It's very hard for us to take the boys out to eat. We rarely if EVER do it. However, when my folks were in town, we thought "hey with the extra hands to help us out, let's try it". We went to CICI's PIZZA!! We loved it. If you have never been, but would love to go out as a family again, painlessly enjoy your dinner and not break the bank, I stronly suggest CICI's. It's a pizza buffet style set up, with a salad bar and dessert bar. Everything is hot and ready to go. The dining room is 100% kid friendly too. We spilled two drinks on the floor and the crew came out and cleaned it up, embarassment free, within a few minutes.

We had a coupon for buy one buffet $4.99, get one free and the Kids ate free too!! It was a great experience. (and very yummy too) Woo hoo!

Anyone else have suggestions for family friendly dining?

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We don't have one of those here, we do have a double T which we go to after mass on Sunday and they are so quick no kidding it isn't rare to have our food come before I finish fixing my coffee. And it is a little noisy but for a family with kids that's a good thing!

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

On the rare occasion we go out to eat, I always take extra coloring books and crayons. That seems to keep them entertained until the food comes. We avoid resturants that we know has slow service. One of favorites is Red Robin.

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DS - 8
DD - 5

I don't see how some parents don't bring something for their kids to do at a restaurant. I alway did when my ds was little. I still do and he's 7 1/2. Gameboys are great or any kind of handheld game. Ya never know how long you might have to wait for something.

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Mary

We also love Cici's. As for the ones that make you wait for food, we like O'Charleys. They give the kids crayons and a paper menu that has pictures to color, games, etc. That is our favorite place to eat. We don't get to go much though, because of the price.

I haven't eaten at cici's since i was in high school, we used to go there after footballs games! Wow you brought back memories...

We go out to eat with the kids all the time, we don't go to fancy places, but normal restaurants. We don't normally bring anything for them to do, they get crayons when the get there and we talk until our food comes. When julia and jared were younger we brought a baggy of cheerios to keep them busy and we'll do the same for Jenna when she's old enough. We tend to go to places that bring rolls or something right when we sit down. Like Red Lobster, that is Julia's favorite. Almost all restaurants have Kids eat free nights, we go to Bennigan's and a local mexican place for those. For cheap places Denny's has the best kids menu side items-salads with goldfish, cucumber slices, apple sauce and teddy grahms and much more, better than your normal selection of fries(which we don't eat). You can get coupons to almost any restaurant by signing up on their website and most in the paper or entertainment book.

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A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.-Eleanor Roosevelt

Christy,
I agree Cicis' is great for young children! My ds made a great friend in Kindergarten this year and I ended babysitting his friend and little brother. The mom and I started talking and somehow agreed to take turns once a month she sits and once a month we do. This way we can truly enjoy eating out every now and then! Happy tonight is OUR turn!!!!

I wish we had one of those near us! We go to Bennigans once a month on kids eat free nights! It costs under $20 for all 4 of us! We also like Cracker Barrel...their food's yummy and not to expensive.

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WAHM to Richie, Becca & Ryan!

We've always eaten out with our kids, ever since they were small and to tell you the truth, we've never had any problems. We don't eat fast food or at chains though and I've always found the places we've eaten at to be very accomodating and "family friendly". It depends on how your kids act though I suppose. I always brought paper and pencils or crayons, it just worked out for us really well and we all still really enjoy eating out.

I love Cici's! They just opened around here this summer, good food (and selection) great price.

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Amanda
Mommy to Zack & Emily