My top 5: Places to Eat With My Herd

As you can imagine- eating out with seven people (five of which are usually unreasonable) so if these places do well for us, they will do well for you too!

1: Chick-fil-a

The are super friendly, family oriented, offer something for everyone and I have never been into a location that was not clean. They have a greeter who's sole job is to make you happy... balloons for the kids, a stick-down place mat for the youngest, drink refills or to help you carry your trays to your tables. I LOVE that they openly list all ingredients and nutritional content. It is pretty darn wholesome; from the way the staff acts and handles themselves, to the company values, to the quality of their product. Good stuff. They just launched a gluten free chicken nuggets and they offer unsweetened apple sauce in lieu of fries (Our youngest doesn't care for their delectable waffle fries. Did I really give birth to this kid?) The kids meal toys are usually pretty cool and knowledge-based BUT you can trade them in for a kid sized ice cream. They are franchised, so if you can find one that has themed family night or school fundraising nights that is a bonus!

2: Five Guys
Alright... this one is mainly because I love their burgers. Here's the deal: they are no frills, quick and good quality. Yes they cost more than McD's or BK but soooo worth it. The potatoes are cut in house and fried from from fresh form. Ainsley loves to announce where the potatoes from today came from (always somewhere in Idaho, of course) This place is comfort food for me. When I was little, my dad dubbed his burgers "Kace Barrett's World Famous Cheeseburgers" and I loved them. Five Guys replicates that childhood meal for me. They provide index cards and crayons for anyone to color a little picture and pin it to their cork board which is always fun for kids! And, allergy alert, they have open bins of peanuts in the shell. I don't exactly know why, it's not like you think burgers:peanuts. but it is fun no less.

3: Firehouse Subs
My boys looooove this place (including the grown-up one!) the inside is decorated with REAL fire gear and pictures of fires being fought in our local area. Kids meals come with a plastic fire mans hat and their brownies are REALLY good. I only eat the meatball sub (kid sized, as it is the worst one for you) but they slice the meat for your sandwich when you order it. The bread gets toasted and meat is steamed. There is even a selection of hot sauces to choose from. While costing more than other sub joints, it's well worth it!

4: Chili's
five reasons: bottomless chips and salsa, fajitas, Kraft mac and cheese, molten cakes, 2 for 20 deal. 'nuff said.

5: Red Robin
If you haven't been in one- it's is a heaven for kids! Balloons when you walk in, many of the televisions mounted around the place have kids shows on them, the kids menu is divided into blocks- they get to choose an item from each of the three blocks (and it is in picture form), it is loud so I am never afraid of disturbing anyone, they will bring a few baskets of steakhouse style fries to hold your group off until the meal arrives (no extra charge!) and they have hand spun milkshakes! The adult beverage menu is impressive but we don't drink while out with our kids.

On a side note: any place that has the new Coke-a-Cola Freestyle Machine has a huge advantage- they are awesome!!

5 places we DON'T take our kids? Any place with a tablecloth (color doesn't matter), anywhere with a votive on the table or super dim lighting, a restaurant that does not offer a kids menu, establishments that we know will have slower service and cultural eateries. 

...and- I just described the ideal date-night!