Family-Friendly Chain Restaurants

Red Robin

FAMILY NIGHT OUT

Where: Red Robin

The critics: One dad, one mom (who is also a registered dietitian) and two children, ages 2 and 5.

THE MEAL

What they ordered: Mom got the apple harvest salad, dad got the BBQ chicken sandwich, and it’s no surprise that the kids ate mac-n-cheese! The children also ordered apples, mandarin slices, and milk.

What Mom liked: The big selection of nutritious fruit and veggie sides, and the appropriate portion sizes for food ordered from the kids’ menu.

Kids’ comments: None, but one cleared his plate and ate all his fruit, while the other child, who is a picky 2 year old, ate most of his meal along with the apples.

THE ATMOSPHERE

Playtime: The restaurant had a separate area with video games.

Table toys: Crayons and paper were provided.

Bonus gift: The kids were given balloons when they were leaving the restaurant.

SPECIAL MENTION

“There were many healthful options for adults too—if you order right,” says our restaurant-critic mom. “I really liked how each burger could be ordered as a beef, turkey, veggie, or chicken patty.”

And the dietitian in her adds: “But the bottomless steak fries need to be nixed.”