Table Talk

By Becky

August 29, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

Cracker Barrel. The kids love the food & the rocking chairs out front..

By DYJ

August 29, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this

Frontera Tex Mex. Plenty of high chairs, good kids menu, chips and salsa seconds after you arrive (my 14 mos old loves salsa!), roomy restaurant, music, great prices, great food, quick service, accommdates groups, never a long wait. Thumbs up!

By Chef Jones

August 29, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

MY KITCHEN!!!!!

By Darin

August 29, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

We’ve taken our baby boy to Dakota Blue in Grant Park a few times and felt comfortable. There’s usually other children there as well, and the presence of other kids always helps me feel less guilty when mine occassionally lets out a scream or throws a toy on the floor (repeatedly).

West Egg Cafe in West Midtown works well with kids too, though that’s just for breakfast and lunch.

By Jagger

August 29, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

Off topic, but does anyone know what happened with Mick’s at Bennett St? Are there any Mick’s left anywhere?

By Jones

August 29, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Darin If you kid repeatedly throws toys on the floor at a restaurant, you might want to take the toy away. He obviously doesn’t want it. You are playing a game with him, and he is winning. Just a thought.

By Jana

August 29, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Marietta Diner. They have the largest menu selection I’ve ever seen in one restaurant. Their wait staff is awesome and prices are very reasonable, especially considering the large portions they serve. And the food is delicious.

By Jana

August 29, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this

Marietta Diner. They have the largest menu selection I’ve ever seen in one restaurant. Their wait staff is awesome and prices are very reasonable, especially considering the large portions they serve. And the food is delicious.

By Elaine

August 29, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

It’s certainly not gourmet, but kids eat free weeknights at IHOP!

By Laura

August 29, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

This is great! Now I’ll know exactly where NOT to eat.

By MRG

August 29, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

That’s ok Laura we know you hurt on the inside :) ZAXBY’s is where my kid loves to throw down!

By war eagle

August 29, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

marietta diner is cool-even better is PROVINOS. They always bring an activity mat for the kids to color, bring them salad and breadsticks to munch on while their food is cooking. Mick’s SUCKED! Over priced food and mediocre entree’s and service. Mick’s I believe is out of business. California Pizza Kitchen is not far behind. sad to see Bennigans and Steak and Ale go out. Casa Gallardo in Marietta was great and so was Rio Bravo. Loved the brunch on Sundays.

By Becky

August 29, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

Kids don’t like you either Laura…

By sandy

August 29, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

I agree…now I know where NOT to go. So that I can avoid all of the whacked out parents who think that their kids throwing/spilling food all over the floors, tables, and chairs is “CUTE”, and who think that their kids running around all over the restaurant is “CUTE”, who think that their child’s loud screaming, babbling, and crying is “CUTE”, and who also think that they don’t even have to clean up all of the spilled/thrown food when they are ready to leave. They just leave it all over the floor and seats. Thank you to the Parents who teach their children to sit quietly and not throw their food…and who clean up the messes (or at least offer) and who leave the kids AT HOME or at a TRULY kid-appropriate place (Chuck E Cheese) until they have taught them well. People: I see 5 year olds doing all of this bull. 5 is old enough to know how to sit down and be quiet and not throw food. Unlees your Parent is “one of those”, of which there are many. You will know they are on this board shortly. But again, thank you to the Parents who TRY.

By Sexylady

August 29, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

There is a Mick’s on Peacthree Street not far down from 25th St. I used to love Mick’s!!!

By MRG

August 29, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

So sad Sandy, so sad. Children are here to stay trained or not. Obviously you haven’t experienced the joys of motherhood. Each kid is different and they all have their moments. We don’t find the things you mentioned CUTE but a fact of life. Grow up or stay home.

By Tommy

August 29, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

I’m waiting to post to the “Where Kids Are Forbidden To Eat” blog…

By Jen

August 29, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Osteria in VaHi. And the food is awesome.

