Founded nearly three decades ago on the principles of exceptional value and family fun, Applebee’s Services, Inc., operates what is today the largest casual-dining chain in the world. This prominent eatery draws people of all ages and lifestyles with its fun, family-friendly atmosphere and signature bar and grill menu.

Applebee’s is the largest casual dining chain in the world, with locations throughout the U.S. and many countries worldwide. They take pride in having a friendly, welcoming, neighborhood environment for both their staff and guests that makes everyone enjoy their Applebee’s experience. Since the beginning, Applebee’s has been a popular neighborhood restaurant focused on serving good food to good people.

Most restaurants who cater to families have experienced a child’s screaming tantrum and frazzled parents who wolf down their meal and proceed to chase their toddler around the dining room. While restaurants can’t control kids behavior (oh wouldn’t it be nice though) they can make the whole dining out process a lot easier for parents. Not only will parents appreciate the help, they will be more likely to come back, even after the kids stop having public meltdowns.

Start With The Staff

Many of your staff are college students who don’t have children. They haven’t the faintest clue what it is like to eat out with young children. Train your staff to be as helpful as possible, starting the moment a family walks through the door. If possible, families should be given a larger table (if there are four, give them a table for six) so the kids have room to color or play.

Speaking from personal experience – Nothing irks me more than being crammed around a table, trying to find room for all the infant and toddler paraphernalia that is necessary when leaving the house (bottles, baby food, diaper bag, toys, the list goes on and on).

The staff should also be trained to treat kids with the same courtesy and respect as older patrons. A server should never show annoyance or disrespect for a child, no matter how bad their behavior may be. Remember, kids are customers too.

Stock Up On Restaurant Kid Supplies

Along with offering highchairs and booster seats, staff should offer coloring stuff, and toys. However, before throwing a basket of army men down on the table for the kids, servers should first ask parents if toys at the table are okay. Ditto for the coloring supplies. Many restaurants keep special kid packs, like boxed crayons and placemats.  Keep cups of crayons and oversized coloring books handy for your kid patrons, along with a motley assortment of cars and tractors. It’s cheaper and keeps the kids just as happy. Sippy cups are also a necessity for any kid friendly restaurant.

Have you ever seen a two year old try to take a drink from a highball glass or pint?

Some chain restaurants give out balloons. I advise against this practice. Not only they are choking hazard for young children, they are annoying to have at the table and in the car.

Spruce Up The Kids Menu

The days of French fries and chicken fingers as the primary meal on a restaurant’s kid menu are fast fading in the wake of the national obesity crisis in the United States. Many restaurants are offering all sorts of healthy alternatives to traditional kids menu, including fresh fruits and vegetables and non-fried items like baked chicken or pasta with red sauce. Here are some restaurant kid menu items that offer a healthy alternative to French fries and hot dogs:

• La Tascas offers albóndigas- Spanish-style beef meatballs, served with a vegetable& tomato sauce and a baby salad.
• Perkins Restaurant & Bakery offers chicken fingers with broccoli and cheese dipping sauce.
• Ruby Tuesday’s offers grilled chicken with fresh, steamed broccoli.

As parents grow more aware of the effects of unhealthy food on their kids, they will appreciate healthier menu options.

Parents Magazine has named THE OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY AMONG TOP 10 KID-FRIENDLYRESTAURANTS!

Along with a kid’s menu, kid’s club and games, The Old Spaghetti Factory also has Rewards of Reading Program for kids! The Old Spaghetti Factory works with local communities to encourage children to read. They make reading fun by rewarding good readers. Every child who reads 5 books will EARN a free Kid’s Meal from The Old Spaghetti Factory.

Cracker Barrel is a great pick when eating out with the family. Their food is absolutely delicious!! My favorite dish to get when I’m eating there is the Farm Raised CATFISH Fillet – prepared Spicy Grilled. My side choices are Country Green Beans and Fried Apples. Ohhh – my mouth is watering just thinking about it … Hehehe

At every Cracker Barrell there is a Kid’s Corner. The Kid’s Corner has a great selection of games for ALL members of the family They offer a great selection of food on the Kid’s Menu.

Everyone in the family will enjoy eating at Cracker Barrel!

For over 50 years Sizzler has been serving great American meals, grilled to taste. Mid-scale, casual dining restaurant emphasizing value, comfort and convenience. Sizzler introduced the “fast casual” service style. All-you-can-eat buffet has been removed from all but a very few remaining restaurants. Sizzler serves lunch and dinner.

Sizzler is found the Western part of the United States, Florida, Puerto Rico, New Jersey and New York.

The salad bar is one of the best salad bars out there! Sizzler’s new seasonal salads, gourmet soups, hot appetizers, fresh taco bar, just picked fruit, and dessert!

Come in now and enjoy a tender, juicy Steak or Malibu chicken or a half dozen golden Fried Shrimp with their World Famous Endless Salad Bar, featuring soups, hot appetizers, fresh salads and cool desserts- all for just S9.99! So economical in price

Enjoy Eating!

10 – Claim Jumper

9 – Denny’s

8 – P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

7 – The Old Spaghetti Factory

6 – Red Robbin

5 – Chili’s Grill & Bar

4 – Uno Chicago Grill

3 – Mimi’s Cafe

2 – Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes

1 – Legal Sea Foods

My family had a weekly informal reservation at the fine dining establishment.  It was not that we were too lazy to cook but this was part of our weekly schedule to gather as a family and all some of our neighbors who shared our dinner plans.

Since I moved up to a larger city, I have been looking for such an restaurant that really captures this feel and would be something I would like to share with my family.  I am searching for a place that I wouldn’t think twice about the quality of food or the ambiance of the restaurant.   Thus so far,  I have not found my goal but the search is still on.