Posted by Carol, a resident of the Palo Verde neighborhood, on Jan 8, 2007 at 8:45 pm

Good question, I have the same problems.

We like Sizzlers, Chilis and Fresh Choice in Mountain View, Applebees in Redwood City. Depending on the age of your children, we like The Roadhouse on Castro Street in Mountain View, but it isn't really for the very young.

Unfortunately, can't think of anywhere suitable in Palo Alto, but would really love to get ideas from others.

Posted by Bill, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Jan 8, 2007 at 10:12 pm

Compadres in south Palo Alto on El Camino and Hobees are both good places, depending on the age of your kids. Compadres has a special deal for kids, I believe on Sunday nights, and Hobees has a kids menu that is very reasonable. With a Hobees coupon from Pizzaz you get a two-for-one adult meal any night of the week too!

Posted by RS, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Jan 9, 2007 at 12:39 am

Pennisula Creamery - Emerson and Hamilton

Taxis - on University

Casa Isabel - On Park near California

Joannies Cafe -California Ave

Stacks - Menlo Park - Santa Cruz and El Camino

Posted by DJ, a resident of the Palo Verde neighborhood, on Jan 9, 2007 at 11:32 am

Fresh Choice

Olive Garden - they have a kids menu, very reasonable prices. They let you substitute wheat pasta in most cases.

Posted by Mary, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Jan 9, 2007 at 2:10 pm

That Pizzaz coupon for Hobee's is not for all locations. Be sure to check the fine print.

Posted by A Guy, a resident of Woodside, on Jan 9, 2007 at 2:43 pm

Buck's in Woodside (our fav)

Max's Opera Cafe Stanford Shopping Ctr

Stacks

PF Chang's Stanford Shopping

Posted by A Guy, a resident of Woodside, on Jan 9, 2007 at 2:46 pm

Oops, forgot:

Chevy's Redwood City

Chuck E Cheese (haven't been there but other's like it)

Pizza and Pipes (Santa Clara)

Bullwinkles (Santa Clara, is this still open? It's kind of quirky Chuck E Cheese with a neat water show).

Posted by Yet More, a resident of another community, on Jan 9, 2007 at 2:56 pm

Oregano's

Marie Calender's

The Fish Market

Posted by RS, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Jan 9, 2007 at 3:52 pm

and pretty much anything fast food.

Posted by A Mom, a resident of the Evergreen Park neighborhood, on Jan 9, 2007 at 8:16 pm

Try The Counter and Salsa on California St.

Posted by We eat out too much!, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Feb 4, 2007 at 8:56 pm

We out with our kids way too much...but we find that there are many restaurants that on the outside seem to 'fancy', but are so friendly when you get inside. My kids don't run around in restaurants, but are very picky, and these restaurants have always been so great about making things 'to order'. Good luck!

- Tai Pan (yes, it looks fancy, but they are always sooo kind to our kids!)

- Hunan Garden

- Nola

- Mike's Cafe (both in Palo Alto and Menlo Park)

- Fuki Sushi

The regulars:

- Olive Garden

- Boston Market

- Baja Fresh

Posted by eric, a resident of Mountain View, on Apr 12, 2007 at 2:32 pm

La Fiesta in Mtn View

Nola

Posted by Tax paying Mom, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Apr 20, 2007 at 7:49 pm

I'll second the ideas for Mikes in Midtown,The Creamery, Bucks, & the FIsh Market.

Also, if no one has mentioned it yet, Max's @ Stanford shopping center. Med. Wraps on California Ave. is also great for kids - you can dine outside in the warmer weather, too.

For a slightly more special night out, my children & I have been very, very, well received @

St. Michael's Alley. We've gone there 6-7 times, & have always had an excellent evening.

In general, I think dining out with children depends mostly on the parents. I've never really had any problems with my 2 very normal, active boys.

Good luck!

Posted by Grandma, a resident of the Fairmeadow neighborhood, on Apr 22, 2007 at 3:26 am

Try California Cafe, it's slightly more up-scale than some of the other restaurants mentioned. They do have a children's menu for the younger ones but it is a great place to take your older children and get them used to choosing what maybe different foods off a menu. Don't let them eat too much bread first!!!!!

Posted by eric, a resident of Mountain View, on Apr 23, 2007 at 4:10 pm

Maybe the better topic would be restaraunt-friendly kids...

Posted by Marie, a resident of the Barron Park neighborhood, on Feb 8, 2010 at 10:39 pm

Pizz'a Chicago is one of our favorites. Also, my kids love Curry House (Japanese) in Cupertino.

Posted by Marie, a resident of the Barron Park neighborhood, on Feb 8, 2010 at 10:49 pm

I should add: Curry House has very reasonable and yummy kids meals, i.e., meatballs in Japanese curry sauce over rice, corn chowder, breaded prawn, potato wedges, egg slices and cantaloupe for 4.95. They also have spaghetti in tomato sauce and chicken teriyaki with similar sides.

Posted by Sarah, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Feb 8, 2010 at 11:20 pm

Any Chinese restaurant will be child-friendly. Dishes are served "family style" so kids and adults can eat as much as they want; and you can easily take the left overs home for tomorrow. Different styles of Chinese food (Cantonese vs. Sichuan vs. Shanghai vs. Beijing vs. Mongolian, etc.) taste very different, so you have lots of variety to choose from.

Posted by Charlotte, a member of the Duveneck School community, on May 15, 2011 at 11:27 am

My kids love Juban!