No meal is free when you’re with kids

Marv and I are homebodies so we’ve never been the type to go out except on weekends. Pre-Stephen, we used to dine out at fairly nice restaurants at least once or twice a week. Now, our usual routine is to rush through brunch at Giraffe, an eclectic family restaurant with reasonably priced world cuisine.

So I was pretty amazed when Scott, a fellow b5media blogger, told me about his list of restaurants in Kansas City with free or discount meals. He has listed more than 20 restaurants organized by days of the week and although Scott tells me they haven’t tried them all, they definitely plan to.

For me, it’s a balance between my dislike of cooking and my dislike of having to desperately entertain Stephen at a restaurant. It’s a no-win situation. I guess it’s left to other braver souls like Scott to check out the kids meals for us. Their pre-toddler, Avery, must be a little angel!

The best solution for us is delivery. In Vietnam, we ordered delivery several times a week (maybe I shouldn’t be telling you this!) but in London, the selection is limited to Indian, Chinese, Thai, and pizza. Sadly, I can only tolerate this about once a month. Fortunately, we can tolerate my cooking more frequently than that.

If you’re energetic enough to check out the restaurants in your city with kids in tow, Scott is inviting other parents to make a similar list. Visit his blog for more details on how to join in.

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Comment by Leslie

2006-06-12 00:53:24

I think it depends on when you start bringing your child to a restaurant and what kind of place it is.

With Alan we will either go to a chinese Buffet, Hometown Buffet (american buffet), or Charlie Brown’s (a steakhouse with a salad bar). Basically places with little or no wait (but a little better than fast food) - and also kid friendly.

Maybe there is a site of child friendly restaurants in London?

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Comment by Kerri Subscribed to comments via email

2006-06-12 04:33:03

With our three monkeys, we rarely go out anywhere anymore. But, if we do, it’s to anyplace that is loud. Here in the states, Chipotle is one of our favorite spots. It has good quality food at a reasonable price, loud music, and concrete floors. Works well for us. Occasionally we’ll hit Red Robin which serves gourmet-type burgers (would anyone besides an American actually use gourmet as an adjective for burger?) and has TVs alternating with sports and cartoons. Not my pick for a date spot, but fun for meeting another family with kids. And, of course, anywhere with a playland.

Comment by Cottontimer

2006-06-12 13:21:58

Leslie: We live in probably the most child-friendly areas in London with many having play corners, etc. But it’s still not very relaxing for me to have to to keep watch over Stephen while I eat.

Kerri: Chipotle…Tex-Mex? YUM!!! Loud is definitely good and is “anywhere with a playland” a euphemism for McD?

2006-06-12 13:22:56

Oh, and I should add that half the time it doesn’t even matter what special amenities are at the restaurants, he gets fed-up and just wants to go go go!!

2006-06-12 15:00:21

Chipotle is best described as “Big, Fat Burritos.” Not a huge menu, but very fresh and farmer friendly and all that. Yum. Playland=McD, Wendy’s, Burger King, Chick-fil-A (yes, I can name them all!) One of the best treats I had at the end of my last pregnancy was Cory taking us all out to Chick-fil-A each Friday night. Once we were done eating, he would take the two oldest into playland and I would sit and read a book or magazine ALL BY MYSElF (if you didn’t count the other 50 people in the dining room, which I didn’t) for at least 20 mintues. That was an awesome treat, and I miss it terribly!!!