By sandy

August 29, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

MRG: Oh, OK, I’ll just stay home, since I don’t like going to restaurants (such as Dakota Blue, West Egg, and Osteria-mentioned above) and having to sit down in “mash” leftover from children whose parents are too lazy or self-important to clean it up, and then sit through a meal where someone’s kid is running around the place, pulling on my sleeve, spilling stuff, and screaming. Ok, yeah, I’ll stay home so that YOU can decide that having a brat out in a nice (or semi nice) place is OK, instead of staying at a fast food, chuck e cheese, or ihop, where you should stay. And you can ruin it for the good parents, too.

By Darin

August 29, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

Jones - we only give him quiet toys to play with in restaurants, ones that don’t make a big sound when they hit the floor.

Being a lover of restaurants, I’m very careful to scope out a place before taking the baby there so we don’t annoy anyone. The places we take the baby to are noisy already and can soak up baby sounds with no problem.

My wife and I visit quieter and more upscale restaurants for lunch and by ourselves when we have a babysitter. Most of the better restaurants in Midtown are not kid-friendly, so if you’re looking for a place where kids won’t be (as we are when we go out by ourselves), there are plenty of choices in that area.

Jen - Osteria in ViHi is a good call. Very kid-friendly, and good food too.

By Jagger

August 29, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

@Sexylady, Mick’s down from 25th bit the dust. I agree with Wareagle, it had really gone downhill. I’m just curious as to if they still exist at all. I think there is still one or two Steak & Ale’s around judging by the fact they pay to place coupons in the paper. I liked Rio Bravo and Bennigans even though it’s been countless years since I went to the latter. I will always miss The Brandyhouse of old, before it went to a music venue.

By Jen

August 29, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

God, Sandy, you’re such a WHINER. Shut up, I’m sick of you, already. You’re worse than whiny bratty kids.

The great thing about Osteria is that around 9pm it sort of evolves from a family friendly extra tasty restaurant into a wine bar - no kids. There have been times when my husband, son, and I have eaten dinner there on a Friday evening and then my husband took my son home and I held the table for Girls Night.

One of my favorite places in VaHi.

By Atlanta Pearl Girl

August 29, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

Joes Crab Shack. There’s so much to look at and when the crews start dancing…..it’s great! The food is marginal..but to have a night’s peace at dinner because the kids are playing on the beachy sandy playground or doing the jig with the wait staff….. it’s well worth it.

Joes Crab Shack! (Thank God my kids are older now……but when they were wee ones Joes is definately the place to go.)

By Judi-RootyTooty

August 29, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

THIS ISN’T ABOUT A RESTAURANT THAT IS—BUT ONE THAT ISN’T…Why doesn’t Atlanta have Disney’s “Rain Forest Cafe”??? We have enuff people to more than support it, and kids galore. How many of you have seen one of these?? They have a huge rain forest, complete with roaring animals, good food—and RAIN! A great place for kids! Also, in Denver we had CASA BONITA—a complete Mexican village built into a vacant department store! Inexpensive food, a shoot-out every 30 minutes, divers, and strolling singers. Can’t ask for more! WHY DON’T WE HAVE THESE GUYS????!!!!!

By Lynn

August 29, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Girls are older now but when they were younger, Joe’s Crab Shack was about the fanciest place we took them. I’ve never cared for the looks you get when you walk into a high priced eaterly with little kids so it was always Joe’s for family dining. I can appreciate both sides of the fence when it comes to kids in restaurants. If parents would only make their children mind, this issue would not ruffle so many feathers with everyone.

By Judi-RootyTooty

August 29, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

WOW! When it comes to restaurants I forgot GREENWOOD’S on Green Street in R-well, and the good ole OK CAFE! They are both fairly family friendly, good atmosphere, and great for foodies! SWALLOW in the HOLLOW, too!

By MRG

August 29, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

I get it Sandy. You are angry. Stop being so angry and lighten up a little bit. I’m pretty sure kids don’t like your company either. Even the well behaved ones. I used to be you until my little one came along. Granted he is well behaved in restaurants but he has his moments. I’ve learned over the past 7 years not to sweat the little stuff and have a sense of humor.

