Zingerman's Roadhouse makes national kid-friendly restaurant list
OpenTable.com, a restaurant reservation and review Web site, this week released a list of the Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants, derived from more than 2.5 million reviews submitted by OpenTable diners for more than 9,000 restaurants across the country.
There are 105 Michigan restaurants on the site, and about 20 are from Ann Arbor. The Roadhouse, with 77 users rating it kid-friendly, was the only Michigan restaurant that made the cut.
I have fond memories of taking Belle to lunch there a few times, just the two of us before Wes was born. The wait staff were always kind and welcoming. The only problem that we encountered at the time was that she didn't like most of the items on the kids menu — it was traditional kids' fare, but executed in a grown-up manner. So instead of processed chicken nuggets, for example, they had real chicken tenders (the horror!). But we still enjoyed going because the experience was so pleasant, and she did find things that she liked.
We also went a couple of times when Wes was a baby, and I felt very comfortable nursing him in their booths, by the way. I never got a sideways look from either waiters or other patrons.
Lately we haven't been dining out a lot, but it sounds like the Roadhouse is continuing its family-friendly ways. What local restaurant gets your vote for most kid-friendly?
Jen Eyer is on the Community Team at AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at 734-623-2577 or jeneyer@annarbor.com, or you can visit her at the first floor office at 301 East Liberty.
Comments
Ann Arbor mom
Mon, Aug 10, 2009 : 6:51 p.m.
Gourmet Garden is our daughter's favorite.
Jennifer Shikes Haines
Thu, Aug 6, 2009 : 4:10 p.m.
The smoking is an issue for me, too, at Uptown, but I guess we haven't been there when there have been smokers there in years. Village Kitchen has been smoke-free for several years now. And yes, I forgot about Afternoon Delight! Also, even for a "big ticket" dinner, Eve and her staff are incredibly accommodating and kind to children.
Jennifer Shikes Haines
Thu, Aug 6, 2009 : 8:21 a.m.
The only issue for some kids at the Roadhouse is the noise. We LOVE the Roadhouse, and it's been a favorite for all the teens in our lives - our son, our exchange students, friends of theirs, my nephew. There's no doubt, though, that Zingerman's staff is great with children and that the choices are lovely. I think the deli is actually more kid-friendly, and two faves from when Con was little were Village Kitchen and the Coney Island opposite Quality 16 (Uptown or Midtown?) - the staff at both places are terrific with kids and the food is very child-friendly. Of course, it's a really different dining experience.