Bring the Kids

Family-Friendly Dining Options


By Mary Lee Shalvoy
Photography by Judi Swinks

    As a mother of three, I know too well the perils of dining in a restaurant with youngsters in tow. For years, eating out was either a quick trip to the takeout counter or using the closest delivery service. Now that my children are older, the thought of sharing a meal with them in public does not put me in the throes of a panic attack. However, I still seek a family-friendly atmosphere when dining out with them.
    With the departure of Chevys Fresh Mex Restaurant, many Alameda families lost a mainstay in their dining-out options. What’s left for the ravenous masses? Plenty. Alameda is chock-full of kid-friendly spots. In fact, most restaurants will accommodate dining parties with children. But as a mom, I don’t always feel comfortable dragging my kids to certain locations.
    In choosing kid-friendly outlets to highlight, I’m focusing on full-service restaurants—places where a family can go inside, sit down and be served. For assistance, I polled a group of Alameda parents whose suggestions had to exclude fast food, takeout, diner-style eateries or buffet-type restaurants.
    Most parents have a sixth sense, knowing the moment they cross the threshold of a restaurant whether it will be a good choice for a family dinner. Some immediate concerns: Can I push my stroller past the entryway? Is my child’s voice the loudest in the room? Are high chairs available? Is there a menu for children under 12? Where are the crayons? Will the bill deplete my children’s college savings?
    These criteria—space, noise level, kid-specific accommodations and price—all play a part in what parents consider the kid-friendliest places. According to these parents, Alameda’s family-operated restaurants—especially the ethnic ones—are great family choices. La Piñata No. 3, Juanita’s, Otaez, Acapulco and Calafia Taqueria lead their Mexican favorites, although omnipresent baskets of chips were labeled both a blessing and a curse. For pizza, Linguini’s Cafe, La Val’s Pizza and Village Pizza are perennial kid and parent favorites, but arcade games generate mixed feelings. Asian-influenced restaurants receiving top mentions were East Ocean Seafood, Harbor View Chinese Restaurant, Kai’s Japanese Restaurant, Sushi House and Katsu Sushi.
    But the three most-mentioned kid-friendly restaurants were Tomatina, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and McGee’s Bar & Grill.
    Tomatina (1338 Park St., 510-521-1000) is top of mind for many moms and dads. With the premise of the restaurant based on a tomato fight somewhere in Spain, how could it not welcome kids? Just walk in the front door and you are liable to see strollers lined up and a tower of high chairs with room to spare. Tomatina does something else that every mother and father appreciates—each kid gets a set of individually wrapped crayons along with a piece of paper filled with pictures to color. Moms and dads can feel comfortable here, or as one mom puts it: “It’s also just noisy enough that you do not have to keep ‘shushing’ your kids.” The kids’ menu caters to picky, bland-food eaters—well, kids. And, while they feast on plates of plain pasta with butter, moms can munch on signature piadines (delicious salads resting on flatbread) and sip glasses of wine. Afterwards, walk along Park Street to Tucker’s Super Creamed Ice Cream for dessert or Books Inc. to pick up a best seller. Everybody’s happy.
    Every kid I know loves Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar (2263 South Shore Center, 510-522-7071). The draw could be the Native American statue with the weird eyes that welcomes every visitor. Or maybe the attraction is Applebee’s fun booklet menu with games and activities. The restaurant’s colorful decor is another plus. Applebee’s has it all—burgers, fries and a shake in a plastic cup to take home for the kiddies; a menu with a range of choices for every mood; and specialty cocktails from the full-service bar for adults. And, the proximity to Trader Joe’s and Safeway makes a quick milk run easy on the way home.
    A bit of a surprise on the kid-friendly front, McGee’s Bar & Grill (1645 Park St., 510-522-3470) is a big draw for families in Alameda. Maybe it’s popular because McGee’s hosts so many baseball team parties every spring or because the menu offers excellent options for every younger player. A plate of mini-burgers feeds the small mouths of an entire family, while an excellent spinach salad is an all-time favorite for mom.
    These choices are just the tip of the iceberg for kid-friendly dining in Alameda. When in doubt, readers can consult Alameda Magazine’s Dining Guide, which is also online at www.alamedamagazine.com, for details on restaurants and dining options in Alameda and the East Bay.