By Robin Lundgren
Eating out with kids can be relatively stressful, but it helps to findrestaurants that cater to kids or have an atmosphere that kids will enjoy. TheWashington DC metropolitan area offers a lot of options for parents and kids.Here are a few worth checking out.
Generous George’s PositivePizza and Pasta – Herndon, Va: Offers a kid-friendly atmosphere and a kidsmenu that includes a “Make Your Own Pizza” selection where kids can literallymake their own pizza. A chef hat to take home comes with your order! Fun!
Dave & Buster’s – Bethesdaand Hanover, Md: What kid won’t love a restaurant that has an arcadefeaturing more than 200 games. A great place to eat and play.
Johnny Rockets – variouslocations in DC, Md. and Va.: This retro diner has somethingfor everyone and includes kid-friendly fare from mini hot dogs to PB&J.
Noodles & Company – variouslocations in DC, Md. and Va.: Pasta is a kid’s best friendand at Noodles & Company, kids can have their pasta a variety of ways orcustomize it exactly as they like it.
Red Robin – various locationsin Md. and Va.: An energetic restaurant that has an extensive adultmenu and a varied kids menu as well.
Piazza di Giorgio – TysonsGalleria: This cafeteria-style eatery has something foreveryone. A little tricky with toddlers, but great for older kids who can carrytheir own trays. Piazza di Giorgio features a wide variety of options includingpizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches, Chinese food, and smoothies. The oversizedchocolate chunk cookies, full of chocolate chips, kisses and candy bar junksare a chocolate chip cookie lover’s dream!
Cactus Cantina – DC: Greatvariety of Mexican dishes for adults and kids alike. If your kids don’t likeMexican, there are nuggets and tenders, as well as five flavors of ice cream tochoose from.
Brix American Bistro – GreatFalls: This cozy restaurant offers a nice selection of delicious appetizers andentrees for lunch and dinner. The kids menu offers options including soups andsalads, and everything from a kids cut of filet mignon to “Make Your Own Pasta”and grilled cheese.
The National Museum of theAmerican Indian – DC: Take a visit to this museum and also enjoysome good eats. The museums’ Mitsitam Café features delicious native foods ofthe Western Hemisphere. Adventurous kids will enjoy sampling the variety ofcuisines. For the less adventurous, the café also offers the fallback chickentenders.
Robin Lundgren is a freelance writer in Great Falls, Va.