By Chef Diablo

August 29, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Laura and Sandy…i understand but why would you goto these family or kid friendly restos anyways? All the restos mentioned above is average at best and cheap quality. No one brings kids to a true foodie destination. I applaud the parents that actually scope out a place beforehand. There’s places for kids and there’s places that you should never bring kids. I myself can’t stand kids in a good resto. And yes, some parents just don’t get it either, they think they have the right to do anything they want. BTW- only a handful of people are brave enough to explore the true food scene in ATL anyways. Look at the Best Of List…pathetic and pedestrian.

By Jen

August 29, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

None of these are foodie places as snotty Chef Diablo intones but the food is good enough and our bratty kids won’t bother anyone:

Doc Chey’s Lafonda Fellini’s The Flying Biscuit El Azteca Zestos Melton’s App and Tap Frontpage News The Brick Store Hand in Hand/Neighbors

That’s all I can think of off the top of my head…just neighborhood diners and bar-n-grilles. These places cater to everyone and it’s usually so noisy from people talking to each other that no one notices anyone else’s bratty kid or well-behaved kid….

By chs

August 29, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

The Fruit Jar in Canton is awesome. The food is terrific and they serve plenty of it. It is food like your grandmother made. You may not like how it looks, but the food is out of this world. It is right off of 75 North @ Hwy 20 right behind Wendys.

By GP

August 29, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

for kid friendly hands down it’s Golden Coral buffets.

By sandy

August 29, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

Jen: Telling people to Shut up? Wow. Now that shows some good social skills. I bet your kids are selfish bullies, if you have any. Don’t like what someone says? Just tell then to shut up. Nice! You prove my point about “those parents” better than I could.

MRG: No, I’m not angry, Just because someone disagrees with your point of view doesn’t mean they are automatically angry. Is that how you parents teach your kids to act? “Kids, if someone doesn’t like what you are doing, or how you are feeling, you just tell them to shut up, because clearly they are just angry and wrong.” Ever think that there is more than just YOUR opinion in this world? I don’t mind kids at restaurants that are COURTING kids. And I don’t mind well behaved kids at any restaurant. I would be delighted to sit next to a table of 6 well behaved kids at Bacchanalia. Wouldn’t bother me. If your little darling is ready, take them out. If they are not, leave them at home or take them to someplace appropriate.

By dbbaker

August 30, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this

When I connected to this blog I thought it would be about kid-FRIENDLY restaurants; instead it’s seems to almost be more about the non-parents bashing parents. I understand that non-parents might want to find out where the kiddies are going and NOT wanting to go there, but there’s no reason to attack the parents here. Please take it somewhere else and let’s get back to the original discussion.

Longhorn Steakhouse has always been good to my kids and they LOVE the local chinese buffet place.

P.S. @MRG - I agree with your last statement. Even though I’m a parent of two boys myself, I hate going out on a much-needed date with my husband to a nice restaurant only to be seated next to a family with an ill-behaved child. BUT, it is very poor manners to point out this fact to the parents. It’s better to compliment the parents of the well-behaved child.

By JJ

August 30, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

Sandy Sign up for some anger management classes quickly!!!!!

You posts are very much anger filled.

By Ankle Biter

August 30, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

I think it’s my right as parent to take my kids anywhere I please. I’m not going to settle for bad food just b/c I have kids. If people don’t like it, they can move to another table or leave. My kids will only eat good food, they love french food and sushi. Some of their favs- foie gras, kumomoto’s, osso buco, otoro and caviar. They want to try Trois next. Kids need to learn how to develop a good palate early!

By DCP

August 30, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

Flying Biscuit, Osteria, Dakota Blue, Little Azio, Six Feet Under, Mary Mac’s, Taqueria del Sol, Frontpage News, and just about any pizza joint or BBQ joint will cater to kids as well.

By Rod

September 3, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

I have children of my own. But, when I sit next to a table with parents who don’t mind their bratty children - I tell them what a poor job they’re doing raising their kids. They should be told. AND, I’ve been applauded by other people (including those with children) many times! A few waitresses have even thanked me!