staff treat you like family. They let the girls have penne pasta instead of spaghetti noodles :)
KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.
We like to take our son to
We like to take our son to California Pizza Kitchen( a chain, I know, but he LOVES the split pea soup and their bread. They have lots of healthy options for kids and I LOVE their BB! chopped chicken salad.
We also like to go to La Casa Blanca in Chandler. Decent food, but the atmosphere is fun. They always let my son use the sweeper to clean up his own mess and he thinks it is so fun!
Joes Farm Grill is great too because the food is fresh and local and there is so much room for the kids to run around outside under the trees.
Our 4 yr old loves
Our 4 yr old loves Grimaldi's Pizza. There is one in Old Towne Scottsdale and one in North Scottsdale. No kids menu, but she loves the pizza. They also have a super yummy Oreo Cheesecake dessert.
We also love Cafe Portabello in N. Scottsdale. They offer Wikki Stix, crayons, paper, great kids menu that includes an ice cream bar for dessert. Great patio for the cooler months, always tons of kids.
Beth
We like Grimaldi's too -
We like Grimaldi's too - they are opening one in the west valley too at Northern & 101
There is a Grimaldi's on
There is a Grimaldi's on Alma School and Queen Creek also
we LOVE black bear diner on
we LOVE black bear diner on southwest corner of gilbert and baseline. super child friendly, affordable, and great food!
stephanie-brooke. loving mommy of 3 (8,6 and1), and kick-butt hair stylist!
Carlsbad Tavern it's kid
Carlsbad Tavern it's kid friendly with a nice patio, great food and really good margaritas!
My daughter likes Black Bear
My daughter likes Black Bear Diner and we also love Little Bite of Italy in Sun City ... totally not child friendly and no kids menu, but the food is authentic Italian and it's sooo yummy!!
My son loves Valle Luna,
My son loves Valle Luna, especially the Chandler location. He would live on bean buritos if we let him, and dinner comes with a fruit cup (OK, it's in heavy syrup, but their hearts are in the right place). He especially loves that afterward, we take the leftover chips and go feed the ducks.
My kids love Olive Garden,
My kids love Olive Garden, Red Robin, Chili's, Roy's and Cheesecake Factory. Yes, they are all chains, but they love them all the same. At Roy's they get ribs or salmon - a change of pace for them. At Cheesecake Factory, since there isn't a kids menu, they get the sliders deluxe and mac & cheese....this is making me hungry. :)
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.
My daughter likes Cracker
My daughter likes Cracker Barrel, Reb Robin and Olive Garden.
jesshod is a mommy to 2 girls (ages 6 and 1) and is an arizonamoms.com discussion leader living in Surprise.
The Elephant Bar. Fun decor
The Elephant Bar. Fun decor and variety in the kids' menu.
We have always liked
We have always liked Applebees. They have the crayons and activity/menu for the kids to tackle. All the pictures and memorablilia on the walls are great for the kids to look at too.
Funny story - we were at IHOP the other night with our 11 -year-old and 15-year-old. They brought the coloring/menu packet for not only the younger one, but the teen too. It was a funny moment when the teen blushed and said thank you. She ended up coloring the entire page.
sure, fine, whatever
JOE'S FARM
JOE'S FARM GRILL...www.joesfarmgrill.com...in Gilbert is amazing! Loved the change of pace from all of the chain restaurants. Relaxed atmosphere, great food. Loved the grilled pizzas...great breakfasts now served later! Classy coffee shop with seating indoors & garden/patio. Well worth the drive from anywhere in the valley. See also Food Network coverage...ENOY!